Trip to Newcastle / Hanley 31-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41540	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
40009	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21A	First Potteries
60171	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
185	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	94A	D&G
53830	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
32081	Newcastle BS	Porthill, Adj St Andrew's Church	98	First Potteries
197	Porthill, Opp St Andrew's Church	Hanley BS	17	D&G
53120	Hanley BS	Bucknall, opp Granville Road	5	First Potteries
50296	Bucknall, adj Cliveden Road	Hanley BS	5	First Potteries
65567	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	4A	First Potteries

Today we decided to have a local trip. Apart from eating in Stoke and Tunstall, we would try and go after the remaining non-DDA compliant buses in the First Potteries fleet that we haven't been on yet. The only two still in service that Matthew hasn't had are First Potteries Dart 42356 and Solo 50296. We also go to Newcastle and most times we end up going to Hanley too. A quick check of the weather revealed that it should be mainly dry with sunny intervals. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:45 we set off on foot to the stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. On the way to the stop we saw First Potteries 53209 on the #23A to Hanley. We also saw First Potteries Dart 40367 on the #22 to Longton. A few minutes later a Dart rounded the corner, and with it's all over evening Sentinel advert we knew it was dud First Potteries 41540.

First Potteries 41540 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line into Trentham and we turned right into New Inn Lane. As we went down the road we passed dud First Potteries 53119 on the #21 which we thought we would probably end up catching. When we got to the man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41540 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 41540 in Trentham

We were thinking that we would have to wait for First Potteries 53119 to return, but a minute or so later we saw a different Solo approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 40009.

First Potteries 40009 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was already quite well load on it's return from Trentham Gardens, and we sat down towards to rear of the bus. This was a bus that we had only been on quite recently for the first time, when it appeared on the #22 back in September 2015 between Blurton & Trent Vale. The bus set off up New Inn Lane and left into Hanford along Wilson Road. We went down Church Lane and we joined onto the A34. We went under the A500 and into Trent Vale. As we turned onto London Road we passed a bus going the other way and there was a Roman centurion sat on the bus with armour on. His helmet was beside him on the seat... We carried on the mile or so along into Stoke and we got up and got off the bus as we entered Campbell Place. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 40009 as it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 40009 in Stoke

I was a little short of cash so we walked up to the cash machine outside Lloyds Bank. One I had used the machine we walked back down Hide Street onto Campbell Place. As we crossed the road we saw required First Potteries 53042 on a #21 to Trentham.

First Potteries 53042 in Stoke

We walked around the corner in to Church Street and we went in the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. After we had finished eating we walked onto Church Street to catch a bus to Newcastle. When we got to the stop we saw 66851 on a #3 to Keele and we turned it down. Going the other way we saw First Potteries 42893 going towards Hanley.

First Potteries 42893 in Stoke

A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries Scania 60171 approaching from under the railway line.

First Potteries 60171 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up Church Street and up Hartshill Road. We carried on through Harthill and we dropped into Newcastle down George Street. We turned left into Barracks Road and then into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60171.

Inside First Potteries 60171

When we got off the bus we decided to have a look around to see what buses were about. We stood at the top end of the bus station and we saw D&G Solo 121 depart on a #73 to Park Site.

D&G 121 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw First Potteries double decker 32053 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station

We walked down to the bottom end of the bus station and we sat on the bench. Matthew shared a double Milky Way with we and uncle Dave. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 66305 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 66305 in Newcastle bus station

The was followed by one of D&G buses newer arrivals... D&G Solo 129 was on the #85 to Crewe.

D&G 129 in Newcastle bus station

Another arrival into the bus station was First Potteries 66306 on a #4 service.

First Potteries 66306 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw former First Northampton Scania, now First Potteries 65561 on a #3 to Keele village.

First Potteries 65561 in Newcastle bus station

We saw a Dart park up on Stubbs Street on layover. As we got closer we saw that it was former Bath Dart now First Potteries 42552.

First Potteries 42552 in Newcastle bus station

Whilst we considered what bus to do towards Tunstall we saw required D&G 185 come into the bus station. went down Stubbs Street and then it pulled around onto the stand to work the #94A to Kidsgrove.

D&G 185 in Newcastle bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we stood at the top of the bus station and we took a few more pictures. Whilst there we saw Arriva Midlands 3698 on the #164 to Market Drayton & then Shrewsbury which goes forwards as the #64 service.

Arriva Midlands 3698 in Newcastle bus station

This was followed by First Potteries 66962 on a #4A to Audley.

