Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 30-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4163	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4100	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2612	Crewe BS	Winsford, opp Asda	31A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Winsford, opp Siddon Street	Crewe BS	31	Arriva NW&W
4169	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4163	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Crewe. We had checked the weather for the North West and the Midlands and it was for dry and cool weather with some sunny intervals. We had a slight crack in the windscreen of the car and it couldn't be replaced until Monday, so we gave Matthew a list of places nearby. From the list Matthew chose Crewe. Since our last visit there had been a few Darts arriving at Winsford depot from Bolton, plus there were a couple of Plaxton President double deckers on loan at Winsford for the half term holidays. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice fro breakfast. We set off just after 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and and down past the Britannia Stadium where there appeared to be some kind of event taking place. We went West on the A50 and then Northwards up the A500. At Wolstanton we passed ABC Supreme YX03 JVZ going Southwards. We crossed under the M6 and carried on along the single carriageway section of the A500 until we got to the Crewe turning. We turned right onto the A5020 and we followed the road right to the edge of town before turning left onto the A534 and passing the railway station. We turned right onto Edleston Road for the final run into town. Just before we got there we passed required Arriva NW&W 4163 on a #84 to Nantwich. We turned left into Delamere Street and we passed the bus station. We wound our way around the one way street and we parked in Asda car park this time. We walked through the car park to the shopping edge of town and we went into Vernon's fish bar for dinner. We looked across at the bus station and we could see an Arriva double decker was parked up as spare bus. After using the toilet Matthew had sausage chips and beans with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. When it was time to go we walked into the bus station and we saw what we were hoping to see, Arriva NW&W 4163 had returned and was about to the next #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva North West day tickets at £5 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4163.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4163

We sat down in the middle of the top deck and we waited for depature time. We noticed that the spare bus had swapped and was now a Plaxton Centro double decker. The bus set off out of the bus station Southwards onto Delamere Street. We carried on going South on Edleston Street. As we travlled down edleston Street we passed Beeline Taxis PN52 HUY going the other way. We turned right onto the A534 and we headed out of town. We passed through Wells Green and we turned left onto Willaston Road. We turned right into Coppice Road before rejoining the A534. We crossd the nantwich bypass and we carried on into town along the B5338. When we got to the edge of Nantwich we went North and around town until we got to the bus station on the A530. We got up and got off the bus. We crossed the road to get a better picture of Arriva NW&W 4163.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Nantwich bus station

There was quite a lot of activity in the bus station when we arrived. D&G Cadet 125 was on a #6 service to Nantwich Millfields.

D&G 125 in Nantwich bus station

There were a few GHA buses too. GHA's new Solo SR 1202 was on a #39 to Crewe.

GHA 1202 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was another on of their new Solo SR's, GHA 1203.

GHA 1203 in Nantwich bus station

Whilst we were there we also saw GHA Solo YJ59 GHG arrive and go on layover.

GHA YJ59 GHG in Nantwich bus station

We walked into town and we went to the toilet. After we had finished there we headed back into the market and Matthew had some spearmint chews. We carried on walking back to the bus station. matthew sat down and had a Milky Way and then dud Arriva NW&W double decker 4104 came into the bus station on a #84 to Chester

Arriva NW&W 4104 in Nantwich bus station

A minute or so later the Crewe bound service appeared in the hands of dud Arriva NW&W 4100.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Nantwich bus station

As both buses were dud we decided to head back towards Crewe to give us a greater choice of buses we could do. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and he rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4100.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4100

The bus set off onto the A530 and we wheeled around the North East corner of town before going Eastwards on the B5338. We crossed back over the Nantwich bypass and we headed East on the A534. We then headed into Willaston village along Coppice Road before turning left onto Willaston Road. We rejoined the A534 for the run into Crewe. We turned left into Edleston Road for the run Northwards into the town centre before turning left into Delamere Street, entering the bus station from the South. When we got back into to Crewe we considered which bus to do next. D&G 183 was on the on the #6 to Leighton hospital.

D&G 183 in Crewe bus station

We walked down the row of buses in the bus station taking pictures. We then stood on the end of the bus station and we took a few more pictures. On a #3 service we saw dud First Potteries Volvo 66962.

First Potteries 66962 in Crewe bus station

GHA have some new buses operating their #42 service to Congleton via Leighton Hospital and Middlewhich. We saw GHA Enviro 200 1407.

GHA 1407 in Crewe bus station

We then saw dud Arriva NW&W 2612 come in on a #37 service. It was about to work out on a #31A to Winsford, so we decided to do this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. It was the first time we had done this service between Crewe and Winsford so it was a bit of an adventure! The bus set off North out of the bus station and we wound our way through the streets towards Leighton Hospital. At the hospital there was a small bus station and there were a few buses there including D&G 183 on a #6, First Potteries 66303 on a #3 to Newcastle and GHA 1407 again on a the #42 to Congleton. We left the bus station area and we crossed the A530 at Bradfield Green before we continues up to Church Minshull crossing the Shropshire Union canal and the river Weaver. We continued North through the centre of Cheshire, Darnhall. We came into town along Beeston drive and we stopped opposite the shopping centre outside Witherspoons. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the now empty Arriva NW&W 2612.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 as it carried to its next turn.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Winsford

We saw the bus turned right onto the A54. There were a few buses parked up there. On bus pulled off before we got there but the other two were Arriva NW&W 2612 which was now on the #37 to Crewe and Arriva NW&W 2610 which was about to work a #29 to Northwich. Across the road we saw required Arriva NW&W 2615 went passed on the other side of the road. Another Plaxton Centro also appeared and stopped on the opposite side of the road. So we crossed under the road in the subway and we came out and we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a #31 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Winsford

We decided to do the bus anyway so we got on and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off West up the A54 before turning left into the housing estate and heading back South through Darnhall. Somewhere between Darnall and Church Minshull we passed Northwich Travel minibus Y743 DDA coming the other way. We passed through Church Minshull and just before we crossed the A530 to go towards the hospital, we saw that the bus in front of us was empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2611

At the hospital this time we saw D&G 124, GHA 1406 on the #42 to Congleton and required Arriva NW&W 2608 on the #31A to Winsford. We headed back through the estate passing an Arriva Solo SR on the #6 to Leighton Hospital. When we got back to the bus station there was Plaxton President in the bus station. It was required Arriva NW&W 4169.

Arriva NW&W 4169 in Crewe bus station

It was going to work the next #84 to Chester, but it wasn't departure time so we had a look around the bus station to see what was about. Next to Arriva NW&W 4169 was dud Arriva NW&W 4489 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4489 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station was First Potteries 66838 on the #3 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 66838 in Crewe bus station

The driver came to the bus and readied Arriva NW&W 4169 for service. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4169.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4169

The bus set off out of the Southern end of the bus station onto Delamere Street and we turhedn right onto Edleston Street. As we left the bus station we passed Arriva NW&W 2609 on the #84 from Nantwich. At the other end of Edleston Street we turned right onto the A534 and we went Westwards along the road for a few miles until we got to Willaston. We turned left on Willaston Road to go into the village before going fight onto Coppice Road and we then rejoined the A534. We crossed the Nantwich bypass and we headed into town we rounded the North end of town and we turned into the bus station from the A530. We got up and got off the bus and once again we went across the road to get a better picture of Arriva NW&W 4169 as we had done earlier with Arriva NW&W 4163.

Arriva NW&W 4169 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was GHA Solo SR 1201.

GHA 1201 in Nantwich bus station

Behind this was standard GHA Solo YJ59 GHF.

GHA YJ59 GHF in Nantwich bus station

We decided to walk into town to use the toilet by the market. We walked into the market which had been packed up and when we got to the toilet it was closed! It shuts at 16:30 apparently. There were a couple of gentleman tidying up the yard area so we asked where there was another toilet. One of the gentlemen kindly opened up the toilet so that Matthew could use it. Once Matthew had finished with thanked the gentleman and we walked to the chip shop and brought a portion of chips between us and 3 cans of pop. We walked back to the bus station and we ate the chips. Matthew had a can of Coke and I had a can of Pepsi. We let Arriva NW&W 2609 go which was on the #84 to Crewe having worked in from Crewe on the short turn. We saw D&G 103 on a #1A to Crewe and also parked up was GHA solo SR 1204.

GHA 1204 in Nantwich bus station

The Chester bound #84 came into the bus station as it should do, and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4102.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Nantwich bus station

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was a Plaxton President double decker. It was dud Arriva NW&W 4163 which we had earlier, which had switched from doing the #84 shorts to Nantwich, to doing a trip to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Nantwich bus station

We got on this bus again and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver for the final time today and we went upstairs. The bus was a little fuller than we had been on earlier, which is understandable for the time of day. It didn't matter as we had already got a picture inside this bus earlier. The bus set off around the town and onto the B5338. As we approached the Nantwich bypass we saw David Brown of Willaston's Iveco minibus BX56 MVA in a pub car park which appeared to be on wedding duties! We crossed the bypass and and we entered Willaston village along Coppice Road and we rejoined the A534 off Willaston Road. When we got into town we made the left turn into Edleston Street behind required Arriva NW&W 2608 which was on a #37. When we got to the bus station there was just time to get a picture of Arriva NW&W 2608 before we headed back to the car.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Crewe bus station

We walked out of the bus station and mum had parked up on Victoria street outside Wetherspoons so we didn't have to walk as far back. Matthew said hello to a lady outside the pub and we got into the car. Mum had got Greggs sausage rolls for us and Matthew washed his down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We wound our way through the Streets in and we came out on Edleston Street. We headed onto the A534 and we went past the railway station before turning right onto the A5020. we ran out of town for a few miles before we joined the A500 and we went East. After we crossed under the A500 we followed Anytime Airports PY07 NHT South as it had come of the M6. When we got to Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton so that we could check out what was parked up at Z Carz today. First in the row was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to the Mercedes minibus S952 VMY was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus GL04 CVE was another Ford minibus PY08 KDX, Z Carz PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

At the back were another couple of minibuses. Next to the Fords minibus BN03 OVS was another Mercedes minibus, Z Carz CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Finally, last in the row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was there. There was only one vehicle, Z Carz Renault traffic DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We headed back onto A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. Unusually we passed through Blurton without seeing another bus. We got home around 18:40. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:15... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 29-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Joinets Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Joiners Square	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
60069	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going for tea in Trent Vale but not before he spent the day with his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. The bus turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We set off onto the A5035 and headed towards Trentham. We turned into New Inn Lane and then into Pacific Drive. Once we had picked up another service user we headed back onto New Inn Lane and the A5035. We headed along into Blurton and we turned into church Road. We carried on into Blurton Road and across the A50. We went through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. Having crossed the railway line we turned left onto Christchurch Street and to our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. After dinner we went to the pub. Today we went to the pub in Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we Fountain Street. We then turned left onto Williams Street and right onto Manor Street. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we headed down to the roundabout at Joiners Square. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A52 and then left to our destination. At the pub Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink of Coke. Unusual sighting of the day was Blue Pigeon Travel Plaxton bodied coach Y3 JBT.

Blue Pigeon Travel Y3 JBT in Joiners Square

We saw First Potteries 63179 going the other way towards Hanley on a #6 service.

First Potteries 63179 in Joiners Square

When it was time to go back to Fenton we travelled back on Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We went down Licfield Street and onto Victoria Road. We went to the top of Victoria Road passing First Potteries 63177 before turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. When it was time to home home we climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Christchurch Street an right onto Station Bridge Road and Heron Street. In Heron Cross we went straight across onto Blurton Road and over the A50. We carried on into Blurton along Blurton Road and forward onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Road and arrived home just before 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of dandelion & burdock whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 15:48 to Newcastle. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. We waited at the stop and as expected First Potteries 60069 turned the corner pretty much on time...

First Potteries 60069 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road before sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the A5035 turning right towards Trentham. We passed dud First Potteries 60072 going the other way on the #22 to Longton. We crossed over the railway line and into Trentham passing First Potteries 40367 on the #21 to Hanley. We turned right into New Inn Lane and First Potteries turned onto the road ahead of us off The Lea. We climbed the hill into Hanford and we turned into Wilson Road. As we headed down Church Lane we passed dud First Potteries 41502 coming up the hill on a #21 to Trentham. We turned right onto the A34 and we crossed under the A500 and into Trent Vale. Just before we turned into Harpfield Road we passed ABC Supreme Mercedes minibus N806 CRJ going South towards Stafford. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60069 before it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60069 in Trent Vale

We walked down onto the A34 and we were passed by First Potteries 65034 on a #10 to Stafford. Traffic was moving slowly and we caught up with the bus and got a picture before it continued Southwards.

First Potteries 65034 in Trent Vale

Mum was already waiting for us at the pub. We met mum at the pub and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by Chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were First Potteries 32635 on a Hanley bound #10 service as well as Nash's coaches N8 SHS going Southwards. After we had finished eating we went out to the car. We called Uncle Dave and we went to pick him up, but first we had some other chores to do. We drove along the A34 and onto and into Trentham. After we had dropped a few things off in Trentham we went back up the A34 to Trent Vale and we filled up with diesel. We carried on to Newcastle and we stopped at Grandmas to pick up some frozen chicken. Passing newcastle bus station we saw dud First Potteries 32054 on a Keele bound #3 and First Potteries 61235 on a #2 to Meir. We headed through Newcastle onto the A52 before turning onto Shelton New Road. We joined the Southbound A500 which we did up to Fenton. After we had picked up uncle Dave, we headed up to Heron Cross and we saw Free Spirits blue minibus MV05 YMM and Lucky Seven taxi minibus SJ07 LSU. We went through Blurton and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive getting home around 1800. As we got out of the car we saw Keiths Travel MT07 DLZ go by. Matthew then chilled out watching bus videos and using his computer before bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Wigan / Westhoughton 23-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22243	Wigan BS	Hindley, nr Manchester Road/Gregory Street	540	Stagecoach Manchester
YJ11 ELX	Hindley, (Stop B)	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop D)	559	Cumfybus
30534	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop E)	Wigan BS	715	Rotala Diamond NW
4577	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	375	Arriva NW&W
2975	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	352	Arriva NW&W
4183	Wigan BS	Cooper Turning, nr Dicconson Lane/Chorley Road‎	715	Arriva NW&W
4181	Cooper Turning, nr Chorley Road/Four Gates‎	Wigan BS	715	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. We had checked the weather for the day and it was for warm weather with sunny intervals all over the North West and Midlands. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and from the list he chose Wigan. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00. we set off onto the A5035 and we turned right into Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Eastbound A50 and then we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We were followed up the A500 by Intercity minibus KX09 DGY. Traffic was heavy and it continued to be heavy onto the M6 and we saw ABC Supreme VK06 LTV going North on an airport run. As we got further North towards junction 19 the traffic seemed to improved a little, but the matrix signs were saying there were problems between junction 22 and junction 27. We decided to push on as there was conflicting information on the Internet say there was little delay. The Internet seemed to be correct as we didn't meet traffic until we got to junction 25 where we were turning anyway. We did the link road up to the A49 and then continued North into town. Traffic was better than our last visit and we got into town relatively quickly. We parked up on Crawford Street and we walked up to the chip shop cafe on Hallgate called Mr Chips. Matthew went to the toilet and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a small bottle of Coke. He said hello to the waitress about 10 times! When it was time to go we said 'Goodbye to Mr Chips' and we walked down to the bus station. Whilst we decided what to do matthew took a few bus pictures. On a #600 to Leigh via Golbourne was required ALX300 bodied MAN Stagecoach Manchester 22244.

Stagecoach Manchester 22244 in Wigan bus station

Parked up between services was required Arriva NW&W 2973.

Arrva NW&W 2973 in Wigan bus station

We walked down to the bottom end of the bus station and we saw dud Wigan Buses W669 TNV on the #630 to Platt Bridge.

Wigan Buses W669 TNV in Wigan bus station

We had this bus on this service on a previous visit to Wigan back in January 2015. We saw another required ALX300 / MAN on the #598 to Leigh, Stagecoach Manchester 22243.

Stagecoach Manchester 22243 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus. We got on an we purchased System One bus only tickets at $5.20 each. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 22243 with it grey chevron moquette seats.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22243

We sat down at the back of the bus and when it was time to depart we left the bus station at the bottom end and onto New Market Street. We turned right onto Mesnes Street / Crompton Street, picking up a few more passenger before heading out of town. We crossed the A49 going onto the A573 before turning left onto A577 and into Ince. On the other side of Ince we turned left into the housing estat before re-joining the A577 further along on Makerfield Way. We the ran the last 1/2 mile or so into Hindley before getting up and getting off the bus. Matthew took another photograph of Stagecoach Manchester 22243 as it continued on it's way to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 22243 in Hindley

We crossed the road to the stop opposite, with the intention of catching something back to Wigan. Next bus due was the #540 to Wigan... This was followed shortly by the #559 to Bolton via Westhoughton. We had never been on this service. We had seen it a few times previously, being worked by one of TfGM's hybrids Solo SR's, which are loaned to bus companies which win tenders on some of the supported non commercial services. The #540 time came and went and we saw the Hybrid Solo approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Cumfybus YJ11 ELX.

Cumfybus YJ11 ELX in Hindley

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver. As it was a Solo Matthew attempted to honk the horn. The driver assisted by honking the horn for him! The bus was empty as it was the start of the journey. Matthew took a picture inside this tidy modern bus...

Inside Cumfybus YJ11 ELX

The bus set off and turned right onto Cross Street before joining the A58. This is the most direct bus to Westhoughton we have been on. It went straight up the A58 to the edge of town before it turned onto Market Street in town. We went to get up and get off and Matthew tried to stop us. We did get off but we were a stop away from the Co-operative food store which Matthew probably knew! Matthew took another picture of Cumfybus YJ11 ELX as it carried on towards Bolton.

Cumfybus YJ11 ELX in Westhoughton

We went to the Co-operative food and we stocked up on Irn Bru and Milky Ways. We headed back down the street to the toilet. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 4175 on a Bolton #715 service.

Arriva NW&W 4175 in Westhoughton

Matthew went to the toilet and then we sat at the stop opposite from where we got off the bus. There was a #540 and a #715 both due at 15:05. Matthew had a Milky Way whilst we waited. On the opposite side of the we saw Rotala South Lancs Travel 20827 on the #521 to Little Lever.

Rotala South Lancs 20827 in Westhoughton

We also notice a few taxi's coming and going from behind the pub opposite to us. There was a minibus there too. It was Star 401 Mercedes minibus Y591 ANV.

Star 401 Y591 ANV in Westhoughton

The #540 turned up first, and it was required Stagecoach Manchester 27817.

Stagecoach Manchester 27817 in Westhoughton

The #715 turned up and it was surprisingly Rotala South Lancs Travel 30534.

Rotala South Lancs 30534 in Westhoughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This was the first time we had managed to catch the the #715 service. The bus set off Northwards onto Church Street past Westhoughton railway station. When we got to the A6 we turned left to head towards Chorley. In the distance we could see the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers. About half a mile along the A6 we turned left onto the B5239 and through the village of Aspull. We continued along the B5239 towards Hiagh before turned South towards Wigan down St David's Crescent. We joined the B5238 and we went through Whelley and we entered Wigan through Scholes and Warrington Road. We went 'straight inta Compton' Street ans onto New Market Street before entering the bus station from the North. When we got into the bus station we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Rotala South Lancs 30534.

Inside Rotala South Lancs 30534

Also in the old South Lancs Travel livery was 30539 was on the #635 to Appley Bridge.

Rotala South Lancs 30539 in Wigan bus station

We walked to the bottom of the bus station to take a few pictures whilst we decided what to do next. We saw required Arriva NW&W Enviro 400 double decker 4577 on the #375 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4577 in Wigan bus station

As it was a required bus we decided to do this service up to Pemberton. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. There were people front and back on the bus so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4577

The bus set off out of the South end of the bus station and onto Dorning Street before turning left onto King Street West. We turned right past Wigan Wallgate railway station and we stopped a few yards down the road opposite to Wigan North Western railway station. We joined the A49 and we ran down past Wigan Pier before hitting the big roundabout just outside town we carried on down the A49 a short while until the road split and we joined the A577 to head towards Orrell. Further up the road the carriageway split to go around the halfway house and then we carried onto up the road for a further 1/4 of a mile before we got up and got off the bus at the Eastern edge of Pemberton. The bus topped at the lights where we were about to cross the road so Matthew got another better picture of Arriva NW&W 4577.

Arriva NW&W 4577 in Pemberton

As we were crossing the road we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 36788 on the #628 to Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36788 in Pemberton

We knew we would make it to the stop, but its a bit new anyway so we will probably have plenty of time to pick this bus up in the future... We walked to the stop and there was a bus due in less than 5 minutes, a #352 bus from St Helens via Orrell. The bus turned a few minutes later and it was required Arriva NW&W 2975.

Arriva NW&W 2975 in Pemberton

We headed back down the hill and past the halfway house before joining the Northbound A49 and going around the big roundabout. We past Wigan Pier and we headed passed the railway station before turning left onto King street West. We climbed the short hill of Dorning Street before entering the bus station from the South. When we got into the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2975.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2975

We decided that we would try and go after one of Arriva's Plaxton president double deckers that we have seen on the #715's. In the mean time we went around the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. we saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 22361 on the #621 Kit Green circular service.

Stagecoach Manchester 22361 in Wigan bus station

We had been on Stagecoach Manchester 22361 previously from Hindley Green to Wigan back in March 2013 on a #598 service. We also saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 19521 on a #32 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 19521 in Wigan bus station

We had done Stagecoach Manchester 19521 back in April 2013 from Wigan to Hindley Green on a #32 on the day Matthew could have had a marriage proposal! We saw required Arriva NW&W 4183 come in on a #715 to Bolton. There was a #575 on stand and so the bus couldn't go where it need to go for departure, so it did a lap of the bus station and stopped at a lower stand whilst it waited for the #575 to depart.

Arriva NW&W 4183 in Wigan bus station

As we had 10 minutes before the bus was due to go, we decided to have a walk around whilst we took some more pictures. We saw required Arriva NW&W 2697 on a #352 to St Helens via Orrell.

Arriva NW&W 2697 in Wigan bus station

We also saw another one of the increasingly rare Rotala buses that still carry the South Lancs Travel colours of yellow and blue. It was required Rotala South Lancs Solo 20719 on the #638 to Standish.

Rotala South Lancs 20719 in Wigan bus station

Just before time we decided to walk up to stand F to wait for the bus. Matthew decided to run and say hello to someone near the bottom end of the bus station. Thankfully he didn't scare them despite running at them at full speed. We walked back up to stand F and we waited for the driver to ready the bus for service before we got on it. We flashed the System One ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4183.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4183

The bus set off put of the bus station onto New Market street before heading on the A573 via Mesnes Street and Crompton Street. we turned left onto the B5238 running through Scoles, Whelley and into Aspull via St David's Crescent. We had worked out that we need to get off the bus somewhere between Aspull and Westhoughton if we didn't want to miss the last #715 back to Wigan. We went a few stops East of Aspull and we got pushed the bell to stop the bus. The bus didn't stop so we got up and started to walk down the bus and passed a further stop. We got downstairs and eventually we got the driver to stop the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva North West 4183 as it carried on towards Bolton.

Arriva North West 4183 in Cooper Turning

We crossed the road to the stop opposite and we saw that the flag on the stop had been turned and there weren't any service numbers on the stop. It looked like this stop was no longer in use... We decided to go around the corner following the bus. We could see a stop a few hundred yards up the road. As we started to walk towards it we saw the bus coming! I ran after the bus with my arm out and Matthew followed. It looked like we were going to miss the bus so Matthew stopped to take a picture of it. It was required Arriva North West 4181.

Arriva North West 4181 in Cooper Turning

The bus did stop thankfully and we were able to get on it, thanks to the driver. That was twice I had to run today, and it turned out quite warm. We flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver for the final time today and we went upstairs before sitting down somewhere in the middle. The bus returned around the corner on the B5239 and into Aspull. We had a short wait in the village before we set off onto the B5238 via St David's Crescent. We had another pause in Whelley as the bus was nearly empty we had to stop at the timing points to make sure it didn't run early. We entered town and we went onto New Market Street before entering the bus station from the North. We stopped at the bottom stop stop and a few people got off. Before we could get down the stairs the bus set off and uncle Dave got off at the top stop. The bus circle around and was bout to lave the bus station. Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4181.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4181

We got off the bus at the bottom of the bus station... I wonder if there is driver visibility issues with the top deck on these Plaxton President buses? We met up with mum and Matthew took a few more picture before we went back to the car. On one of the middle stands was required Stagecoach Manchester 19103.

Stagecoach Manchester 19103 in Wigan bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and we carried on through the bus station. On stand D was a former Preston Bus vehicle. It was required Rotala South Lancs 30917.

Rotala South Lancs 30917 in Wigan bus station

We walked to the bottom of the bus station to see what was parked up on layover. One of the bus we saw was required Stagecoach Manchester 22302.

Stagecoach Manchester 22302 in Wigan bus station

Mum met us in the car on Hallgate and we circle around the one way system and we out onto Frog Lane. We headed onto Wallgate via Prescott Street, Miry lane and Wilcock Street. We headed North so we could go around the Pier before going South down the A49. We stopped at the Southern end of the A49 to take on some diesel before we got on the link road and we joined the Southbound M6 at junction 25. As we passed junction 21A we saw Leons Coaches 211 join the M6 ahead of us. We caught the coach up by the time we passed the M56 junction and we let the coach pass us and Matthew got a picture of Leons Coaches Neoplan 211.

Leons 211 on the M6

At junction 18 we left the motorway briefly to check the car as a vehicle had flashed us. I could find nothing wrong so we rejoined the M6 for the last two junction util we got to the A500. Going South down the A500 near to the A53 we passed Stanton's of Stoke W227 SNR going the other way. We turned of the A500 at Sideway and we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton so that we could go and check out Z Carz. There were 3 minibuses on the spare ground tonight. First in the row was Volkswagen minibus Z Carz OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen minibus was Ford Z Carz GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Last in the row was Iveco minibus Z Carz GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up. In the compound were with Z Carz PY08 KDX and S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We headed back out onto the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton and we got home just before 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark details to follow...