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[Narrator] These are the
engineering wonders of Germany,
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00:00:04,404 --> 00:00:09,343
their secrets revealed in a way
never seen before.
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00:00:09,476 --> 00:00:14,081
Visionaries shaped this land
into the crossroads of Europe,
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00:00:14,214 --> 00:00:16,583
constructing
groundbreaking waterways,
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00:00:16,717 --> 00:00:20,888
world-beating machines
and pioneering structures.
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00:00:22,723 --> 00:00:26,593
Today, German engineers
continue this legacy
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00:00:26,727 --> 00:00:29,863
with record-breaking
infrastructure projects
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00:00:29,997 --> 00:00:32,966
and spectacular innovations.
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00:00:33,100 --> 00:00:37,404
In this series, we reveal
the secrets of the engineering
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00:00:37,538 --> 00:00:40,941
that built Europe's
great nations,
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00:00:41,074 --> 00:00:43,844
the wonders that shape
its cities,
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00:00:43,977 --> 00:00:47,714
landscapes and history.
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We reveal the astonishing
innovations
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00:00:51,385 --> 00:00:53,487
and surprising connections
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that helped to forge
this mighty continent.
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♪ ♪
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♪ ♪
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Germany is located
in the heart of Europe.
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It's surrounded by
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nine countries
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and stretches from the Alps
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in the south
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to the North and Baltic Seas.
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Over the centuries,
Germany's central location
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has brought wealth
and prosperity.
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Today, its broad rivers and
canals connect European markets
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for cars, heavy machinery
and electrical parts.
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Its engineers built
a vast rail network
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and one of the world's largest
superhighway systems,
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the Autobahn.
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♪ ♪
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German engineers are also famed
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for record-breaking
monster machines.
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The largest terrestrial vehicle
ever built
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is a German-made
bucket-wheel excavator.
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And the dramatic Zugspitze
aerial tramway in the Alps
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has the longest climb of
any cable car in the world.
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Now, in Munich,
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an innovative new project
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takes engineering
to a whole new level.
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♪ ♪
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This is Europe’s largest and
most innovative surf park.
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♪ ♪
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This incredible high-tech pool
took over two years to build,
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and it runs on a system
called Endless Surf
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which uses compressed air
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instead of paddles or plows
to generate waves.
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The powerful wave generator
can create a custom wave
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every 10 seconds, replicating
natural wave patterns
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and achieving heights
of up to 2.2 meters.
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Solar energy powers almost
all of the machinery.
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This wonder of pneumatic
engineering creates waves
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so accurate to nature
that Olympians use it
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to help them train in the heart
of mainland Europe.
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Chris Boehm-Tettelbach is
the park’s founder.
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[Chris Boehm-Tettelbach] We had
about 60 architects and planners
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to create this place,
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because something like this
has never been built before.
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[Narrator] The secret to
the park's miracle waves
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lies hidden on the edge
of the pool.
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34 water-filled chambers
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fitted with high-powered
air pumps.
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They blast pressurized air
into curved channels
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and then release it
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to push and pull
on a column of water
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which generates waves
in the pool.
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Together, the pumps can shift
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up to 10,000 cubic meters
of water every second.
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The park is coming out
of a four-week winter break.
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Crewmembers are working
flat out
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to ensure that everything is
ready for the new season ahead.
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Chief Surfing Officer
Michi Mohr and colleague Till
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are gearing up for the most
crucial test of all:
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the pneumatic wave generator.
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[Michi Mohr] Maybe I'm
the only one in the world
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that has the title
Chief Surfing Officer,
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but basically I'm in charge
of all the surf experience here,
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and so obviously now
comes the fun part,
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testing those waves
that we created.
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[Narrator] The team
operates the waves
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from a control tower
above the pool.
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[Michi] Ranja?
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[speaks German]
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♪ ♪
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[Narrator] The operator
can generate
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seven different preset patterns
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from beginner waves
to expert level barrels.
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♪ ♪
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They start with
the beginner wave settings
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and then ride progressively
bigger patterns
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to check for wave height
and pacing.
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♪ ♪
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Michi then checks
the full expert settings.
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The wave quickly powers up to
a height of over two meters.
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Carrying Michi across
the entire length of the pool.
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[Michi] The pressure,
the steepness of the wave
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felt really good.
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So we were really pleased
with the result.
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So I think everyone
will be really stoked
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to get into the new season.
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[Narrator] With their tests
complete, the park opens
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and quickly fills up with surf
fans from across the globe,
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eager to try out
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this one-of-a-kind
engineering wonder.
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♪ ♪
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♪ ♪
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Throughout history, German
engineers have broken ground
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on some of Europe’s greatest
infrastructure projects.
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German engineers have pioneered
travel by rail,
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00:06:50,010 --> 00:06:54,881
inventing the diesel engine
and the first electric tramway.
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00:06:55,015 --> 00:06:57,951
In Wuppertal, they built
the world's first
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00:06:58,084 --> 00:07:01,154
electric suspension
public railway
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00:07:01,288 --> 00:07:05,325
at the turn
of the 20th century.
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00:07:05,458 --> 00:07:08,928
And in the 1980s,
a German high-speed train
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00:07:09,062 --> 00:07:14,701
set a world speed record of
over 405 kilometers per hour.
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Back in Munich,
engineers are creating
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a new record-breaking
railway station
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with an extraordinary twist.
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This is the construction site
of Marienhof station.
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It's part of Munich's brand new
rapid commuter line
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and the deepest station
ever built in Germany.
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The scale of the project is
unprecedented for the city.
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Engineers need to dig down over
40 meters to excavate tunnels
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00:07:50,870 --> 00:07:55,408
beneath the city’s existing
subterranean metro lines.
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The entire project is set to
cost nearly 11 billion euros,
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and the underground station
itself will be enormous.
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Johannes Jessen is a senior
project engineer on the site.
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[Johannes Jessen, translated]
We’re building a cathedral
underground here,
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at least in terms of the sheer
amount of earth we’re moving.
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00:08:17,597 --> 00:08:21,434
That’s 185,000 cubic meters.
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[Narrator] The deeper
the team here dig,
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the greater the challenge.
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Water saturates the soil,
which could swamp machinery
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00:08:32,579 --> 00:08:35,849
or cause the excavation
to cave in.
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00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:42,022
To deal with the wet ground
under Munich,
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The team must cast
massive concrete walls
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deep into the ground.
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Then they remove the earth
inside, layer by layer,
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00:08:53,233 --> 00:08:56,536
40 meters down,
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00:08:56,669 --> 00:09:00,306
to build the backbone
of the station.
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00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,743
But now, as they dig
their first tunnel,
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00:09:03,877 --> 00:09:09,048
they must venture outside
the concrete box.
