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See Notes  All Pictures are JPEG
8 Updated Pics 2 new Pics
Old vs New Pictures

Operator Console 49k New	Console Top View 38k New	Machinery Room 40k New
Hydraulic Brake 44k New	Reduction Gear Box 35k New	75-hp Motor 33k New
Emergency Motor 26k	Main Service Brake 36k New	Gears 37k New
Live Load Trunion 46k New	Containment Tent View 20k	High Street at night 34k
On the way up 27k	Approach Way at Night 45k

Notes on some of the pictures:

The first picture is the Main Operating Console that was installed in 1981.  The last time I counted there was 60 switches and buttons that controlled the bridge.  The top view of the console is the Oakland side of the console.  The switches control the gates, locks, control buttons, and the bridge brakes.  The key switches are by-passes and are used in emergencies to by-pass certain bridge functions that fail.   This allows you raise the bridge if something does not work.  In certain types of failures you cannot raise the bridge even by using the by-passes.  There are two identical machinery rooms one on each side of the bridge.  The picture above is the Oakland Side.  The bridge crew prides itself in keeping the machinery spaces clean.

The hydraulic brakes are used as a back up brake system in case the service brakes fail.  They are tested occasionally to ensure they function.  The main gearbox is huge, if a six foot man stood next to it would come up to his chest.  It uses oil similar to what is used in a car rear end.  The main drive motor is 75-hp and can easily raise the bridge.  If you look closely there is a belt hook-upped to the motor this controls delicate switches that control the Speed of the bridge.

The emergency drive is a 5-hp and is used to seat the bridge and raise the bridge if the main motor fails.  The emergency drive motor has saved the day many times over the years.  The service brake is the work horse brake it does all the braking during bridge operation.  These are the main gears that eventually drive the rack on the bridge. The Trunion is the main bearing that supports the weight of the bridge when moving. The bridge rotates on this bearing.  It's vitally important that this bearing is lubricated.  The box next to the Trunion contains switches that tell the bridge when to stop.  They can be manually adjusted if needed.

The aerial view of the bridge shows the containment tent used to contain the lead paint from entering the water and air during the sand blasting and paint project.  The picture was kind is kind of bad I will see if I can run some filters to enhance it.   Side view picture of the bridge at night.

This is a shot of the bridge going up.  It was about half way up when the pictures was taken.  This is a picture of the approach at night.  I had snap this one and run keep from getting run over.  With this picture you cam see the cap (the arch) of the bridge.