Trip to Salford / Manchester 10-06-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
12108	Salford (Stop D)	Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens	38	Stagecoach Manchester
2748	Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens	Sale, (Stop B)	263	Arriva NW&W
3096	Sale, Broadoaks Road	Trafford Centre BS	245	Arriva NW&W
4013	Trafford Centre BS	Eccles Interchange	52	Go North West
3206	Eccles Interchange	Manchester Shudehill	67	Go North West
3132	Manchester Shudehill	Eccles Interchange	10	Arriva NW&W
3208	Eccles Interchange	Salford (Stop J)	67	Go North West

Today we decided to start our journey at Salford for the first time. We have been through Salford many times before, but today was the first time we have parked up here. After Matthew had chosen Salford, research consisted at looking at where to park and where to eat. We also checked the weather which was for hot sunny weather with a chance of thunderstorms later on. Matthew got up and had toast for breakfast. We set off approximatley 11:45. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. There was some traffic on the A500 but this did not delay us too much. We ran up to Barthomley and we joined the Northboud M6. AS we travelled Northwards up the M6 we saw Selwyn's (NX) BV23 ZWB(#550) / BD65 JFO(#540) / BV67 JXZ(#121), Aman's BV19 YFM, Weavaway Travel YN72 ZXZ and an unidentified Telfords coach. We ran up to junction 21A and we got on the Eastbound M62. Seen on the M62 was taxi minibus BY04 CAB. As we reached the M60 we went forwards onto the M602. We came off the M602 at junction 3 and we turned left onto the Northbound A5063. We joined the Westbound A6 and we ran for about 1/3 of a mile and we came off the A6 onto Hankinson Way. We turned right at the roundabout onto eywood Way and we turned right into Tesco and we parked up. On the way in we had been passed the cafe that we had planned on eating at and it had been closed! We decided to go to POund Baker and get food so we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the North Western corner of the shopping centre to the toilets. After using the toilet we set off towards Pound Bakery. On the way arouns we saw Rotala Diamond 40817 on a #8 to Manchester.

Rotala Diamond 40817 in Salford

We continued around the North and East sides of the shopping centre and we stopped at the Pound Bakery. Matthew had a couple of sausage rolls and a bottle of Pepsi. As there weren't any cakes he fancied I said we could grab a cake later on. We went outside and we saw a an empty bus stop so we sat down and ate our food, Whilst we ate we saw Stagecoach Manchester 19519 on a #34 to Piccadilly Gardens.

Stagecoach Manchester 19519 in Salford

When we had finished we wakled up to stand D to catch something towards Piccadilly Gardens. After a short wait we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 12108 in Magicbus livery. We got on the bus and we brought System One Bus Only Day tickets at £5 each before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off along Hankinson Way and we turned left onto Rossall Way. We Headed North onto the roundabout before turning right onto the A6. We headed Eastwards Past Salford Crescent railway station and into the city. We ran forwards onto Chapel Street and we turned right onto the A34. We ran through the centre of Manchester and we turned left onto Portland Street. Just after the main bus station we stopped on Portland Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Stagecoach Manchester 12108 as it continued along Portland Street.

Stagecoach Manchester 12108 in Manchester

Once off the bus we walked along Portland Street and we crossed over the tramway and into the interchange. We had a look around to to see what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 12042 on a #85 to Chorlton.

Stagecoach Manchester 12042 in Manchester

We walked to the North end of the bus station. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19502 on a #256 to Flixton.

Stagecoach Manchester 19502 in Manchester

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus come into the bus station. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2748 on a #263 to Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 2748 in Manchester

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the terminal and we turned right onto Portland Street. We turned left onto Princess Street and right onto Whitworth Street. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Booth Street West. We passed the College of Music and we turned right onto Boundry lane. We turned left onto the A5067 and we headed Westwards. We passed Hulme Park and we ran to the end of the road and we joined Chester Road. We joined the A56 and we ran past White City Retail Park. We passed Old Trafford and we continued along the A56 until Streford. We went under the M60 and we carried on into Sale. As we came into Sale an alarm went off in the cab of the bus. The driver pulled over and called the garage to tell them that the bus had started to overheat. In the centre of Sale we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W as it carried on towards Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 2748 in Sale

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we headed West towards the next bus stop. We had just missed Arriva NW&W 2745 on a #263 to Manchester. We looked at the timetable and we saw that there was a #245 to the Traffod Centre due in a few minutes. After a short while we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3096 on a #245 to The Trafford Centre.

Arriva NW&W 3096 in Sale

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A56 through Sale and we went under the M60. At Stetchford Mall we turned left onto the A5145 and we headed Westwards. We ran forwards onto the B5213 and we ran under the M60. We followed the road around to the right onto the B5214 and we ran into Urmston. We turned left into Moorside Road and into Davyhulme. We passed the Trafford General hospital and close to the Manchester Ship Canal before we turned Northwards onto Woodsend Road. We continued East along Davyhulme Road and we turned left onto Woodhouse Road. We re-joined the Northbound B5214 and back under the M60. We passed the Trafford Golf Centre and then we turned right into the Trafford Centre bus station next to the BP garage. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed to the toilet. After using the toilet we had a sit down and Matthew drank a bottle of Coke Zero. Afterwards we had a look around to see what we might catch. We saw Rotala Diamond 33027 which was about to work a #126 to Leigh.

Rotala Diamond 33027 in Trafford Centre bus station

Another vehicle seen was Rotala Diamond 40840 on a #20 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 40840 in Trafford Centre bus station

Further up the bus station we saw it was Go North West 4013 about to work a #52 to Cheetham Hill.

Go North West 4013 in Trafford Centre bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the B5214. We turned left onto the B5211 and we crossed over the Manchester Ship canal. We turned right onto the B5230 and we turned left onto Trafford Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the A57. On the edge of Eccles we ran forwards onto Church Street and we continued into the centre of Eccles and into the interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus, Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4013 before in continued towards Cheetham Hill.

Go North West 4013 in Eccles Interchange

We had a walk along to see what other buses were around. Rotala Diamond 31434 parked up on layover.

Rotala Diamond 31434 in Eccles Interchange

We crossed the road to go and visit a pub. I though we were going to go to the Joseph Holt pub The Lamb Hotel, but Matthew decided he wanted to go to Wetherspoons. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar to get drinks. We ordered 2 small Coke's, and we sat at a table near to the front. When we had finished we dropped the empty glasses off at the bar and we went outside. As we considered where to go next, we saw Alfa A141 heading Westwards along Church Street.

Alfa A141 in Eccles Interchange

We crossed over the road and we decided we would head into Manchester. We went into the interchange and we saw a bus on stand. As we got closer we saw it was Go North West 3206 on a #67 to Manchester Shudehill.

Go North West 3206 in Eccles Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the System One Bus Only Day tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the Unterchange and we travelled Eastwards along Regent Street. At the roundabout we joined the Northbound A576 and we crossed over the M602. We continued the road turned through 90' and we travelled Eastwards past Salford hospital. WE continued for another mile before diving down below the A6 and coming up on Pendleton roundabout. We ran around the roundabout past the police station and KFC and down the side of Salford Shopping Centre on Hankinson Way. After a brief stop opposite to the shopping centre and continued down to the roundabout and we turned left onto Churchill Way. We turned left onto Cross Lane and we turned right onto the A6. We passed Salford Crescent railway station. We continued along Chapel Street and we went under the railway line by Salford Central railway station. We continued into the city centre and we turned left onto Victoria Street. We turned right onto Hunts bank and past the Manchester Arena and the entrance to Manchester Victoria railway station. We followed the road around to the right onto Victoria Station Approach and we went forward onto Todd Street past the National Football Museum. We turned right onto Corporation Street and left onto Withy Grove. We continued onto Shudehill and we entered the Interchange. Once off the bus we saw Flixbus FX34 about to work the N603 service to Paris.

