Trip to Accrington 01-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N195 LFV	Accrington BS	West End, opp Percy Street	46	M&M Coaches
MC53 MMC	West End, by Percy Street	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
N201 UHH	Accrington BS	Laneside, by Haywood Road	19	M&M Coaches
1304	Accrington, o/s Victoria Hospital	Accrington, opp Lister Street	7	Transdev Lancashire United
N379 PNY	Accrington, by Lister Street	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
1828	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Towngate	7	Transdev Lancashire United
1306	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street	Accrington BS	6	Transdev Lancashire United
573	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Rhyddings Street	6A	Transdev Lancashire United
205	Oswaldtwistle, opp Rhyddings Street	Accrington BS	7A	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to pay another visit to Accrington. I gave him a list of places to go of which first choice this week was Sale so he could do a few Finglands buses before they left the First Manchester fleet, but Matthew chose Accrington. We did no research for today other than to check local football fixtures and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for a cool day with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11;40 today, going onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews way. We saw 2 unidentifed Barkerbus coaches on the car park near the Britannia Stadium before going around the roundabout behind Optare bodied Commandery Coaches YX54 BHD. We went West on the A50 and then North on the A500 up to Shelton New Road so that we could take on LPG. After gassing up went West on the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. We turned onto the Northbound M6 and traffic was moving quite well. In Cheshire we passed two Copeland's Tours coaches heading South. First we saw MIB 236 followed by MIB 229 a few minutes later. It was the first time we had seen MIB 229 on the road since arriving at Copeland's Tours. We carried on North up through the roadworks on Thelwall Viaduct and then onto the Eastbound M62. We took the clockwise M60 and just after the M61 junction we passed Stagecarriage S467 GUB. We carried on until we reached the M66 which we did North up to the A56. When we reached the A680 we turned right towards Accrington and drove the last few miles into town. We parked up on the car park near the railway station and we walked into town. On the way we stopped to take a few pictures. We saw Pilkington Bus R846 VEC on the #20 Hyndburn circular service.

Pilkington Bus R846 VEC in Accrington bus station

We also saw required M&M Coaches N201 UHH on the #2 service and required M&M Coaches MC53 MMC on the #46 to Blackburn. After using the toilet we crossed over the road to the bus stop cafe on Peel Street. Matthew had breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. Whilst we ate we also saw required M&M Coaches N379 PNY on the #1 Oswaldtwistle - Clayton-le-Moors circular service. Three out of Three required buses seen with only one left to view. hen we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and headed off to the bus stops. As we needed MC53 MMC we decided to check out the final M&M Coaches bus on the #46 which we could do up to the West end for MC53 MMC back. Whilst we waited we saw Transdev Lancashire United 401 on the X41 to Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 401 in Accrington bus station

We also saw required Transdev Lancashire United 205 on the #7A to Blackburn. We didn't have to wait long before required M&M Coaches N195 LFV appeared on the #46 to Blackburn. Four out of Four bus out today required!

M&M Coaches N195 LFV in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and booked a return to the West End. The bus was almost empty when we got on and Matthew was able to get a picture inside the bus straight away.

Inside M&M Coaches N195 LFV

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. As we got on the bus we saw dud but interesting Pilkington BUs G306 UYN on an #20A Hyndburn circular service. We set of out of town and onto Blackburn Road. We passed Transdev Lancashire United Optare Tempo 1307 on a #7 service and we turned to the right and continue on Blackburn Road. When we reached the West end of town we got off N195 LFV and it climbed the hill into the distance towards Blackburn. We crossed over the road and we didn't have to wait for long before we saw MC53 MMC appear over the horizon. As the bus approaches Matthew got a picture of this fine Mercedes minibus.

M&M Coaches MC53 MMC on Blackburn Road

We got on and flashed our return tickets and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus had really nice high backed coach seat fitted throughout. We headed back down the hill and we veered right at the junction to head into town. When we got back to Accrington Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside of M&M Coaches MC53 MMC.

Inside M&M Coaches MC53 MMC

We decided to take a few pictures whilst we waited for N201 UHH to make another appearance. On the X41 to Blacburn was Transdev Lancashire United 440.

Transdev Lancashire United 440 in Accrington bus station

Whilst we had the chance we also took another picture of M&M Coaches MC53 MMC whilst it was stationary.

M&M Coaches MC53 MMC in Accrington bus station

We then saw required Pilkington Bus X591 USC on a clockwise hyndburn circular. We visited the toilet and M&M Coaches N379 PNY appeared on the Clayton-le-Moors bound #1.

M&M Coaches N379 PNY in Accrington bus station

We turned it down for now, as we were going to try and do it up to Oswaldtwistle a bit later. There was quite a bit of activity in bus station at this time. Pilkington Bus X374 NNO was on an anticlockwise Hyndburn Circular and Rossendale Easyride 206 was on the #464 to Rochdale.

Rossendale 206 in Accrington bus station

'Rosso' branded 100 was photographed on the #484 to Bury.

Rossendale 100 in Accrington bus station

We had a quick drink of Cherryade and then we walked around to the stop to wait for the #9 Laneside circular. A few minutes before departure time, required M&M Coaches N201 UHH made an appearance as predicted with our driver friend at the wheel.

M&M Coaches N201 UHH in Bridge Street

We worked out which direction the bus was going in, and booked a single up to the hospital. The plan was now to do this to the Hospital for a Transdev bus back, and then do N379 PNY up to Oswaldtwistle. The bus set off out of town and as we headed up Whalley Road towards the hospital we passed M&M Coaches N379 PNY going the other way... Drat! A couple of minutes later and we would have been on it. The bus turned the corner into Queens Road and we got off. We walked back around the corner and stood at the stop by the hospital to wait for a bus back. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a required bus approaching. We knew it was required because we had never been on a Transdev Optare Tempo. As it got closer we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1304.

Transdev Lancashire United 1304 on Whalley Road

We got on we booked local day tickets before we sat down near the back. We decided to do this bus through to Oswaldtwistle to try and head off N379 PNY. We headed back down Whalley Road and into town along Abbey Street. We waited in Accrington for a few minutes and then we set off along Blackburn Road. Time was getting on and we didn't know when the bus was due back the other way. A family got on the bus and they were messing about getting on the bus and sorting money and tickets. We decided to cut our losses and get off at the next stop to make sure we didn't miss our final required M&M Coaches bus of the day. We got off crossed the road.A quick look at the bus stop revealed we had around 5 minutes to wait so we could have gone a little further. Pretty much bang on time the final required M&M Coaches bus of the day made it's appearance on the #1 service.

M&M Coaches N379 PNY on Blackburn Road

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus went back into town along Blackburn Road and we turned into Peel Street at the end of our journey. Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside M&M Coaches N379 PNY.

Inside M&M Coaches N379 PNY

We decided to go to the papershop and get some food in. Matthew brought a bottle or Irn Bru and some chocolate and a Millionaire Shortbread. We sat on the seats outside the shop an Matthew ate the shortbread. We decided we would use the Transdev day ticket to go after Transdev Lancashire United 205. It is a bus we have seen about and one that used to be a Park and Ride bus in Norwich many years ago. At this point I had forgotten it was on the it was on the 7A. I had also forgotten that the #7A and #6A only run on the Oswaldtwistle side of the run. After going to the toilet Transdev Lancashire United 1828 was on the #7 circular service.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Accrington bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. A check of the Blog revealed that this bus was dud! We had been on this bus back from Knuzden back in December 2013. We decided to do this to Great Harwood in the hope of getting Transdev Lancashire United 205 back! The bus set off up Whalley Road and into Clayton-le-Moors. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture in the bus facing forwards.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1828

We turned into Harwood New Road and then we turned into Park Road and Queen Street. When we reached the familiar Towngate area of town we got off the bus and got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Great Harwood

When we got off we didn't have to wait for long before required Transdev Lancashire United 1306 appeared. I was going to turn it down to wait for 205 to turn up. I would have been waiting for a long time... Matthew insisted on doing the bus and he was right...

Transdev Lancashire United 1306 in Great Harwood

We got on and unusually Matthew wanted to sit on the seat behind the driver. We set off back passed Tesco and out of town before turning right towards Clayton-le-Moors. When we got back we we saw Mercedes minibus V53 EWB parked up. We decided to wait for either a #7 or #7A towards Oswaldtwistle. Going in the other direction towards Great Harwood was required Transdev Lancashire United 1827.

Transdev Lancashire United 1827 in Accrington

Required Transdev Lancashire United 573 made an appearance on the #7A so we decided to do this in the hope of heading off 205. Whilst the bus was loading we crossed over the road so that we could get a good picture of 573.

Transdev Lancashire United 573 in Accrington bus station

The bus had filled up and we sat down near the back. The bus set off out of town along the Blackburn Road. About a mile out of town we took the left turn into Market Street. We headed through Oswaldtwistle and we passed Transdev Lancashire United Optare Versa 258 on an inbound #7A. At least that one was out of the way... As we traveled through Oswaldtwistle Matthew took a picture of an empty seat on this bus.

A seat on Transdev Lancashire United 573

We decided to get off near the monument, and we crossed over the road to wait for the bus back. The next bus back was a #7A so perhaps if we were lucky it would be 205. A few minutes later the bus was due and we could see it sweep down into the valley. Unbelievably it just happened to be the bus we were hoping for Transdev Lancashire United 205.

Transdev Lancashire United 205 in Oswaldtwistle

We got on and we sat down near the back. The bus passed through Oswaldtwistle and back onto Blackburn Road. The inside of this bus was unusual with its blue seats and grey handrails. When we got back to Accrington Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside this bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 205

Matthew wanted the toilet and the public toilet on Peel Street had closed for the day. So we took him into a pub called The Calder on Blackburn Road. After he had used the toilet he insisted on going to the bar for a drink. He had a bottle of Coke which he took back to the car. In the car he had his sausage roll and we set off out of town. We went around the time on the A680 and headed down to the A56. We continued onto the M66 and then onto the anti-clockwise M60. The matrix sign were flashing for delays on the M60 between junction 13-10. I knew junction 10 was beyond where we needed but I wasn't sure if 13 was back towards the M62. It turned out that it was and we were stuck in traffic for a short while. Whilst there we saw South Lancs Travel 71 on a #300 service. We joined the M62 and the traffic problems eased as we headed West to the M6. It was now fully dark and w went south to the A500. On the A500 we passed Z Carz CN57 HWA. We went down to the A50 which we did to Longton so that we could check out the Z carz depot. At first we could only see 3 vehicles parked up but Z Carz D104 XAN was maneuvering back into the row. First in the row was Z Carz M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to this was now Z Carz D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

This was followed by Mercedes minibus used on school bus work S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Finally was Z Carz M372 NWN another bus used on school work.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to look in the compound where we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. There we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT and the current bus being refurbished YN04 CUY. We got back home around 19:10. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark