Swindon - rail served warehouse

[Norfolk25]

I passed through Swindon on the 6th March (just got back) and there was a class 66 inside the rail served warehouse at the west end of the station. I have never seen the warehouse used before. What was the working?

 

[pdeaves]

I passed through Swindon on the 6th March (just got back) and there was a class 66 inside the rail served warehouse at the west end of the station. I have never seen the warehouse used before. What was the working?

It's a regular (every couple of days?) delivery of metal for BMW/Mini. Since the warehouse opened, trains for BMW/Mini do not use the remnant of the Highworth branch but offload here for a short road trip to the plant.

 

[Freightmaster]

It's a regular (every couple of days?) delivery of metal for BMW/Mini.

Runs Mondays and Fridays.




MARK

 

[mr_moo]

Most interesting. I've also seen trains in there and wondered what they were, but I was not aware the highworth branch had stopped being used. Any idea why?

 

[pdeaves]

Most interesting. I've also seen trains in there and wondered what they were, but I was not aware the highworth branch had stopped being used. Any idea why?

The Highworth branch is still used; by EMR (recycling). Not for BMW/Mini, though. The factory has had most of the sidings within its site removed. No doubt 'they' did some sort of financial assessment and found better value in having a new purpose-built facility.