Spotted today - Van bodies in Ashbourne

Two entries in two days? Blimey!

One of my many interests is what are known as 'Ghost' signs (see my gallery of them on flickr) and while photographing one in Ashbourne today I also spotted this…

Improvised storage shed, Ashbourne, 25/4/15

Railway van bodies as used as storage aren't unusual, even in areas far from the nearest railway line and Ashbourne was served by both the North Staffordshire Railway and the London & North Western Railway but this particular pair are the products of the Caledonian Railway's workshops at St. Rollox in Glasgow!

How long before these are snapped up by preservationists?

Spotted today - 'Proper' locomotives at Derby

For a long time dad has been running a 'scene today' series of entries on his blog (Rails, Roads & Runways) and I thought it was time I did something similar…

On my way to Sheffield today (coincidentally dad's home town) I was pleased to spot a couple of 'proper' locomotives at Derby amongst the 'Turbostars', 'Meridians' and 'Voyagers' that populate the modern railway scene.

31601 & 31190 stand at Derby station, 24/4/15

Two class 31s (or Brush type 2 if you prefer) were sitting in the sunshine in the north dock siding and I quickly took a couple of snaps before boarding an East Midlands Trains class 222 'Meridian' unit northwards.

31601 (the former 31186, originally D5609) carries a plain green livery with DCR (Devon & Cornwall Railways) branding whilst 31190 (the former D5613) not only carries British Railways green livery (complete with white stripes and small yellow warning panel) but its original number too!

31190 stands at Derby station, 24/4/15

Both locos are owned by British American Rail Services and are often to be seen moving other locos and rolling stock around the country and don't look half bad considering they entered service 55 years ago!