Trip to Hinckley / Nuneaton 19-04-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1914	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Burbage, adj Wolvey Road	5	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1914	Burbage, adj Wolvey Road	Hinckley, o/s Library	5	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2201	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1906	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, o/s Library	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1908	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2200	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, o/s Library	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1916	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Nuneaton BS	86	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley with the aim of try to ride on a few of the step entranced minibus operated by the Arriva Midland subsidiary Hinckley Bus. Once again we waited until Friday to pick where we were going so that we could check on the weather. Having given Matthew a list of places to go (mainly in the North West) , Matthew chose Hinckley. Research consisted of downloading all or the timetables onto my phone and to check the weather, which was for mainly fine and sunny with some cloud. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. after getting ready we set off at around 11:45. We got onto the A5035 and then we turned on Stanley Matthews Way. We then went onto the Northbound A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so that we could fill up with LPG. Whilst we were waiting to fill up we heard on the radio that there had been an accident on the Northbound M6, so it was lucky that we weren't heading North today... After filling up we headed onto the Westbound A53, before heading south on the A500. We got onto the Southbound M6 which appeared to be quiet due to traffic struggling to get past the accident between junction 18 & 17. We travelled through the roadworks South of junction 13 and we came off the M6 and joined the Eastbound A5. Instead of stopping at the first truck stop on the left hand side of the road we decided to stop at the other one about 3/4 further East. After using the toilet Matthew sat down to have an English breakfast followed by a lemon meringue pie washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we headed back onto the A5 and carried on East. When we got to Brownhills we saw WM travel 1752 on a #10A service and Arriva Midlands 2414 on a #23 service. We carried on East and somewhere near Atherstone we saw Arriva Midlands Scania 3812 on a #765 to Lichfield. We carried on further East along the A5 and we turned at the B4666 to do the last couple of miles into Hinckley. As we travelled in we passed required Hinckley Bus 2202 on a #76 service. We parked up in a car park off Rugby Road (B590). We said goodbye to mum and we headed up to the public toilet of Station Road. After Matthew had been we headed back towards Regent Street where most of the Hinckley bus service run from. When we got there there weren't any buses to view but that changed quickly. Firstly required Hinckley bus appeared to work the #58A to Lutterworth.

Hinckley Bus 1916 in Hinckley

Then required Hinckley Bus 1914 appeared on the #5 Three Pots circular service.

Hinckley Bus 1914 in Hinckley

We decided to ride on Hinckley Bus 1914 on the #5 circular. We got on the bus and we booked our Hinckley Bus day saver tickets at £7.50. We sat down near the back of the bus and we waited for time.At 14:25 the bus set off out of town down towards the railway station. We crossed under the railway line and we climbed up the hill On Rugby Road. We turned into a housing estate and weaved our way around it. We saw The Three Pots and we got up and flashed the ticket for the return journey. The bus went back dwn through the estate over a different route and we appeared on Rugby Road at the bottom of the hill. We crossed under the railway line and we saw Hinckley Bus Solo 2567 on the #71 to Burbage. We headed back to town and we got up to get off the bus outside the Library. As we got up to get off Matthew got a picture inside Hinckley Bus 1914.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1914

We walked up Regent Street and we looked at the timetables. There was a #71 to Burbage due at 14:54 so we had around 10 minutes. Across the road required Hinckley Bus 2557 was about to work the #81 to Earl Shilton.

Hinckley Bus 2557 in Hinckley

We decided to have a little picnic whilst we waited for the next bus. Matthew drank a small bottle Irn Bru and ate a millionaire shortbread that we had purchased from Morrisons in Ormskirk on our last big trip out. As he was finishing eating the shortbread we saw required Hinckley Bus Dart 2201 on the next #71 to Burbage. We decided to do this bus in the absence of something step entranced to do. We waled down the road from where we were sitting and Matthew got a picture of Hinckley Bus 2201.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus set off and left town along the same route as the #5 service. We passed the railway station and went under the railway line. We started to Climb the hill up Rugby Road and then we turned into Brrokside. The bus then took a winding rout through a flowers named estate. We travelled along Azalea drive before heading into the centre of Burbage village. We saw what we though was the end of the route so we got up to get off. As we were getting off Matthew got a picture inside this unusual Dart.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2201

Matthew then got another picture of Hinckley Bus 2201 in the picturesque village of Burbage.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Burbage

We had a 20 minute wait for the next bus, so we decided to have a little walk around. We sat on a bench by the war memorial and Matthew had another small bottle of Irn Bru and a Milky Way. Across the road we saw a house with a blue plaque outside so we went to investigate. It was house of Edward Crump, responsible for bring clean water to Burbage in 1915. We then walked back to the bus stop which was outside a small enclosed pond called the horsepool. We had less than 10 minutes to wait here for the next bus. we also noticed that the hourly Hinckley bound #58A stopped here, at 34 minutes past the hour. Just before our bus was due we saw a double decker approaching. It was Travel de Courcey 801 on the X6 service to Leicester. This an hourlt service of which some of the buses (approximately every 3 hours) call in the village of Burbage. Right behind that we saw a white Mercedes minibus. We then knew it was required Hinckley Bus 1906.

Hinckley Bus 1906 in Burbage

We got on this bus and sat down near the back. This is a bus that until recently was operating with Wardle Transport. We sat back and enjoyed the journey back into Hinckley enjoying the comfort of the high backed coach style seating in this bus. We headed back through the estates and onto Rugby Road before heading into town past the railway station. The bus stopped outside the library and we got up to get off. Matthew took a picture of the inside of this fine Mercedes minibus but we did.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1906

We headed to the public toilet on Station Road before walking into town to see what we could catch next. About to work a #81 to Earl Shilton was Hinckley Bus 2567.

Hinckley Bus 2567 in Hinckley

Seeing this made us realise that the buses worked in a circuit. First doing a #71 to Burbage and back before then work a #82 to Barwell. Finally buses then did a round trip on the #81 to Earl Shilton. This made us realise that the next #71 to Burbage would probably be something we hadn't previously been on, so we went to a shop to stock up on supplies. Matthew brought a can of Coke and some chocolate bars, as well as a bag of herbal tablets. Matthew came out of the shop and we saw required Hinckley Bus 1908. We got on the bus which was loading up and as we got on the bus Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of Hinckley Bus 1908.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1908

The bus set off out of town and we went towards the railway station and started to climb towards Burbage. We turned into Brookside and as we knew where we were going I decided to plan where we could meet up with mum. Mum had recently set off to do some shopping in Nuneaton, and I wondered if we could do the #86 Hinckley Bus service to meet her rather that pay to go on another operator. As we travelled out of town we were missing the 16:10 departure, but there was a 17:10 that we should be able to get on with no problems. The timetable stated that the service started from Hinckley, The Borough. We worked out that we should be able to get off and wait for the next #71 and still get back into town and have time to go to the toilet and have a quick bus stop picnic. We called mum to tell hr our plans and we we got up and got off at the Horsepool stop in Burbage again. Matthew got a good picture of Hinckley Bus 1908 before it headed off back into town.

Hinckley Bus 1908 in Burbage

This time we decided to have a bit of an explore around the Horsepool. We took a few pictures and sat in the garden whilst re-checking the bus times. The bus back was 10 minutes later than we thought it was. Whilst we waited we also saw Hinckley Bus 2568 going towards Lutterworth on a #58A service. A few minutes later we saw required Hinckley bus Dart 2200 approaching.

Hinckley Bus 2200 in Burbage

The bus was nearly empty so Matthew got a picture inside this bus as we got on it.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2200

We sat down to enjoy the journey back into town. We weaved through the housing estate and then onto Brookside before turning into rugby Road. We saw Hinckley Bus 2562 on the #5 Three Pots circular. We crossed back under the railway line and back into town. We got off at the library and Matthew got another of Hinckley Bus 2200 now showing the destination of it next journey on the #82 to Barwell.

Hinckley Bus 2200 in Hinckley

Right behind us was Hinckley Bus Solo 2562, which had followed us down Rugby Road into town.

Hinckley Bus 2562 in Hinckley

We used the toilet in Station Road before walking up Station Road until we got to Regents Road. As we looked for the stop for the #86 we saw Hinckley Bus 2202 arrive in town on the #75. It then became the next #76 service.

Hinckley Bus 2202 in Hinckley

We walked back up to The Borough stop to wait for the #86. Matthew had A Galaxy Caramel and small bottle of Barr Cherryade. Hinckley Bus 1908 had arrived back in town having been to Barwell and Back and was now about to work the #81 to Earl Shilton.

Hinckley Bus 1908 in Hinckley

Just behind that required Hinckley bus 1916 arrived on the #58A from Lutterworth. It then became the #86 to Nuneaton... Result!

Hinckley Bus 1916 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back of the bus. At 17:10 the bus set off out of town heading West. Just outside of town we passed Hinckley Bus 1913 which must have been on the 16:45 #86 from Nuneaton, due into Hinckley at 17:20. We carried on out of town past morrisons and the bus turned around by the village green in Dadlington. The bus then headed through Stoke Golding and the Higham-on-the-Hill. We crossed the A5 and we did the last mile or so into Nuneaton. We crossed over the railway line and went into the bus station. When we got there we let the bus empty before getting a picture inside Hinckley Bus 1916.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1916

There were a couple of buses in the bus station so we took some pictures before we left. Stagecoach Midlands 47072 was on the #2 to Red Deeps.

Stagecoach Midland 47072 in Nuneaton bus station

Also at the bus station was Stagecoach Midlands 47074.

Stagecoach Midland 47074 in Nuneaton bus station

Matthew used the the toilet in the bus station before we walked over to the where mum was parked near B&M. Mum was waiting at the car with sausage baps which Matthew washed down with a 500ml bottle of Irn Bru. As I was slowly reversing out of the car park a car came speeding around the corner and just missed hitting us! We set off out of town along the A444 and onto the A5. We carried on west and we decided to try and get back a bit quicker driving along a longer but faster route. We went North on the M42 which we did though onto the A42 and onto the A50. We then drove west along the A50 into the evening sun. At Longton we came off the A50 so we could check out what was parked up at Z Carz. There were only 2 buses parked up tonight. The first was silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

The other bus was classic LDV minibus DS51 ZJU.

Z Carz DS51 ZJU in Longton

We turned around in Willow row and we went back onto the A50. We went through Blurton and saw first Potteries 40367 on the #23. We got home at around 17:15. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots. This was followed by chocolate fudge cake that mum had brought earlier. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Nuneaton / Hinckley 01-02-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33397	Nuneaton BS	Stockingford, nr Church Road	9	Stagecoach Midlands
36752	Stockingford, opp St Pauls Road	Nuneaton BS	10	Stagecoach Midlands
36160	Nuneaton BS	Hinckley BS	48	Stagecoach Midlands
36166	Hinckley BS	Nuneaton BS	48	Stagecoach Midlands
34627	Nuneaton BS	Stockingford, opp St Pauls Road	10	Stagecoach Midlands
47070	Stockingford, adj Parish Hall	Nuneaton BS	9	Stagecoach Midlands

Today we decided to visit Nuneaton and Hinckley. Doing the research for last weeks trip to Cannock on the WM Buses in Photograghs site, we noticed that there were now some extra step entranced buses in the Arriva Midlands fleet. Apparently Arriva had taken full control of the Hinckley Bus fleet having previous owned a stake in the company. We decided to visit the area and check out these buses. The decision was made on Friday due to the weather being very uncertain. The weather looked better in this area than in Manchester or anywhere else in the North West so we decided to head South East for a change. Other than check the weather, we had a quick look at the Hinckley bus section of the Arriva Midlands site. We couldn't find out about day tickets or if the Midland Day saver ticket is valid on Hinckley Bus service, so an e-mail was sent... Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we headed onto the A5035. We headed down Stanley Matthews Way passing ABC Supreme minibus YU02 GZG parked up in the Hem Heath pub before today's visited on Manchester United to Stoke City later today. We headed onto the A50 and then the A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so we could pick up LPG. Once we had filled up we headed West on the A53 before unusually heading South on the A500. We headed down to the M6 and we got on the Southbound carriageway. As we headed South we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 246 heading North. When we reached the A5 we headed East. A couple of miles along the road we stopped at The Hollies transport cafe for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and then he had a breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we carried on Eastward along the A5. We headed through Brownhills and through Tamworth, before turning on the A444 for the last few miles into Nuneaton. I had seen that the bus station was near the railway station at the North end of town just off the ring road. When we got to Nuneaton I went the wrong way! After a quick correction we headed back towards the bus station we parked on the retail park opposite the bus station and walked across. It was just before 14:00 and we had missed the Hinckley Bus service to Hinckley. We would have to do something different. As we entered the bus station we saw an interesting older Dart... Stagecoach Midlands 33397 running out of service.

Stagecoach Midlands 33397 in Nuneaton bus station

Having missed the preferred bus to Hinckley we had a look around the bus station. We saw that the Arriva service was every 30 minutes and the Stagecoach one every 20 minutes. Having seen that the Stagecoach service was more frequent and the other interseting buses around, we decided to have a Stagecoach Day. We had a wander around a took a few pictures. One such picture was Stagecoach Midlands 36752 about to work a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 36752 in Nuneaton bus station

Having had a look a round we saw that Stagecoach 33397 was about to work a #9 to Stockingford. We got on and booked a £6 ticket so that we could go to Hinkcley aswell. We also asked about the frequency of the service which was every 15 minutes. We sat down near the back of the bus. As we left town on the bus along Queens Road I downloaded and looked at a map of the stagecoach I saw that routes 9,10 & 41 all traveled along Church Road so we decided to head to there. Mum called to tell us she wouldn't be getting sausage rolls today as she wasn't felling very well and was going to go far from the car. When we got onto Saint Paul's Road we decided to get off. As we approached the end of the road we saw a #10 bus heading into town. We got off the bus after Matthew had got a picture inside 33397.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 33397

He also got another picture of the outside of Stagecoach Midlands 33397 too.

Stagecoach Midlands 33397 in Stockingford

We walked onto Church Road to see when the next #10 service was due. There was one due every 10 minutes which was fortunate. A few minutes later we saw an Enviro 200 approaching. It was required Stagecoach Midlands 36752.

Stagecoach Midlands 36752 in Stockingford

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus set off along a different route back into town via Haunchwood Road and Black-a-Tree Road. When we got back into town Matthew waited for the bus to empty so he could get a picture inside.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 36752

We got off the bus and we immediately saw Stagecoach Midlands 33459 parked up between duties.

Stagecoach Midlands 33459 in Nuneaton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet so we headed towards town. We didn't go very far when we spotted a toilet next to the bus station. After using the toilet we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 36160 about to work towards Hinckley on the #48 service so we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Midlands 36160 in Nuneaton bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. It was quite full and people were still getting on so Matthew took a picture of the back seat of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 36160

The bus set off out of town and past the railway station before heading along Hinckley Road. We crossed the A5 and continued into town. When we got into Hinckley we took a turn to the right before turning left into the bus station. As we pulled into the bus station we passed a Hinckley Bus Dart. We got off the bus and got another picture Stagecoach Midlands 36160.

Stagecoach Midlands 36160 in Hinckley bus station

We walked back through the bus station and we saw Hinckley Bus ALX200 MPD Dart 2200.

Hinckley Bus 2200 in Hinckley bus station

We walked back though the bus station and checked the timetable for the bus back to Nuneaton. We had seen one depart as we arrived so there was another one due in just less than 20 minutes. We decided to have a quick walk around so we could find a newsagent and buy some food. We headed along Lancaster Road to the traffic lights and we could see three buses on Regent Road. As we walked up we saw our first step entranced Hinckley Bus vehicle. It was Hinckley Bus 1912 on a #5 service to Three Pots.

Hinckley Bus 1912 in Regent Street Hinckley

This was followed by Hinckley bus 2201 on the #71 Burbage circular service.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Regent Street Hinckley

Finally we saw Hinckley bus Optare Solo 6100 on a #75 service to the Morrisons at Cloverfield.

Hinckley Bus 6100 in Regent Street Hinckley

We visited the shop on Regent Street and Matthew had a few cans of pop. a Galaxy Caramel and a flapjack. We started to head back to the bus station and we saw Roberts Coaches YX63 GXR on the #120 service to Coalville.

Roberts Coaches YX63 GXR in Hinckley

We headed back into the bus station and we sat down on a bench. Matthew ate his flapjack and then washed it down with a can of Barr Cola. The bus we should have caught was late. Whilst we waited we saw the #48 heading in the opposite direction towards Leicester. It was required Stagecoach Midlands 36173.

Stagecoach Midlands 36173 in Hinckley bus station

This was followed by the Arriva #158 service to Leicester. This was being worked by Arriva Midlands 3907.

Arriva Midlands 3907 in Hinckley bus station

It was sunny but very cold! The wind was quite strong and we were desperate for the bus to turn up. Matthew then decided we were going to go to the toilet. He had spotted the sign on Lancaster Road and we walked up to the top. We were going to go in when Matthew decided to go around to the side because he had spotted the disabled toilet so I got his key out and he used that toilet instead. Whilst we was in there he missed Hinckley bus 1910 heading down into Station Road. We walked back to the bus station and we saw Hinkley Bus 1912 returning from working it's #5 service.

Hinckley Bus 1912 in Hinckley bus station

Eventually around 20 minutes late we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 36166 on a Coventry bound #48.

Stagecoach Midlands 36166 in Hinckley bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. We set off out of town towards Nuneaton. We were passed by another #48 presumably we were on the service behind and that bus was running late. It was now gone 16:00 and we knew by the time we got back we would only have time for one out and back before it went dark. We carried on over the A5 and along hinckley Road into town. When we got to the bus station Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Stagecoach Midlands 36166.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 36166

We decided to take a few pictures until we found a bus worth catching. The first thing we saw was Stagecoach Midlands Optare Solo 47073 on a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 47073 in Nuneaton bus station

We turned that down hoping for something better. Stagecoach Midlands 36752 that had been on earlier was now on a #7 service to Whitestone. Next to this was required Stagecoach Midlands 47071 on a #2 service to Red Deeps.

Stagecoach Midlands 47071 in Nuneaton bus station

Around this time we saw dud Stagecoach Midlands 33397 arrive ready to work a #9 to Stockingford again. Also we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 34627 about to work a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 34627 in Nuneaton bus station

We decided to do the Dart, but we had to wait for the driver to ready the bus for service. In the meantime, we had out first Glimpse of the bus that we had originally intended to catch. It was required Hinckley Bus 2560 on the #86 service.

Hinckley Bus 2560 in Nuneaton bus station

The bus was now ready to go so we got on it and as we sat down Matthew got a picture of the empty rear of Stagecoach Midlands 34627.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 34627

The bus filled up and we set off out of town along Queens Road and onto Croft Road. We crossed over the canal before turning onto Tomkinson Road. We headed through the estate along Black-A-Tree Road. We headed up to Grove Farm before returning back toward Nuneaton along Ansley Road and Wiclif Way. When we got into Church road we got off at the same stop as we had got on the #10 earlier in the day. We crossed over the road to see when the next #9 was due. It happened to be in about a minute! Sure enough a minute later an Optare Solo rounded the corner. We knew it would be required as we have never done a Solo here before. It was required Stagecoach Midlands 47070.

Stagecoach Midlands 47070 in Stockingford

We got on and as expected Matthew beeped the horn of the Solo. The driver also briefly sounded some kind of siren! We headed back through Stockingford and back into town. When we got back Matthew photographed the inside of Stagecoach Midlands 47070.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 47070

When we got back it was time to head back to the car. Not before taking a few pictures on the way. One picture was of Travel de Courcey MAN eVolotion 544.

Travel de Courcey 544 in Nuneaton bus station

We headed back to the car via the multi-storey car park. Matthew wanted to say hello to someone. It was now raining heavily. When we got to the car mum had sausage baps waiting for us. We set off out of town along the A444 and onto the A5. We headed West on the A5 through Tamworth and Brownhills and south of Cannock before getting onto the Northbound M6. We headed up to Junction 15 and the we headed along Whitmore Road to the A34. We then headed into Longton along the A5035 so we could check out Z Carz. There were 4 buses parked up on the spare ground tonight. Closet was former Alton Towers coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Behind this was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO which was about to go out on duty.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

The there were 2 more coaches. Former Ausden Clark CNZ 3828, which is still sport an all over white livery.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

Next to this was the Blackwoods liveried coach,B12 FWS.

Z Carz B12 FWS in Longton

In the Willow Row compound there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. Here we saw Lightning Travel minibus T2 DLT we headed into Blurton and we got home around 19:15. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash followed by a slice of lemon meringue that mum had brought in Nuneaton. He then chilled out on his computer and went to bed around 00:50...Mark