Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 25-07-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3133	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
4485	Chester BS	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
2434	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	4	Arriva NW&W
2794	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	4	Arriva NW&W
4484	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	11	Arriva NW&W
2797	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	3	Arriva NW&W
2253	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	4	Arriva NW&W
2233	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	Chester, Grosvenor Street (Stop W)	3	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port & Chester. We had checked the weather for the Midlands and North West and it was for a cloudy day with showers clearing from the West. We decided to go West so we gave Matthew a list of places to go to and from the list he chose Ellesmere Port & Chester. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and Strawberry juice for breakfast. We set off a fraction before 12:00 passing Lucky Seven PK08 GGE. We joined the A5035 before turning right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and then went onto the Northbound A500. As we travelled North on the A500 we saw sids Taxi's DS64 HAA. We went onto the Northbound M6 which was busy for the first few miles. As we passed junction 18 we saw A Versa Joining the motorway just behind us. It was Belle Vue school bus YJ14 BNX.

Belle Vue YJ14 BNX on the M6

As we went North the Matrix signs were informing of a closure on the M56 between junctions 14 & 15. They also told of long delays between junction 10 & 14. As such I decided to try my luck along the A556 The plan was to go west for a while then to go North to Fridsham and go across the Ellesmere Port from There. We left the M6 at Junction 19 and we went West along the A556 passing the Southern edge of Northwich. We made good progress until we got to Sandiway. As we queue to join the single lane section we saw Harry Shaw coach 84 COV. We got to the A49 and crossed over it, the traffic eased and we carried on Westward. At the Vale Royal Abbey Arms we saw a sign for Frodsham so we turned right. It took us past Delamere railway station and through a very scenic road through the Delamere Forest. A few miles later we appeared in familiar territory on Frodsham High Street. We had visited Frodsham back in November 2013. We went Westwards along the A56 up to Helsby where we filled up with Diesel. We saw required GHA Dart T112 KGP pass us on the #36 to Halton Lea, as well as Whitegate Travel BIG 6693. When we got to the A5117 we carried on Westwards. We then saw Airshuttle coach X7 OPC and we crossed the M56 where we saw the standing traffic on the Westbound carriageway. Another junction further on we joined the M53. At the roundabout we saw Mayne coaches 28 55 & 62 as well as Stagecoach Merseyside 27777 & 27778 on the X8 Chester - Liverpool express service. After one junction on the M53 we came off to travel the last mile or so into town up the A5032. We turned left at Civic Way and we saw Arriva NW&W Sapphire double decker 4645 on the X2 service. At the bus station There were a few GHA vehicles on layover including GHA ALX300 Volvo T510 APS. We parked up at the market car park just after 14:00 and Matthew used the toilet before we returned to the food court section of the market. We had dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked to the bus station. As we got to the bus station we saw Stagecoach 28546 on the #1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 28546 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We walked to the top end of the bus station so we could take pictures of buses whilst we waited for the next Arriva service to Chester. Going in the opposite direction towards Liverpool was required Arriva NW&W 3126 on a #2 service.

Arriva NW&W 3126 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We also saw dud GHA Wright bodied AA04 GHA on a #36 to Runcorn.

GHA AA04 GHA in Ellesmere Port bus station

We also saw required GHA Dart V7 GHA on a #7 to Rivacre village.

GHA V7 GHA in Ellesmere Port bus station

A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching on the Chester bound #2 service. As it got closer we that it was required Arriva NW&W 3133.

Arriva NW&W 3133 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We walked down the bus station and we got on the bus. We booked Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets at £4.50 each and we sat down towards the back of the bus. Behind us required Arriva NW&W 4645 pulled into the bus station on a Chester bound X2 service. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Civic Way. We turned left onto Whitby Road and we headed South. Half a mile or so down the road we turned right into the housing estate and we worked our way over to the A41. We traveled South at road speed and we turned right onto Liverpool Road passing Stagecoach Merseyside 21122. We carried on into town and we paused outside the Stagecoach garage where Stagecoach Merseyside 17502 was receiving some attention. We crossed the ring road and we entered town through Northgate Street and then we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty out before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3133.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3133

It was now after 15:00. We sat down on our usual perch and we started to take a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 4485 on the #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4485 in Chester bus station

Leaving the bus station was Stagecoach Merseyside 34820 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34820 in Chester bus station

This was followed by Stagecoach Merseyside 21260 on a #1A to Blacon.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21260 in Chester bus station

As it was getting on we decided to catch required Arriva NW&W 4485 on the #11. We could do the bus to Broughton so that we could cover the #3's and #4's to try and get our last required Chester Dart, Arriva NW&W 2253... We got on the double decker and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before going upstairs. As we waited to depart we saw required Arriva NW&W 4179 depart on the #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4179 in Chester bus station

The bus must be on loan at Winsford for the duration of the school holidays. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. At the Grosvenor roundabout we joined the Westbound A483 and we crossed the Dee. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4485

We turned Westwards onto the A5104 and we left England and ventured into Wales. We travelled through Saltney and along the long straight stretch of Road towards Bretton. As we approached the Broughton Retail park we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 4485 as it carried on towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4485 in Broughton

We crossed the road which was a little quieter than usual. We managed to get across it without walking to the roundabout. We had around 10 minutes to wait for the next #4 service. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars. We saw a Dart approaching and as it got closer we saw that it was the one required Dart we knew about at Chester, Arriva NW&W 2253 on a #4 to Mold...

Arriva NW&W 2253 in Broughton

Drat! At least we knew the bus we wanted was working today and not in the garage or even withdrawn from service. We saw in the other direction that a cadet was approaching. It went into the retail park and as it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2434.

Arriva NW&W 2434 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Savers to the driver to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We headed back towards Saltney and we passed another Dart... required Arriva NW&W 2233. So Chester had acquired another 'new' Dart. We decided to get off just the other side of the railway line in England, so that we could head back to try and get a ride on Arriva NW&W 2253. We passed under the railway line and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2434 as it carried on towards chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2434 in Lache

We decided to have a quick toilet break, so we went into The Brewers Arm pub. Matthew used the toilet and we had a can of Pepsi from behind the bar before we went out. We crossed the road and we waited for the next bus back towards Broughton. Uncle dave had waited outside and he hadn't seen the #4 go past which had been due a few minutes before hand. When we saw a single decker we knew it was the slightly delayed #4. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2794.

Arriva NW&W 2794 in Lache

The bus was well loaded and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down at the very back of the bus. We left England and we crossed back into Wales and Travelled through Saltney. At the very back of the Morrison store we could see an unidentified orange coach parked up. At the roundabout before the retail park we got up to get off the bus. The bus driver turned out to be a fellow bus enthusiast and member of the Dennis Dart forum. Once of the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2794 as it carried on towards Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2794 in Broughton

We crossed the road with relative ease and I looked at the #4 timetable on my phone to work out what time it was due. Whilst I was working out the move required Arriva NW&W 2648 on a Chester bound #3 service.

Arriva NW&W 2648 in Broughton

Required Dart Arriva NW&W 2253 had passed Brougton going towards Mold at 15:50. We worked out that it would Arrive at Mold around 16:30 and would work the 16:40 #4 service from Mold to Chester and would not arrive back at Broughton until around 17:15. It was only 16:30 so we would have time to go back to Lache and catch another bus back! There was a #11 due shortly. Matthew had a Milky Way and a can of Irn Bru whilst we waited for the next bus. We didn't have to wait to long before dud Arriva NW&W 4484 made an appearance on the #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4484 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day saver tickets to the driver before going upstairs. We sat down in the middle of the top deck and as the bus in front of us was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4484.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4484

Arriva NW&W is one of this batch of buses that we have been on a few times. The first time we had this bus was back in June 2012 from Queensferry to Chester. We decided that we would probably have time to have a portion of fries between us and still have time to get back for the Dart. We went through Saltney and under the railway bridge into England so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4484.

Arriva NW&W 4484 in Lache

We got off the bus and went straight into the kebab house next to the stop we ordered a latch portion of fries and two cans. We crossed the road and we found a step on which to sit whilst we ate the fries. We shared on of the cans before putting the rubbish in the bin and going to the stop. The next bus wasn't due until 17:05 which would make it a bit close going all the way to Broughton. As luck would have it, we hadn't seen the #3 go past and so it was probably running a few minutes late. As we saw a single decker approaching we knew it was the late running #3 service. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2797.

Arriva NW&W 2797 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside day Saver tickets to the driver. The bus was quite full and we sat near to the back of the bus. This bus was one of a batch that had been assimilated into the Arriva Wrexham fleet on taking over a local bus company. At one point the buses spent time on the Wrexham to Chester service. Once these were replace on the Wrexham to Chester by newer double deckers, they were transferred to the Chester depot to replace elderly Darts on the #3/4 corridor. Being non standard they have an unusual seat moquette as can be seen from Matthew's photo of the rear empty seat.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2797

We headed West along the A5104 for the final time today, and we made it to Broughton with around 10 minutes to spare. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2797 as it carried on towards Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2797 in Broughton

We crossed the road with relative ease again and we sat on the wall to wait for the bus. We saw a Chester bound Solo on a #12 service and the next bus should be the required Dart on the #4. On the other side of the road we saw Arriva NW&W Dart 2208 that we had scored on our last visit to Chester in June.

Arriva NW&W 2208 in Broughton

It was working a #4 service to Mold. Presumably we had seen all 3 remaining operational Darts out in service today. We saw a Dart enter the retail park from the other end before coming towards us. As it got closer we saw that was indeed required Arriva NW&W 2253.

Arriva NW&W 2253 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Rover tickets to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus which had a few people in it both in front and behind us. As it was almost empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2253.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2253

We travelled through Saltney for the last time today and into England and under the railway bridge. We got off and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2253 as it carried on towards Chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2253 in Lache

From the timetable at Broughton we knew there was a #3 service a few minutes behind us. According to the timetable at this stop the #3 was in front of us. In theory the next bus was going to be a #11 to the bus station. It occurred to us that if the #3 is due then it would probably be required Arriva NW&W 2233. If somebody had type the wrong time in for the stop into the software used by the council to produce the timetables it would put the buses in the wrong order. As we saw a Dart approaching we realised that that is what must have happened... There was a mistake in the b us stop timetable. As the bus got closer we that it was as expected the very much required Arriva NW&W 2233!

Arriva NW&W 2233 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside rover at the driver for what turned out to be the last time. We sat down near to the back of the bus and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear seat behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2233

We went along the Eastbound A5104 until we reached the A483. We crossed the Dee and as we were going passed the racecourse we got up to get off, thinking we could do the #11 behind us into the bus station. As we were close to the edge of town and we were turning from the left hand lane, we passed the stop on the corner of the Grosvenor Roundabout and we went onto Grosvenor Street. It wasn't far from the bus station so it was OK. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2233.

Arriva NW&W 2233 in Chester

We decided to up the ring road and to the bus station. On the way we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21264 on a #31 Sealand Road park and ride service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21264 in Chester

At the bottom of Princess Street we turned up into the bus station. We decided to take a few more pictures before we returned home. In the bus station was Townlynx Y213 BAW on a T1 service to Holywell.

Townlynx Y213 BAW in Chester bus station

On a #10 to Connah's Quay was Arriva NW&W 4637.

Arriva NW&W 4637 in Chester bus station

We also saw dud Arriva NW&W 4105 on a #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4105 in Chester bus station

We met mum and we went to the toilet in the car park before returning to the car. Mum had got us some sausage rolls and Matthew also had a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We went around the the A56 before going North out of town behind Dutch Lanting Reizen coach 54. We followed the coach onto the M53 and the we followed it again onto the M56. The road was now clear in both directions and we made good time up to the M6. We joined the Southbound M6 which was also quiet. Going North on the M6 were local minibuses City Cabs FY02 RTV and ABC Supreme P881 RND. We joined the A500 and we passed Robin Hood minibus YX07 GYG & Paul's of Stoke coach LIB 378. At Sideway we went East on the A50 to Longton and we went to check out what was parked up at Z Carz. On the spare ground there were a few buses, some parked at the very rear of the site. At the front of the site there were 3 buses clearly visible. First of the row was Z Carz Ford minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

Finally on the spare ground we saw another Ford minibus, Z Carz PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz minubus Mercedes CE02 LYX & Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we went to Heron Cross. We turned towards Blurton and we passed First Potteries 53405. We got home around 19:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cornflake cake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark