Tag Archives: Infrastructure

Manton Lane Masts

Manton Lane Primary Substation TL04295134

Bedford Grid Substation TL04545174

Sub Station on Putnoe Lane, Bedford.

The tiles here always catch my eye.

PNA58 – Went for a closer look this morning.

Went for a closer look this morning with my camera. The phase identification colours is a new one for me.

CEB SE England Scheme – 1940

Tower 4VK423 – Biggleswade

Todays “stop and shoot” tower on route 4VK whilst driving to a site in Biggleswade. Scaffolding was being erected to install a safety net to protect the road. Two new circuit colours to add to the collection also.

Different Circuits on Route 4YJ

I have only just noticed, from a previous post, that there are two very different circuits on these towers. The right side looks much newer. Sundon to East Claydon Route 4YJ.

Tower PNA57 – Bedford Industrial

Last one of the day today on route PNA over one of Bedford’s Industrial Estates. The two circuits split off into different directions terminating in the local substations. Two more circuit colours to add to the collection.

Tower ZA372 – Marston Moretaine

Another one in the middle of a supermarket car park. This time on route ZA where the towers pass over Marston Moretaine. Two circuit colours to add to the collection. There are some odd objects mounted on this tower ?

Tower 4YJ34 – Leighton Buzzard

First one of the day, in the middle of a supermarket carpark, on route 4YJ where the towers stride through Leighton Buzzard. A couple more circuit colours to add to the collection. Lots of buzzing under this one !

Tower Circuit Colours

Started a thing collecting circuit colours. On every tower there is a coloured plate that identifies the circuit(s) carried above. On a dual CCT (circuit) tower there would be two plates, one for each circuit.

Tower PAA10 – Bedford

This originally caught my interest because it all looked wonky. After posting on Twitter it was highlighted as a phase transposition by @DiverTomJG

“The majority of double CCT lines are transposed by having different phasing on each CCT. Line transpositions are only really seen on the original 1930’s 132kV grid lines which were predominantly long distance single CCT.” @DiverTomJG

“This DC tower was built at a later date and is an addition to the original line. I would guess its addition was to increase the ground clearance to allow them to build the housing estate below.” @DiverTomJG

Tower POA143 – Great Denholm

This tower caught my eye because of the attachments. After posting on Twitter the attachments were identified as Optical Attached Cables (OPAC) by @Neil_Hardiman

I later stopped at Cut Throat Lane Switching Station, Bedford, on way home from work where you can see the OPACs terminating.

Incorporation of Optical Attached Cable and Conductors Carrying Optical Fibres into the Existing Overhead Line Network: Design and Construction

Installation of Fibre Optic Cable(s) on Steel Tower 132kV Circuits (including Fibre Wrap Method)

Pylon & Playground !

Every time I drive by this I think Pylon & Playground ! Who’s idea was it to put a playground there ?!

Ampthill Access Point

Stopped off this weekend at Ampthill Access Point. OHL supply.

City Fibre Equipment Cabs

Whilst out walking in the neighbourhood I think I found one of the City Fibre equipment cabs (first 2 pics). Not to be confused with the smaller fibre distribution cabs (second 2 pics). Always poke my camera in an open cab !