Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 11-04-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60068	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
40367	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21B	First Potteries
60189	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
4790	Newcastle BS	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop A	91	Wardle Transport
132	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G
32056	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
66303	Hanley BS	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop M	3	First Potteries
2232	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	91	Wardle Transport

Today we decided to have a local trip. Mum had planned to do some things so we were going on the bus to Stoke for dinner and then up to Tunstall for cake. We had checked the weather and it was for fine sunny weather. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I had checked out the 11:17 to Dresden so we knew the bus was going to be First Potteries 60068. We set off to the bus stop all the over on Magdalen Road just before 12:00. the bus turned up pretty much on time. It rounded the corner out of Finstock Avevue and it was First Potteries 60068 as expected.

First Potteries 60068 in Blurton

We got on the bus and purchased a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We sat down near to the back of the bus nd the bus set off onto the A5035. We passed First Potteries 60193 which was on the 12:17 to Dresden. We carried on along to towards Trentham and we turned into New Inn Lane. When we got to the Man in Space pub we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60068 before it carried on it's way to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60068 in Trentham

Due at roughly the same time was the #21B to Hanley. We thought we had missed this bus and so the next bus towards Stoke was going to be the #21. Across the road we saw dud First Potteries 41520 which would form the next #21 to Hanley after it ha been for a spin around Pacific Drive.

First Potteries 41520 in Trentham

Running a few minutes late was the #21B that we thought we had missed. It was dud First Potteries 40367.

First Potteries 40367 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. As sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off up new Inn Lane. As there was only one gentleman sat just in front and to the side of us, Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 40367.

Inside First Potteries 40367

The bus filled up quickly as we headed off through Trentham and Hanford. We went down Church lane and we joined the A34. We went under the A500 and into Trent Vale, turning right onto London Road. We carried on along London Road through Oak Hill and the West End. The bus continued to fill up and when we got to Stoke we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 40367 as it continued on it's way to Hanley.

First Potteries 40367 in Stoke

We crossed the road to head into town. Outside Sainsbury's we bumped into our near neighbours Mary & Melanie. After we ha said hello we carried on along Campbell Place into Church Street to the Stoke Cafe. Matthew used their subterranean toilet before having a breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. After we had finished eating we headed down Church Street to catch a bus towards Newcastle. Going the other way towards Meir was D&G 111 on 'The Orange One' service.

D&G 111 in Stoke

We did have to wait long before saw an older Scania approaching. It was dud First Potteries 60189 on a #2 service.

First Potteries 60189 in Stoke

We got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day tickets to the driver. We sat down towards the back this almost empty bus. On the other side of the road we saw the last required 'W' reg Volvo B7, First Potteries 32056 going towards Talke on a #3 service... The bus set off along Church Street and up Hartshill bank. We traveled along the A52 into Newcastle and down George Street into the town centre. At the bus station we left the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60189.

Inside First Potteries 60189

In Newcastle we took a few bus pictures. Opposite the bus station was Roseville Taxis Renault minibus FM57 MXK.

Roseville FM57 MXK in Newcastle

We also saw dud Volvo Olympian First Potteries 34311 still going strong on a #4A service to Hanley.

First Potteries 34311 in Newcastle

Usually we might spend some in the bus station taking pictures... We had seen dud Wardle Transport 2238 working on the #92 to ball Green. We then saw required Wardle Transport double decker 4790 about to work a #91 to Bradeley.

Wardle Transport 4790 in Newcastle bus station

We walked over to the Wolstanton corridor stands and as we waited for the bus to be readied we saw required First Potteries 66309 on a #4A to Talke.

First Potteries 66309 in Newcastle

The bus was readied for service and we got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we headed upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We left town towards Wolstanton along the A527. The top deck behind us emptied out at the top of the Bramptons and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the top deck of Wardle Transport 4790.

Inside Wardle Transport 4790

We headed into wolstanton and we saw JW Playclub minibus KV05 FRZ parked up on the right hand side road. As we headed through Wolstatnton and Longport we saw dud Wardle Transport 4809 and required buses Wardle Transport 2232/4814 all working on the #91/92 services. These service interwork at Newcastle. as we crossed over the A500 we saw ABC Supreme minibus N806 CRJ was the new roundel type logo on the rear joining the Southbound A500. We headed up to Trubshaw Cross and up into Tunstall. At the bottom of Tunstall High Street we turned right into Williamson Street. Looking up the high Street I saw the rear of a 'W' reg Volvo B7. I realised that it must be 32056 heading up to Talke still. In the time we had traveled from stoke to Newcastle and Tunstall, it had gone from Stoke to Hanley and Tunstall via Burslem. We headed back onto the High Street via Woodland Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Wardle Transport 4790 before it carried on towards Bradeley.

