2934 RA, formerly Ilkeston's T/L, seen at Raynesway Auctions, Derby around 1982

Inside the cab of BCH 123 B, quite spartan by modern standards. The engine pod is lifted, revealing an AEC roundel on the rocker cover of the 'AV470' power unit

BCH 123 B is seen at Raynesway Auctions, Derby at the same time as 2934RA. It ended up being preserved locally, minus its Merryweather ladder with a Mr. Oliver of Smalley and shows up at the local Elvaston Castle Steam rally most years

2934 RA is an AEC Marquis / Merryweather turntable, which always looked a bit of a dowdy shade of red compared to Derby's similar machine

2934 RA awaits it fate

BCH 123 B, new to Derby County Borough Fire Brigade in 1964. Always a favourite of mine, this AEC Marquis-Merryweather was fitted with an AEC AV470 diesel of 7.758 litres

What a handsome motor. A shame that ERF dropped out of the fire appliance business. It was a quality product. ORB 872M in Maple Grove, Allestree

ORB 872M & JRB 911N at Maple Grove, Allestree - a chip pan drama or similar I seem to remember

Two of my favourite ERF's with Perkins V8-510's, ORB 872M & JRB 911N attend a small fire in a house at Maple Grove, Allestree in the mid-1980's

D 448 TRB is a Dennis with Perkins V8-540 and fitted out as a pump by Carmichael. It is seen attending an alarm call in Derby's Eagle Centre on pedestrianised East Street around 1985

TCH 182 L stands on Ascot Drive Fire Station forecourt, Tues. 11 July 1989

The impressive rear-end structure of TCH 182 L, the ERF / Simon Snorkel escape, Tues. 11 July 1989

TCH 182 L always presented a sleek and powerful outline to my eye, Tues. 11 July 1989

TCH 182 L ERF / cab close-up, showing the Allison range change automatic gearbox control, Tues. 11 July 1989, Ascot Drive, Derby.

ORB 872M pumping out floodwater from cellars in Agard Street. In the background can be seen the Hymac that was the culprit for the burst watermain, with the old railway viaduct on the Friargate line now in ruins on the ground, early January 1987

ORB 872 M in Agard Street. I think this appliance may now be in preservation. It certainly warranted it - these were lovely engines.

Hat trick! D449 TRB, the third Dennis V8 that day, with much activity as fireman tackle the fire in the railway arch, caused I belive by good old oily rags!! January 1987

Frenetic activity as D 449 TRB deals with the aftermath of the blaze

ORB 872M, one of the very handsome ERF's with Perkins V8 engine, from the short period when the Sandbach firm made fire appliances. It is seen in Agard Street, Drrby when workmen demolishing the old Great Northern viaduct burst a water main, early January 1987

D448 TRB, the second of the trio, is seen alongside the old Great Northern railway arches, in use as garage workshops, on a very cold and snowy day in early January 1987. Smoke was drifting out from within the arches. Friargate bridge, a listed structure, can be seen in the background. The railway finally closed to all traffic in 1969.

D447 TRB, a Dennis with a Perkins V8-540, seen in Friargate, one of Derby's oldest and most attractive thoroughfares, in attendance at a fire under one of the old railway arches, one of three consecutive registered machines at the scene, early January 1987

ORB 872 M deals with the flooding in Agard Street - much straw had been scattered and it was very cold and snowy! Early January 1987

Two local Dennis appliances, from Nottingham Road and Duffield Stations, arrive at Laburnum Crescent, Allestree to tackle a fire in a farm field behind the houses on the right, August 2003

TCH 182 L, the superb ERF / Simon Snorkel is seen at Ascot Drive Fire Station, Derby at 7pm. on Tues. 11 July 1989, when I was afforded the privilege of a ride out in it to sound record the Perkins V8-510. It had Allison automatic transmission and sounded awesome! I believe it got exported to The Middle East some years back. I still miss it.