Big Chute Marine Railway

Big Chute Marine Railway is a patent slip at lock 44 (in the township of Georgian Bay) of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada.

It is the only marine railway (or canal inclined plane) of its kind in North America still in use, and is overseen by federally operated Parks Canada.

The locks at Big Chute and Swift Rapids were not completed, with "temporary" marine railways being built instead.

The original Big Chute Marine Railway was completed in 1917, and could only carry boats up to 35 feet (10.67 m) long, preventing navigation by large commercial vessels.

However because of the post-war recession the scheme was put on hold once more, although remains of the beginning of the dams required to maintain the water levels can still be found in the surrounding forest.

Before construction began the sea lamprey, which had been devastating the fishing industry in the Great Lakes, was found in Gloucester Pool—at the bottom of the railway—and plans were put on hold.

The old system has been decommissioned by Parks Canada, to conform with modern safety standards, although the old tracks and carriage still remain.

A submerged wooden structure with a system of straps designed to securely raise boats out of the water without them tipping over.
View from a vessel exiting the submerged carriage