Trip to Potteries Apedale Running day 10-05-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
SL805	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle BS	Special	PMT
766	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
MMM120	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle BS	Special	PMT
SL805	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
801	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle BS	Special	PMT
801	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT

Today Matthew was going to the Potteries Apedale Running Day. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we went to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off around 10:45. We set off through Blurton onto Finstock Avenue, right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we went through the road works and up the hill to Heron Cross. We crossed over the A50 and we turned left at the traffic lights onto Grove Road. We continued onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Afterwards we set off down Wheildon Road and forwards onto the A500. We turned left onto Church Street and we ran around the one-way system. We turned right onto Campbell Place and left onto Hartshill Road. We ran to the edge of Newcastle and we ran down George Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road and right onto the Northbound A34 to Chesterton. We turned left onto London Road and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road. We ran to the end of Loomer Road and into Apedale Country park. We parked up near to the visitors centre. We loaded the reip bag with some snacks from the boot and we walked down to the bottom field to have a look at the bus. We saw Wirral Pennsula 1070 parked up with it's sales stand.

Wirral Pennsula 1070 in Apedale Light Railway

We carried on to the other side of the field and we saw the main row of buses and coaches. In this row we saw Chase 2 parked up between runs.

Chase 2 in Apedale Light Railway

Further up the row there were 3 buses fron D&G present. The first was recent arrival, Adderley Greemn based D&G Bus 5025.

D&G Bus 5025 in Apedale Light Railway

Also present were Crewe allocated D&G Bus 56 and 31 both looking really clean. The was also a First bus on site. We saw First Potteries 67180.

First Potteries 67180 in Apedale Light Railway

We walked up to the top and we waited for the next departure. A short time later we saw the bus come around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was PMT SL805 on a special to Newcastle.

PMT SL805 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 pat a site which now sells cabins. We turned right onto Holditch Road and left onto Bymbo 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 got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of PMT SL805.

PMT SL805 in Newcastle bus station

We walked down to the bottom end of the bus station and Matthew had a can of Dr Pepper. Whilst we waited for the next bus we saw First Potteries 63178 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63178 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the top end of the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. A short time later we saw the next bus approaching. It turned the corner and we saw it was PMT L9766 on a special to Apeldale.

PMT L9766 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the sat down towards the back of the bus. 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 Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we went forwards 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. One off the bus Matthew took another picture of PMT L9766 before it ran down to the bottom field.

PMT L9766 in Apedale Light Railway

We sat down on the bench and Matthew ate some cocktail sausages and a scotch egg. We went down to the bottom field and we saw that the minilink was getting ready to come up the hill. We walked back up to the entrance and we saw the bus turn the corner. it was, as expected PMT MMM120 on a special to Newcastle.

PMT MMM120 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 old bus garage. We continued to the East of Newcastle town centre and we turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned left onto Hassall Street and onto Stubbs Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of PMT MMM120 before it ran down to the bottom field.

PMT MMM120 in Newcastle bus station

Once off the bus we walked up Castle Walk and we went into the Costa coffee. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a millionaires Shortbread and a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we headed back down Castle Walk to the bus station. We waited for another shuttle to Apedale. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63173 on a #38 to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 63173 in Newcastle bus station

A short time later we saw the bus come up Barracks Road. As it got closer we saw it was PMT SL805 again!

PMT SL805 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. 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. Once off the bus we walked to the edge of the site. Matthew and uncle Dave waited by the gate and I went eating we went to get the sandwiches from the car. When I came back Matthew had a bacon, chicken and cheese sandwich. When we had finished back to the stop to waited for the next bus to Newcastle. It came around the corner and we saw it was PMT 801 on a special to Newcastle.

PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

We asked the driver if he was going to Newcastle and he said he was going one way only, so we would have to come back on one of the other buses. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Wolstanton 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 got up and got off the bus. We got a picture of PMT 801 and we got back on the bus.

PMT 801 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we sat downstairs. 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 Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside of PMT 801.

Inside PMT 801

We went down to the bottom field and we took some more pictures before we left. We got another picture of Western Welsh ABO 145B now that the sun was in a better position!

Western Welsh ABO 145B in Apedale Light Railway

We walked back to the stalls and Matthew bought a bus book for £2. We continued to the the car and Matthew had a sausage roll and a bottle of Coke. We turned around and we set off onto Loomer Road. We turned right onto London Road and we ran past the site of a new Lidl. We turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto Barracks Road. We joined the Southbound A34 and we turned left onto The Avenue. We ran to the end and we turned right onto Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. We turned right onto Elenora Street and we followed the road around onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road past the old Board Products factory which is being converted into a new soft play place. After dropping off uncle Dave we ran back up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. At Heron Cross we turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street and we turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog. For tea Matthew had pizza and a can of Cherry Rubicon. After tea matthew watched some YouTube and we continued writing the Blog. He had a bath and afterwards gad cheesecake for supper. We went to bedtime at 23:48... Mark.

Trip to Fenton / Hanley 11-10-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67157	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley, adj stop J1‎	23	First Potteries
63177	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	11	First Potteries
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Parkhouse	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Parkhouse	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Fenton,	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Hanley	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Hanley	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service as well as going to a party down stairs to welcome a new resident. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw First Potteries 67158 on a #23 to Hanley. Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and onto Christchurch Street. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX parked outside.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew went to Hanley on the bus. We set off on foot onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop outside the flats to Wait for a bus to Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 31 on a #1 to park Site.

D&G 31 in Fenton

A few minutes later a bus to Hanley appeared and it was First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned right onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street before we turned right onto John Street where we got up and got off the bus. We walked along Bagnall Street and past the town hall and across onto Tontine Street. We walked up to Parliament Row and we went to Poundland. Matthew brought some cakes and then we went back out onto Parliament Row. We walked back down Tontine Street onto Lichfield Street and we saw First Potteries 67151 on display outside the bus station.

First Potteries 67151 in Hanley bus station

We also saw First Potteries 63175 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 63175 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 63177 on #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63177 in Hanley bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on the bus and we booked to Fenton we sat down. We set off up Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road and we went up the hill and down the other side. We turned right onto Amison Street and we ran through Meir Heath and out the other side onto Weston Coyney Road. We crossed over the Derby to Stoke railway line and we turned right onto Sutherland Road. We ran past the police station and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We ran around the one way system onto Commerce Street and right onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past KFC and then we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus we walked back to the day centre. For dinner Matthew had a sausage roll followed by a Bakewell tart. In the afternoon Matthew went for a ride on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX up to the reliance bus works. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we ran down City Road to the A52. We ran parallel to the railway line and we went forwards onto Station Road. At the end we turned right onto Stoke Road and up the hill into Shelton. We stopped at the college and then we continued along Shelton new Road into Hartshill and forwards into Newcastle. We ran around the one-way system onto the Jubilee roundabout and we turned right onto the A527. We ran North up to Wolstanton marsh and we turned left onto the B5369. We ran through Dimsdale up to Chesterton wher we joined the Northbound A34. We ran up to the industrial estate and we turned right and ran to the end of the road where the works is situated. Once we got to the end we saw the buses parked up in and around the yard. Outside the yards was West Yorkshire Metro 1070.

West Yorkshire Metro 1070 in Parkhouse

Inside the yard were various buses including a Southdown Bristol VR 583 and a Wadham Stringer bodied Dennis Dart K6 GOW.

K6 GOW in Parkhouse

We then returned back to the day centre on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off over the A34 and we continued onto Crackley Bank. We ran down through Chesterton High Street and down London Road. We rejoined the A34 and we ran South past the old First Potteries garage. We turned left onto Ryecroft and we ran onto the A53. We ran through Basford and over the A500 and into Etruria. We came off the A53 at Festival Park and we turned right onto Etruria Road. We joined the anti-clockwise ring road around to Lichfield Street. We ran down to Joiners Square and we went over the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We ran up the hill and we turned right onto City Road. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and back to the day centre. When it was time to go we returned to the residential unit on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We turned right and Christchurch and left onto City Road. we turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and us his computer. later on Matthew went out for tea to on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Baker Street and left into Glebedale Road. We returned right onto City Road and then we turned sharp left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and crossed the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We ran up the hill towards Hanley before we joined the clockwise ring Road. We ran around to the end and we stopped at the Beefeater. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. For tea Matthew had a beefburger and fries followed by lemon meringue pie. When we had finished eating we returned to Fenton on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We ran around the anti-clockwise raing road and we came off at Broad Street. We ran down Snow Hill into Shelton and we turned right into Avenue Road. We turned right onto College Road and we ran down to the end. We turned left onto Station Road and at the end we continued straight onto the A52. We turned left onto City Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew we up to chill out in his room watching television and using his computer. He also ate a slice of chocolate roll. Later on Matthew had a bath. He had toast for supper before going to bed around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to the MTT Easter running day 31-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1788	Seacombe Ferry	King's Parade, New Brighton	14	MPTE
1365	King's Parade, New Brighton	Seacombe Ferry	1A	MPTE
1	Seacombe Ferry	Grove Road station (opp)	2A	Wallasey Corporation
1	Grove Road station (opp)	Seacombe Ferry	2A	Wallasey Corporation
1236	Seacombe Ferry	New Brighton, adj Warren Drive	16	MPTE
1032	Wallasey, opp Lyndhurst Road	Seacombe Ferry	2	MPTE

Today we decided to do a spontaneous trip up the Seacombe to attend the Merseyside Transport trust's Easter running day in Seacombe. We had seen information on the Internet about this event, stating it was taking place between 10:00 and 15:00. It looked like it was going to be nice day if a little cool, so we woke up Matthew around 09:30 to ask him if he wanted to go out and he said yes. He got up and had a crumpet (which he didn't particularly like) followed by toast and some orange juice. We set off around 10:30 and as we loaded the car for the trip we saw Wardle Transport 2534 whizz by on the #22 to Newcastle. We set off towards heron Cross passing FD53 UNX at the LIghting house, and then we stopped to pick uncle Dave up. We carried on and joined onto the Nothbound A500 and then up to the M6. The motorway seemed busy but it was fast moving due to there being very few lorries on the road. It took 20 minutes to get up to the M56 and another 18 minutes to reach the M53. We did the M53 up to junction 3 and then we headed into town. As we passed through Prenton we spotted a cafe open and so we decided stop here for dinner. Te cafe was called Changez. Te food was very nice but it was a little more expensive than the establishment we usually stop at (£3.50 for a sausage sandwich). As we ate we checked out the #423 service to see how long it would take. it was around 12:00 and there was a bus due then. Journey time from Prenton was just under an hour. After we had eaten we decided te best course of action was for me to drive up to Seacombe and then mum would drive back to Birkenhead to go shopping and then come back for us later. We carried on along the A552 and then cut across the the A553 via Woodchurch Road Oxton road and Exmouth Street. We then went along Conway Street before turn right past Birkenhead Park station and Happy Als bus garage the same route as the #411 bus. We then turned right by the railway wagons and on to the Seacombe ferry terminal. As we turned the corner we saw Birkenhead single decker 93. Mum dropped us off and then said goodbye. We went over to the buses parked up and then got a few pictures. Single decker Merseyside PTE 1054 and seemed to be the 'control bus'. There were 2 other double deckers that were in service. Wallasey Corporation 1788 was the first vehicle.

Wallasey Corporation 1788 in Seacombe

This was followed by Merseyside PTE 1365 in a nice blue and cream livery.

Merseyside PTE 1365 in Seacombe

At this point the only information we had we courtesy of a temporary bus stop with departure times. There was a 12:45 departure for New Brighton. As we required all of the buses present we decided to do the first service to depart! At a little after 12:45 Wallasey Corporation 1788 move onto stand and we got on it. I asked about a programme and the driver said we could get one from the trade stand inside the ferry terminal. That could wait until we got back, as there were only just over 2 hours before the end of the event or so I thought at the time. We went upstairs an sat down near the front of the bus. The seat we a dark red vinyl. I had forgotten as to how slippy these seat were until we sat down on them. We set of toward Liscard and then along the route of the New Brighton service bus we have done previously. We stopped outside a cemetery for a photo opportunity where te driver got out and then we continued on to King's Parade in New Brighton. We were considering whether to get off and take a picture until we saw another bus in front of us. We got a picture and then decided that we were transferring onto the other bus.

Wallasey Corporation 1788 in New Brighton

We got a picture of that too and then we got on it.

Merseyside PTE 1365 in New Brigton

We sat down upstairs opposite Morissons. We considered going back there later for a cake bu then we realised it was shut for Easter Sunday! Whilst there we saw one of the new hybrid buses on a Liverpool service. Mum called to say Birkenhead was shut ans she had returned to Seacombe ferry. We then set of back to New Brighton along past the funfair then back west past the railway station. We wound our way through back street before stopping on Steele Avenue for a booked connection onto the #27 circular service (something we would have known about if we had got the programme). We got back into Seacombe a little after 13:30 and Matthew went to the toilet. We met up with mum and we brought the programme along with a few other books from the 2 stalls. We worked out the next required bus was Wallasey corporation 1 on the 1405 to Grove Road. Whilst we waited Matthew got a picture of A2B Travel MX12 JXA on a #125 Wallsaey circular.

A2B Travel MX12 JXA in Seacombe

We also saw Wirral Peninsula 1070, bus we have seen before in the Potteries.

Wirral Pennsula 1070 in Seacombe

Then we saw Eazibus Dart X602 AHE arrive in the terminial.

Eazibus X602 AHE in Seacombe

Around 14:05 Wallsaey Corporation #1 pulled up on stand and we got on it and sat upstairs near the front. The bus went through Liscard and then on a windy tour of Wallasey, going past a strange walled cutting around Hilary Brow and then before circling Grove Road station and pulling up outside. We stopped for a photo stop and we also worked out there was a connection onto the #27 which was Merseyside PTE 2160. We got off and got a picture of Wallasey Corporation 1.

Wallasey Corporation 1 opposite Grove Road station

We asked the driver of #1 about the #27 service but it was a fair walk away from where we were so we decided to stay on the bus and go back to Seacombe. When we got got back to Seacombe Matthew waited for the bus to empty before get a photograph inside.

Inside Wallasey Corporation 1

We then had a choice of buses. We could do Birkenhead 93 to Conway Park or we could do one double decker for another to Grove Road. We got a better picture of Mersayside PTE 1054 which had moved forward from it's earlier position.

Merseyside PTE 1054 in Seacombe

We called mum who had walked half way to New Brighton and told her we were going to be back around 16:15. The move was going to be Merseyside PTE 1236 to Grove Road on a #16 for Merseyside PTE 1032 on a #2 back from Grove Road. 1032 was going first and so we let that bus go. We then got a picture of 1236 before boarding the bus to Grove Road.

Merseyside PTE 1236 in Seacombe

The bus was nearly empty an so he got a picture of upstairs too.

Inside Merseyside PTE 1236

We set off and the journey to Grove Road was swift. I spoke to another enthusiast about our plans and he let me know when we had reached the destination. I need not have worried as our bus did a 180' around a roundabout and then stopped. we got off and got another picture of 1236.

Merseyside PTE 1236 on Grove Road

We walked down the road to get on 1032 and Merseyside 2160 made a slightly unexpected appearance (I had forgotten about this other service.)

Merseyside PTE 2160 on Grove Road

A couple of minutes later 1032 made an appearance and we got a picture before getting on it.

Merseyside PTE 1032 on Grove Road

We got on and sat upstairs near the back. The journey was over all too soon and when we got back around 16:10 Matthew photographed the inside of 1032.

Inside Merseyside PTE 1032

We thought we would take a few pictures before we returned to car. We saw Arriva NW&W 3128 0n a #423 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3128 in Seacombe

We also took another picture of Merseyside PTE 1032.

Merseyside PTE 1032 in Seacombe

We got back to the car and Matthew had a flapjack and a small sausage roll. We drove back to Birkenhead along a more direct route that mum had discovered a more direct route back to Birkenhead along Tower Road. We then carried straight on to Prenton and back on the M53 at junction 3. We headed south and then onto the M56. part way along the M56 we ran out of LPG and so we decided to stop at the moto2000 services on the M56. We the toillet and then visited Greegs for sausage roll and a cake. We visited WH Smiths for the latest Buses magazine. We got back to the car and he photographed his cake.

Greggs split doughnut...Mmmm

The Total garage was a total waste of time as the LPG pump wasn't working. so we had to stop at Knutsford services on the M6. this did have LPG, so we carried on down to the A500. We went to Stoke before dropping uncle Dave at home. We then went through heron Cross and were back home by 18:15. He had a bath and For supper Matthew had chicken popcorn and oven chips followed by chocolate gateau. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark