Let me just say that I am in love with Tower Bridge. I think it's beautiful, elegant, and an engineering wonder. I think that about most bridges, but Tower Bridge stands out!
The London icon is a bascule bridge, and lifts its center spans to accommodate tall ships passing through on the Thames. Two lifts were planned for today; it turned out both lifts were for the same tourist boat, the Dixie Queen, to pass upriver and then downriver. The bridge lifts for any vessel over 30 feet tall, and there is no charge - just 24 hours advance notice required.
After lunch, we climbed the bridge's north tower! From there we walked along the upper pedestrian bridge, where there were exhibits, great views and a fun glass floor looking down onto the roadway and river. We spent a while up there, learning about the bridge and enjoying the city views.
The tour's last stop was in the former engine room, where massive steam engines used coal to pressurize water and lift the bridge bascules. Modern electo-hydraulic motors using oil are now in place to operate the lift system.
First lift for the Dixie Queen
Second lift for the Dixie Queen
On the bridge approach, with the
Tower of London in the background
The upper pedestrian walkway
View to the east
Tower Bridge selfie
Enjoying the glass floors on the top pedestrian walkway
We ran into a friend from Lehigh on top of the bridge!
Souvenir squashed penny
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