Future
The final withdrawal of Mark 1s from daily mainline use took place in 2005 (except for two three-car EMUs on the Lymington branch, withdrawn 2010) some 54 years since the design entered service. Mark 1s continue to be used on special charter trains, but this use is also likely to be much reduced as Mark 2 coaches released from service by Virgin West Coast become available to replace them. This will leave the preserved railways as the only places to ride on Mark 1 stock.
Due to the lack of central door locking and Mark 1 stock not meeting the latest rolling stock safety expectations various rules now (as of 2006) govern their usage. In particular vehicles lacking central door locking require a steward to be present in each vehicle. Train companies are also recommended to run Mark 1 stock with more robust non-Mark 1 stock at either end to act as a barrier in the case of collisions.
Read more about this topic: British Railways Mark 1
Famous quotes containing the word future:
“[With the Union saved] its form of government is saved to the world; its beloved history, and cherished memories, are vindicated; and its happy future fully assured, and rendered inconceivably grand.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
“The future is the worst thing about the present.”
—Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880)
“The present hour is always wealthiest when it is poorer than the future ones, as that is the pleasantest site which affords the pleasantest prospects.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)