Wardle Transport 4790 in Tunstall

On the opposite of the High Street we saw dud First Potteries 32053 on a #3 bound for Newcastle.

First Potteries 32053 in Tunstall

We walked down to the Tunstall Cafe and Matthew used the toilet. Matthew had a slice of toffee cheesecake washed down with a can of Coke. We worked out that if we headed back to Newcastle then we should intercept First Potteries 32056 on the #4A to Hanley. So we crossed th e road to wait for the next Newcastle bus. On a #90 service to Ball Green was Scraggs YJ54 BSZ.

Scraggs YJ54 BSZ in Tunstall

We went online to nextbuses.co.uk to find the times of the next bus to Newcastle. The site told us that it was a D&G #94 service at 14:08. We didn't have to wait for long for this bus and when it turned the corner we saw it was required D&G eVolution single decker 132.

D&G 132 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed our Smart Day ticket at the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the high Street and onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we joined Longport Road for the run down to the A500. We crossed over the roundabout and we climbed up Porthill Bank. We turned left onto Wolstanton High Street and we headed into Newcastle though the Bramptons. In the bus station we let the bus empty out and Matthew got a picture inside D&G 132.

Inside D&G 132

We got off the bus and we saw a different taxi minibus at the taxi rank. It was City Cabs minibus SF07 DKJ.

City Cabs SF07 DKJ in Newcastle

Whilst we waited for First Potteries 32056 to make an appearance, we took a few bus pictures. We saw D&G 121 on a #74 to Audley.

D&G 121 in Newcastle bus station

The was follows a short time later by Arriva Midlands 2996 on the #164 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2996 in Newcastle bus station

On the #4A to Hanley was First Potteries 66838

First Potteries 66838 in Newcastle bus station

We were hoping that 32056 was going to be on the next #4A to Hanley in 20 minutes time, the 14:50 departure. This gave us time to take a few more pictures. Parked up as spare bus for driver to eat their dinner in was Wardle Transport 2217.

Wardle Transport 2217 in Newcastle bus station

Then we saw required First Potteries 65027 on the #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65027 in Newcastle bus station

This was followed by dud First Potteries 60205 on the #4 to Wereton.

First Potteries 60205 in Newcastle bus station

We sat down at the bottom of the bus station on the large bench. On Barrack Road heading South we saw Challinor Van Hool coach N53 FWU.

Challinor N53 FWU in Newcastle bus station

On a #41 service we saw Wardle Transport 2278 which will probably soon be part of the D&G fleet.

Wardle Transport 2278 in Newcastle bus station

You can still see where the original D&G Bus decal used to be above the folding doors. Finally we saw what we were waiting for... required First Potteries 32056 on the #4A to Hanley!

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the stand and we waited patiently whilst there was a driver changeover. When the driver was ready we got on the bus. I flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver and Matthew photographed the empty lower saloon.

Inside First Potteries 32056

We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty too, so Matthew took another picture.

Inside First Potteries 32056

The bus set off out of the bus station and we completed riding on first Potteries 'W' reg Volvo's... It took us just less than a year. Our first ride on one of these buses was on First Potteries 32054 back in May 2014. The bus set off out of the bus station and up the A53 towards Basford. We crossed over the A500 and we continued east on the A53. We turned into the industrial part of Festival Park along Forge Lane and part way along we saw Nuthall Methodist Church coach SIL 5864 parked up near to the Royal Doulton outlet store. We turned into Festival way and we crossed the A53 and headed into Hanley up Etruria Road. We continued up Trinity Street and took a right turn onto Stafford Street. We paused for a minute or so in Stafford Street before the bus continued past the town hall and into the bus station via Bagnall Street. When we got off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we headed of out to the John Street car park. The usual door was shut so we had to walk down a ramp to a lower door and then walk up an extra flight of stairs! Once up in the car park we started to take a few bus pictures. On layover was First Potteries 63171. The first bus we photograph was dud First Potteries 66962 on a #3 to Leighton Hospital, Crewe.

First Potteries 66962 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by interurban liveried dud First Potteries 42893.

First Potteries 42893 in Hanley bus station

going onto one of the layover bays was required First Potteries 66313.

First Potteries 66313 in Hanley bus station

Seen on the #21 for the second time today was First Potteries 41520. This was followed by required First Potteries 32630 which was on the #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 32630 in Hanley bus station

Usually allocated to Crewe, D&G 127 with it's one big door was working the #9 to Biddulph which is operated from the Longton garage.

D&G 127 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by required Wardle Transport 2133 on the #16 to Leek.

Wardle Transport 2133 in Hanley bus station

We decided to head back to the bus station. Before we went we saw dud First Potteries 65039 with its rear engine cover slightly open.

