cradle. A rope would be attached to the loaded top cradle and it would be drawn out of the water to the top of the incline using a small winding drum driven by a steam engine. The main incline rope would then be attached to the cradle and the loaded boat would descend the incline, counterbalanced by an empty boat ascending on the other rail line. The speed would be controlled by a brake on the main winding drum. On reaching the summit a rope from the small winding drum would be attached to the cradle to control its descent into the upper basin. Although the loaded boats were travelling downhill, and so the plane was mostly worked by gravity, a small steam engine was also provided and drove the winding drums. This was of Adam Heslop's design, a twin-cylindered rotative beam engine, to a design patented in 1790. The remains of the brick boiler house and winding mechanism may be seen at the top of the incline. The system was worked by four men and took around four minutes to raise or lower a boat. See also Coalport Coalport Canal William Reynolds (industrialist) Canals of the United Kingdom Rivers of the United Kingdom History of the British canal system Listed buildings in The Gorge Further reading References External links Telford and Wrekin Buildings and structures in Shropshire Canal inclined planes Ironbridge Gorge Canals in Shropshire