The Gastown Steam Clock

The most famous landmark at Gastown, near the Waterfront of Vancouver Downtown, is its steam clock, located at the corner of Cambie and Water Street.

The clock was built to harness the steam and to prevent street people from sleeping on the spot in cold weather. Its original design was not good and it had to be powered by electricity after a breakdown. The steam mechanism was completely restored with the financial support of local businesses as it had become a major tourist attraction, and is promoted as a feature of heritage.

The steam used is low pressure downtown-wide steam heating network that powers a miniature steam engine in its base, in turn driving a chain lift. The chain lift moves steel balls upward, where they are unloaded and roll to a descending chain. The weight of the balls on the descending chain drives a conventional pendulum clock escapement, geared to the hands on the four faces. The steam also powers the clock's sound production as whistles are used instead of bells to produce the Westminster "chime" and to signal the time.

This faux-heritage steam clock entertains tourists like me.