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00:09:09,182 --> 00:09:11,918
To avoid groundwater
flooding in,
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they must seal off the tunnel
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00:09:15,622 --> 00:09:19,359
and use compressed air
to push back the water.
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♪ ♪
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For the tunnel builders,
that means stepping through
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00:09:27,867 --> 00:09:32,272
a high-pressure air lock each
morning just to get to work.
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00:09:33,773 --> 00:09:37,310
It’s a scene straight
out of sci-fi.
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00:09:39,579 --> 00:09:41,748
The air pressure
inside the tunnel
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00:09:41,881 --> 00:09:46,086
can be up to twice the pressure
of the air outside.
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00:09:46,219 --> 00:09:48,555
Similar to the pressure
a diver feels
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five to 10 meters underwater.
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[Narrator] Tools and even
heavy machinery
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must also enter the tunnel
via the pressure lock.
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♪ ♪
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[Marcin Russek, translated]
Air enters the chamber
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through these flaps.
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00:10:13,146 --> 00:10:16,349
It's fed through compressors
at 0.5 bar
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00:10:16,483 --> 00:10:19,352
so that we can work here.
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[Narrator] To combat the risk
of diesel fumes
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poisoning
the pressurized tunnel,
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00:10:29,028 --> 00:10:33,433
all the heavy machinery used
on site is electric.
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[Marcin] It's the first time
I've worked
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00:10:36,503 --> 00:10:41,441
on a construction site where all
of the devices are electrical.
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00:10:41,574 --> 00:10:45,645
And I’m really impressed by
how the electric machines work.
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00:10:50,817 --> 00:10:52,152
[Narrator] Marienhof station
is designed to be the hub
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of a new rapid commuter line
that connects Munich's center
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with its sprawling suburbs,
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00:10:59,726 --> 00:11:04,364
but 16 train and metro lines
already cross below the city,
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00:11:04,497 --> 00:11:08,334
transporting over one million
passengers a day.
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00:11:08,468 --> 00:11:11,271
So the new line has
to be dug even deeper
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00:11:11,404 --> 00:11:14,841
to avoid these existing
underground lines.
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00:11:19,345 --> 00:11:23,550
As each tunneling shift ends,
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00:11:23,683 --> 00:11:26,653
the team must depressurize
for around 10 minutes
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00:11:26,786 --> 00:11:29,322
before they head home
for the day.
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00:11:37,830 --> 00:11:39,799
[Marcin] When you get out
of the pressure zone,
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it's simply a relief,
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00:11:40,967 --> 00:11:42,869
because you're happy
to see daylight again
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and have completed the work.
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[Narrator] It’s slow progress.
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Working this way
means the team completes
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a maximum of two meters
of tunnel a day.
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But once finished,
this landmark station and line
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00:12:00,853 --> 00:12:03,590
will play a vital role,
easing the burden
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00:12:03,723 --> 00:12:08,061
on the city’s busy transport
system for generations to come.
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♪ ♪
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00:12:13,833 --> 00:12:17,470
German engineers are
pioneers of aviation,
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00:12:17,604 --> 00:12:22,075
creating the first
practical helicopter
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00:12:22,208 --> 00:12:24,477
and the first airline.
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00:12:25,912 --> 00:12:29,916
Today, ingenious taxiway
bridges carry aircraft
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00:12:30,049 --> 00:12:31,484
over the Autobahn to help
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00:12:31,618 --> 00:12:35,588
the country's
busy airports to grow.
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00:12:35,722 --> 00:12:38,291
The Heligoland Archipelago
is home
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00:12:38,424 --> 00:12:42,428
to perhaps Germany’s
most dramatic airport.
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00:12:42,562 --> 00:12:45,131
Three runways here
stretch across a small
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00:12:45,264 --> 00:12:48,301
850-meter-wide island of sand
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00:12:48,434 --> 00:12:51,871
in the middle of the North Sea.
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00:12:52,005 --> 00:12:56,342
In Frankfurt am Main, engineers
are expanding an airport
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00:12:56,476 --> 00:13:02,015
to make it fit for
21st century air travel.
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00:13:02,148 --> 00:13:04,717
♪ ♪
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00:13:04,851 --> 00:13:06,719
Frankfurt Airport
is the busiest
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00:13:06,853 --> 00:13:10,356
aviation hub in Germany.
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00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:14,994
Around 1,200 flights take off
and land here every day,
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00:13:15,128 --> 00:13:18,698
moving over 60 million
passengers a year.
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00:13:20,333 --> 00:13:22,368
Now, behind the scenes,
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00:13:22,502 --> 00:13:25,772
a massive transformation
is under way.
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00:13:25,905 --> 00:13:30,343
Engineers are building
a brand new terminal.
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00:13:30,476 --> 00:13:33,613
It's one of Europe's largest
infrastructure projects,
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00:13:33,746 --> 00:13:39,218
with a construction site the
size of 25 football pitches.
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00:13:39,352 --> 00:13:42,422
Once complete, passengers
will reach the terminal
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00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:46,025
via an autonomous
Skyline train.
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00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:48,528
The terminal has
a vast check-in hall
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00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:50,596
and four massive concourses,
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00:13:50,730 --> 00:13:56,436
equipped to service a minimum
of 33 aircraft at once.
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00:13:56,569 --> 00:13:57,704
It will boost capacity
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00:13:57,837 --> 00:14:02,041
by an additional 25 million
passengers annually.
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00:14:04,277 --> 00:14:09,582
Building this record-breaking
structure is no simple task.
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00:14:15,955 --> 00:14:18,825
[Narrator] The biggest challenge
for the project's engineers,
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00:14:18,958 --> 00:14:22,662
like Alexander Betz,
is keeping planes flying
221
00:14:22,795 --> 00:14:25,598
while this transformation
takes place.
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00:14:27,867 --> 00:14:30,069
[Alexander Betz, translated]
It is very challenging.
223
00:14:30,203 --> 00:14:32,538
We’re in the middle
of the operational area.
224
00:14:32,672 --> 00:14:37,777
So, the airplanes roll around
our construction site.
225
00:14:37,910 --> 00:14:40,480
[Narrator] It's critical that
no construction dust
226
00:14:40,613 --> 00:14:43,049
blows onto the live runways.
227
00:14:43,182 --> 00:14:45,118
This could cloud
the pilots' vision,
228
00:14:45,251 --> 00:14:48,821
or even worse, damage
the aircraft engines.
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00:14:51,958 --> 00:14:54,727
[Alexander] We have to make sure
that we don't stir up dust here
230
00:14:54,861 --> 00:14:59,999
that blows onto the runway
or into an aeroplane.