Flixbus FX34 in Manchester Shudehill

Afterwards we had a walk around. Matthew used the toilet and we went around the corner to a coffe shop in the bus station. It was about to close, So Matthew a millionaire's shortbread and a can of Coke to take out. We walked over to the middle stands and Matthew ate the shortbread and afterwards had his can of Coke. As we were finishing the can we saw an Arriva bus drop onto the stand. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 3132 on a #10 to the Brookhouse estate.

Arriva NW&W 3132 in Manchester Shudehill

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Interchange and we turned right onto Shudehill. We continued onto Withy Grove and we turned right onto Corporation Street. We turned left onto Todd Street and we continued onto Victoria Station Approach. We ran past the front of Victoria Railway station along Hunts Bank and we turned left onto Victoria Street. We ran along Chapel Street and we turned right under the railway line onto Blackfriars Road. We continued Northwards out fo the city centre and we crossed over the A6042. We continued Northwards up the A6041 and we continued forwards onto the A5066. We crossed over the river Irwell and we turned left onto Lower Broughton Road. We turned left onto the A576 and we ran Southwards towards Pendleton. We crossed over the A6 and we ran down past the side of Salford Shopping Centre along Hankinson Way. We turned right onto Heywood Way and right onto Fitzwarren Street. We turned left onto Seedley Road and left onto Langworth Rpad. We turned right onto Liverpool Street and we ran forwards onto Tootal Road. We followed the road around the corner onto Tootal Drive and we turned left onto Eccles Old Road. We crossed over the M602 and at Ladywell roundabout we turned right onto Regent Street. We pulled up outside of the Interchange and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3132 as it continued towards the Brookhouse estate.

Arriva NW&W 3132 in Eccles Interchange

We walked along Church Street near to the former RBS bank and into the Interchange. It was now 18:00 and we neede to head back to Salford. There were a couple of different buses approaching. Whilst we waited we saw Rotala Diamond 20921 which had been broken down on stand for a few hours.

Rotala Diamond 20921 in Eccles Interchange

Also seen was Rotala Diamond 40710 in the new Bee Network colours on a #20 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 40710 in Eccles Interchange

A short time later the first of the 2 buses that were approaching came on stand. We saw it was Go North West 3208 on a #67 to Manchester Shudehill.

Go North West 3208 in Eccles Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the Interchange and we travelled Eastwards along Regent Street. At the roundabout we joined the Northbound A576 and we crossed over the M602. We continued the road turned through 90' and we travelled Eastwards past Salford hospital. We continued for another mile before diving down below the A6 and coming up on Pendleton roundabout. We ran around the roundabout past the police station and KFC and down the side of Salford Shopping Centre on Hankinson Way where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed the road and Matthew got another picture of Go North West 3208 as it continued towards Manchester.

Go North West 3208 in Salford

Once off the bus we walked around the North side of the shopping centre and we headed to Tesco car park as mum had returned here. We dropped the bag off in the car and Me and Matthew went into Tesco and we went to the toilet. Afterwards we went into the shop and we bought a bottle of Coke. We returned to the car and mum had brought some ice and we had cold drinks. We also had a rocket lolly. Afterward I walked across to the shopping centre and I brough Chips from Mother Hubbards. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. Whrn we had finished eating we set off onto Heywood Way. We ran forwards onto Churchill Way and we turned right onto Cross Lane. We turned left onto Liverpool Street and right onto the Southbound A5063. We went onto RegenT Road roundabout and we turned right onto the Westbound M602. We ran out of the city and we crossed the M60 and ran forwards onto the M62. On the M62 we saw JH Coaches JH19 ??? & Fourway YX67 UPZ. We ran to the North or Warrintgon befoer joining the Southbound M6. On the M6 we saw Ellenvale MF71 AFZ, an unidentified white minibus, silver minibus FD57 UGM and an unidentified DHN Coaches coach. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Talke, Longport, Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark