Transformer Deliveries Mark Major Milestone For Braybrooke Substation Project And The Midland Main Line Upgrade
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from National Grid.
The press release says this.
Since early 2021 National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has been building a new electricity substation near Braybrooke, on the outskirts of Market Harborough in Leicestershire.
The new substation, once complete, will form a vital part of electrical infrastructure to support Network Rail’s electrification of the Midland Main Line.
Following months of hard work, the project has reached a major milestone, as the engineering team have taken delivery of two new transformers.
The transformers arrived during November and were delivered via an access road off Kettering Road built to ensure construction traffic avoids the areas of Market Harborough and Braybrooke. Weighing an impressive 100 tonnes, they will now be installed at the substation over the coming months.
This Google Map shows the access road.
Note.
The main A6 road running across the top of the map.
Kettering road leads off it into Market Harborough.
The Midland Main Line running across the bottom of the map.
The access track runs between the two.
This enlargement of the South East corner of the map shows the 400 kV overhead transmission line.
Note that the shadows give away two 400 kV pylons.
Will the sub-station be built in the smaller rectangular field?
How Many Sub-Stations Will Be Needed For The Midland Main Line Electrification?
I seem to remember that the Great Western Main Line to Cardiff was electrified with just three sub-stations, London, Cardiff and one in the middle and the London one is shared with Crossrail.
So I suspect that the feed of electricity may only need one further substation at the Northern end.
Conclusion
It does seem that National Grid have planned this well.
I suspect, bringing in the transformers didn’t cause too much disruption and the route gives good access to the overhead line.
The Anonymous Widower 
2x40MVA 25-0-25kv substation is certainly future proofing the MML for huge increase in electric services but maybe its the standard design for a NG supplied traction substation to keep costs down. This should be able to power to Trent Jcn with another infeed in the Sheffield area.
The land take for these substations is vast though compared to what BR feeder stations needed in the 80’s electrification schemes though so they become much more intrusive and create local opposition.
Comment by Nicholas Lewis | January 5, 2022 |
Notice the large housing estate under construction in the first map. I wonder if MG are future-proofing themselves for other developments in the area. The space is also enough to put in one of Highview’s 400 MWh CRYOBatteries or other modern long duration storage.
Comment by AnonW | January 5, 2022 |
Harborough FM is reporting that work is starting on electrifying Mkt H-Wigston https://harboroughfm.co.uk/work-to-electrify-railway-north-of-market-harborough-to-begin/ Can’t find any reference to this on NR’s website though.
Comment by Peter Robins | July 3, 2022 |
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/contractors-alerted-to-next-phase-of-1-3bn-midland-main-line-electrification-24-05-2022/ gives the stages for the rest of the route to Sheffield.
Comment by Peter Robins | July 3, 2022 |