Trip to Potteries Apedale Running day 21-05-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
103	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	Bournemouth
103	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	Bournemouth
207	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	PMT
207	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
622	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	PMT
622	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
801	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	First PMT
801	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	First PMT
825	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	First PMT
825	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	First PMT

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out the the POPS rally, which this years was being held at the Apedale Heritage Centre. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw silver minibus EF17 KWM parked up outside. We went downstairs and got in the car we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw City Centre Central FE14 PBF. We carried on along Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hiull into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the the A500 and we joined the Northbound carriageway. At the next junction we came off onto Shelton New Road. We ran through the cross road up to Hartshill and at the roundabout we ran into Newcastle down George Street and we saw First Potteries 67175 on a #11 to Hanley. A at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Ryecroft. At the roundabout we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran Northwards past the bus garage and we ran through Milehouse. We ran Northwards to the McDonald roundabout and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. we went straight across onto Loomer Road and we ran down to Apedale Country park. We parked up near to the visitors centre and as it was uncle Dave's first visit we took him down to the Apedale Valley Light Railway. We set off up the car park and onto the service road in from of the staium and headed towards the Boothen end behind which all the buses were parked up. As we got to the corner we saw First PMT 801.

First PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

We walked past the railway station and down the hill onto the large green area where all the buses were parked. One of the first buses we spotted PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Apedale Light Railway

Also seen was First PMT 825.

First PMT 825 in Apedale Light Railway

Further down the row we saw Midland Red 3301.

Midland Red 3301 in Apedale Light Railway

Mum appeared and we went into the heritage centre. Matthew went to the toilet. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted Bournemouth 103 on a service to Newcastle.

Bournemouth 103 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and we saw First Potteries 63110 on a #11 to Hanley. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted PMT 622. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the Milehouse. We ran Northwards to the McDonald roundabout and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. we went straight across onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted First PMT 801.

First PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the Milehouse. We ran Northwards to the McDonald roundabout and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. we went straight across onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First PMT 801.

First PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

Also seen was GM Buses 2236.

GM Buses 2236 in Apedale Light Railway

Whilst we waited we saw First PMT 825.

First PMT 825 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. we walked down to the bottom of the site and we got in the car and we set off out of the Apedale Country Park onto Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. Ryecroft and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A53. We ran into Basford and over the Soutbound A500 and we ran through Shelton and Stoke. We came off the A50 heading Eastwards. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We went through the traffic lights onto Heron Steeet. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and chilled out in his room for a short while. For tea Matthew had a chicken and potatoes. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Kidderminster / Bradwell 11-03-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Kidderminster	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Kidderminster	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going to New Kidderminster pub and carvery Larch Wood Farm to open Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. Across the road we saw silver minibus MF66 ??? going towards Stoke.

MF66 in Fenton

Also seen was Copeland's Tours Bova coach MIB 516 going towards Stoke.

Copeland's Tours MIB 516 in Fenton

we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

in the morning Matthew was going to Kidderminster. Transport for the trip was was on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We got on the bus and we set off onto Glebedale Road. We turned left onto City Road and we ran down the hill into Stoke. We joined the Southbound A500 and we ran down through Hanford to the M6. We ran Southwards through Staffordshire into the West Midlands and at Junction 8 we joined the Southbound M5. We came off the M5 at junction 3 and we ran Westwards down the A456. We ran through Hagley and Blakedown to the edge of Kidderminster and we joined the Southbound A449. We turned right onto the Northbound A442 and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Silverwoods Way. After a short distance we stopped at the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. Matthew had a carvery beef and turkey followed by a slice of death by chocolate with ice cream. Once we had finished at the pub we set off along Silverwoods Way. We turned right onto the Southbound A442 and at the next roundabout we turned left onto the Northbound A449. We ran around the eastern edge of Kidderminster and we turned right onto the Eastbound A456. We ran up through to the top end of Worcestershire up to the M5 and we headed Northwards into the West Midlands. At the end of the M5 we joined the Northbound M6 and we ran up through Staffordshire to junction 15. We joined the Northbound A500 and we came off at Stoke. We joined the Eastbound A52 and we ran under the railway bridge. We ran up City Road into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew waited in his room to be picked up. He used his computer and watched buses out of the window. We saw Z Carz YJ62 LSX going towards Stoke.

Z Carz YJ62 LSX in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 42553 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 42553 in Fenton

Another vehicle see was Crescent Academy PK56 RJJ going towards Longton.

Crescent Academy PK56 RJJ in Fenton

After a while we saw First Potteries 63098 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63098 in Fenton

Also seen was First Potteries 67636 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67636 in Fenton

Mum came to pick Matthew up with her friend. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Methodist Church minibus DN03 WKK. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill and under the railway line into Stoke. We crossed over the A500 and we saw First Potteries 37158 on a #25 to Hanley. We joined the Northbound A500 and we ran up to Shelton. We joined Shelton New Road and we headed into Hartshill. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto George Street and into Newcastle. We turned right onto Albert Street and we crossed the A53 onto Sandy Lane. We continued onto Wulstan Drive and we turned right onto Hempstalls Lane. We continued forwards onto Hoon Avenue and we turned right onto Wolseley Lanes. We crossed the B5369 onto Watlands View. At the roundabout we turned left onto Bradwell Lane. We stopped at the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew had a burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. This was followed by a chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. Highlights of the bus sighting included D&G Bus 103 on a #94 to Congleton. When we had finished we returned to Fenton by car. We set off onto Bradwell Lane and we crossed the roundabout onto the A527. We ran through Wolstanton and May Bank into Newcastle. At the roundabout we joined the one-way system and we followed the road around onto the Eastbound A52. We ran up George Street up the Hartshill and we continued down the A52 into Stoke. We turned left onto Liverpool Road and right onto Elenora Street. We followed the one-way system onto Copeland Street and forwards onto Glebe Street. We ran past Stoke Minster and we joined Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and forwards onto City Road. We went under the railway line. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We stopped at the Co-operative food and we brought a bottle of Coke. When we had finished shopping we set off along Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Masterson Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Mum went upstairs with Matthew and spent so time with him. Matthew drank a bottle of Coke. Matthew said goodbye to mum and her friend and then chilled in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Bury 16-11-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37291	Bury BS	Heap Bridge, o/s Old Boars Head Bury New Road/Heap Bridge	471	First Manchester
37431	Heap Bridge, Bury New Road/Heap Bridge (W-bound)	Bury BS	163	First Manchester
30871	Bury BS	Unsworth, o/s Hse 165 Parr Lane/Kennedy Drive	93	First Manchester
60282	Unsworth, o/s Hse 204 Parr Lane/Kennedy Drive	Bury BS	93	First Manchester
106	Bury BS	Radcliffe BS	486	Rossendale Easyride
33867	Radcliffe BS	Bury BS	512	stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Bury for the first time in nearly a year. The last time we visited Bury there were still step entranced Volvo operating for First Manchester. We didn't do any research for this trip other than to check the weather, which was forecast for grey, overcast skies but no rain! We did find our old Bury bus map to take with us. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we headed onto the A5035. We headed along Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. We then went North on the A500 and up to Etruria to pick up LPG. We got onto the Westbound A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. The traffic seemed much clearer today, perhaps this was related to there being no Premiership and Championship football during the international break. We carried on North on the M6 and we were overtaken by Parks of Hamilton / National Express LSK 513 on a #570 to Blackpool. We then went East on the M62 and clockwise on the M60. We headed North on The M66 and then we did the last mile into Bury along the A58 through Pimhole and into town. The traffic on this road was horrendous and it took us a while to get into town. We parked up near to the library and we walked over to Radleys which Matthew requested to visit for dinner. The downstairs area was full so after Matthew had used the toilet we took a seat upstairs. Breakfast had finished serving at 11:30, so Matthew had chips sausage and beans with bread and butter. This was washed down with a bottle of Coke. The food took a while becasue they were busy, and we didn't get out of there until after 14:30. The one good thing about being there was that we were able to see what buses were around even if we couldn't identify them. We saw 69166 in Ramsbottom livery, and we also saw a Rosso double decker and a First Manchester ALX400 Volvo. After we had finished eating we went down to the end of the bus station to take a few pictures before we caught our first bus of the day. As we walked up we saw recent arrival Rosso 232 on a #494 Bury - Fishpool circular.

'Rosso' 232 in Bury transport interchange

We also saw First Manchester 69186 on a #524 Bolton service.

First Manchester 69186 in Bury transport interchange

As we had been delayed in getting some food, we had to do a bus quickly. We then saw required First Manchester 37291 on a #471 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 37291 in Bury transport interchange

We walked down to the stop and we waited for the driver change to take place. We got on the bus and booked our System One bus tickets. We then went and sat upstairs. The bus was quite full and we didn't manage to get a picture inside. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. The bus came to a stand out the market and the traffic was very slow all the way down to the M66. We decided to get of just the other side of the M66 as we were running out of time. We got off and Matthew decided to chase after another one of the passengers getting off to say hello. He was very lucky not to scare her... We then crossedthe road to wait for the next bus back. After a couple of minutes we saw #471 service coming down the hill. Just before it reached us another bus came out of Heap Brow on a #163 from Manchester so we decided to get on that instead. It was required First Manchester 37431.

First Manchester 37431 in Heap Bridge

We got on the bus and sat down upstairs. as it was around 15:00 now the bus was nearly empty. The bus went back up the A58 into Bury. We did the trip into town much quicker than we did the trip out. As we came past the market we saw Wints Mercedes coach NIL 8261 loading up with shoppers for their return trip to the Staffordshire Moorlands. When we got back to the bus station we spotted a First Manchester ALX400 Volvo in the bus station. We waited for 37431 to empty out and Matthew got a picture inside the empty bus.

Inside First Manchester 37431

We got off the bus and we walked straight to the crossing so we could get a picture of required First Manchester 30871.

First Manchester 30871 in Bury transport interchange

The driver set the destination to #93 Manchester and we got on the bus and booked to Unsworth. We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside the bus.

Inside First Manchester 30871

As we waited to go we saw another First Manchester ALX400 Volvo. It was required First Manchester 30873 on a #98 to Manchester. We set off out of the bus station and we saw Wints NIL 8261 was still loading up. We went down Market Street towards Fishpool. We passed the rows of coaches parked up. we then turn onto Manchester Road and headed South. As we passed Hollins Brow we passed First Manchester 60270 on a Northbound #92 service. The #92 replaced the old #137 service, a bus that we have not been on since we went to Bury regularly back in may 2011. We carried on South and then we went East along Sunny Bank Road. When we got onto Parr Lane we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Manchester 30871 as it went South towards Manchester.

First Manchester 30871 in Unsworth

We crossed the road and consulted the bus stop timetable. We had around 5 minutes to wait, which was quite fortunate as the #93 was now only a 30 minute frequency! Bang on time we saw a Mercedes Citaro heading up the hill. We knew there was a good chance of it being required as we have avoided these buses in the passed when we used to chase after the step entranced Volvo's. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Manchester 60282.

First Manchester 60282 in Unsworth

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty as would be expected on an inbound bus at this time of the day. The bus set off back through Unsworth and along Sunny Bank Road. The bus then went North on the A56. We turned right at Fishpool and then headed into Bury up Market Street. When we got back to the bus station we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew got a picture inside the empty First Manchester 60282.

Inside First Manchester 60282

Almost immediately we saw Ross 106 on Stand C. It was on a #486 to Radcliffe so we decided to do this bus.

'Rosso' 106 in Bury transport interchange

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. Matthew got his empty bus picture as he got on the bus.

Inside 'Rosso' 106

Matthew decided he was going to say hello to someone in the bus station.Luckily for Matthew the bus was not due to depart until 16:10, so we were able to get back on it. Whilst we waited for the bus to depart we saw Rossendale 148 on the #480 to Bolton and 147 on the #483 to Burnley. The bus set off West towards Elton and then headed North towards Ainsworth. The bus then headed South down Bradley Fold Road and dark. We crossed the A58 and headed down into Bradley Fold. We passed the garden centre, and headed into Radcliffe. At the bus station we then got another picture of Rossendale Transport 106.

'Rosso' 106 in Radcliffe bus station

After using the disabled toilet by Radcliffe Market we walked back to the bus station to see what we could catch back. The #524's seemed to be all new buses, and there wasn't a #98 imminent. There was an #512 due just before 17:00. We had seen Stagecoach Manchester 25343 & 33867 working the #512/513's so we thought it would probably be one of these required buses. Just before 17:00 required Stagecoach Manchester rolls up into the bus station.

Stagecoach Manchester 33867 in Radcliffe bus station

The bus set off out of town. The bus down had taken close to 30 minutes to get into Radcliffe, and we were a little surprised at how quick the #512 takes to get to Bury. The bus headed North East along Bury Road. We were expecting a 20-25 journey back and we were back in just over 10 minutes! When we got back Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 33867.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 33867

We got off the bus and we decided to have a quick walk around taking picture before we set off homeward. On Stand R was Rosso 258 on a #483 Burnley service

'Rosso' 258 in Bury transport interchange

We walked around to the other side of the Tram terminus and we saw Stagecoach Manchester 33867 parked up between duties.

Stagecoach Manchester 33867 in Bury transport interchange

As we walked back passed the end of the bus station we saw another Ross double decker. It was Rosso 103 on the #487 to Nangreaves.

'Rosso' 103 in Bury transport interchange

We headed back to the car and Matthew had a sausage roll washed down with Irn Bru. We set off back onto the ring road and then East on the A58 to The M66. We headed south onto the M60 where we headed in the anti-clockwise direction. We headed West on the M62 and then South on the M6. On the M6 we passed Chalton Minicoaches KF52 UAG. We did the M6 down to the A500. We did the A500 South passing Z carz M372 NWN going north. We did the A500 down to the A50 and then into Longton to check out the buses parked up at Z carz. There were only 2 buses on the spare ground. At the back of the site was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN VW minibus OV05 WSW

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

In front of the Mercedes minibus W885 PTS was volvo coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

We went passed the Willow Row compound, were LDV minibus T408 JUX was still parked at the back of the yard with it's bonnet up. We headed Down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We headed onto the A5035 and we got back home around 18:45. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until around 01:00...Mark