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: 20 Sep 2026 ==

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.

 

[YamYamDave]

Thats the whole point of declaring it, it means something has to be done.

Sadly not. Declaring Congested Infrastructure is a Network Code for timetabling/sale of rights:

4.3.2 Section D4 of the Network Code sets out the processes that Network Rail will follow and the factors that it will consider in making decisions on the priorities for the allocation of scarce capacity; on congested infrastructure these will be applied with regard for the requirements of the regulations.

 

[zwk500]

Sadly not. Declaring Congested Infrastructure is a Network Code for timetabling/sale of rights:

4.3.2 Section D4 of the Network Code sets out the processes that Network Rail will follow and the factors that it will consider in making decisions on the priorities for the allocation of scarce capacity; on congested infrastructure these will be applied with regard for the requirements of the regulations.

That's only part of Congested Infrastructure.

Under the 2016 Legilsation: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/645/contents/made
From Regulation 26:

(4) Where railway infrastructure has been declared to be congested in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2), the infrastructure manager must undertake a capacity analysis of the congested infrastructure, as described in regulation 27, unless a capacity enhancement plan, as described in regulation 28, is in the process of being implemented.

From Regulation 27:

(5) The infrastructure manager must complete the capacity analysis within six months from the date on which the railway infrastructure is declared to be congested in accordance with regulation 26(1) or (2) and make the findings of the analysis available to the parties described in regulation 26(3).

From Regulation 28:

28.—(1) The infrastructure manager must, within six months of the publication of a capacity analysis in accordance with regulation 27, produce a capacity enhancement plan.

So by law, the Infrastructure manager must come up with a plan to increase capacity no later than 12 months after declaring congested infrastructure.

However, this element of Regulation 28 is important:

(4) On the basis of a cost benefit analysis of the potential measures for action identified in the capacity enhancement plan, that plan must include—

(a)details of the action to be taken to enhance the capacity of the congested infrastructure; and

(b)a timetable for the completion of the detailed measures identified in accordance with sub-paragraph (a).

Which means that it is not an absolute fact that "declaration of congested infrastructure will trigger capacity upgrades", if the required upgrades do not pass a Cost-benefit analysis.