Trip to Bromsgrove / Kidderminster 21-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33042	Bromsgrove BS	Rubery, Opp St. Chads Church	144	First Worcester
33405	Rubery, Adj St. Chads Church	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
30801	Bromsgrove BS	Kidderminster, Town Hall (Stand 2)	X3	Rotala Diamond
20854	Kidderminster BS	Kidderminster, Opp Comberton Hill	10	Rotala Diamond
30383	Kidderminster, Adj Comberton Hill	Kidderminster BS	192	Rotala Diamond
YJ57 XVW	Kidderminster BS	Kidderminster, Opp Comberton Hill	125	Central Buses
30637	Kidderminster, Adj Comberton Hill	Kidderminster, Town Hall (Stand 2)	X3	Rotala Diamond

Today we decided to re-visit Kidderminster. Research consisted of checking the weather which was for a cold sunny day slightly warmer to the South. We also checked car parking and cafe locations and opening times. Matthew got up around 10:30 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 12:00 and we went onto the A5035. We stopped at the BP garage to put in some diesel for the trip as it was one of the two days of the week when the prices are dropped. We carried on to the A34 and we went North up the A5035. We turned left at Whitmore Road and then we joined the Southbound M6. Traffic was moving well and we made good time. Going South we saw an Eastville Coaches coach, a Marchants double decker Neoplan coach and we were overtaken by Park of Hamilton National Express liveried LSK 807.

Parks of Hamilton LSK 807 on the M6

We hit the roadworks at junction 13 and we were slowed to 50 mph. The roadwork only go as far as the M6 toll road now and then we did OK down to Junction 9. As we waited in the queue for the M5 we realised that we would not get to Kidderminster in time for the cafe we researched, so we decided to divert to Bromsgrove and eat there catching a bus across to Kidderminster later on. We joined the Southbound M5 and we came off at junction 4, where the roadworks that we have encountered there on the past have been lifted. We joined the Southbound A38 and we passed Dudley's R726 TYC & Leon's 216 going the other way. We turned left onto Birmingham Road and we ran the last mile or so into town before parking up on the council car park adjacent to Asda. We parked up and we went to cross the A448 to go to the cafe. Whilst we waited we saw Ashwood Travel Coach SJ04 KAU going Southwards.

Ashwood Travel SJ04 KAU in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew used the the toilet and we walked over to the Market Plaice Fish Bar for dinner. It was busy inside so kt looked like we were going to have to sit outside under the shelter in near freezing temperatures. Luckily a tble for 4 opened up inside just as mum was served. We sat inside and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy with a bap washed down with a small bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked the 20 or so yards over to the bus station. We had just missed the X3 to Kidderminster so we decided to do another bus to fill in whilst we waited. At the bottom end of the bus station we saw dud Clearway minibus PEZ 3058 on the #99 to Charford.

Clearway PEZ 3058 in Bromsgrove bus station

We also saw required Rotala Diamond 20837 on a #202 to Halesowen.

Rotala Diamond 20837 in Bromsgrove bus station

A few minutes later we saw a Plaxton President double decker approaching from the South. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Worcester 33042 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 33042 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Worcestershire Connecta day tickets at £7 each. We went upstairs and we sat down in the well loaded bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and up the B4091 Stourbridge Road. We passed the hospital and we went under the M42 before we entered Catshill. We travelled through the village along the B4185 and we paused outside the Clearway bus depot where we could see 3 different Mercedes minibuses. In the adjacent Harris Coaches yard we saw a tri-axle coach as well as a mini coach. We continued along the B4185 ans we joined the Northbound A38. Wewent past Junction 4 on the M5 and we ran along a stretch of dual carriageway up to the Southern edge of Rubery. After a couple of visits here we now know the bus doubles back on itself to cross over the A38 which is to the East of the A38. We crossed over the A38 and we entered the town of Rubery from the South where we got off the bus, still just about in Worcestershire. As we approached town we had passed Southbound bus, so we knew we might have up to half an hour to wait. We walked Northwards up New Road to the West Midlands end, and we saw National Express West Midlands double decker 4378 turning onto Callowbridge Road. We visted the local Co-operative Food store where Matthew purchased a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru, as well as a few chocolate bars to top up the stocks in the trip bag. We walked back to the stop outside St Chads Church in Worcestershire and we looked at the timetable. There should have been a bus a couple of minutes ago and we hadn't seen one. We turned and saw a bus approaching! As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Worcester 33405.

First Worcester 33405 in Rubery

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day tickets to the driver before going upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 33405 before we sat down.

Inside First Worcester 33405

We sat down and the bus set off Southwards down New Road. We joined Whetty Lane and then onto the A38. We passed a lay-by and we saw Elgar Coaches mini coach presumed to be HEK 965. We passed the M5 junction 4 and we carried on down the A38 until we reached the right hand turn onto the B4185. We travelled through Catshill and onto the B4091. We crossed under the M42 and passed the hospital. As we approached the bus station we saw required First Worcestershire 32067 going Northwards on a #144 to Birmingham. We got into the bus station and we got off First Worcester 33405. We had around 30 minutes to kill before the next bus to Kidderminster. We saw dud Clearway PEZ 3058 which was about to do another lap of Charford and we turned it down. On a terminating #143 service we saw former Wrightbus Streetlite demonstrator Rotala Diamond 30168.

Rotala Diamond 30168 in Bromsgrove bus station

A few minutes later we saw another Streetlite. It was Rotala Diamond 30160 on a #143 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 30160 in Bromsgrove bus station

A few minutes later we saw a Plaxton Centro approaching... It was required Rotala Diamond 30801 on the X3 to Kidderminster.

Rotala Diamond 30801 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the A448 for the fast journey of nearly 10 miles that took only around 25 minutes. We crossed under the M5 and we passed through Chaddersley Corbett and we crossed the A450. We passed through Stone and we entered Kidderminster from the East, passing the railway station. We crossed the ring road and we went around the one way system before crossing a branch of the river Stour and into the town centre. We also saw Rotala Diamond 30905 on a #3 service. We got off the bus and we walked across the road to get another picture of Rotala Diamond 30801 before it carried on down towards Arley Kings.

Rotala Diamond 30801 in Kidderminster

We decided to walk up to the bus station from the town hall. On the way we saw Rotala Diamond 20853 which was on layover outside the town hall. When we got to the bus station there were another couple of buses on layover. Coniston Coaches white Solo X165 NWR was the first bus in the row.

Coniston Coaches X165 NWR in Kidderminster bus station

Also in the middle was Rotala Diamond 20854 which was about to work a #10 circular service to Spennels.

Rotala Diamond 20854 in Kidderminster bus station

A few minutes later the bus pulled onto the stand and we decided to do this bus up to the railway station. We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day tickets to the driver. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 20854.

Inside Rotala Diamond 20854

We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Exchange Street. We stopped outside the town hall before carrying on around the corner into Oxford Street. We crossed the ring road and we climbed the A448 out of the valley and up to the railway station where we got up and got off. We then saw Rotala Diamond 30906 go by. It took a while to cross the busy road and once we did Matthew wanted to go to the toilet, so I took him to the disabled toilet at the nearby Severn valley Railway. Once Matthew had been we returned to the bus stop on the main road. We saw Central Buses YJ57 XVX on a #125 to Bridgenorth whizz by. When the following bus turned up we flagged it down. As it got closer we saw that it was required Rotala Diamond 30383.

Rotala Diamond 30383 in Kidderminster

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the hill and then across the ring road. We went around the one way system down Green Street past the Museum of Carpet and then right onto Dixon Street. We turned right again onto New Road and then we turned left onto Corporation Street to enter the bus station. We let the bus empty and then Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 30383.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30383

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30383.

Rotala Diamond 30383 in Kidderminster bus station

Across the way there were another couple of buses on layover. The nearest one to us was Hollands Volkswagen minibus SN03 GNP.

Hollands SN03 GNP in Kidderminster bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2725 on layover from the #297 service to Bridgenorth. Across the way was the central Buses bus that we had seen earlier on the #125 to Bridgenorth. Whilst we were there we saw Central Buses YJ57 XVW on a #125 to Stourbridge. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes so he went with uncle dave to get a picture whilst I checked the bus went up the hill to the railway station.

Central Buses YJ57 XVW in Kidderminster bus station

Matthew and uncle Dave joined me on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day tickets to the driver. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Central Buses YJ57 XVW.

Inside Central Buses YJ57 XVW

We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto Exchange Street and passed the town hall. We followed the road around onto Oxford Street and we crossed the ring road and we went onto the A448. When we got up to the railway station w got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Central Buses YJ57 XVW before it carried on towards Stourbridge.

Central Buses YJ57 XVW in Kidderminster

We crossed the road and whilst we were there we saw a bus enter the yard in front of the railway station. It was a #303 to Worcester. We decided to check out the bus to see if we could get on it before it left. Unfortunately it came straight in and out of the yard and we we didn't make it. We walked back to the main road and we waited for the next service, which due to be the X3 to Arley Kings in a few minutes time. Sure enough the bus made an appearance and it was dud Rotala Diamond 30637.

Rotala Diamond 30637 in Kidderminster

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off down the hill into town. We crossed the ring road and we went around the one way system of Green Street, Dixon Street and New Road. We turned left onto to Corporation Street and then right onto Exchange Street. The bus pulled up outside the town hall and we got up and got of the bus. We got off the bus and we crossed over the road to get a picture of Rotala Diamond 30637 and the illuminated town hall behind it.

Rotala Diamond 30637 in Kidderminster

We walked back to the bus station to wait for mum and to see what was around before we left town. On layover from the #303 service was Rotala Diamond 30202.

Rotala Diamond 30202 in Kidderminster bus station

We walked over to Tesco to wait for mum and we saw another bus arrive. Uncle Dave stayed on the corner to wait for mum and me and Matthew walked over to the bus station again. In the bus station was ex First Worcester bus Rotala Diamond 30930 on a #2L service to Ludlow.

Rotala Diamond 30930 in Kidderminster bus station

Mum appeared and we all got in the car. Matthew had his Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and up the hill along the A448. When we got to the A450 we turned left and we ran up to Hagley. We joined the Northbound A456 and we stopped at a traffic lights where we saw Newbury Travel W18 NEW. We also saw National Express West Midlands 6112 on a #9 service. We carried on up to the M5 and we went Northwards up to the M6. The road was quiet and we got up through the roadworks and up to Junction 15 quite quickly. We joined the Northbound A500 and then at Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50 up to Longton. By now we were seeing snow on the grass verges again a sign that we were back in tropical Stoke-on-Trent! We went to Z Carz to see what was parked up this evening. In the front row we saw Silver LDV minibus Z Carz CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

The closest bus in the front row was Z Carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Closest bus in the second row was Z Carz taxi minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what buses were parked up in the compound. We saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibuses OV05 WSW next to maroon minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we went up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and forwards onto church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:30... Mark