WCML substations

[GRALISTAIR]

If Penwortham ever got built, I assume it really only helps the section (well) north of Weaver Jct - Euxton Jct etc?

 

[GraphitProjekt]

If Penwortham ever got built, I assume it really only helps the section (well) north of Weaver Jct - Euxton Jct etc?

Yeah not directly useful to Weaver-Crewe. However, it's presence does probably improve emergency feeding configurations regarding an outage at Willow Park, Weaver Jnc or Heyrod. But the Catterall area is probably the second worst bottleneck around, but maybe doesn't have the K11 switchgear risk being a mark III era system

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Sunday at 13:05 ==

Many thanks - it zooms in and stays very clear. Fascinating to see the variety of transformer ratings and the clear distinction between overlap and neutral sections. Also Kings Langley and Headstone Lane adjacent neutral section TSC's with KL n/c. Were Crewe TF's 10 and 15MVA?

Let's salute the operators who memorised this diagram!

WAO

I missed this but you're right there are a few oddities in the diagram.

I have some copies of the BTC Electrification Conference in 1960 that seems to suggest both transformers were 15 MVA at Crewe. Someone else on this forum has said the same as well. Sadly SPManweb don't publish open data for abnormal voltages so no luck there.

The neutral section at Kings Langley seems to be a later addition - there is a note in the corner of the diagram that says it was added in November 1986. Pictures of Willesden ECR at closure suggest it wasn't there by the early 2000s however. My assumption would be that at some point it was decided then when both feeds at Bourne End FS were out, Wolverton would extend further to Kings Langley where it would meet Acton Lane so that the latter didn't have to extend as far as Bourne End.

The other interesting point is Heald Green being mentioned as an "ITSL" even though today it is a feeder station. I assume that this was a temporary situation back then while the new supply was being put into use, and while the old Heaton Norris was being taken out of use.