Freightliner

The origins of the Freightliner concept go back to the mid-1960s when as part of its modernisation and rationalisation programme, British Rail began moving freight using shipping containers on flat wagons between a series of dedicated inland terminals, using gantry cranes for transshipment between road and rail.undefined Freightliner's first single-shipper train was operated on 20 August 1968, hauling specially-designed 30-foot containers carrying parts for Ford Escort cars that were destined for assembly in plants on the European mainland.undefined Although initially intended for domestic freight, this was soon overtaken by freight between deep-sea ports, such as Southampton Maritime and inland distribution terminals associated with centres of manufacturing or population, such as Birmingham Lawley Street.

Dudley Freightliner Terminal, 10 miles from Birmingham, on the site of the old railway station was opened in October 1967. This proved to be one of the most profitable such terminals in the country, while the Birmingham terminal was ultimately one of the least financially viable. Yet by 1981, Freightliner was planning to close Dudley and transfer its function to Birmingham in order to boost the latter's fortunes. However, the Dudley terminal was given a reprieve in 1983, only for closure plans to re-emerge in 1986. It finally closed in 1986.undefined