So what's this a picture of then?

[Cmitchell]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38603329@N07/

Background knowledge:-
Walked down the Tissington Trail in Derbyshire from Tissington to Ashbourne.
This was beside the track at the Tissington end.
The Tissington Trail used to be a railway line, the full length of which went from Buxton to Ashbourne.
Here's the mystery:- Where it's pointing to left is actually downhill all the way to Ashbourne (except where there was a viaduct taken out that now makes a steep downward, then upward slope, but this is MUCH further down the line)

So what is this artefact? And why does it "suggest" it's uphill that way when it is not?

Ideally need to know this tonight.
All help much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mitchell

[Milvus]

I think its a gradient marker for the railway. Is that an old line behind it?

[Canary42]

It certainly looks like a gradient sign. Perhaps it was moved from its original position (like on the now absent viaduct for example) to preserve it

[Canary42]

... on second thoughts, possibly moved from the opposite side of the line where it is now, when it would face the other way of course.

[Cmitchell]

Thanks for all answers.

Yep I'm sure it's a gradient sign and has probably been moved from the opposite side. Just makes one wonder why it was moved. Anyway thanks again guys.