Trip to Bradford / Buttershaw 20-01-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37078	Bradford, stop S15	Buttershaw, Reevy Road	641	First West Yorkshire
69315	Buttershaw, Cooper Lane	Bradford, Hall Ings	645	First West Yorkshire
35216	Bradford, Hall Ings	Eccleshill, Bolton Junction	641	First West Yorkshire
37078	Eccleshill, The Prospect PH	Bradford, stop S15	640	First West Yorkshire
69570	Bradford, stop S6	Bierley, Sheldon Ridge	620	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to re-visit Bradford for the weekend. This was the first weekend away of thr year. We did no research other than to check the weather which was for a cold grey day with some rain. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 through Blurton and onto 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. As we headeded Northwards we saw TNS YN66 WTA, Ellisons YT72 GOP, Lucky Seven SJ18 OZO, Thandi L6 BMS, Ashcroft's K14 PSV, S.A.S Travel HL19 RCF and taxi minibus SF66 FHS. We headed to junction 16 and we joined the Northbound M6. Seen on the M6 were an unidentified Hamish Gordon coach, grey minibus DK22 ODP, Selwyns (NX) BX16 CKF(#121) & Llew Jones LJ72 ???. We travelled up to Junction 21A and we joined the Eastbound M62. We ran forwards onto the M60 around the North side of Manchester before continuing along the M62. At junction 26 we joined the Northbound M606. We came off the M606 t junction 2 ans we turned right onto Merrydale Road, We turned left onto Wharfdale Road. We turned right onto Rockhill Lane and left onto Bierley Lane. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A6177 and left onto the A650. We ran into the city centre and we turned left onto Croft Street. We continued onto Senior Way and we turned right onto Little Horton Lane. We ran forwards onto the A6181 and we followed the road to the left. We turned right onto Barry Street and left onto Westgate. We missed our tirn so we ran uo to a roundnabout before coming back and turning right onto Godwin Street. We turned left onto Bridge Street and we stopped at a parking space and put on a parking ticket. When we had parked up we walked down Bridge Street and we walkd around the town hall before coming back around to Cenrenary Square and the pub. We went into Wetherspoons and we went upstairs to the toilet. We came back down and sat with uncle Dave. Matthew had a burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to um and we went out to catch a bus. We walked back onto Bridge Street and we saw First West Yorkshire 37504 on a #617 to Allerton.

First West Yorkshire 37504 in Bradford

We crossed the road and we saw a bus pull up on the stop in front of us. We saw it was First West Yorkshire 37078 on a #641 to Buttershaw.

First West Yorkshire 37078 in Bradford

We got on the bus and we bough WY day tickets at £4.50 each before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along Bridge street and we turned right into Hall Ings. We turned left onto Nelson Street and we saw Flixbus FX42 parked up. We turned right onto Croft Street and we ran forwards onto Senior Way, We turned left onto Little Horton Lane and we ran out of town. We continued onto Saint Enoch's Road and we ran forwards onto Wibsey Park Avenue. We veered right onto Reevy Road and forwards onto Reevy Road West. We ran through Buttershaw and just before the end of the road the bus terminated, so we got up and got off the bus. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 37078 before it returned North on a #640 to Fine Lane Ends.

First West Yorkshire 37078 in Buttershaw

We crossed over the road and we saw First West Yorkshire 69315 on layover in between runs on a #645.

First West Yorkshire 69315 in Buttershaw

We looked to see which bus was going back towards Bradford first and it was the #645 service. We crossed over Coopers Lane and we waited for the bus. Whilst we waited we saw Horizon Healthcare Homes LT63 VVU go past.

Horizon Healthcare Homes LT63 VVU in Buttershaw

A short time later the bus came around the roundabout and onto the stop. As expected we saw it was First West Yorkshire 69315. We placed the WY day ticket on the scanner. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside of First West Yorkshire 69315 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69315

The bus set off Northwards up Cooper Lane. We turned right onto Mandale Road and right onto the B6380. We crossed the roundabout in Wibsey Fair Road. We ran forwards onto High Street and we ran forwards onto Odsall Road. At Odsall Top we turned left onto the A641. We ran along the busway and back onto the road and along the busway again before running into town. We crossed over Croft Street and we turned right onto the A6181. We pulled up at the small Hall Ings bus station and we got up and got off the bus. QWe waited for the next bus at the stop which was a #640 to Five Lane Ends. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it go closer we saw it was First West Yorkshire 35216 on a #641 to Five Lane Ends.

