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Fresh Water and Farringford to leave us

Lymington Flyer 3 CIG units 1497 ‘Fresh Water’ and 1498 ‘Farringford’ will run their last public service on 22nd May 2010. This will mark the final end of an era where all slam-door trains are removed from public service.

1497 travelling back from Lymington with headboard on 10th April 2010 1497 travelling back from Lymington with headboard on 10th April 2010

Photograph by Stuart Hicks
1498 awiating to leave Lymington pier on 4th May 2007 1498 awiating to leave Lymington pier on 4th May 2007

Photograph by Brian King

Despite being given exemption from the regulation that "prohibits the operation on or after 1 January 2003 of Mark 1 rolling stock." until 2013, when expected the units to become life expired, the units are being withdrawn early due to the lack of parts readily available and the additional cost involved in maintaining these units due to the fact there is only two of them.

On the final day, both units are expected to run with a change over in the afternoon; giving everyone a chance to ride on both units on the final day. This means that the units are not expected to run in 6-car formation as they did on their first day, back in May 2005.

A feature of the last day can be found here.