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!

A railway related pint - The Alexandra Hotel, Derby

In addition to my love of railways I'm also very fond of a pint of real ale and am never happier than when I can combine the two such as at The Alexandra Hotel in Derby.

Situated on Siddals Road, a (very) short walk from the station the Alexandra is now owned by the Castle Rock Brewery from Nottingham and naturally serves their beers but also has a good number of guest ales on at any one time too (as befits the birthplace of Derby CAMRA in 1974).

The bar of the Alexandra Hotel, Siddals Road, Derby, 26/9/13

The bar is packed with railway memorabilia, ranging from photographs and signs through to an illuminated colour light signal and there's plenty to interest the enthusiast while inside the pub. More signs can be found outside as can a very recent arrival in the form of the No.1 end cab from Class 37, 37411 (or English Electric type 3 D6990 depending on your age).

Railway signs and the No.1 cab of 37411 (D6990), 26/9/13

I only had time for a quick drink but my pint of Castle Rock 'Elsie Mo' was perfect, very smooth and not too bitter and the pub itself was friendly and comfortable and I can thoroughly recommend it if you're in the area.

From the (Vuescanned) archives - part 1

A recent purchase of the excellent Vuescan software has led to me digging out my files of old negatives and slides. Surprisingly (considering my somewhat anal-retentive nature) they don't seem to be in any sort of order but hopefully something of interest will appear here from time to time.

37381 at Derby station, 1/8/88

First up is a negative of 37381 taken at Derby on 1st August 1988. Renumbered from 37284 less than two months earlier when fitted with regeared 'CP7' bogies 37381 stands underneath the footbridge at the south end of the station that led to Derby locomotive works. 37381 (originally D6984) was stored unserviceable in October 1993 and finally went to the cutters' torch in May 2000 at Frodingham MPD.

I didn't make any notes regarding train services or operation in those days, something that websites such as Freightmaster now help enormously with but can only assume some kind of North-east to South Wales steel working, if anybody out there can enlighten me then please do.

In the beginning…

45015 at Derby station, 25/4/84

I'd been 'trainspotting' for nearly a year before I took my first railway photograph. I'd borrowed a Zenit TTL 35mm SLR for a school trip and decided to finish the roll of film at my usual haunt of Derby station. I saw four Class 45 'Peaks' on this particular day and have no idea why I chose to photograph this particular one, 45015 (the former D14) especially as I had to point the camera almost directly into the sun to do so!
I remember being happy with the shot at the time though and that was all that mattered…
As far as I'm aware 45015 is still in existence (although apparently not for long…) at the Battlefield Line in Leicestershire.