Smiths Falls Ontario is the location of a Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge. This bridge was built as part of the Canadian Norther Railway's transcontinental expansion in 1914 and was built across the Rideau Canal. In 1985 it was designated as a National Historic Site. When installed the bridge was equipped with a direct current motor for raising and lowering the bridge and power was supplied by the town's electric company. In the early 1920's the town changed to an alternating current distribution and the bridge was operated using a hand crank until abandonment in 1979. In the later years the line had traffic only at night so the bridge would be left raised during the day so that canal traffic could pass freely. During the winter season the bridge was left down. The Scherzer design lifts the bridges by means of extending the bridge girders into a quadrant shape at one end. When the bridge is lifted it rolls on these quadrants, lifting the bridge. By doing this the bridge does not require a "hinge pin" to support the fixed end of the bridge. In addition the bridge actually moves away from the waterway as it lifts up, increasing the clearance. I am seeking further information on this type of drawbridge, including locations of other Scherzer briges. Robert Vaughan Smiths Falls Railway Museum -- Robert L. Vaughan [log in to unmask] Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~bk681/index.html