What's happening to Route MC?

[caldridge]

Something is happening to L3 route MC.

Looks like the line is having the insulators and cables changed, the new insulators look smaller and it also looks like the twin conductor cables are being replaced with single ones, if you look at the pictures.

flic.kr/p/M6RtBT
flic.kr/p/NJcMr7
flic.kr/p/M6RttX
flic.kr/p/NJcMhQ

Could they be reducing the voltage, anyone know?

Christopher

[yv47r]

They did a similar refurb on the L3/C WB route not far from me a few years ago on the 132kV line that runs from Buxton to New Mills and that was reduced from twin to single conductors and the suspension insulators shortened and the deviation insulators reduced from twin to singles. So I would guess it will still be 132kV but with more modern conductor wire can take the same loading. Is the MC route over towards Chippenham?

Cheers Paul

[caldridge]

Yes Route MC heads from Melksham to Chippenham, which is probably what it stands for, I'll keep an eye on this route.

[caldridge]

The line now has new shorter insulators and single conductor cables on one side. Here they are heading from the substation.

flic.kr/p/2b6AaNN

They sort of look like duel voltage L3 pylons now.

flic.kr/p/2baVhSV
flic.kr/p/2baVk9P
flic.kr/p/2b6AfSq

The pylons heading along the railway.

flic.kr/p/2b6AhP1
flic.kr/p/2baVsv2
flic.kr/p/2b6Aor3

A look at them from the other side.

flic.kr/p/2b6ArWE

I found the old insulators for this one on the ground next to it.

flic.kr/p/2b6AvhN

So far they have done up to when the line leaves the other pylons and crosses the A350 at Lackham.

flic.kr/p/2baVChg
flic.kr/p/Mq2nfg
flic.kr/p/P3h8Ny

The ones heading into Chippenham are currently being done. They might do the other side as well afterwards, the line may end up looking like route AG.

Christopher

[John]

This seems to be happening to most of the L3 lines across the country, except for the ones running 275kV circuits.