First West Yorkshire 35216 in Bradford

We got on the bus and we placed the WY day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Hall Ings and we turned left onto Bridge Street. We turned right onto Market Street as we travelled along we passed Transdev 215 on a A2 Airport Flyer. We ran forwards onto Lower Kirkgate. We turned left onto Bolton Road and we ran up the hill and out of town. We went under the A650 and we continued Northwards out of town. We followed the road to the right and we crossed the A6177. We crossed Idle Road and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took anothr picture of First West Yorkshire 35216 as it continued towards Five Lane Ends.

First West Yorkshire 35216 in Eccleshill

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we headed to the bus stop near to Eccleshill Library. We waited for a bus back to Bradford. A few minutes later the bus appeared. As uit got closer we saw it was First West Yorkshire 37078 on a #640 to Buttershaw again.

First West Yorkshire 37078 in Eccleshill

We got on the bus and we placed the WY Day Tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Bolton Road and we crossed over the A6177 and ran down the hill and into Bradford. We turned right onto Lower Kirkgate. We turnmed left onto Market Street and left onto Bridge Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed up Bridge Street to the stop. We just missed a #620, so we decided to cross over the road and got to Tesco Direct. We bought a bottle of Coke and a mint aero as well as millionaires shoertbread and a pack of Bakewell Slices. We crossed back over to the bus stop and Matthew had a mkint Aero. He also had a couple of Bakewell Slices. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw Transdev Keighley 1814 on a #662 to Keighley. A short time later the bus appeared. We saw it was First West Yorkshire 69570 on a #620 to Bierley.

First West Yorkshire 69570 in Bradford

We got on the bus and we placed the WY Daysaver ticket on the scanner for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. I called mum to say that we were on the way and we arranged to meet at the bus stop. We set off along Bridge Street past the Interchange which is currently closed for repairs. We turned left onto Croft Street and we turned right onto the Southbound A650. We travelled for around a mile or so before turning right onto New Hey Road. We turned right onto Brassey Road and left onto Paley Road. We turned left onto Bowling Hall Road and we ran up the hill. We turned left onto the A6177 and we wen to the roundabout before turning 180' and heading West. At the roundabout we turned left onto Bierley Lane and we ran down to the bottom of the lane where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 69570 befopre it returned Northwards to Bradford.

First West Yorkshire 69570 in Bierley

We waited for around 5 minutes and mum appeared to pick us up. We got in the car and we headed down Bierley Lane. We turned right onto Rockhill Lane and left onto Wharfdale Road. We returned to the hotel and we went up to the room to Chill out. Matthew had ham sandwiches and a scotch egg as well as a Kit Kat. He washed this down with a glass of Cherry Coke. We did the blog and chilled out in the room until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Keele / Biddulph 20-07-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40143	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle BS	22	First Potteries
30033	Newcastle BS	Keele village	25	First Potteries
37	Keele village, nr Sneyd Arms	Hanley BS	85	D&G
227	Hanley BS	Smallthorne, opp Preston Street	9	Bakerbus
53208	Smallthorne, adj Nettlebank	Hanley BS	8	First Potteries
266	Hanley BS	Biddulph, adj South View	9	Bakerbus
61235	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries

Today we decided to have a local trip out. We had asked Matthew if he wanted to ride on the #350 service as this is coming to an end soon and he said no to this. Instead we planned to go to Newcastle and see what was about. We did no research for this trip other than to check the weather, which was for another fine sunny hot day. We did find out that you can now use the smart day tickets on Bennetts buses now. Matthew got up around 09:00 today, and h had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I went to fetch uncle Dave and we got back just after 11:00. We quickly finished off getting ready and then we waled all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road to wait for the 11:30 #22 bus to Newcastle. We didn't have to wait long before we saw an ALX200 dart come around the corner. It was dud First Potteries 40143.

First Potteries 40143 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked a Smart Day ticket. We then sat down near the back of the bus. It was reasonably cool for a Dart on a hot summers day. The bus went onto Trentham Road and then along New Inn Lane. On the run in we passed 60057 & 60059 on #21's, 40145 on a #22 and Wardle Transport 2204 on a #41. When we got to the roundabout at the bottom of Newcastle we could see a Leyland Olympian entering the bus station. We got into Newcastle bus station and pulled on stand just before 30033 pulled on stand on a #25 service. Matthew waited for the bus to empty and then he got a picture inside the empty 40143.

Inside First Potteries 40143

We ran over to 30033 and Matthew got a picture of that too.

First Potteries 30033 in Newcastle bus station

We asked the driver which direction the bus was going and t was going to Keele, so we booked to there. We went upstairs and sat down near the back. A minute or so later we set off towards Keele via Orme Road. The bus sounded pretty good for a vehicle approaching it's 24th birthday and it didn't seem to struggle up keele bank at all. We ran through the University campus dropping off most of the passengers and then we headed for the village terminus. When we got there Matthew took a picture of one of the original high backed seats with the grey and maroon zig-zag pattern.

Original Feature...Grey and Maroon seat in First Potteries 30033

He also took a picture of the empty top deck with the many different coloured seat patterns.

Inside First Potteries 30033

When we got off he took another picture of this fine beast before it set off back to Hanley.

First Potteries 30033 in Keele

Matthew wanted to do a #85 back to Hanley, like we had done on our last trip in this direction back in June. We checked the the and there wasn't one due for 20 minutes. So we decided to walk back to the original stop and have a picnic. We shared a galaxy caramel bar and Matthew drank a small bottle of Irn Bru. Before the 85 was due there was another #25. This was required First Potteries 32632.

First Potteries 32632 in Keele

The bus was now due so we crossed back over to wait for the bus. When it turned up it was required D&G Solo 37.

D&G Bus 37 in Keele

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The journey back to Newcastle was swift. After going through the University the bus went straight down the A525 into Newcastle. We had a few minutes wait in Newcastle and then a couple of minutes wait in Stoke. As we headed up to Hanley from Stoke we passed an arriva Liveried double decker on the X50. This was Arriva Midlands 4802. When we got to Hanley we let the bus empty and Matthew photographed the inside of D&G 37 too.

Inside D&G Bus 37

When we got to Hanley we decided to go have something to eat. The burger place that we went to at the begining of June was closed so we decided to walk down to the Seafarer on cheapside. On the way down we saw a new Bakerbus vehicle, Ex Metroline double decker LR52 KWT with the Bakerbus fleet number of 266.

Bakerbus 266 enters Hanley bus station

We brought 2 portions of chips and 2 cans of pop and we sat down on the benches near to the Museum and the at the back of the Bethesda Methodist church at the bottom of Adventure Place. We ate the chips and Matthew even drank the can of Coke there and then it was that hot. We walked back via Bethesda Street and Lidice Way we spotted 40003 on a #21A service. W decided to go and stand in John Street car park so we could watch and photograph the buses coming into and leaving Hanley bus station. Bakerbus 185 was in the layover area and this was soon joined by Bakerbus 227. Then we saw Arriva Midlands 3733 on the #164 service to market Drayton.

Arriva Midlands 3733 in Hanley bus station

bakerbus 185 departed to work a #9 service and Bakerbus Dart 250 replaced it.

Bakerbus 250 in Hanley bus station

We also saw Bakerbus Alexander bodied Volvo B6 227 arrive into the bus station.

Bakerbus 227 in Hanley bus station

After around 30 minutes in the car park we decided to go to the bus station to see what we could catch. 40018 was going to Leek on a #18 but we decided not to do this as it was going to be full. We then saw Bakerbus 227 return onto stand to work a #9 short to Smallthorne. Matthew got a picture before we got on.

Bakerbus 227 in Hanley bus station

We have seen this bus work quite a few time before, but this is only our second run on this beast. The first time being on a journey from Macclesfield to Biddulph back in April. Smallthorne is only a short run so we arrived at the end in only 10 or so minutes. matthew got a picture of the bus before it set off towards the famous Smallthorne roundabouts.

Bakerbus 227 in Smallthorne

We crossed over the road and we were able to get another better picture of Bakerbus 227 as it set off back towards Hanley.

Bakerbus 227 in Smallthorne

We decided to go to the shop and get a chocolate bar and a drink. Matthew also decided to get a flapjack and as it was something relatively healthy I thought it would be OK. We sat down at the stop in the triangle at the top of Smallthorne so we could check when the next #98 was due and also so he could eat his flapjack. After eating the flapjack and seeing the next #98 wasn't for quite a few minutes we decided to go wait for a Hanley bus. I think Matthew fancied a run on on Bakerbus 250 but when we saw it heading North we knew that wasn't going to happen today! I thought he wanted to wait for the next #9, but when First Potteries 53208 turned up on the next #8 he decided he wanted to do that. He got on and decided he was going to honk the horn. We sat down and enjoyed the jouney into hanley. This bus appears to have been fitted with old seats from one of the withdrawn buses to replace the new non standard ones. When we got to Hanley Matthew took a picture inside the bus and the first coloured seats can be clearly seen,

Inside First Potteries 53208

He also got a picture of the outside of this bus too as his earlier attempt didn't go too well.

First Potteries 53208 in Hanley bus station

It was now just after 15:45 so we ad to decided what we were going to do. I thought he might like to do an X50 up to Meir for Arriva Midlands 4802 back. Matthew didn't really fancy it though. We got lottery tickets from the spar shop in the bus station along with some pop and chocolate. We had a quick trip along the side of the bus station to look at the buses on layover Of note were Bakerbus 199 and 215. Around 16:15 Wardle Transport 3611 arrived on the #118.

Wardle Transport 3611 in Hanley bus station

Matthew pointed to this but it wasn't due to leave until 16:45. We also saw Bakerbus Volvo B6 215 come and go on the X75 to Keele. When we saw Bakerbus's new decker arrive we decided to do this. It was required Bakerbus 266 couldn't get on stand due to the fact it was being blocked by a First bus on the #101 to Stafford. When it did gt on stand a few minutes late it could get off as other buses were being let out first. We had got on and sat upstairs and eventually the bus did depart. We set off through Smallthorne and passed his old school in Chell Heath. We carried on through Fegg Hayes, Brindley Ford, Brown Lees and Knypersley before dropping down into Biddulph around 17:00. Just before we arrived n town he took a picture of the empty top deck of Bakerbus 266.

Inside Bakerbus 266

We got off the bus on the high street and then walked down to Wharf Road, where he got another picture of this fine bus.

Bakerbus 266 in Biddulph bus station

There was some kind of event winding down. there was a giant sand pit and lots of children's rides in the bottom half of the High Street. I think Matthew wanted to have a go on some of the thing but he was too big! He did however have an ice cream with a flake. We walked back onto Wharf Road and Matthew used the toilet there. We let a Bakebus vehicle go on the #94A and then we decided to catch required First 61235 when he realised that mum wasn't available to pick him up from Biddulph.

First Potteries 61235 in Biddulph bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. The #7A takes the same route as the #9 as far as Fegg Hayes where it goes straight up onto high Lane and then straight along High Lane from Turnhurst into Hanley. We got back to Hanley in around 30 minutes where matthew took a picture inside 61235.

Inside First Potteries 61235

We asked Matthew if he wanted to catch a #23 or go in a taxi and Matthew chose to ride in a taxi. We did this home via Victoria Road, The A50 link road and then trough Heron Cross. Matthew wasn't very happy so we decided to drive him up to The Z Carz depot. When we got there there were only 2 buses present. The first was W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

The other vehicle was DAF mini coach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We headed down Longton Hall Road and we got home around 18:20. Matthew had a toffee yoghurt to keeping going until he had is late tea of bangers and mash. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime which today was around 23:45...Mark

Trip to Newport / Biddulph 01-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
29	Newstead, adj Magdalen Road	Newport BS	350	Bakerbus
29	Newport BS	Crown Street, Stone	350	Bakerbus
217	Crown Street, Stone	Hanley BS	X1	Bakerbus
248	Hanley BS	Biddulph, High Street	9	Bakerbus

Today we had originally planned to go to Birkenhead, but with the timetable changes taking place over this weekend I asked Matthew if he wanted to go on the #350 service as it was the last day of operation on this service for bakerbus and he said yes. The weather forecast for today was for sunny intervals, so hopefully no rain! Whilst Matthew had his breakfast I went to Aldi for some food for the trip, and also to view what buses were out on the #350. The northbound 10:30 through Hem Heath was required Bakerbus 195, which should in theory be the Southbound 11:30 to Newport. For some reason the Southbound 10:30 didn't show and so I went back to finish off getting ready and to make up a packed lunch. We set off on the long walk to the bus stop around 11:15 and we arrived in time to see First PMT 40017 on a Longton bound #22 service. A few minutes later we saw a Bakerbus breadvan in the distance, but it wasn't in the newer wavy blue and yellow livery so it wasn't going to be 195. As it approached we saw it was dud Bakerbus 29.

Bakerbus 29 on their last day of operation on the #350

We got on a booked a Bakerbus day ticket. At a cost of £3.90 it is excellent valu considering how far you can travel on it. We sat down and settle in a for a 20 mile plus trip to Newport. We should have passed a #350 heading northwards but it hadn't shown up. When we got to Wedgwood passengers were asking about the Hanley bound bus. The driver told them that one of the three vehicles wasn't operating and so some of the passengers booked to Stone to catch something else to Hanley. We stooped at barlaston crossing to let a class 221 go passed before carrying on through Titensor and down to Stone. AS we reached town we saw Wardle Transport 2245 on a #250 service. South of Stone we were in new territory as we have never been South of Stafford Road. We span around the Cherryfields estate and passenger were still asking about the Hanley bus. The bus carried on into Yarnfield and then on to Eccleshall. Beyond there it was mainly high speed running to Newport with the exception of visiting Norbury down some very narrow lanes. We arrived in Newport bang on time at 12:50. The bus was empty and Matthew got a picture of this high spec if a little aged Mercedes minibus.

Inside Bakerbus 29

We had 30 minutes to kill. Just after we got off we saw Arriva Midlands 2941 on a Telford bound #481 service.

Arriva Midlands 2941 in Newport bus station

We visited the public toilet and then went to do a spot of shopping in Waitrose. Matthew brought some cans of Coke and a large Bakewell tart. after paying for his food and getting lottery tickets we headed back to have a bus stop picnic of Chicken sandwiches washed down with a can of Coke. A few minutes before we were due to leave the bus fired up and we got on for the return journey. We set off back Northwards at 13:20 and we made good time. I downloaded and checked the times of the X1 from stone and we realised there was a plus eight onto the 14:20. Passing through Norbury was interesting when we encountered a Transit van on the lane into town. As he was closer to the village he had to back up about 100 yds down the track. We carried on through Eccleshall where we saw Arriva Midlands 2266 on a #432 service. We carried on through Yarnfield and then we arrived in Stone a minute or so early. Matthew got a picture of Bakerbus 29 which we had just done well over 30 miles on.

Bakerbus 29 in Crown Street Stone

Matthew then went to the toilet and then we waited for the X1. We didn't see any other buses, but we were pleasantly surprised when we saw one of Bakerbuses Volvo B6's turned the corner. We had only been on one of the four so there was a good chance it was going to be required. As it got closer we saw it was required Bakerbus 217.

Bakerbus 217 in Crown Street Stone

The bus was empty and we settled down in some seats just on the hump on the near side of the bus. the journey was swift as you would expect of an 'X' service, We picked up a few passengers North of Barlaston and outside Trentham Gardens and then we headed up College Road passing one of Firsts new buses 41500. As we crossed over the Hanley ring road we passed Bakerbus 216 on a X1 service. We Arrived in Hanley bus station and after the bus emptied Matthew got a picture inside this fine ALX200 bodied bus.

Inside Bakerbus 217

We then headed of to the balcony so he could take a few pictures whilst I went to get some chips. Matthew got a picture of 40136 on a #20 service.

First Potteries 40136 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we ate the chips, Bakerbus 195 carried on the remainder of the #350 diagram! Bakerbus 29 switched onto the #9 service and we saw Wardle Transport 4650 going towards derby on the X50. Including 217, there were 2 other Bakerbus B6's parked up, so all of the type must have worked into Hanley at some point during the day. We then saw First Potteries 41499 arrive on a #23 service.

First Potteries 41499 in Hanley bus station

We decided to wait and see what was working on the next #9 so we could use the ticket that we already had. When it turned the corner and it was one of the new Hybrid double deckers we decided to do it as we have only been on one once before. It turned out to be bakerbus 248 which is the one we have already been on. We went down off the balcony and waited for the driver to return onto the bus. When we got on we went upstairs of course!

Inside Bakerbus 248

The journey took around 40 minutes. At the bottom of Smallthorne bank we passed 61244 on a #29 service. As we passed near the Bakerbus depot we passed Bakerbus B6 215 on a #9 and Bakerbus 29 on a #94 service. Before we got to Biddulph we passed First Potteries 60073 on a Southbound #7A service. We had seen this leave Hanley earlier in the afternoon. When we got to Biddulph bus station around 16:20, we got off and Matthew got a picture of Bakerbus 248.

Bakerbus 248 in Biddulph

As we walked down to mum we saw one of Bakerbus's newer acquisition, 250.

Bakerbus 250 in Biddulph

Before going down to mum in the car, we used the toilets by the bus station. We got in ans Matthew had a can of Coke before we drove off. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go straight home and so he directed us up to Congleton. We saw bakerbus 207 on the outskirts of town and we saw another beartown bus and Bakerbus 200 in Congleton bus station. We then headed down the A34 to Talke when we ran out of LPG. We got on the A500 and went to Longport to put some LPG in the car. We then went through Wolstanton to Milehouse and then past the First Newcastle garage where was saw new arrivals 34158 and 34286. We then went around Newcastle to Shelton and back onto the A500. We went to longton and went past the Z Carz depot where he got another picture of minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Back down Longton hall Road and into Blurton we passed First Potteries 41499 again on the #23. We got in just before 18:00. Matthew settled down for the evening and had a snack of sausage on toast for supper...Mark