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of Mark 1s from daily mainline use took place in 2005 (except for two three-car EMUs on the Lymington branch, withdrawn 2010) some 54 years since the design entered service.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:
“... the loss of belief in future states is politically, though certainly not spiritually, the most significant distinction between our present period and the centuries before. And this loss is definite. For no matter how religious our world may turn again, or how much authentic faith still exists in it, or how deeply our moral values may be rooted in our religious systems, the fear of hell is no longer among the motives which would prevent or stimulate the actions of a majority.”
—Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)
“The primary function of myth is to validate an existing social order. Myth enshrines conservative social values, raising tradition on a pedestal. It expresses and confirms, rather than explains or questions, the sources of cultural attitudes and values.... Because myth anchors the present in the past it is a sociological charter for a future society which is an exact replica of the present one.”
—Ann Oakley (b. 1944)
“Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)