Trip to Middleton / Oldham 22-08-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
36073	Middleton BS	Moston, o/s Moston Lane/Moston Cemetery	112	Stagecoach Manchester
17068	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Moston Cemetery	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	118	Stagecoach Manchester
36095	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	Middleton BS	156	Stagecoach Manchester
37462	Middleton BS	Oldham BS	59	First Manchester
37437	Oldham BS	Middleton BS	58	First Manchester
42944	Middleton BS	Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)	415	First Manchester
17242	Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Middleton. The weather was forecast for warm cloudy weather with the possibility of showers. The weather was predicted to be better further North or East. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and from the list Matthew picked Middleton. Matthew got up around 10:45 and had toast and orange juice. around 12:00 we set off onto the A5035. As we waited to join the road we saw City Cabs GN07 KXK heading towards Trentham. We turned on the A5035 and then right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We passed the Britannia Stadium. We joined the Westbound A50 and we went onto the Northbound A500. Going North on the M6 we saw MT Travel MK08 OUU, Anytime Airports PE11 RXA & Pats Coaches K7 WXM. At junction 21A we left the M6 an we went East on the M62. We passed a Thumbs Up truck and we continued onto the clockwise M60. We continued around to Junction 19 and we went North up the A576 into Middleton. As we went up the road we passed First Manchester 36280 on a #59 to Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester 36108 on a #156 to the North Manchester General Hospital. We parked up in the multi storey car park and we walked through the shopping centre. We stopped at the toilets and we went down to the bus station. On the way to the pavement cafe that we eat at we saw First Manchester 40319 on the #412 Middleton circular service.

First Manchester 40319 in Middleton bus station

We also saw First Manchester 39211 on a #18 service to the Central Hospital.

First Manchester 39211 in Middleton bus station

We walked around to the pavement cafe adjacent to the bus station and Matthew had a bacon and egg barm and a few fries (you have to travel further North or East before you get to have your bacon on a teacake). He washed it down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we were able to see quite a few buses. Noticeable was the absence of any Stagecoach Manchester MAN/ALX300 single deckers, replaced by Enviro 200's. Also noticeable was a lack of First Manchester Darts. Stagecoach Manchester had 36095 and 36100 on the #156 and #112 respectively. First Manchester Solo 40335 was on the #125 service and 53144 was on the 'Alkrington Rollercoaster' #415 service to Oldham. Also seen was First Manchester Wright Streetdeck 35102 on a #58 service. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed off to the bus station. As we crossed over we saw required First Manchester 37547 on a #58 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37547 in Middleton bus station

On layover on the opposite side of the bus station was required First Manchester 37437.

First Manchester 37437 in Middleton bus station

We saw required Stagecoach Manchester 36073 on a #112 to Manchester arrive on stand B. We decided to do this bus. Matthew took a picture and then we got on it.

Stagecoach Manchester 36073 in Middleton bus station

Aboard the bus we noticed that the bus was already quite well filled. We booked System One bus only tickets at £5.20 each and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. When it was time to leave the bus set off out of the bus station and through town. We passed Tesco and the Middleton Arena before turning onto Grimshaw Lane. At Middleton junction we turned right and went towards the depot. We passed our first Stagecoach Manchester MAN/ALX300 of the day, 22224 which was on a #114 to Alkrington. We stopped outside the depot for a driver change and we saw Stagecoach Magic Bus liveried double decker 17578 pull into the depot. We continued South down the B6393 Greengate and we crossed over the M60. At the large roundabout we joined Moston Lane and we followed it down through the shopping area and towards the cemetary. When we got to the cemetary we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach 36073 as it continued towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 36073 in Moston

We crossed the road and walked to the bus stop opposite. As we were checking the bus stop timetable we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching. AS it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Manchester 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 in Moston

We got on the bus and we flashed our System one tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and sat down in the middle of this fine T reg reg double decker. This was a former London bus from the same batch as the 4 double deckers that used belong to Wardle Transport. At least two of these are now with Stanton's of Stoke. the bus set off North up Moston Lane and we passed the shops. We turned left onto Charlestown Road and we passed required Stagecoach Manchester 17245 on a #118 to Manchester. We passed Boggart Hole Clough and the terminal of the #88 service where we saw First Manchester 66832 on a #88 service. We crossed Rochdale Road and we went onto Old Markets Street. We went forward onto Mill Brow and we followed the road around the left hand bend onto Delaunays Road. We paused for a while on the road before continuing to the hospital. At the terminus we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 17068 before we got off.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17068

Once at the hospital we crossed over the other side of the road to get a good picture of Stagecoach Manchester 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 outside the NMGH

We crossed back over to the stop which today was very busy. We didn't have to wait long before another bus turned up. It was required First Manchester 33843 on a #52 to East Didsbury.

First Manchester 33843 outside the NMGH

This was immediately followed by required Stagecoach Manchester 36095 on a #156 to Middleton.

Stagecoach Manchester 36095 outside the NMGH

We decided to do the Stagecoach bus as we knew we use the toilet back at Middleton bus station. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the hospital and then turned right onto Delaunays Road and we went North onto Chapel Lane. We turned right onto Plant Hill Road and we went past the The Co-operative Academy of Manchester. At the top of Plant Hill Road we turned left onto Victoria Avenue which we did to the very end. We turned right onto the A576 and we crossed over the M60. We did the last few miles into town and we got to the shopping centre to see Rothwells Super Travel Mercedes minibus P173 NAK parked outside. We entered the bus station and we let the bus empty before Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 36095.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36095

We went to the toilet and before we went we saw required First Manchester 30960 on a #58 to Oldham. After using the toilet we saw required First Manchester 37462 on a #59 to Rushcroft via Oldham, so we decided to do this bus. Matthew took a picture through the glass before we got on this bus.

First Manchester 37462 in Middleton bus station

Aboard the bus we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus sat for a few minutes and then we set off out of the bus station. We joined the Oldham Road and we went eastwards out of town. At Mills Hill railway station we stopped in the mini bus station and required Stagecoach Manchester 17067 in Magic Bus livery pulled up in the stand behind us 'Not in Service'. We carried on East through Chadderton and past Westwood tram station. In a street to the left we saw First Manchester 30958 parked up displaying 'Private'. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37462.

Inside First Manchester 37462

We crossed under Oldham Way and we climbed the hill into the bus station. We pulled up in a stand on the Western part of the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We saw dud First Manchester 33680 on a #409 service.

First Manchester 33680 in Oldham bus station

We also got another picture of First Manchester 37462 as it carried on towards Rushcroft.

First Manchester 37462 in Oldham bus station

We decided to go down to the Southern part of the bus station to see what was there. On the way we saw First Manchester 33754 on a #409 to Ashton.

First Manchester 33754 in Oldham bus station

In the bottom section we saw required First Manchester 30962 on a #408 to Shaw.

First Manchester 30962 in Oldham bus station

We walked around the other side and we saw First Manchester 47471 on layover.

First Manchester 47471 in Oldham bus station

We also saw required First Manchester Mercedes Citaro 60277 on a #425 to the Holts Estate.

First Manchester 60277 in Oldham bus station

We walked back up to the top and we stopped to use the toilet. Afterwards we saw First Manchester 37548 on a #58 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37548 in Oldham bus station

We saw another bus arrive and we went to the end off the bus station to see what it was. It was required First Manchester 33669 on a #83 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33669 in Oldham bus station

We visited the newsagents and Matthew had some chocolate and a couple of cans to fill up the trip bag. We sat down to have a drink and a chocolate bar as it was very warm. Whilst we were there we saw our first First Manchester Dart of the day... First Manchester 42944 was on a #415 to Middleton. Before we could finish off eating it left the bus station.... Drat! After we had finished eat we considered how we could get back to Middleton. We saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 49893 on a #406 to Mills Hill.

Stagecoach Manchester 49893 in Oldham bus station

Matthew must have remembered we had been on this bus back in September 2014 from the hospital to Moston on the #118 service. WE had a walk around and we saw required First Manchester 33671 on a #184 to Huddersfield.

First Manchester 33671 in Oldham bus station

whilst our backs were turned required First Manchester 37437 snuck into the bus station on a #58 to Middleton.

First Manchester 37437 in Oldham bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before going up the stairs. The bus left the bus station and we went down the hill under Oldham Way on the A669. We passed Westwood trams station and we went through Chadderton. Originally I thought we were going to get off the bus at Mills Hill, so Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us as we approached the railway.

Inside First Manchester 37437

We decided to stay on the bus so we carried on past Mills Hill station into Middleton. As we approached town we could see a First Manchester Dart coming into town on a parallel road. It looks like we managed to catch up First Manchester 42944! We got into the bus station and we appeared to be there before the Dart. We got off the bus and as we thought First Manchester 42944 trundled into the bus station just after us. As the bus was loading we crossed over to the side by the shopping centre to get a good picture of the Dart.

First Manchester 42944 in Middleton bus station

We crossed over the back into the bus station and we boarded bus. We flashed the System One Bus Only ticket before sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus was quite full as we left the bus station. We went past Tesco and the Middleton Arena and we doubled back onto Townley Road. When we got to the corner by Grimsham Lane we went straight onto Kirkway. Now, if possible when we cover the the #415 we prefer to do it from the Oldham end. The Alkrington estate is quite possibly one of the worst places in the country for speed bumps. We bounced our way through the estate and we went the bus emptied out. No body in there right mind does this bus through to Oldham... It has nothing to do with the quality of the bus on the service, it relates to the bump roads. The long journey time and the back breaking speed bumps mean that the bus is almost always empty by the time it reaches Middleton Junction. towards the end of the estate we passed another Dart, First Manchester 42945. As predicted the bus was almost empty Greengate, so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 42944.

Inside First Manchester 42944

We turned the corner into Greengate and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 42944 as it carried towards Oldham and Lees.

First Manchester 42944 at Middleton Junction

As we waited for the bus back to Middleton over the more direct route of the #112, we saw a Manchester bound #112 being worked by required Stagecoach Manchester 22221.

Stagecoach Manchester 22221 at Middleton Junction

We weren't expecting a bus back to Middleton for a few minutes so Matthew opened a pack of Milky Stars. Just as Matthew started to eat them we turned to see a double decker approaching. Matthew rushed to eat his chocolate... A it got closer we saw that it was dud Stagecoach Manchester 17242.

Stagecoach Manchester 17242 at Middleton Junction

We got on the bus and I flashed the System One Bus Only tickets to the driver for the final time today. Stagecoach Manchester 17242 was a bus that we had been on back in September 2014 from Moston to Charlestown back when the #80 service still ran. We went upstairs and I called mum to let her know that we would be just over 10 minutes. WE turned left into Grimshaw lane and then we ran into town and into the bus station, When we got back to the bus station we let the bus empty out and Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 17242.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17242

When we got off the bus we saw First Manchester 42945 arrive in the bus station. Once again we caught up with a #415 service after doing a more direct route. Matthew decided he wanted to say hello to someone on the bus and afterwards we crossed over to the other side to get a picture of First Manchester 42945.

First Manchester 42945 in Middleton bus station

We met up with mum and on the way back into the shopping centre we saw First Manchester 37390.

First Manchester 37390 in Middleton bus station

We walked through the shopping centre and we stopped to use the toilet. Mum paid the car parking which was a very reasonable £1 for 4 hours. Back at the car Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru. We drove out of the car park and across the roundabout onto the A576. We drove the couple of miles down to the M60 and we went onto the clockwise carriageway towards Hyde and Stockport. We went around the Southern half of Greater Manchester before joining the Westbound M56. We did the motorway over to Lymm and we headed towards the A50 before doubling back and joining the Southbound M6. As we went down the M6 we passed a number of coaches coming the other way. There was a grey coach with purple and orange wavey lines, A couple of National Express's, a B&N Coaches, a white and red Toyota coach and a Pats Coaches coach within a few miles of each other. We also saw Z Carz PY08 KDX. When we got to junction 15 we left the M6 and we went down the A500. As we came into Stoke-on-Trent it started to rain heavily. Passing through Stoke and up to Sideway the rain was torrential. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we came off it again at Longton so that we could go and check out what was parked up at Z Carz. At the spare ground the buses were parked facing the A50 in two rows again. Amongst the first row was Z Carz silver LDV CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

Another bus in the first row was Z Carz Renault MV53 KKD.

Z Carz MV53 KKD in Longton

On the near end of the first row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Closest bus on the second row was Z Carz Airport Division DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what buses were parked up in the compound. In front of Mercedes minibus S952 VMY was Z Carz Ford LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we came of the road again at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton a we stopped at the shop to drop something off. We carried on through Blurton and we caught up with First Potteries 60202 on a #22 to Newcastle. We got back home at 19:00. We had a few computer problems, which turned out to be a flat battery in a wireless mouse. The problems delayed tea, and we also realised that we didn't have any sausages! So I ended up going to the chip shop. For a late tea Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy followed by a shortbread biscuit with jam in it. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until he went to bed at 01:00... Mark