First Potteries 65039 in Hanley bus station

We walked out towards the bus station and we saw A1 National Embassy Peugeot minibus SJ08 RCU parked outside.

A1 National Embassy SJ08 RCU in Hanley

Due to capacity issues with the new bus station, an extra stand was located on the road outside. That is where we saw required First Potteries 63178 on a #6 service to Weston Coyney.

First Potteries 63178 in Hanley

The majority of the new Raspberry route bus us the stop outside the bus station. It was unusual to see First Potteries 63171 on layover inside the bus station earlier... We went into the bus station and we went into the Spar shop. matthew had a couple of bottle of pop and a couple of chocolate bars. Matthew said hello to the lady serving behind the counter and was being as charming as usual. We decided to do another couple of buses before we went to Newcastle to meet mum. the usual plan was to head up to Tunstall or Bradeley to catch a bus forward to Newcastle. On a #3 to Talke was required First Potteries 66303.

First Potteries 66303 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets to the driver. The bus was quite full and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and past the museum. We went along marsh Street before turning up Trinity Street and turning left onto Stafford Street. We added a few more passengers before heading out of town along Waterloo Road. We passed the Burslem and the bus emptied a little. We continued up Scotia Road to the edge of Tunstall and we turned left onto Williamson Street before turning right onto the High Street. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 66303 before it carried on on its journey towards Talke.

First Potteries 66303 in Tunstall

We got off the bus and we headed down the road to the toilets. We saw dud First Potteries 37157 on a #99 to Bradeley. After Matthew had finished in the toilet we headed back to stop B to wait for a Newcastle bus. From our bus times inquiry earlier we guesses that there should be a #91 bus at 16:24. We checked nextbuses.co.uk and this did turn out to be the case, so we had around 10 minutes to wait. There was a #3 to Hanley due first. The bus turned u and it was required First Potteries 66314.

First Potteries 66314 in Tunstall

We had to turn this down as we were going to meet up with mum in Newcastle. There were still 2 required buses on the #91/92 rotation that we knew of, so there was a 2 in 5 chance of one of these turning up. The bus rounded the corner and it was required Wardle Transport 2232.

Wardle Transport 2232 in Tunstall

We let a passenger get off the bus and we got on it. It was now empty so Matthew took a picture inside this fine example of an ALX200 bodied Dart.

Inside Wardle Transport 2232

We flashed the Smart Day tickets at the driver for the final time today and we sat down towards the rear of the bus. We set off down the High Street and onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we joined Longport Road and we passed required Copeland's Tours MIB 293 heading the other way. We suspect that it was returning from one of their holiday weeks. At the bottom of the road we picked up a lady with a suitcase who had probably just got off the coach and crossed the road. We headed across the A500 and up Porthill Bank before turning left onto Wolstanton High Street. We passed through wolstanton and as we got to the near end of the Brampton we stopped to let off a passenger and then the emergency exit alarm went off on it own. The driver stopped the bus and she open and shut the door a few time before the alarm cleared and we carried on into town. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout and onto Barracks Road before we entered the bus station. The bus was empty and Matthew got a picture inside it before we got off it.

Wardle Transport 2232 in Newcastle

We turned and saw dud Wardle Transport 2278 on a #41 'Hospital Hopper' service.

Wardle Transport 2278 in Newcastle

Mum hadn't turned up yet, so Matthew went to the toilet. When we came out we went to the corner of the bus station to look out for her, and to take a few more bus pictures. We saw First Potteries 65040 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65040 in Newcastle

On the main road was Sids taxi minibus KS05 JHX.

Sids KS05 JHX in Newcastle

Coming into the bus station we saw dud First Potteries 66311 on a #4 to Wereton.

First Potteries 66311 in Newcastle

This was followed by dud Wardle Transport 2238 on a #92 from Ball Green to Newcastle.

Wardle Transport 2238 in Newcastle

Mum arrived and parked in the layby just up from the bus station on barracks Road. we got in the car and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. we realised we had left the Greggs sausage rolls that we had brought yesterday instead on bring them into the car! Never mind, we were going to stop for chips at the Trentside chippy anyway. We turned around at the Jubilee roundabout and we headed back to the Southbound A34. We stopped at the chip shop and we picked up 2 portions of freshly cooked chips to share between the four of us in the car. We rejoined the Southbound A34 and then onto the Northbound A500. We turned right onto the Eastbound A50 which we did up to Longton to go and see what was at Z Carz. Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN still appears to be under repair but the job looks to be a little further along towards completion.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Finally we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Parked outside on the Street was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the yard itself was YR06 NNV. We headed back onto the A50 and we come off it again at Heron Cross. We turned on Blurton Road and we headed along onto church Road. We turned Right onto Beaconsfield drive and we got home around 17:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by millionaires shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark