Trip to Hanley 'Finale Running day' 17-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53829	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
60100	Hanley BS	Burslem	3	First PMT
60100	Burslem	Hanley BS	3	First PMT
4546	Hanley BS	First Adderley Green depot	13A	Wardle Transport
4546	First Adderley Green depot	Hanley BS	13A	Wardle Transport
SUX 476X	Hanley BS	Newcastle	33	Bassetts Coaches
SUX 476X	Newcastle	Hanley BS	33	Bassetts Coaches
604	Hanley BS	Stoke station	5A	PMT
EFM 181H	Stoke Station	Hanley BS	5A	Crosville
537	Hanley BS	Adderley Green	13	Devon General
537	Adderley Green	Hanley BS	13	Devon General
EVD 406	Hanley BS	Twigg Street	12	Joseph Wood
EVD 406	Twigg Street	Hanley BS	12	Joseph Wood
GJW 43N	Hanley BS	Burslem	3	Midland Fox
GJW 43N	Burslem	Hanley BS	3	Midland Fox
3999	Hanley BS	Burslem	3	Arriva Midlands
3999	Burslem	Hanley BS	3	Arriva Midlands
677	Hanley BS	Stoke station	5A	PMT

Today we were going to Hanley for the "Hanley Finale" running day. We got up before 09:00 and had crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. I went to fetch uncle Dave and whilst out I saw 41492 on a #23 and Scraggs Mercedes minibus DX09 LAA parked up on Grove Road. For a change I didn't see the #22. We set off just before 10:00 as we were catching the 09:54 from Ladybank Grove. It rounded the corner and we saw it was a new liveried Solo so we knew it would be required. It was First Potteries 53829. We travelled through Blurton and passed the temporary traffic light on Blurton Road which wee out of action. Traffic was being controlled by the police. As we travelled down we saw that someone had sent a picture into the Staffordshire and Merseyside Yahoo bus group of an Arriva Streetlite parked up at Hanley. In stoke we saw Wardle Transport 2539 on the #41 service. We were diverted from the normal route due to the dangerous building on Liverpool Road. We went along Hartshill road, Shelton Old Road and Copeland Street before going back onto the proper route. when we reached Hanley Matthew got a picture of the inside of 53829.

Inside First Potteries 53829

We got off and Matthew cheekily honked the horn. He then got a picture of 53829 which wasn't great due to the sun being behind the bus.

First Potteries 53829 in Hanley bus station

We walked down to the side stand where all the action was taking place. At this time of year I expected there to be perhaps a dozen buses at the most, with the majority of them being local ones. As we reached then end we saw that the majority of the parking stands were filled with buses of all ages and colours, and quite a few of the side stands contained buses too. more than 20 buses had made the journey into the potteries for this event. The first bus that caught our eye was newly preserved ex First PMT 60100, which we decided that we were going to do first. We saw it was leaving the parking area so we knew it was about to work, so we walked up to the stands. It came in and Matthew got a picture of it.

Preserved 60100 in Hanley bus station

We asked the driver where we could get a programme and he said off the control bus which was PMT single decker SL805. So we asked the driver where he was going and he said "Burslem". That would do :). We could get a programme when we got back. The bus set off out of Hanley and up Waterloo Road. We stopped in Burslem for a few minutes, We got off and took a picture but the sun wasn't favourable. We got back on and travelled back down Waterloo Road into Hanley. When we got back Matthew waited for the bus to empty and he got his empty bus shot of this fine beast with PMT Grey seating.

Inside 60100

We purchased a programme from the control bus and then we decided to stop for an early dinner. We went to Tony's cafe and matthew had a breakfast and a can of Coke. It was around 11:30 now, so we decided to go for trip on the Wardle tri-axle double decker 4546 which along with 60100 was going up to Adderley Green. It pulled onto stand and Matthew got a picture of it.

Wardle Transport 4546 in Hanley bus station

We got on and went upstairs. As it was empty behind up Matthew got a picture of the top deck of this vehicle.

Inside Wardle Transport 4546

A few minutes later we set of out of hanley and down limekiln bank. 60100 which was also on this rum as a duplicate was in front of us. At the bottom of Dividy Road 60100 pulled over to let us catch up, we passed the bus and then pulled over ourselves whilst 60100 caught up. This seemed a little odd but we didn't know why this was happening. the reason soon became apparent when we got to Adderley Green. 60100 was being driven by a First driver, and we saw him indicate to pull into the depot. Then we pulled into the depot behind 60100 and we proceeded to go clockwise around the back of the depot piloted by the First Driver! As we went around we passed a collection of Solo's on our left followed by Dennis Darts old and newer one too we also saw withdrawn 40379. On the right was a solitary Solo and a Stafford branded Scania in the bus washing plant. The at the very back was a large collection of scania's. It was easy to get pictures of them through the misted bus windows, but #26 branded Scania's 65026 and 65027 can be seen in the photograph below with 60063 in front of them.

First Potteries 65026 & 65027 at the back of AG

We then went past a couple of newer Darts inside the shed, past the back of the trainer buses 60316 and 60317. We rejoined Dividy Road and headed back into Hanley. As we travelled back we worked out what we were going to do next. We had a choice of Ex Arriva NW&W Scania 1051 or Bassetts coach SUX 476X. We decided to go for the coach as we had been on 1051 last July in Earlestown just before it was withdrawn from service. When we got back we had around 20 minutes before the coach was due off at 12:25 so we went down to the bottom of the bus station to take a few pictures. Wardle Transport 3611 had arrived and was parked up at the top of the row of buses it may have worked in on the #118 from Buxton. It didn't work out again though as a Dart took over the rest of the duty. We saw the coach pull onto stand and we walked up to catch it. Matthew got a picture before we got on the coach.

Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we set off towards Newcastle. we went around Hanley on the ring road to Etruria Road and onto the A53. At Newcastle we went around the main roundabout and then headed back. we followed the route back passing RML 467 by Broad Street on a service for Stoke Station. We decided we would do Crosville EFM 181H next when we got back. Back at Hanley Matthew got a picture inside Bassetts SUX 476X.

Inside Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X

EFM 181H pulled in and we went to get on it. The driver said he was going out of service even though he was due off in 6 minutes! At the same time PMT 604 was running as a duplicate service and that pulled in and so we got on. The bus set of and EFM 181H pulled into Hanley bus station at roughly the same time. We thought we could get off 604 by stoke station and catch the crosville single decker back to Hanley. We set off around Hanley and we went down Stoke Road before turning into Station Road. We got off and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

PMT 604 by Stoke station

We only had to wait a minute of so before EFM 181H made it's appearance and we got on it. The ride back was via Leek Road and Lichfield Street, and when we got back he got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Crosvile EFM 181H

We got back and we saw the bus T was about to work the 13:35 to Adderley Green. There was no t in the programme so didn't know what it was going to be. Devon General 537 pulled onto stand and we decided to do this. It turned out that this bus was T. Matthew got picture of it and we went upstairs.

Devon General 537 in Hanley bus station

We set off down Limekiln bank and headed on Dividy Road. We wondered if we would do another spin around the depot, but the answers was no. We went to the roundabout on Anchor Road and turned around. We did pause briefly outside the depot before returning back along Dividy Road to the bottom of Limekiln Bank. The driver opted not to do the steep climb into Hanley and instead went along Leek Road to Joiners Square and then travelled up Lichfield Street. When we got back we managed to get back in time for the next shuttle to Twigg Street which was due out 5 minutes before we should have gotten back. As it was another interesting double decker we decided to do it. Not before Matthew coolly took a picture of the inside of Devon General 537.

Inside Devon General 537

We jumped on the Joseph Wood double decker EVD 406 and we sat down upstairs. It was a front engine half cab bus and the conductor rang the bell before we set off. The bus was quite slow compared to some of the others we had travelled on and very noisy, the gears seamed to be quite hard work. The bus went to Twiggs Street and stopped briefly. Whilst there CRU 103C made an appearance on an unscheduled journey. We set of back expecting EVD 406 not to tackle Limekiln bank but we were surpried and delighted in equal measures when it did. By the time the bus had reached the first summit over the canal the bus was moving at walking pace! The bus managed to get to over 20mph on the flat before attempting the longer climb. it slowed gradually by the tie we reached the footbridge we were down to walking pace again. and we stopped on the level for the traffic lights. We got back just in time to transfer over to single decker GJW 43N on a Burslem service.

Midland Fox GJW 43N in Hanley bus station

We sat down on this fine vehicle with its high back coach style seats. The run up to Burslem was swift. We went along Waterloo Road and this tie we paused on Market Street. We returned back to Waterloo road via Woodbank Street. When we got back there was a booked dead time at hanley for the Arriva Midland Streetlite 3999. We got back a little early and Matthew to a picture of the inside of GJW 43N before we got off.

Inside GJW 43N

The Streetlite along with Wardle Transport 4546 were going the 15:00 up to Burslem. These buses seemed way more powerful than some of the old vehicle and we made it to Burslem in less than 10 minutes. We had a quick photo stop Place before retuning to Hanley.

Arriva Midlands 3999 in Burslem

We had a booked dead time at Hanley for the last shuttle to stoke station. We made it back with 12 minutes to spare. It was enough time for Matthew to use the before the bus was due. For some reason I ha it in mind that the 15:30 was being worked by GFM 104X. It was on stand but there was no-one onboard at 15:30. I checked the book again and realised it was meant to be PMT 677. A quick look around and we saw it was still parked up in the parking area. A few minutes late, 677 pulled onto a stand. The event was winding down and this was one of the last departures. We did it to the station and called mum to arrange to be picked up. Matthew got a picture of 677 outside stoke station.

PMT 677 by Stoke station

Whilst we waited for mum, we saw First potteries 41492 headed towards Hanley on a #23A and First Potteries 32639 appeared on a Keele service.

First Potteries 32639 by Stoke station

Mum appeared and we got in the car. We drove along leek road and then up Wheildon Road dropping off uncle Dave as we went. We went up to Heron Cross. Lightning visitor WX06 VSA was being worked on in the Lightning house and then to Blurton and home. Matthew had some pizza but he didn't enjoy it because there were onion and peppers in it so we did him some chicken popcorn and fries. After a bath he chilled out on his computer before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Earlestown / St Helens 07-07-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1051	Earlestown BS	Wargrave, o/s St Davids Church	34A	Arriva NW&W
1050	Wargrave, o/s Labour Club	Earlestown BS	34A	Arriva NW&W
2212	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
2983	St Helens BS	New Boston, opp Vista Road	320	Arriva NW&W
2212	New Boston, adj Vista Road	Blackbrook, adj Ireland Road	20	Arriva NW&W
7634	Blackbrook, adj Stanton Close	New Boston, opp Vista Road	20	Arriva NW&W
2212	New Boston, opp Vista Road	Earlestown BS	20	Arriva NW&W
7563	Earlestown BS	Earlestown, opp Newton College	34	Arriva NW&W

Today we went to Earlestown. We hadn't made any plans for today but Matthew insisted on going out again. We gave him a list of places he had been before plus Earlestown. I had visited this place recently I thought it would be a good place to take Matthew. Matthew of course chose Earlestown! No planning had been done whatsoever for this trip, although I did have paper copies of the #34 and the #x20 Arriva timetables in my possession. The weather had been really bad the day before, and so we looked at the weather forecast with great interest. The forecast for today was for sunshine and showers. We set off around 12:15 and headed North. We went North along the M6 until we reached the A49. We then went through Winwick and then on to Newton-le-Willows railway station. We asked Matthew if he wanted to do just Arriva bubs or do anything and he chose anything, and so we purchased Saveaway tickets so we could potentially catch any bus in Merseyside and the Wirral (or even a train too!). We then drove on to Earlestown. We drove straight through town and out the other side missing the turning for the bus station. As we drove around we saw 3 scania's working on #34 or #34A's including required 1042. After we turned around we parked up in free car park adjacent to the bus station. First order of the day was to eat and so we visited a cafe called Crumpets just around the corner from the bus station. We sat inside and ordered 3 breakfasts and a sausage sandwich. After breakfast we used the facilities before walking back to the bus station. We got back to the bus station and there was a dud Dart on the #34 to St Helens, 2213. This is a bus we had been on earlier this year.

Arriva NW&W 2213 in Earlestown bus station

The plan at this point was to wait until 14:25 for a Leigh bound #34. As we waited we saw a #34A, and it was required 1051 so we decided to do it. Once again mum came with us. We got on and decided to do it part way around the end and then get off and wait 20 minutes for the following service. When we got to the turning point of the bus we got off. Matthew got a picture of this soon to be withdrawn step-entranced bus.

Arriva NW&W 1051 in Wargrave

We got off and although there was a shelter here there was no seat, so we decided to walk back into town one stop. It was now warm and sunny. The humidity made it feel very uncomfortable even though it was on a round 20'. We gave Matthew a drink to try and cool him down. After nearly 20 minutes we could see the reflection of the bus on the shops as it approached from around the corner. It was another Scania! As it got closer we could see it was required 1050.

Arriva NW&W 1050 in Wargrave

We got on the near empty bus and rode back into Earlestown. A few more people got on and off and by the time we got back into the bus station the bus had emptied again. Back at the bus station we were going o wait for a #34 towards Leigh. At this point mum was going to go fetch the sausage rolls whilst we did a quick out and back. The #34 to Leigh turned up and it was some kind of Pulsar so Matthew turned it down. At the same time a #20 to St Helens came in and it was required Arriva 2212. Matthew got the picture.

Arriva NW&W 2212 in Earlestown bus station

We decided to do this, with the plan being we could do this part way and then get another #20 back. Forgetting about the fact that the #20 goes past Earlestown., I thought that we could probably make it to Haydock for the next #20 back, but as we left Earlestown, we passed required Dennis Dart 7634 going the other way. We revised the plan, thinking that we could go most of the way to St Helens and then get off for the next Earlestown bus. Matthew had other ideas! He decided he wanted to go to St Helens and that we did. When we got there Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.

Inside 2212

St Helens bus station is quite a busy place,so the plan was to get on a bus as quickly as possible. As we walked around the bus station we saw Arriva Dart 2133. We also saw ex Arriva Winsford Dart 7644. we were walking towards where the #34 and #20's depart and we saw KX59 CYW on a #138 followed by Hatton's interesting Dennis Dart P655 HEG.

Hatton's P655 HEG in St Helens bus station

As Scania 1053 appeared on stand going back towards Leigh, Matthew spotted a #320 with Arriva 2983 in charge. We decided to do this to Haydock and then to wait for the next #20. As we left town we passed the Earlestown #20 which was Arriva 2695. We also passed Arriva 7634 heading back into St Helens. We got off and 2695 was right behind us.

Arriva NW&W 2695 in Haydock

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said no. Right behind this was Arriva 2212 on a #20 to Haydock. It waited for a few minutes and then went around the square bit to got back to St Helens. It was at this point that we realised that the #20 Haydock and the #20 Earlestown bus services interwork. We decided to do this bus again to try and get Arriva 7634 on its next service which was going to be a short to Haydock. We got off in an area called Blackbrook. Matthew spotted a shop and we went in to get some drinks of Coke and a Milky Way. We crossed the road and waited for the bus, it was due around 16:19 from here. Bang on time the bus appeared and we had worked out correctly that it was required Arriva 7634!

Arriva NW&W 7634 in Blackbrook

We did this service to the end of the run and then we had a 15 minute wait for the service to Earlestown. I now contacted mum to tell her we were on our way and she said she was going to get lollies for us to help cool down. The next #20 through to Earlestown was of course going to be 2212 which we got on for the third time that day after Matthew got his picture.

Arriva NW&W 2212 in Haydock

We did the bus back and the journey was quick. It is only booked to take 7 minutes. As we got into Earlestown bus station we could see a Dart on the #34 Leigh stop. It was required Dart 7563 and Matthew got a picture.

Arriva NW&W 7563 in Earlestown bus station

We should have gone back to the car at this point but Matthew was edging forwards. It is due for withdrawal soon being one of the older Darts in the Arriva fleet and Matthew wanted to do it. I told him he could only do the bus for a couple of stops and then I would have to call mum to tell her where to pick us up. I told her the plan by phone and I said I would call her back when I could direct her to pick us up. We did the bus out of the bus station,past Morrison's and the up Cross Lane. We got off the bus in Cross Lane towards the end. Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 7563 in Cross Lane

I called mum and gave her directions. It was nor starting to rain. Mum appeared a couple of minutes later an we got in the car. It then proceeded to bucket down. We ate our lollies and sausage rolls and then set off. We headed back onto the A572 and then followed directions for the M6 which took us onto the A580/M6 roundabout in Haydock. After joining the M6 we headed South through the heavy rain showers. The weather had cleared up again through Cheshire but as we reached junction 16 the rain started up again. Down the A500 and then the A34 to Newcastle it was raining heavily all the way. We went past the First garage and new liveried First Potteries 40018 was outside the depot. We went past the bus station and then along the A34 to Hanford. Matthew directed us back onto the Northbound A500 and then the Eastbound A50 to longton. Instead of directing us towards the Z Carz depot he took us back through fenton and then past Duke Street to Heron Cross. We then drove back home getting in the house a few minutes after 18:00 where we had Sausages and mash for tea...Mark