Ford Transits from Swaythling

[Eagle]

I've just seen a train laden with Ford Transits pass my house in Kenilworth. Now, being as they weren't in containers I assume they've come straight from the production line in Swaythling. What I'm wondering is, although the plant is adjacent to the SWML, there aren't any sidings serving it, so where were the vans loaded onto the train? Eastleigh Works or Southampton Marina seem the only nearby places you could park a freight rake.

 

[wintonian]

Southampton docks I should imagine, tones of car parking space filled with new cars ready to be shipped.

I suppose though at some time there would have been sideings at Swaythling.

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[swt_passenger]

Something I've wondered about before as well. The new vehicles are definitely driven down to the docks somewhere one at a time, I've been in traffic queues with them many a time.

I do remember Transits being loaded onto flats in Eastleigh east yard way back in the late 70s or early 80s, but I don't think there ever was a siding at or near the Ford works - at least not since the late 60s.

Might have to check out some of those old map sites...

 

[Eagle]

Might have to check out some of those old map sites...

Nothing on SABRE Maps, but that site doesn't have any maps between the 1960s and the present day.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Know what time it passed?

It was more likely the Southampton Maritime Centre, going past there from Southampton heading towards Romsey, I have always seen a field of white vans parked up in a compound ready for despatch, so it's probably that batch

 

[Eagle]

Know what time it passed?

21.35 or 21.40 at Kenilworth passing loop. Northbound, of course.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I'm pretty certain they are loaded very close to the Freightliner terminal between Millbrook and Redbridge.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37354053@N02/5465704493/

Although the comments state it's Eastern Docks, but I'd say it is the Ansa Logistics Terminal as it's the only track in the Quail map that shows the 2 sidings at the Ansa point with two road loading platforms, but none at Eastern Docks.

However, only thing close to passing Kenilworth at that time is the 6X65 Didcot T.C - Mossend Euroterminal (pass 21:56) and carries cars and vans.

Nothing really terminates at Didcot from Southampton...or didn't that day anyway. Vehicle supplies looks like it came in sections from Dagenham and Cowley as there's a few of those, so may be banged on to form a longer 6X65

 

[Oracle]

They used to get driven to Eastleigh Yard [or Mount Pleasant/St Denys?] but thes edays they seem to be driven in convoys on trade plates with a minibus at the rear to bring the drivers back. They then get parked in the huge compound just mentioned and then either railed-out or loaded on to road transporters.

The Swaythling plant became a Transit factory in 1972, but regrettably by 2013 it seems it wil just assemble chassis-cabs.

 

[Lrd]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37354053@N02/5465704493/

Although the comments state it's Eastern Docks, but I'd say it is the Ansa Logistics Terminal as it's the only track in the Quail map that shows the 2 sidings at the Ansa point with two road loading platforms, but none at Eastern Docks.

That picture is in the Eastern Docks. Nothing uses the two car loading platforms near to Millbrook station anymore, and hasn't done for a few years now. (Is/was that "Ansa Logistics Terminal" you were referring to? I did a quick Google and it showed as being near the MOD site in Marchwood)