231
00:15:00,133 --> 00:15:03,102
[Narrator] The airport sits
on a vast, flat plain
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00:15:03,236 --> 00:15:06,439
that's waterlogged,
233
00:15:06,572 --> 00:15:08,441
which makes building
the new terminal here
234
00:15:08,574 --> 00:15:10,710
even more difficult.
235
00:15:12,912 --> 00:15:14,380
To lay the foundations,
236
00:15:14,514 --> 00:15:18,851
engineers have to dig
up to 11 meters deep.
237
00:15:18,985 --> 00:15:22,155
But groundwater rushes in
as they excavate,
238
00:15:22,288 --> 00:15:25,358
flooding the pit.
239
00:15:25,491 --> 00:15:27,693
They have to work with divers
to help pour
240
00:15:27,827 --> 00:15:33,399
nearly 40,000 cubic meters of
concrete to stabilize the site.
241
00:15:35,201 --> 00:15:37,603
Then pump out the groundwater,
242
00:15:37,737 --> 00:15:40,740
clearing the way
for construction to begin.
243
00:15:40,873 --> 00:15:46,379
♪ ♪
244
00:15:46,512 --> 00:15:48,748
It takes three years
to erect the walls
245
00:15:48,881 --> 00:15:51,050
of the terminal building.
246
00:15:51,184 --> 00:15:54,554
Construction space on site
is limited,
247
00:15:54,687 --> 00:15:59,592
so the team have to divide
its enormous 10,000-ton roof,
248
00:15:59,725 --> 00:16:02,361
the size of two and a half
football fields,
249
00:16:02,495 --> 00:16:06,999
into five sections,
and use a hydraulic platform
250
00:16:07,133 --> 00:16:09,535
to carefully slide them
into place.
251
00:16:09,669 --> 00:16:13,906
♪ ♪
252
00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:18,711
The new terminal is set to
redefine airport innovation.
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00:16:18,845 --> 00:16:21,848
♪ ♪
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00:16:21,981 --> 00:16:25,117
A pioneering system will
capture the heat generated
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00:16:25,251 --> 00:16:27,186
by the baggage handling system
256
00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:29,689
and the thousands
of daily passengers
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00:16:29,822 --> 00:16:33,726
and redistribute it
to warm the building.
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00:16:33,860 --> 00:16:37,530
At its core are central heating
and cooling plants,
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00:16:37,663 --> 00:16:40,132
hidden below
the main terminal hall.
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00:16:40,266 --> 00:16:42,201
They connect to
the entire building
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00:16:42,335 --> 00:16:44,670
via a network of pipes.
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00:16:46,772 --> 00:16:50,243
A large array of solar panels
will cover the roof,
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00:16:50,376 --> 00:16:53,379
enabling the terminal to
generate its energy needs
264
00:16:53,512 --> 00:16:56,516
largely from
sustainable sources.
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[Worker] Stop!
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00:16:58,718 --> 00:17:01,554
[Narrator] After 10 years
of construction,
267
00:17:01,687 --> 00:17:04,624
the new terminal will welcome
its first passengers
268
00:17:04,757 --> 00:17:07,293
as Europe's most
advanced airport
269
00:17:07,426 --> 00:17:09,896
finally opens its doors.
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00:17:13,499 --> 00:17:16,536
Over the centuries, German
engineers have developed
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00:17:16,669 --> 00:17:20,606
innovative ways for people
to traverse its rivers.
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00:17:22,041 --> 00:17:25,144
The double-decker
Oberbaum Bridge in Berlin
273
00:17:25,278 --> 00:17:28,648
opened in 1896.
274
00:17:28,781 --> 00:17:31,484
The Mungstener steel bridge
in Solingen
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00:17:31,617 --> 00:17:35,388
is the highest railway bridge
in Germany,
276
00:17:35,521 --> 00:17:38,457
and the Magdeburg Water Bridge
is the world's longest
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00:17:38,591 --> 00:17:43,329
navigable aqueduct,
and passes over the River Elbe.
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00:17:44,730 --> 00:17:48,200
Now, a new crossing taking
shape on the River Ems
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00:17:48,334 --> 00:17:52,038
is set to be a record-breaking
engineering wonder.
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[Narrator] This is
the construction site
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00:17:59,979 --> 00:18:02,748
of the Friesen Rail Bridge.
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00:18:04,250 --> 00:18:08,254
When complete, this brand new
artery will carry a train link
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00:18:08,387 --> 00:18:11,657
to the Netherlands
284
00:18:11,791 --> 00:18:15,127
and also swing open to allow
ships to pass through
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00:18:15,261 --> 00:18:17,897
on their way
to the nearby North Sea.
286
00:18:18,030 --> 00:18:19,865
[horn blows]
287
00:18:19,999 --> 00:18:25,371
Measuring 337 meters long,
the new Friesen Bridge will be
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00:18:25,504 --> 00:18:30,610
the largest lift-swing bridge
ever constructed in Europe.
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00:18:30,743 --> 00:18:33,546
At its heart is
a hydraulic system
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with six lifting cylinders
291
00:18:35,514 --> 00:18:40,186
that raise the 1,800-ton
movable span.
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00:18:40,319 --> 00:18:44,190
Eight hydraulic motors
then swivel it 90 degrees,
293
00:18:44,323 --> 00:18:48,928
allowing ships up to
50 meters wide to pass through.
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00:18:50,997 --> 00:18:54,200
The most challenging part
of the bridge's construction
295
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is the installation
of the enormous
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00:18:56,435 --> 00:19:00,573
145-meter-long swinging span.
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00:19:02,041 --> 00:19:05,378
It is built from steel
and has been shipped to site
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on giant floating pontoons
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ready to anchor it
into position.
300
00:19:11,017 --> 00:19:14,887
Right now, ties secure it
to the riverside.
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00:19:16,856 --> 00:19:19,358
The team needs to wait
until high tide
302
00:19:19,492 --> 00:19:20,860
for the water
to raise the bridge
303
00:19:20,993 --> 00:19:25,364
to the correct height
for installation.
304
00:19:25,498 --> 00:19:28,968
High tide tonight
arrives after dark.
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00:19:31,904 --> 00:19:34,407
Stefan Schwede is
the lead engineer
306
00:19:34,540 --> 00:19:37,743
on this high-stakes
nighttime operation.
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00:19:39,979 --> 00:19:42,081
[Stefan Schwede] There are many
people involved,
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00:19:42,214 --> 00:19:44,383
and they all have
to know what to do
309
00:19:44,517 --> 00:19:47,620
and to really work as a team
310
00:19:47,753 --> 00:19:49,922
and be motivated
over the whole time,
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00:19:50,056 --> 00:19:52,358
and that would be long,
because we have an operation
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00:19:52,491 --> 00:19:56,462
that takes probably
eight to 12 hours.
