Trip to Cannock / Hednesford 25-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3702	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3619	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	26	Arriva Midlands
2221	Cannock BS	Norton Canes, adj St James Place	32	Arriva Midlands
2221	Norton Canes, adj Butts Lane	Cannock BS	32	Arriva Midlands
3759	Cannock BS	Heath Hayes, opp Five Ways Inn	60	Arriva Midlands
2289	Heath Hayes, adj Five Ways Inn	Cannock BS	33	Arriva Midlands
3736	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3737	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	32	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Cannock. The car had been in the garage for a few days and it was only fixed on Friday, so we made a late decision on where to go this week. Matthew had been looking at the West Midlands buses in photographs and it reminded me of how long it has been since our last visit. I had a quick look at the Arriva Midlands website and also re read the old Blog posts. A check of the weather revealed it there were rain showers due for Saturday afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:30 and he had toast and blackcurant juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:15 today, heading onto the A5035 and then onto the Northbound A34. We did this to Whitmore Road and then we joined the Southbound M6. which we did down to junction 12. We then did the last few miles into Cannock and parked in the multi-storey car park near the the bus station. We walked to the bus station and then we went into the shopping arcade so Matthew could use the toilet. we then walk back to the cafe in the arcade which overlook the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of cherry Coke. The cafe was busy and we had to wait a while for the food but it was freshly cooked, and it gave us a chance to see some of the buses that were out. Arriva Midlands 3601 was working the #70 to Wolverhampton, and we saw most of the buses on the Pye Green circulars. Arriva Midlands 2276/3617/3719/3761 were all seen on the #25s & #26s. When we had finished eating, we went out into the bus station to see what was about. One of the first thing we saw was Arriva Midlands 2291 working a #33 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2291 in Cannock bus station

Behind that was Arriva Midlands 3702 on the #31 to rugeley via Hednesford.

Arriva Midlands 3702 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this up to Hednesford as there is quite a frequent service to there and the fact that it was required! We got on the bus and booked our £4.20 Cannock Day Savers before we sat down near the back. The bus was empty at the back so Matthew took a picture of the back seats.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3702

The bus set off Northwards through Chadsmoor and then into Hednesford. When we got to the bus station we got off and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3702.

Arriva Midlands 3702 in Hednesford bus station

We got off and we saw Arriva Midlands 3736 heading towards Cannock on a #31 service. We didn't have to wait for long when required Arriva Midlands 3619 appeared on the #26 Pye Green circular.

Arriva Midlands 3619 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We set off out of the bus station and we headed North up towards the Pye Green transmitter before heading back South into Cannock along Pye Green Road. As we headed back the sky darkened and it was obvious we were in for some serious rainfall... We got back into Cannock bus station and Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3619.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3619

We got of the bus and it was starting to rain. We also had a loud clap of thunder and lightning was seen in the sky nearby. Matthew got a quick picture of Arriva Midlands 3619 before we headed into the shopping arcade.

Arriva Midlands 3619 in Cannock bus station

We went to the toilet and when we had done we headed back into the bus station. There had been approximately 1/2 inch of hail fall in the few minutes we had been away. We needed to get on a bus quickly so we didn't get wet. We spied an older Dart on a #32 to Brownhills. It was Arriva Midlands 2221 and We decided to do this bus.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Cannock bus station

We had never been in this direction before so we asked the driver how far we could go on the Cannock Day Saver. The driver told us that we could go to the other side of Norton Canes. As we travelled Eastwards out of town we couldn't see where we were going very well because the sky was so dark and the windows were steamed up. I checked the Buses I have travelled on page only to discover we had already been on Arriva Midlands 2221 before! It turns out we had done this bus on the short trip from Uttoxeter bus station to the Foxes Biscuit factory when it was working the #4 town service back in July 2013. The buses headed through Hayes Heath and then on to Norton Canes. We were now looking for bus stops on the opposite side of the road that had bus shelters so if we were stuck there for a while we didn't get wet! We turned a corner inot Norton Canes Lane and we spotted a bus shelter on the opposite side of the road so we decided to get off. As we were getting off we passed required Arriva Midlands 3737 on a #32 to Hednesford. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2221 as it headed of towards Brownhills.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Norton Canes

We crossed the road and went into the shelter. We were expecting to see times for both the #32 & #33 service on the bus stop, but it appears that there is a slight deviation on the #32 service through Norton Canes that didn't show up on the Cannock Network map available on the Arriva Midlands site. This meant that we only had #32 from this bus stop and the next one was nearly 30 minutes later. We decided to have a bus stop picnic, and Matthew had a Rice Crispy Squares and a bottle of Cola. We decided to go for a bit of a walk to see if we could get back on the #33 route and to help kill some time. We walked along Norton Green lane to the other end, past the railway Inn and the industrial estate. We couldn't see another bus stop in the distance so we decided to walk back to he shelter. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was Arriva Midlands 2221 again! We got on the bus and sat down near the back. This time the bus was nearly empty, the sky had lightened up a little and the windows had de-misted a little bit. We headed back into Heath Hayes and passed a large Tesco store before coming into Cannock via the railway station. When the bus got back into Cannock Matthew got off and got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2221

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Cannock bus station

If we were going to get 8 runs in today we need to catch another bus quickly. We saw required Arriva Midlands 3759 on a #60 service to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this back up to Heath Hayes. We got on and as it was empty at the back of the bus so Matthew got a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3759.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3759

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. It took a different route up to Heath Hayes and we passed Arriva Midlands 3610 on a #62 from Lichfield. At the top of Hednesford Road we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3759.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Heath Hayes

We crossed the road and almost immediatley the was a #60 back to Cannock which was another Pulsar II which we decided to let go. There was a #33 to Hednesford due a few minutes later so we hoped to get something better. Sure enough required MPD Arriva Midlands 2289 turned up.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Heath Hayes

We got on and sat down near the back. We headed back down Hednesford Road and into Cannock via Tesco and Cannock railway station. When we got back to Cannock bus station Matthew let the bus empty before getting a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2289.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2289

We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2289.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Cannock bus station

We decided to have a few minutes in the bus station having a look at what was about and taking a few pictures. First we got a picture of Select Bus Services 6 which was on a #67 to Wolverhampton.

Select Bus Services 6 in Cannock bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3602 departing on a #70 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 3602 in Cannock bus station

Arriva Midlands Midlands 3729 had just arried on a #74 from Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3729 in Cannock bus station

We then spotted dud Arriva Midlands 3736 on a #31 to Hednesford.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this anyway, because we knew we could get something back quite quickly from Hednesford. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was empty towards the back so he took his picture when we got on.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3736

The bus set off Northwards through Chadsmoor and into Hednesford. This was our third trip on this bus having had it into Cannock in December 2012 and Stafford back in July 2012. It had now stopped raining and had brightened up nicely. We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3736.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Hednesford bus station

We crossed the road as most of the services into Cannock go from the opposite side of the road. We saw required Arriva Midlands 2276 on the #25 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2276 in Hednesford bus station

We decided to let this go a take a gamble on there being something more interesting on the #32 to Cannock due at 16:40. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva Midlands 3608 on the #62 to Lichfield which we could have done instead.

Arriva Midlands 3608 in Hednesford bus station

A few minutes later we saw required but relative new Arriva Midlands 3737.

Arriva Midlands 3737 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew took his inside bus picture straight away.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3737

We sat down near the back. The bus had a rather unusual seat moquette for and Arriva bus. The bus set off and we headed back through Chadsmoor. As this was a #32 we also took in the hospital as we headed South. We then came out by the bus station and then we got off. Mum was in the cafe finishing off her cup of tea so matthew decided to take a few pictures. One of the was picturea was of Select Bus Service 5 on a #23A to Wimblebury.

Select Bus Services 5 in Cannock bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2735 on a #2 to the Longford Estate.

Arriva Midlands 2735 in Cannock bus station

We then met up with mum and visited the toilet before heading by to the car via a sweet shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke and some some sweets and a chocolate bar. We went up to the car and we had sausage rolls and pop before we set off out of town. We headed down to the A5 and then onto the Northbound M6. It was now fully dark, and the traffic was moving well on the motorway. We headed back onto Whitmore Road and the A34 before doing the A5035 to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There was only one bus parked up on the spare ground and it was parked quite a distance from the road. It was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

In the compound was NU06 SAO from the taxi fleet and SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We drove Through Blurton passing First Potteries 42892 on the #22 and First Potteries 40028 on the #23. We got home a little after 18:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45..Mark

Trip to Blackburn 18-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
566	Blackburn temporary BS	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street	6	Transdev Lancashire United
1068	Great Harwood, by Towngate	Blackburn temporary BS	7	Transdev Lancashire United
207	Blackburn temporary BS	Royal Blackburn Hospital, Royal Blackburn Hospital (Stand A)	2	Transdev Lancashire United
17	Royal Blackburn Hospital, Royal Blackburn Hospital (Stand A)	Blackburn, by Old Royal Infirmary	5C	Transdev Lancashire United
1878	Blackburn, by Old Royal Infirmary	Blackburn temporary BS	1	Transdev Lancashire United
402	Blackburn temporary BS	Accrington BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United
403	Accrington BS	Blackburn temporary BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to re-visit Blackburn. It was the first time we had been since the interchange closed. Research consisted of a quick look at the Transdev website and to check the weather which was for cool and cloudy with occasional rain showers. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we headed onto the A5035. We then headed down Stanley Matthew Way and onto the Westbound A50. We took the Northbound A500 up to Shelton and we came off the A500 to get some LPG. We then headed onto the West bound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. The M6 was running well for a change and we made good time up to the M65. As we approached the M65 we passed one of our local coaches Phil Smiths Travel PSM 117H was heading North too. We then headed east and passed Blackburn before heading into town along the A678 into the town from the East. I managed to find my way unaided by GPS to Morrisons where we parked up so we could have dinner. After using the toilet, Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke. The meal seemed to take a while so Matthew had his rice crispy cake first. It was after 14:00 when we walked out of Morrisons and towards the temporary bus station. As we walked towards the bus station Matthew took a few pictures. First bus we saw was 'Spot On' liveried 1829.

'Spot On' 1829 in Blackburn

Parked up outside the bus station was Transdev Lancashire United 440.

Lancashire United 440 in Blackburn

We walked into the bus station and we saw former Norwich park and ride bus, Transdev Lancashire United 205 on the #2 to Chorley.

Lancashire United 205 in Blackburn bus station

On a #4 service to Leyburn Road was Lancashire United Optare Versa 271.

Lancashire United 271 in Blackburn bus station

We then saw dud M&M Coaches N125 YHH on the #46 to Accrington.

M&M Coaches N125 YHH in Blackburn bus station

We decided not to do this bus as it was one we did back in November 2013 on the same service. There was an older Volvo B10 on the #6 Hyndburn circular. It was Transdev Lancashire United 566. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it. He said yes and then he got a picture of it.

Lancashire United 566 in Blackburn bus station

We got on and asked for day tickets to Great Harwood and we were charged for the silver tickets. Next time I'll make sure I know the tickets before we book... We sat down near the back and the bus set off. We were going to go to Great Harwood, but the bus was a clockwise service via Rishton and Great Harwood and would take 45 minutes. I checked the buses I Have Travelled on page ans we realised that the bus was dud. It was our second Transdev bus that we had back in August 2013. To be fair when we last had the bus it was in 'Spot on' livery, with different seat moquette! The bus was quite full but Matthew took a picture of the rear of the bus.

Inside Lancashire United 566

When we knew the bus was dud, we decided to get off in Great Harwood and catch something else. We came into the town through a housing estate and into the main square adjacent to the town hall. We got off the bus and Matthew got a picture of Lancashire United 566 as it went off into the distance.

Lancashire United 566 in Great Harwood

The plan had been to wait for 12 minutes and to catch the next bus forward to Great Harwood, but Matthew had other ideas. He wanted to go to the toilet so we decided to go for a little walk. As we got to Blackburn Road we saw a Solo approaching. This was Holmeswood YJ55 BGO on the #14 to Chatburn.

Holmeswood YJ55 BGO in Great Harwood

We crossed over the road and had a walk around but we could not find a toilet Block, so we headed back to the stop. We had missed lancashire United 574 on the Accrington service so we decided to wait for the 15:08 to Blackburn. Whilst we were there we saw 2 of the Pilkington Buses on their Hyndburn circular service. First we saw dud Dart N230 TPK.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Great Harwood

Going the other way was dud Pilkington Bus Olympian G301 UYK. Our bus turned up and it was required Lancashire United 1068. We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We set off back through Rishton and over the M65 and we headed back into Blackburn. When we got back to the bus station we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside Lancashire United 1068.

Inside Lancashire United 1068

As he had not got a picture of the bus at Great Harwood, he took a picture of Lancashire United 1068 here.

Lancashire United 1068 in Blackburn bus station

Opposite us was 'Spot On' liveried decker 2702 on the #4 to Leyburn Road.

'Spot On' 2702 in Blackburn bus station

Matthe still hadn't been toilet so we headed of to The Mall to use the toilet there. He went to say hell to someone in the Pos Office and again in the travel agents before we headed into the shopping centre and up the escalator. Upstairs we set off towards the toilet but Matthew decided to chase after someone else to say hello. We then went to the toilet and we headed back to the bus station out of the door by the toilets and around the outside! When we got there we saw required 'Spot On' liveried single decker 207.

'Spot On' 207 in Blackburn bus station

We asked the driver about the route / frequency of the service and he told us it was half hourly and via the hospital so We booked to Darwen. After we had sat down near the back, we set off out of town passed a retail park and towards the Hospital. The bus was quite full so he took a picture inside the bus towards to back seat.

Inside 'Spot On' 207

As we approached the hospital we saw a lime green step entranced Olympian which Matthew identified as Transdev 18. This gave me the idea that we could maybe get off at the hospital and catch either the 5A or 5C service. We got off and Matthew got another picture of 'Spot On' 207.

'Spot On' 207 outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital

It looked like we had missed the hourly 5A and 5C services, so we decided to do the next bus. One of the former Norwich park and ride bus came up to the stop. It was required Lancashire United 212. we were about to get on the bus and we were taking pictures when a step entranced decker appeared behind 212.

Lancashire United 212 outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital

We flagged down the decker and got on it. I asked the driver about the service and where we could go, and after a brief discussion we decided to do the bus to the Ewood area of town where we could pick up a #1 or #2 into Blackburn. We went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off through several different housing estates with lots of speed bumps! From the top deck of the bus we could see Ewood Park in the distance as we headed towards the A666. I took a guess as to where we need to get off and I had guessed correctly. As we were getting off Matthew got a picture inside the top deck of Transdev 17.

Inside Transdev 17

We got of the bus and we took a picture of the bus as it went off into the distance.

Transdev 17 in Ewood

We crossed the road and we checked the buses. We just missed Lancashire United 1877 as it would have meant running for it. We also saw minibus PO54 BOV. We checked the timetable and there wasnt a #5A due for a while. There was quite a wait for the next #2 service too. We decided to catch the next #1 whatever that may be. It was now starting to go dark. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1878.

Lancashire United 1878 in Ewood

We got on the bus and sat down. It didn't take long from here to get into town. I was almost a straight run up the A666. When we got there Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Lancashire United 1878.

Inside Lancashire United 1878

We decided to get a quick trip in on 2 more buses. There was an M&M Coaches bus in on the #46, but this was dud N125 YHH. We then noticed Lancashire United 402 was about to set off on a X41 to Manchester. We took a picture and then went to get on it.

Lancashire United 402 in Blackburn bus station

We got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus set off out of town and we checked the page to see that it was a required bus! It is a bus we have seen work before back in December 2013. We crossed the M65 and headed into Accrington. As there were passengers front and back Matthew took a picture of the empty seats across from us.

Inside Lancashire United 402

We came into town past the town hall and market . We passed dud M&M Coaches N375 PNY which was doing the local services, before circling around past Santa's Pizza and into Peel Street from the other end. We got off the bus and headed towards the toilet. Matthew then took a picture of Transdev Lancashire United 402.

Lancashire United 402 in Accrington bus station

The toilet had been locked so we thought it better that we head straight back to Blackburn. As we thought about what we might catch we saw Lancashire United 403 heading back to Blackburn.

Lancashire United 403 in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus set off back through the town and out towards Church. We climbed the bank and crossed under the M65 again. we then headed down through Intack before dropping into the bus station. The bus stopped at the top of the bus station and Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus as we got off.

Inside Lancashire United 403

We met up with mum and we started to head back to the to the car park. On the way we back we took a few pictures. Lancashire United 1872 was on a #6A Hyndburn circular.

Lancashire United 1872 in Blackburn bus station

We then crossed over the road and we took pictures of the buses lined up along the end of the bus station. A recnt arrival from Burnley was this ex Witch Way double decker Lancashire United 2753.

Lancashire United 2753 in Blackburn

Behind this was Darwen X991 WAU.

Darwen X991 WAU in Blackburn

At the end of the row was a bus we had done earlier Lancashire United 1878.

Lancashire United 1878 in Blackburn

We visited the toilet in Morrisons before we headed back to the car via the opticians and Select so Matthew could say hello to their staff. We went to the top floor of the car park and we had sausages rolls and Irn Bru before we set off. We stopped at the Shell garage for some petrol and then we headed onto the M65. Once on the M65 we went West to The M6. We went South along the M6 down to the A500. We did the A500 to Sideway before doing the A50 Longton. At Longton today we saw the following vehicles. There were 2 coaches parked up at the near end. Van Hool coach M534 RSO was at the back and the Blackwood liveried coach B12 FWS was at the front.

Z Carz B12 FWS in Longton

Behind these was the Mercedes minibus W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Closest to the wall was recently painted repainted Van Hool coach CNZ 3828. We turned left into Willow Row and we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX in the compound. We turned in the road and when we headed back out Matthew got another picture of CNZ 3828.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross where we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT. We headed through Blurton and we got home around 19:15. For a let tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a custard tart. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00...Mark