First Potteries 66962 in Newcastle bus station

After the Volvo single decker was dud First Potteries 32632, which was about to work the next #98 to Ball Green via Burslem

First Potteries 32632 in Newcastle bus station

The new driver of D&G 185 made ready the bus, and we got on it flashing him Smart Day ticket before we sat down towards the rear of the bus. The seats opposite to us were empty, and Matthew took a picture inside D&G 185.

Inside D&G 185

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. At the Jubilee roundabout we took the A527 towards Wolstanton. We passed through Wolstanton and we turned right to go down Porthill Bank. We crossed the A500 and we went into Longport. At Trubshaw Cross we turned left onto Brownhills Road and straight onto Tunstall High Street. At the top of Tunstall High Street we got up and got off the bus. Before we went to the Cafe, Matthew took another picture of D&G 185 as it carried on towards Kidsgrove.

D&G 185 in Tunstall

We went into the Tunstall cafe and Matthew went to the toilet. I ordered the food whilst matthew was in the toilet. He had a slice of toffee chessecake washed with a can of Coke. Whenwe had finished eating we went out into the High Street and we crossed over to wait for a bus. We turned down First Potteries 66841 on a #3 service, and D&G 185 returned from Kidsgrove and was now heading towards Newcastle again. We decided to do the next bus, and the next bus turned out to be dud First Potteries 53830 on a #99 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 53830 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the High Street and forwards onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we saw relatively new arrival, First Potteries 32081 on a #98 to Newcastle. We followed the double decker down through Longport and over the A500. We overrook the bus on Porthil Bank and we turned left following the A527 through Wolstanton passing Roseville WF11 WHC. We carried on into Newcastle and we crossed the Jubilee roundabout and we went onto Barracks Road before entering the bus station. When we got into the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53830.

Inside First Potteries 53830

We got into the bus station and we saw required D&G 197 on a #17 to Hanley. We also knew that there would be a required double decker entering the bus station any minute now. We asked matthew which bus he wanted to do and he chose to do the double decker. As expected a few minutes later the bus came down Barracks Road, new arrival required First Potteries 32081.

First Potteries 32081 in Newcastle bus station

The bus pulled into the bus station and after sitting in Stubbs Lane for a minute or so it came around onto stand. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The top decker was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32081.

Inside First Potteries 32081

The D&G single decker 197 left the bus station and we realised that we could have the other bus too, and use it to get to Hanley If we got off this double decker at Porthill we could cross the road and do the D&G forwards to Hanley after it had been around Bradwell. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A527 via Barracks Road and the Jubilee roundabout. We passed through Wolstanton and as we approached Porthill bank we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of first Potteries 32081 as it carried on towards Ball Green.

First Potteries 32081 in Porthill

We crossed the Road and we looked at the timetable at the bus stop. According to the timetable we had around a 5 minute wait for the #17 service. Bang on time we saw the dart approaching, and as expected it was D&G 197.

D&G 197 in Porthill

We got on the bus and the bus set off down the A527 through Wolstanton. We turned right onto Basford Park Road and we emerged onto the A53. We went down the hill and over the A500 and towards Festival Park. At the big roundabout we did a U turn and we went back onto Etruria Vale Road. We turned left onto Clough Street and we stopped outside what used to be the old PMT Hanley bus garage. We went forwards onto the ring road and we turned right before going left onto Broad Street. We turned left onto Marsh Street and right onto Pall Mall. A the end of Pall Mall we joined Bagnall Street and we ran into Hanley bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside D&G 197.

Inside D&G 197

We got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet. As we usually do when we are in Hanley we headed over to John Street car park to take pictures of buses. On the way to the car park we saw First Potteries 32627 on layover.

First Potteries 32627 in Hanley bus station

We climbed the stairs in the multi storey car park so we could overlook the buses. Both of the two buses that we wanted to ride on were on layover in the bus station. First Potteries Solo 50296 was in between duties on the #5 to Abbey Hulton and Dart 42356 was on displaying not in service. We realised that we wouldn't be in the car park long today.Whilst we waited for the buses to work we saw D&G 191 on the #43 to Badderley Green.

D&G 191 in Hanley bus station

After that we saw First Potteries Solo 53207 on a #7 to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 53207 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by First Potteries 66308 on a #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 66308 in Hanley bus station

Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars whilst we waited. We saw First Potteries Dart 42356 leave the layover bay and it ran around the bus station and ran out running out of service... Drat!

First Potteries 42356 in Hanley bus station

Just after the Dart left we saw the driver get into the driving seat in First Potteries Solo 50296 so we set off towards the bus station. We got around to the bus station in time to see the bus in the bus station but Matthew was more interested in visiting the shop! We let the required Dart go and we went into the Spar shop where Matthew brought pop and chocolate, as well as saying hello to the lady who works there. Once we left the shop we decided to wait for the next #5 service to Abbey Hulton to head off the required Solo. We waited at Bay F and Matthew ate a toffee Crisp and drank a bottle of Irn Bru. We saw required First Potteries 32634 outside the bus station on a #2 to Newcastle. We though about doing this bus down to Bucknall pull it pulled off as we stood up. The next #5 to Abbey Hulton came into the bus station and it was required First Potteries 53120.

First Potteries 53120 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Abbey Hulton, although we knew we would get off before then. We sat down near to the back and the bus filled up rapidly. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We turned up Lichfield Street and we went past the outside of the bus station before turning right into Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street before turning right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed the ring road and we went down Limekiln Bank and into Bucknall. As we travelled through Bucknall we decided that we would get off the bus near to Matthew's old college. The bus turned into Newhouse Road and about half way along we decided to get up and get off the bus. As we got off we spotted the now unique in the fleet First Potteries 50296 so we quickly crossed the road. Matthew just had time to turn and get a picture of First Potteries 50296 as it approached us...

First Potteries 50296 in Bucknall

We got on the bus and we flashed the smart Day ticket to the driver. Matthew attempted to honk the horn on this Solo and we had to wrestle him away from front of the bus! We sat down at the back and the bus and the bus set off down Newhouse Road and we turned right onto the A52. We ran up to the top of Limekiln Bank and we sat at the traffic lights next to First Potteries 32630 which was on a #32 from Uttoxeter. We turned right onto the ring road and we headed to the bus station via Quadrant Road, Stafford Street and Bagnall Street. When we got to the bus station in Hanley Matthew took a picture of the now empty First Potteries 50296 facing forwards.

Inside First Potteries 50296

As we were getting off the bus once again we had to wrestle Matthew away from the driver as he attempted to honk the horn again. We started to go down towards the bottom of the bus station to catch the final bus towards Newcastle to meet mum. On the way down we saw an unusual working. First Potteries Streetlite 63099 was about to work a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 63099 in Hanley bus station

As we were considering do a #3 towards Newcastle, we spotted former Northampton Scania First Potteries 65567 that I haven't been on going a #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 65567 in Hanley bus station

As Matthew had only done this bus once before himself, we decided to do this bus. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus was already quite full and we sat towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went down to Bethesda Street. We went forwards onto Marsh Street and then we turned left onto Etruria Road. We crossed under the A53 and we went into Festival Park. Next to Waterworld we saw Chase Grammar Mercedes minibus BHZ 4613 loading up. We Went along Festival way and we turned left into Forge Lane. We crossed back under the A53 and we joined the westbound carriageway. We crossed over the A500 and we went up the hill towards Basford. Near to Queens we passed 32079 on either a #4 or a #4A to Hanley. We climbed the hill and we dropped into Newcastle via Borough Road and brunswick Street. At the Jubilee roundabout we went onto Barracks Road and into the bus station. The bus went straight onto stand and as it was a through bus it didn't empty enough to get a picture inside it. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 65567.

First Potteries 65567 in Newcastle bus station

When we got off we decided to take a few more picture before we headed up to the lay-by where we usually meet mum. Across the way we saw dud First Potteries double decker 37157 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 37157 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew wanted to go to the toilet, and we saw a Shrewsbury Park & Ride bus on the #164 service. We decided to go over to it rather than wait. As we got around the other side the bus pulled off stand. It was Arriva Midlands Versa 2965.

Arriva Midlands 2965 in Newcastle bus station

On the way to the toilet we saw First potteries 32055 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 32055 in Newcastle bus station

We crossed the road and Matthew used the facilities... He just came out in time to see D&G MCW eVolution 132 on a #9 to Clayton.

D&G 132 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the lay-by and we had beaten mum to the rendezvous point. A minute or two later mum appeared and we got into the car, mum gad purchase some mini Wrights sausage rolls and Matthew washed his down with a bottle of Irn Bru. We did a 180 around the Jubilee roundabout and we headed back down Barracks Road and onto the Southbound A34. We went down the Lyme Valley to Trent Vale and we stopped at the riverside chippy to get some chips. We carried on down the A34 to the A500 and we turned left onto the Northbound carriageway which we did up to Sideway. At Sideway we went Eastwards along the A50 and we came off at Longton to see what was present at Z carz this evening. It was now quite dark and it was hard to see the buses. second in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

The nearest minibus in the front row was Z Carz green Ford Transit T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Nearest on the second row was Z Carz Mercedes high bodied minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see if there were any buses in the compound. There were a couple of minibuses including Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP & Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We went back onto the A50 and we ran down to Heron Cross where we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued onto Church Road and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home at around 18:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a Halloween gingerbread man. After all the trick or treaters had finished coming around, Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark