Trip to Blackburn / Rawtenstall 21-07-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2784	Blackburn BS	Rawtenstall BS	481	Transdev Rosso
2783	Rawtenstall BS	Accrington BS	464	Transdev Rosso
236	Accrington BS	Blackburn BS	6A	Transdev Lancashire United
2759	Blackburn BS	Feniscowles, Three Arches	152	Transdev Lancashire United
2758	Feniscowles, Three Arches	Blackburn BS	152	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to re-visit Blackburn. We had checked the weather for today and it was for warm dry and cloudy weather. We gave Matthew a list of destinations in the Midlands and North West and from list Matthew chose Blackburn. Reserch consisted of checking the Transedev webpage to check for tickets that we could use. It reminded us that Transdev had taken over Rosso since our last visited and the Transdev Lancashire ticket was valid on Rosso service too. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we set off around 11:45 on the A5035. We had a parcel to pick up from a shop in Trentham, so we continued over the railway line into Trenthan before turning right into Brough Lane. We continued onto The Lea and we stopped at the shop. Mum picked up the parcel and we set off to Blackburn via the petrol station. We turned left onto New Inn Lane and we joined the Northbound A5035. We ran over the railway line into Blurton and we turned left onto Stanley Matthews Way. We ran Northwards up to the A50 and we went Wetwards towards Sideway. We joined the Nothbound A500 and we ran through Stoke and Etruria. We came off the A500 at Wolstanton and we stopped at the petrol station by Asda. After taking on petrol we re-joined the Northbound A500 and we ran up to the M6. We joined the Northbound M6 and then traffic was moving quite well. Traveling up the M6 we saw CVS Van hire BF14 YHT, an unidentified National Express liveried coach (#528), Stanton's of Stoke TPY 245, white minibus YS15 CRJ / EN67 MYJ / WR17 JFU, ABC Coache Hire OU17 OTG, an unidentified AAA Coaches coach, blue minibus E1 ESX, silver minibus MJ18 RKZ, an unidentified M&I Travel minibus & taxi minibus YN06 UFM. We ran up to junction 29 and we joined the Eastbound M65. As we travelled along the M65 we saw 2 x unidentified B&N Coaches. We came off the M65 at junction 6 onto the Westbound A678. WE ran into town through Intack. We veered right onto the A6078 and we turned left onto Eanam. We turned left into Morrisons and we parked up in the car park. We got in the left and we went down to the shop. Matthew went to the toilet and we headed to Morrisons cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke, followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we set off along Railway Road towards the bus station. We saw Transdev Lancashire United 574 on a #22 to Clitheroe.

Transdev Lancashire United 574 in Blackburn

We continued along Railway Road to the bus ststaion and we we stood on the elavated area to the South of the bus station. We saw Transdev Lancashire United 235 on a #6 Hyndburn circular service.

Transdev Lancashire United 235 in Blackburn bus station

We also saw Transdev Lancashire United 2756 on a a #152 'Hotline' service to Preston.

Transdev Lancashire United 2756 in Blackburn bus station

A few minutes later we saw a Rosso liveried bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Transdev Rosso 2784 on a #481 to Bury via Rawtenstall.

Transdev Rosso 2784 in Blackburn bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Transdev lancashire Day ticket at £6.70 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Rosso 2784.

Inside Transdev Rosso 2784

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Penny Street. we turned right onto Railway Road and we ran past the railway station. We continued onto the Boulevarda and forwards onto Jubilee Street. We turned left onto Darwen Street and we ran forwards onto the A6077. We veered left onto Hasligden Road and we went past the back of the hospital before entering the grounds and stops at the hospital bus terminus. We rejoin-ed the A6077 and we crossed over the M65 at junction 5 onto the B6232. We turned right onto Belthorn Road and we ran through the village of Belthorn before re-joining the B6232. We then climbed out into the open moorland and we had great views across Lancashire. We then ran down into Haslingden past Ogden Reservoir and Holden Wood reservoir. We ran into the centre of Haslingden and we turned right onto the A680. We turned right onto Beaconsfied street and left onto Helmshore Road. We passed a climbing centre. We crossed over the A56 and we turned left onto Broadway. We joined the A680 and crossed over the A56. We turned right onto Haslingden Road and we ran down into Rawtenstall town centre. We ran past the railwat station and we continued Eastwards along Bocholt Way. We ran for quite a distance before turning sharp left onto Bacup Road. We ran back EWestwards for almost as far as we had travelled the other way and we stopped at the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Transdev Rosso 2784 before it continued to Bury.

Transdev Rosso 2784 in Rawtenstall bus station

We had a quick walk around the bus station to take a few more pictures. We saw Transdev Rosso 1606 on a #464 to Accrington.

Transdev Rosso 1606 in Rawtenstall bus station

On the other side of the bus station Transdev Rosso 2785 was on layover.

Transdev Rosso 2785 in Rawtenstall bus station

We set off on foot up towards the town cente because Matthew wanted the toilet. We walked up James Street and across a car park. On the car park were Connect Taxis MW07 NKC & GL60 BGV. We crossed over Bank Street. We saw dud Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 on a a X43 to Skipton. Matthew went to Betfred to use the toilet. When we came out we saw Transdev Rosso 142 on a #10 Edgeside. We walked back across the car park and back to the bus station to wait for a bus. After a few minutes we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Transdev Rosso 2783 on a #464 to Accrington.

Transdev Rosso 2783 in Rawtenstall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Transdev Lancashire Day tcket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Rosso 2783.

Inside Transdev Rosso 2783

We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty too. Matthew took another picture inside Transdev Rosso 2783.

Inside Transdev Rosso 2783

The bus set off along Bacup Road and at the roundabout we ran fowards onto Haslingden Road. We travelled for around 2/3rds of a mile and at the A680 we turned right. We ran through Haslingden town centre up the high street and we continued Northwards to the A56. We ran through Stone Fold and past the Hollands Pie factory and into Baxenden. As we approached the centre of Accrington we turned left into Abbey Street. We continued forwards onto Whalley Road and we turned left onto Eastgate and we went over the roundabout onto King Street. We turned left into Crawshaw Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we went around the side to get another picture of Transdev Rosso 2783.

Transdev Rosso 2783 in Accrington bus station

We walked back into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. We were considering catching something back towards Haslingden. whilst we waited we saw Transdev Burnley and pendle 245 on a M3 to Trawden and 270 on a #9 to Burnley. We then saw Transdev Lancashire United 236 arrive on a #6A to Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 236 in Accrington bus station

The following 464 was required Transdev Rosso 1720 'Rochdale Pioneers' but Matthew decided he didn't want to do that. We saw a double decker arrive and go onto layover. It was Transdev Lancashire United 2754.

Transdev Lancashire United 2754 in Accrington bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do one of the newer Versas on the Hyndburn circular service so we could charge the phone up. Transdev Lancashire United 236 was loading up that he had photographed earlier, so we got on the bus and we flashed the Transdev Lancashire Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station under the railway line and onto King Street. We ran forwards onto B;ackburn Road as we had done many times before on various vehicles from Mercedes minibus to double deckers. We continued out of town for a little over 1/2 a mile and we ran forwards onto the A679. We turned left onto the B6231 and we went under the railway line again near to Church & Oswaldtwistle railway station. We ran through Oswaldtwistle and we continued out of the other side of the town into open countryside. We crossed over the M65 and we ran into Knuzden. We turned right onto Windsor Road and we ran down the hill towards the main road, At the end of the road we turned left onto the A679 and we ran Westwards to the edge of Blackburn. We ran forwards onto the A678 and we After around 1/4 of a mile we veered right onto Higher Eanam. At the roundabout we turned left onto Eanam and we ran forwards onto Salford befoer turning right into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 236.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 236

Once off the bus we sat in the bus station for a short while whilst we consider what bus to do next. We saw required Transdev Lancashire United 574 on a #22 but Matthew didn't fancy doing it. We also aired Stagecoach Lancashire 15910 ona a #59 to Preston, and Blackburn Private Hire YJ61 JJF on a #3 to Sunnybower. Eventually dud Transdev Lancashire United 2759 appeared on a #152 to Preston and Matthew decided he wanted to do that.

Transdev Lancashire United 2759 in Blackburn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Transdev Lancashire Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 2759.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 2759

We sat down and the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Railway Road. We went past the shopping centre onto Ricmond Terrace and we ran forwards onto Exchange Street. We passed the town hall and we turned left onto Northgate. We turned right onto Duke Street and Left onto Blakey Moor. We turned right onto Fellden Street and we turned left onto Montague Street. We turned right onto the A674 and we headed out of town through Mill Hill. We passed Cherry Tree railway station and we continued out of town. We passed Transdev Lancashire United 2762 on a #152 to Burnley and Dreamline YJ08 EAM. We carried on a bit bit further into Feniscowles an we got up and got off the bus. Once off we crossed over the road and we went to the Spar shop in a petrol station. Matthew had a can of Coke and a smal bottle of Cola as well as chocolate bar and a drumstick lolly. We walked to the stop for the Blackburn bound bus and we waited for the next bus to appear. Whilst we waited Matthew ate the lolly and drank the small bottle of Cola. A few minutes later the bus appered and it was dud Transdev Lancashire United 2758.

Transdev Lancashire United 2758 in Feniscowles

We got on the bus and we flashed the Transdev Lancashire Day ticket to the driver for the final time today, before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along the A674 out of Feniscowles and past Cherry Tree railway station. We continued into the West end of Blackburn and we turned left onto Montague Street. We turned right into Fellden Street past the college. We turned right onto Cardwell Place. We ran forwards onto Darwen Street and we turned left onto Jubilee Street. We ran past Blackburn railway station along the Boulevard and we followed the road to the left onto Railway Road. We ran onto Penny Street and we entered the bus station. We got off the bus and we walked around to the North side of the bus station and Matthew got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 2758 before it continued on towards Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 2758 in Blackburn bus station

We walked back down to the South end of the bus station and we took a few more picture before we left. We saw National Express liveries Park's of Hamilton HSK 656 on a #540 to Liverpool.

Park's of Hamilton HSK 656 in Blackburn bus station

Also we saw Rotala Preston Bus 20793 on a #35 to Longridge. We set off towards the car and Matthew stopped at Costa to use the toilet. The shop was shuting so we weren'e able to stop for something to eat. We decided to go back to the car and drive to a nearby chip shop. We set off from the car park near to Gala Bingo onto Richmond Terrace. We ran forwards onto Exchange Street and forwards again onto Long William Street. We turned left onto Barbara Castle way and we turned right onto Montague Street. We turned left onto Johnston Street and we parked at the side of the road. Mum discovered that had a sit in area so we went inside to eat. matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating and we set off towards home. We continued along Johnston Street for around 1/4 mile and we turned left onto saunders Road. We continued onto garden Road and at the end we turned right onto the A674. We ran through Feniscowles to junction 3 of the M65. We got onto the Westbound side and we travelled up to the M6. We joined the South bound M6 we saw PN12 WZZ, an unidentified Keenan coach, Holmeswood VIP HC15 HWC and Alan Davies Travel A2 ADT go back towards Birmingham.

Alan Davies Travel A2 ADT on the M6

Further down the M6 we saw silver minibus FD53 UNZ, Ava Coaches YK51 ???. We came off the M6 at the junction with the A50 and we visited Lymm services. We parked up and we walked through the services area and out the other side to see if there were any coahces there today. There were 3 coaches, and first in the row was Llew Jones Coaches LJI 5520.

Llew Jones Coaches LJI 5520 in Lymm service

Also in Lymm service was Ellison's YN67 VDF.

Ellison's YN67 VDF in Lymm service

Afterwards we saw Ellison's YN64 LYP in the service.

Ellison's YN64 LYP in Lymm service

Matthew went to the toilet and then we visited WH Smiths. He had a bottle of Coke and some wriggley worms and eggs. We got back in the car and we continued down the M6. As we travelled Southwards we saw an unidentified Timewell's coach, an unidentified Magicbus coach (M11) and an unidentified Tyrers coach. At junction 16 we came off the M6 onto the Southbound A500. We ran down through Longport and Etruria and into Stoke. We continued to Sideway and we turned left onto the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. The spare ground was empty so we turned left to see what was parked up in the comound on Willow Row. We saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMJ in the compound.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

Parked on the road outside was Z Carz Renault minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

We set off onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and at the end we stopped at the lighs where we saw Intercity RE14 OSN on the A5035. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got home around 20:45. As we had already had chips we didn't have another meal. Matthew had his jammed filled shortbread biscuit and we wrote an e-mail and did some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00... Mark