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00:19:56,595 --> 00:19:59,598
[Narrator] The team's first task
is to battle the currents
314
00:19:59,732 --> 00:20:03,602
to rotate the two pontoons
90 degrees.
315
00:20:06,205 --> 00:20:10,743
They use steel cables and
winches to turn the barges.
316
00:20:13,145 --> 00:20:17,349
It's no simple task to keep
the 1,800-ton bridge section
317
00:20:17,483 --> 00:20:20,019
balanced and centered.
318
00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,857
[Stefan] The most challenging
thing is that we have to do
319
00:20:24,990 --> 00:20:28,561
all operations at the same time,
320
00:20:28,694 --> 00:20:30,963
and they have to be
synchronized.
321
00:20:31,097 --> 00:20:34,967
Therefore, we have to do it
very slowly, but constant,
322
00:20:35,101 --> 00:20:37,470
and that will be the challenge.
323
00:20:42,975 --> 00:20:45,077
[Narrator] It takes
a nerve-racking two hours
324
00:20:45,211 --> 00:20:48,948
to rotate the large span.
325
00:20:49,081 --> 00:20:52,184
The next step is to carefully
line the bridge up
326
00:20:52,318 --> 00:20:54,720
with its final resting place.
327
00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:04,663
[Narrator] The team uses four
winches to haul the pontoons
328
00:21:04,797 --> 00:21:07,233
close to the drop zone.
329
00:21:08,667 --> 00:21:09,969
[Kees Kompier] The dark makes it
slightly difficult
330
00:21:10,102 --> 00:21:12,972
to see everything, but we are
moving very smoothly
331
00:21:13,105 --> 00:21:14,807
and controlled at the moment.
332
00:21:14,940 --> 00:21:16,575
So far, so good.
333
00:21:18,077 --> 00:21:20,746
[Narrator] Then, they use
remote-controlled trailers
334
00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:24,717
to move the segment
the final 19 meters.
335
00:21:26,118 --> 00:21:30,022
The operators on either side
must stay in constant contact
336
00:21:30,156 --> 00:21:34,527
to move the trailers
at the same pace.
337
00:21:34,660 --> 00:21:37,196
[Kees] In the end, we need
to position the bridge
338
00:21:37,329 --> 00:21:38,898
very accurate in the middle.
339
00:21:39,031 --> 00:21:40,633
That’s very critical.
340
00:21:40,766 --> 00:21:43,002
♪ ♪
341
00:21:43,135 --> 00:21:47,540
♪ ♪
342
00:21:53,879 --> 00:21:56,115
[Narrator] It takes another
two hours for the team
343
00:21:56,248 --> 00:22:01,620
to slowly inch the freezing
bridge to its fixing point.
344
00:22:01,754 --> 00:22:04,156
Now they pump water
into the pontoons
345
00:22:04,290 --> 00:22:06,892
to make them sink
346
00:22:07,026 --> 00:22:08,861
and lower the load.
347
00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:26,178
[Narrator] After a long
and challenging night...
348
00:22:26,312 --> 00:22:29,315
[Stefan] Whew! Yeah. That's it.
349
00:22:29,448 --> 00:22:31,617
[Narrator] ...the moving span
of Europe's largest
350
00:22:31,750 --> 00:22:36,722
lift-swing railway bridge
is finally in place.
351
00:22:36,856 --> 00:22:38,057
[Stefan] Well.
352
00:22:38,190 --> 00:22:39,959
[Narrator]
The team is exhausted,
353
00:22:40,092 --> 00:22:43,596
but it’s a triumphant moment.
354
00:22:43,729 --> 00:22:47,533
The next step is to test
the swing mechanism.
355
00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:50,736
Then they can look forward
to the end of the project,
356
00:22:50,870 --> 00:22:53,072
when the bridge is
put into action,
357
00:22:53,205 --> 00:22:55,674
carrying trains
to and from Germany,
358
00:22:55,808 --> 00:22:59,478
and swinging open to give
passage to giant cruise ships.
359
00:22:59,612 --> 00:23:01,380
[horn blows]
360
00:23:05,951 --> 00:23:08,754
Germany's position
at the crossroads of Europe
361
00:23:08,888 --> 00:23:12,324
has not only fueled innovative
infrastructure projects,
362
00:23:12,458 --> 00:23:14,393
but has also driven
breakthroughs
363
00:23:14,526 --> 00:23:17,763
in megascale architecture.
364
00:23:20,366 --> 00:23:22,067
German engineering
is responsible
365
00:23:22,201 --> 00:23:25,571
for many of the world’s
tallest churches.
366
00:23:27,072 --> 00:23:31,176
Cologne's twin-spired cathedral
reaches a dizzying height
367
00:23:31,310 --> 00:23:35,014
of 157 meters,
368
00:23:35,147 --> 00:23:37,383
and St. Nicholas' Church
in Hamburg
369
00:23:37,516 --> 00:23:41,287
stretches to around 147 meters.
370
00:23:42,521 --> 00:23:45,291
The city of Ulm
in southern Germany
371
00:23:45,424 --> 00:23:48,827
is home to the tallest spire
of them all.
372
00:23:54,700 --> 00:23:59,938
[Narrator] This is Ulm Minster,
the world’s tallest church.
373
00:24:01,407 --> 00:24:06,979
Its steeple soars an
astonishing 161.5 meters high,
374
00:24:07,112 --> 00:24:11,784
making it over 20 meters taller
than the Great Pyramid of Giza.
375
00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:17,956
When work started on
the Minster back in 1377,
376
00:24:18,090 --> 00:24:21,226
it was designed to hold
a congregation that was larger
377
00:24:21,360 --> 00:24:24,496
than the population
of the town itself.
378
00:24:27,833 --> 00:24:31,837
The funds to build it were
raised by the people of Ulm
379
00:24:31,970 --> 00:24:34,807
to put their town on the map.
380
00:24:34,940 --> 00:24:36,842
Little did they know
their creation would be
381
00:24:36,976 --> 00:24:40,946
a record-breaker
over 600 years later.
382
00:24:42,681 --> 00:24:45,017
Today, it's covered
in scaffolding,
383
00:24:45,150 --> 00:24:49,588
because an extraordinary
engineering rescue is underway.
384
00:24:49,722 --> 00:24:54,760
♪ ♪
385
00:24:54,893 --> 00:24:57,896
Aaron Weisser has been
overseeing essential work
386
00:24:58,030 --> 00:25:02,334
on the church’s main spire
for three years.
387
00:25:02,468 --> 00:25:03,635
[Aaron Weisser, translated]
So, the special thing
388
00:25:03,769 --> 00:25:06,739
about the Minster is that
it catches everybody's eye,
389
00:25:06,872 --> 00:25:09,308
no matter which direction
you drive from.
390
00:25:09,441 --> 00:25:12,378
That’s why they built it
as high as they could.
391
00:25:15,748 --> 00:25:19,485
[Narrator] The main structure of
the church is made from brick,
392
00:25:19,618 --> 00:25:21,787
topped with
a lace-like skeleton
393
00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,323
of finely carved sandstone.
394
00:25:26,458 --> 00:25:32,164
This stonework is the focus
of the current renovations.
395
00:25:32,297 --> 00:25:35,801
Deep inside the pillars
lie iron dowels
396
00:25:35,934 --> 00:25:38,904
that hold the sections
of stone together.
397
00:25:39,038 --> 00:25:42,775
But over time, the iron
can rust and expand...
398
00:25:42,908 --> 00:25:44,109
[cracking]
399
00:25:44,243 --> 00:25:45,377
...threatening
to crack the stone
400
00:25:45,511 --> 00:25:47,813
they were designed to support.
401
00:25:50,182 --> 00:25:53,786
Aaron's task is
to replace the old iron
402
00:25:53,919 --> 00:25:58,757
with a new core of
non-corrosive stainless steel.
403
00:25:58,891 --> 00:26:01,693
♪ ♪
404
00:26:01,827 --> 00:26:05,597
Today, the team is attempting
to remove an iron dowel
405
00:26:05,731 --> 00:26:10,369
that sits a dizzying
66 meters up the spire.
406
00:26:12,037 --> 00:26:16,175
They mark accurate cut lines
using a laser.
407
00:26:16,308 --> 00:26:22,848
♪ ♪
408
00:26:22,981 --> 00:26:25,984
And chip out a section of
stone, exposing the iron dowel.
409
00:26:26,118 --> 00:26:29,521
♪ ♪
410
00:26:29,655 --> 00:26:35,661
♪ ♪
411
00:26:35,794 --> 00:26:41,733
Finally, they use a chainsaw
to sever the dowel at the top.
412
00:26:41,867 --> 00:26:43,869
[Aaron] Because the dowels
are relatively large,
413
00:26:44,002 --> 00:26:47,272
we need a lot of saw blades
so that it comes out cleanly
414
00:26:47,406 --> 00:26:49,775
and there’s no movement
in the top.
415
00:26:49,908 --> 00:26:52,444
We want to lose as little stone
as possible
416
00:26:52,578 --> 00:26:55,581
and preserve as much
of the old as we can.
417
00:26:55,714 --> 00:26:59,351
[Narrator] Workers can now
remove the whole piece.
418
00:27:00,452 --> 00:27:02,621
And Aaron drills out
the remains
419
00:27:02,754 --> 00:27:06,258
of the over-600-year-old
upper dowel.
420
00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:11,330
The team sets off
on a vertiginous trip
421
00:27:11,463 --> 00:27:13,866
down to the site’s workshop.
422
00:27:13,999 --> 00:27:18,470
♪ ♪
423
00:27:18,604 --> 00:27:22,374
In the workshop,
Aaron begins the restoration.
424
00:27:25,511 --> 00:27:28,514
First, he adds new stone
to replace the section
425
00:27:28,647 --> 00:27:32,851
he chipped away, and his team
prepares the cornice
426
00:27:32,985 --> 00:27:35,988
that the restored stonework
will sit on.
427
00:27:37,723 --> 00:27:41,860
Then he drills a hole
for the new metal dowel.
428
00:27:43,795 --> 00:27:47,499
They haul the stonework
back up the tower.
429
00:27:47,633 --> 00:27:50,102
Inside, it has a new dowel
430
00:27:50,235 --> 00:27:52,804
suspended on the end
of a string.
431
00:27:55,541 --> 00:27:58,210
They carefully
line up the holes
432
00:27:58,343 --> 00:28:01,446
and lower the new dowel
into place.
433
00:28:03,949 --> 00:28:07,719
Now the junction must be
made watertight.
434
00:28:07,853 --> 00:28:12,491
They line it with
a layer of molding clay
435
00:28:12,624 --> 00:28:15,761
and then pour in molten lead,
436
00:28:15,894 --> 00:28:19,998
just as the original builders
did centuries ago.
437
00:28:20,132 --> 00:28:23,869
♪ ♪
438
00:28:24,002 --> 00:28:28,740
The metal cools to reveal
a shiny new joint,
439
00:28:28,874 --> 00:28:33,912
and the team celebrate
another perfect repair.
440
00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:36,114
[Aaron] I’m very satisfied.
441
00:28:36,248 --> 00:28:38,183
We’ve completely
achieved our goal.
442
00:28:38,317 --> 00:28:40,586
It's a very beautiful
Gothic building,
443
00:28:40,719 --> 00:28:44,423
and that’s what the Minster
is all about, the character.
444
00:28:44,556 --> 00:28:50,429
♪ ♪
445
00:28:50,562 --> 00:28:53,432
[Narrator] The invention of the
automobile by German engineer
446
00:28:53,565 --> 00:28:59,004
Karl Benz in 1886
changed the world.
447
00:28:59,137 --> 00:29:01,340
Today, Germany is still
the biggest
448
00:29:01,473 --> 00:29:03,609
producer of cars in Europe.
449
00:29:05,877 --> 00:29:09,448
Volkswagen's plant in Wolfsburg
is one of the largest
450
00:29:09,581 --> 00:29:12,584
car factories in the world.
451
00:29:12,718 --> 00:29:16,188
In Munich, there's one car
manufacturer that's engineering
452
00:29:16,321 --> 00:29:19,891
their megascale factory
to new limits.
453
00:29:24,262 --> 00:29:26,465
This factory,
in the heart of Munich,
454
00:29:26,598 --> 00:29:29,301
is home to
the Bavarian Motor Works,
455
00:29:29,434 --> 00:29:33,472
or BMW for short.
456
00:29:33,605 --> 00:29:35,507
The workforce here
has been producing
457
00:29:35,641 --> 00:29:41,146
high-performance motorcycles
and cars for over 100 years.
458
00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:47,085
Around 1,000 vehicles roll off
the production line every day.
459
00:29:47,219 --> 00:29:50,055
This plant is
a manufacturing powerhouse
460
00:29:50,188 --> 00:29:52,691
packed with
cutting-edge technology,
461
00:29:52,824 --> 00:29:55,661
from 1,200
high-precision robots
462
00:29:55,794 --> 00:29:58,830
to pioneering
autonomous systems.
463
00:30:01,833 --> 00:30:06,371
Now, BMW is embarking
on an astonishing challenge.
464
00:30:06,505 --> 00:30:09,875
Engineers here are knocking
down outdated buildings
465
00:30:10,008 --> 00:30:12,010
and replacing them
with state-of-the-art
466
00:30:12,144 --> 00:30:15,614
production lines
for electric cars.
467
00:30:15,747 --> 00:30:17,316
They're racing
against the clock
468
00:30:17,449 --> 00:30:22,354
to get the new lines
up and running in record time.
469
00:30:22,487 --> 00:30:24,990
[Mohan Noronha] This project is
absolutely historic
470
00:30:25,123 --> 00:30:27,426
in the history of Munich.
471
00:30:27,559 --> 00:30:31,997
[Narrator] Mohan Noronha leads
this complex operation.
472
00:30:33,632 --> 00:30:35,934
[Mohan] Shutting down the plant
is no option,
473
00:30:36,034 --> 00:30:39,237
so we have to keep the plant
at a steady state,
474
00:30:39,371 --> 00:30:41,606
producing full capacity,
475
00:30:41,740 --> 00:30:45,444
and at the same time
building up the new facility.
476
00:30:47,779 --> 00:30:50,415
[Narrator] But keeping
this complex project moving
477
00:30:50,549 --> 00:30:53,485
creates massive
logistical problems.
478
00:30:59,424 --> 00:31:00,358
[Narrator] A fleet
of heavy-duty trucks
479
00:31:00,492 --> 00:31:02,060
delivers up to 70 segments
480
00:31:02,194 --> 00:31:04,262
to the BMW construction site
481
00:31:04,396 --> 00:31:07,933
each day with
clockwork precision.
482
00:31:08,066 --> 00:31:09,368
[Fabian Weichselgartner,
translated] All delivery trucks
483
00:31:09,501 --> 00:31:13,605
that enter the site are timed
via a digital system.
484
00:31:15,407 --> 00:31:18,343
[Narrator] Each truck is
precisely scheduled to enter
485
00:31:18,477 --> 00:31:22,380
and leave the construction site
within just 60 minutes.
486
00:31:24,216 --> 00:31:25,984
This is critical
to avoid disrupting
487
00:31:26,118 --> 00:31:30,489
around 800 daily deliveries
to the production line.
488
00:31:33,458 --> 00:31:35,127
[Fabian] This construction site
is a massive
489
00:31:35,260 --> 00:31:38,230
logistical challenge for us.
490
00:31:38,363 --> 00:31:40,432
[Narrator]
Once delivered to site,
491
00:31:40,565 --> 00:31:42,734
the team immediately
hooks the modules
492
00:31:42,868 --> 00:31:46,972
to the 10 cranes in operation,
ready for liftoff.
493
00:31:47,105 --> 00:31:51,443
[Fabian] We have about 7,200
parts that we need to install
494
00:31:51,576 --> 00:31:55,080
in the largest hall here.
495
00:31:55,213 --> 00:31:59,217
[Narrator] The team here aren’t
just fighting against time.
496
00:31:59,351 --> 00:32:01,887
They’re also fighting space.
497
00:32:04,456 --> 00:32:06,291
With little room to maneuver,
498
00:32:06,424 --> 00:32:08,627
they use a compact
crawler crane
499
00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:12,330
to help build
in this tight spot.
500
00:32:12,464 --> 00:32:15,534
It has steel tracks
and a low center of gravity
501
00:32:15,667 --> 00:32:17,502
that allow it
to lift materials
502
00:32:17,636 --> 00:32:20,172
and access confined spaces
503
00:32:20,305 --> 00:32:24,075
that larger fixed cranes
can’t reach.
504
00:32:24,209 --> 00:32:25,243
[Operator] It's one
of the toughest sites
505
00:32:25,377 --> 00:32:27,846
which I ever worked.
506
00:32:27,979 --> 00:32:30,382
Check my left side
before I’m swinging.
507
00:32:30,515 --> 00:32:32,350
Check my left side.
508
00:32:33,685 --> 00:32:35,921
Here, before you touch
the joystick,
509
00:32:36,054 --> 00:32:37,689
you have to watch twice,
510
00:32:37,823 --> 00:32:40,258
because there is plenty
of every machine.
511
00:32:40,392 --> 00:32:43,862
So you have to be careful
about every move.
512
00:32:45,697 --> 00:32:47,999
[Narrator] The team has just
millimeters of space
513
00:32:48,133 --> 00:32:49,968
to play with.
514
00:32:50,101 --> 00:32:52,270
[Operator] Not enough, slow.
515
00:32:53,538 --> 00:32:56,908
[Narrator] ...to slot
each beam into position.
516
00:33:00,378 --> 00:33:01,379
[Operator] Okay.
517
00:33:01,513 --> 00:33:05,183
[Narrator] Finally,
the beam is in place.
518
00:33:05,317 --> 00:33:06,685
[Worker] Stop.
519
00:33:06,818 --> 00:33:08,386
[Narrator] They then
quickly anchor it
520
00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:12,123
to the rest of the structure.
521
00:33:12,257 --> 00:33:14,392
So far, workers have
already completed
522
00:33:14,526 --> 00:33:17,596
two of the new
production buildings.
523
00:33:17,729 --> 00:33:21,433
If they keep up this pace,
the new Munich factory complex
524
00:33:21,566 --> 00:33:24,236
will be completed
in just 18 months,
525
00:33:24,369 --> 00:33:27,873
safeguarding Germany's
iconic car manufacturer
526
00:33:28,006 --> 00:33:29,941
for the future.
527
00:33:33,245 --> 00:33:34,980
Germany has not only
led the way
528
00:33:35,113 --> 00:33:39,484
with large-scale architecture
and infrastructure projects,
529
00:33:39,618 --> 00:33:41,520
but is also home
to some of the world's
530
00:33:41,653 --> 00:33:44,656
most remarkable machines.
531
00:33:48,126 --> 00:33:52,564
Germany is one of Europe's
largest centers for logistics,
532
00:33:52,697 --> 00:33:56,501
and it’s driven
by mega-scale machines.
533
00:33:56,635 --> 00:34:00,572
Hamburg is equipped with
Europe's largest rail port,
534
00:34:00,705 --> 00:34:04,643
handling around 200
freight trains a day.
535
00:34:04,776 --> 00:34:08,880
And Duisburg, the largest
inland port in the world,
536
00:34:09,014 --> 00:34:11,917
uses high-tech cranes
to distribute goods
537
00:34:12,050 --> 00:34:17,489
across the nation’s vast
network of rivers and canals.
538
00:34:17,622 --> 00:34:20,558
In Brunsbuttel,
on the north coast,
539
00:34:20,692 --> 00:34:23,361
a series of vast machines
keep Germany's
540
00:34:23,495 --> 00:34:26,865
most critical artificial
waterway moving.
541
00:34:26,998 --> 00:34:32,570
♪ ♪
542
00:34:32,704 --> 00:34:35,640
This is the Brunsbuttel
lock complex,
543
00:34:35,774 --> 00:34:39,444
one of Germany’s largest
ship locks.
544
00:34:39,578 --> 00:34:44,115
For over 110 years, it's
provided safe passage for ships
545
00:34:44,249 --> 00:34:46,584
traveling between
the tidal River Elbe
546
00:34:46,718 --> 00:34:49,821
and the world's busiest
artificial waterway,
547
00:34:49,955 --> 00:34:51,656
the Kiel Canal.
548
00:34:51,790 --> 00:34:54,059
The canal provides
a vital shortcut
549
00:34:54,192 --> 00:34:56,828
between the North
and Baltic Seas
550
00:34:56,962 --> 00:35:01,099
and handles over 100
seagoing vessels every day
551
00:35:01,232 --> 00:35:04,436
through its four enormous
lock chambers.
552
00:35:05,904 --> 00:35:09,908
Now, as part of a massive
modernization project,
553
00:35:10,041 --> 00:35:13,645
the facility is about to get
a brand new lock.
554
00:35:13,778 --> 00:35:18,550
♪ ♪
555
00:35:18,683 --> 00:35:21,519
In the heart
of the Brunsbuttel complex,
556
00:35:21,653 --> 00:35:25,490
a monumental new lock chamber
is taking shape.
557
00:35:25,624 --> 00:35:28,226
It is longer than
three football fields,
558
00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:30,862
with gates that are
seven stories tall
559
00:35:30,996 --> 00:35:34,866
and weigh over 2,000 tons.
560
00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:36,034
[horn blows]
561
00:35:36,167 --> 00:35:40,939
The chamber can hold up to four
large ships at a time.
562
00:35:41,072 --> 00:35:43,975
To move them to the level
of the River Elbe,
563
00:35:44,109 --> 00:35:47,479
which changes with the tide
throughout the day,
564
00:35:47,612 --> 00:35:52,584
the chamber either floods
with water to lift them up
565
00:35:52,717 --> 00:35:56,454
or it releases water
to lower them down.
566
00:35:57,489 --> 00:36:00,158
All in just 45 minutes,
567
00:36:00,291 --> 00:36:04,729
so they can quickly
continue their voyage.
568
00:36:04,863 --> 00:36:08,533
♪ ♪
569
00:36:11,936 --> 00:36:14,472
[Narrator] Civil engineer
Annemarie Brandt
570
00:36:14,606 --> 00:36:16,875
spearheads the project.
571
00:36:19,210 --> 00:36:20,745
[Annemarie Brandt, translated]
A lock chamber of this size
572
00:36:20,879 --> 00:36:22,447
is unique.
573
00:36:24,549 --> 00:36:28,286
You only build something
like this once in a lifetime.
574
00:36:29,821 --> 00:36:31,890
[Narrator] One of the team's
biggest challenges
575
00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:35,760
is the location
of the construction site.
576
00:36:35,894 --> 00:36:38,229
It sits on an island
right between
577
00:36:38,363 --> 00:36:41,032
the busy existing
lock chambers.
578
00:36:42,934 --> 00:36:46,538
A ferry has to do 20 trips
a day to drop off trucks
579
00:36:46,671 --> 00:36:50,842
carrying building materials
and equipment.
580
00:36:50,975 --> 00:36:53,878
Right now, to construct
the massive interior walls
581
00:36:54,012 --> 00:36:59,551
of the chamber, they need over
6,000 cubic meters of concrete.
582
00:37:02,420 --> 00:37:03,755
[Narrator]
The Brunsbuttel island's
583
00:37:03,888 --> 00:37:05,790
on-site concrete factory
584
00:37:05,924 --> 00:37:10,762
mixes the raw ingredients
delivered from shore.
585
00:37:10,895 --> 00:37:12,197
[Lasse Eichert, translated]
The types of concrete that
586
00:37:12,330 --> 00:37:15,467
we use here were all specially
manufactured or tested
587
00:37:15,633 --> 00:37:19,003
just for this construction site.
588
00:37:19,137 --> 00:37:22,240
[Narrator] The chamber's walls
will be exposed to the elements
589
00:37:22,373 --> 00:37:25,577
all year round,
so the concrete mix
590
00:37:25,710 --> 00:37:29,581
must contain tiny air bubbles
to allow it to expand
591
00:37:29,714 --> 00:37:33,551
without cracking
when it freezes.
592
00:37:33,685 --> 00:37:35,687
The team must test each batch
593
00:37:35,820 --> 00:37:39,290
to check it has the right
volume of bubbles.
594
00:37:40,725 --> 00:37:45,396
This batch passes the test,
and they begin to pour.
595
00:37:50,568 --> 00:37:52,737
[Lasse] The section
we are concreting today
596
00:37:52,871 --> 00:37:58,176
is 27 meters long and holds
120 cubic meters of concrete.
597
00:37:58,309 --> 00:38:01,546
♪ ♪
598
00:38:01,679 --> 00:38:07,752
♪ ♪
599
00:38:07,886 --> 00:38:11,790
[Narrator] It takes 10 hours for
them to complete this section.
600
00:38:14,025 --> 00:38:15,493
They insulate the concrete
601
00:38:15,627 --> 00:38:18,963
to help it cure in the cold
overnight.
602
00:38:19,097 --> 00:38:22,967
It will take around 15 more
concrete pours like this
603
00:38:23,101 --> 00:38:26,137
to complete the chamber.
604
00:38:26,271 --> 00:38:28,740
The team is on track
to finish the new lock,
605
00:38:28,873 --> 00:38:32,577
ready for a grand opening
in two years' time,
606
00:38:32,710 --> 00:38:35,647
upgrading this historic
engineering wonder
607
00:38:35,780 --> 00:38:38,816
for the 21st century.
608
00:38:38,950 --> 00:38:42,520
♪ ♪
609
00:38:42,654 --> 00:38:45,423
Germany's rugged and
mountainous landscape
610
00:38:45,557 --> 00:38:49,661
was shaped over
millions of years.
611
00:38:49,794 --> 00:38:52,530
Across the centuries,
its engineers have devised
612
00:38:52,664 --> 00:38:57,302
innovative ways to keep vital
transport routes connected.
613
00:38:59,003 --> 00:39:02,574
The historic Oberjoch Pass
in the German Alps
614
00:39:02,707 --> 00:39:08,479
was built in the 16th century
to transport salt from Austria.
615
00:39:08,613 --> 00:39:12,417
The Goltzsch Viaduct helped
connect Saxony and Bavaria
616
00:39:12,550 --> 00:39:14,352
during the 19th century
617
00:39:14,485 --> 00:39:18,489
and is the largest brick-built
bridge in the world.
618
00:39:18,623 --> 00:39:21,192
Outside Berlin,
there's a unique site
619
00:39:21,326 --> 00:39:25,663
that boasts not one,
but two engineering wonders.
620
00:39:29,133 --> 00:39:33,338
These two extraordinary
machines are ship lifts:
621
00:39:33,471 --> 00:39:38,076
supersized elevators that
raise and lower huge vessels.
622
00:39:38,209 --> 00:39:42,180
They shuttle ships up and down
between the old Oder River
623
00:39:42,313 --> 00:39:44,916
and the Oder-Havel Canal.
624
00:39:45,049 --> 00:39:48,620
The two waterways act
as a key link between Berlin
625
00:39:48,753 --> 00:39:50,755
and the Baltic Sea,
626
00:39:50,888 --> 00:39:56,527
but are separated by
a 36-meter vertical gap.
627
00:39:56,661 --> 00:40:01,165
The first lift here
was opened in 1934,
628
00:40:01,299 --> 00:40:04,702
and in 2022, engineers
added a second,
629
00:40:04,836 --> 00:40:08,940
next-generation elevator
to boost capacity.
630
00:40:11,309 --> 00:40:13,411
Vast concrete slabs
counterbalance
631
00:40:13,544 --> 00:40:17,515
the nearly 10,000-ton
lifting trough,
632
00:40:17,649 --> 00:40:21,686
which can move everything from
river cruisers to cargo ships
633
00:40:21,819 --> 00:40:24,722
up to 110 meters long.
634
00:40:27,525 --> 00:40:29,594
The trough always
weighs the same,
635
00:40:29,727 --> 00:40:32,463
no matter how heavy
the ship is.
636
00:40:32,597 --> 00:40:34,432
This is because
each ship displaces
637
00:40:34,565 --> 00:40:37,902
exactly as much water
as it weighs.
638
00:40:40,338 --> 00:40:42,707
Marco Richlowski is
one of the operators
639
00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:48,346
in charge of running the new
500 million-euro megalift.
640
00:40:48,479 --> 00:40:49,714
[Marco Richlowski, translated]
I'm on my way to
641
00:40:49,847 --> 00:40:53,451
the control desk, which is at
the very top of the ship lift.
642
00:40:53,584 --> 00:40:57,021
From there, everything that
has to do with the new ship lift
643
00:40:57,155 --> 00:40:59,357
is controlled and directed.
644
00:41:01,960 --> 00:41:04,495
[Narrator] The team operates
the high-tech machine
645
00:41:04,629 --> 00:41:08,633
from a control tower
directly above the trough.
646
00:41:10,168 --> 00:41:13,705
When a ship sails into the lift
from the upper canal,
647
00:41:13,838 --> 00:41:19,978
Marco activates the partition
wall to seal off the trough.
648
00:41:20,111 --> 00:41:22,513
Then the machinery fires up.
649
00:41:22,647 --> 00:41:26,284
♪ ♪
650
00:41:26,417 --> 00:41:28,052
Eight electric motors set
651
00:41:28,186 --> 00:41:32,590
the nearly 10,000-ton trough
in motion.
652
00:41:34,459 --> 00:41:38,996
Then the 14 sets of concrete
counterweights take over.
653
00:41:41,165 --> 00:41:43,000
As the counterweights move up,
654
00:41:43,134 --> 00:41:47,805
they control the descent of
the massive water-filled basin.
655
00:41:49,841 --> 00:41:52,510
Thanks to this
counterweight technology,
656
00:41:52,643 --> 00:41:55,847
the lift can move
a 2,300-ton ship
657
00:41:55,980 --> 00:42:00,151
using the minimum
of electrical energy.
658
00:42:00,284 --> 00:42:01,819
And the system works the same
659
00:42:01,953 --> 00:42:05,490
no matter how big or small
the vessel.
660
00:42:05,623 --> 00:42:10,461
♪ ♪
661
00:42:10,595 --> 00:42:14,232
It takes less than
five minutes to lower.
662
00:42:17,368 --> 00:42:19,704
The operator drops
the partition wall
663
00:42:19,837 --> 00:42:23,975
so the boat can set sail
in the lower waterway.
664
00:42:26,778 --> 00:42:28,046
[Marco] The structure is
undoubtedly
665
00:42:28,179 --> 00:42:30,715
an engineering achievement.
666
00:42:30,848 --> 00:42:33,484
It’s nice to operate
such a system.
667
00:42:33,618 --> 00:42:35,253
We're talking about 10,000 tons
668
00:42:35,386 --> 00:42:37,789
that I drive
back and forth here.
669
00:42:40,691 --> 00:42:45,163
[Narrator] The original elevator
here is still in use.
670
00:42:45,296 --> 00:42:49,000
Unlike its modern
concrete neighbor,
671
00:42:49,133 --> 00:42:51,302
the 1930s lift is constructed
672
00:42:51,436 --> 00:42:55,506
from 14,000 tons
of steel latticework.
673
00:42:56,941 --> 00:43:00,678
It was opened five years before
the outbreak of World War II,
674
00:43:00,812 --> 00:43:03,414
and although the area
saw heavy fighting,
675
00:43:03,548 --> 00:43:06,651
it survived largely intact,
676
00:43:06,784 --> 00:43:11,556
and now, in high season, the
two lifts move around 60 ships
677
00:43:11,689 --> 00:43:15,993
between the two waterways
every day.
678
00:43:16,127 --> 00:43:19,931
Thanks to these twin marvels
of maritime engineering,
679
00:43:20,064 --> 00:43:23,501
traffic continues to flow
on this essential waterway
680
00:43:23,634 --> 00:43:26,737
between Berlin
and the Baltic Sea.
681
00:43:26,871 --> 00:43:29,106
♪ ♪
682
00:43:29,240 --> 00:43:34,445
♪ ♪
683
00:43:34,579 --> 00:43:37,415
Throughout history,
engineering prowess
684
00:43:37,548 --> 00:43:39,984
has been instrumental
in connecting Germany
685
00:43:40,118 --> 00:43:43,054
to its neighbors.
686
00:43:43,187 --> 00:43:47,625
Today, this nation at the
crossroads of the continent
687
00:43:47,758 --> 00:43:54,232
continues to drive innovation
and connectivity across Europe.
54654
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