Showing posts with label 2261. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2261. Show all posts

Saturday, 12 November 2016

Trip to Burnley / Todmorden 12-11-2016




















































BusFromToServiceOperator



66748Burnley BSTodmorden BS589First West Yorkshire
37053Todmorden BSHebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)592First West Yorkshire
66711Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)Todmorden BS590First West Yorkshire
30856Todmorden BSHebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)592First West Yorkshire
37052Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)Todmorden BS592First West Yorkshire
66748Todmorden BSBurnley BS589First West Yorkshire


Today we decided to re-visit Burnley. A check of the weather revealed that after a wet start the weather should dry up be quite warm for the time of year. We give Matthew a list of place from the North West and Midlands, and from the list he chose Burnley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set of around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We turned right into Stanley Matthew Way and by the Holiday Inn Express we saw Roxby Coaches YD66 AXV. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we turned right onto the Northbound A500. As I had gassed up earlier in the week, we went straight up the A500 to the M6. On the M6 traffic was moving well and passed a procession of buses coming the other way as we ran North up to the M65. We saw an unidentified Vision Travel coach, an unidentified Alba Travel coach, an unidentified Ashcroft's coach, an unidentified Hollinshead coach, Hollinshead DH13 HOL, an unidentified Grayway coach, an unidentified Carvers coach, Playbus K888 BWU, an unidentified Doig's of Glasgow coach and an unidentified King's Ferry coach. When we got to Junction 29 we came off the M6 and joined the Eastbound M65. Going Eastwards we saw B & N Coaches A12 BXN, an unidentified Red & Cream coach, an unidentified Cream coach with a red and black stripe and Robin Hood YJ13 HTZ. We came off the M65 a junction early accidentally onto the A679, and we ran into town along Accrington Road past Rose Grove railway station. We joined the A671 and we followed the road to the right onto Trafalgar Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Manchester Road and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We parted on the car park by Red Lion Street and we walk across the road. Mum went to the toilet in the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. Whilst we waited we saw dud Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2751 in Burnley on a X43 to Manchester.


Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2751 in Burnley bus station
When mum and finished we walked over to the cafe. Since our last visit the cafe has been refurbished and the layout has also changed. The cafe also changed it's name to Zara Cafe. We went to go the toilet but the toilet up the stairs is currently out of order. I took Matthew to the toilet in the bus station and mum ordered the food. When we got back Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we walked over to the bus station and walked around the outside. In the layover stands we saw Cranberry Coaches coach PJZ 2182.


Cranberry Coaches PJZ 2182 in Burnley bus station
In the adjacent layover stand we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle single decker 1067.


Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1067 in Burnley bus station
There weren't many buses in the bus station so we walked up Red Lion Street to enter the bus station on the other side. Before we entered the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle single decker 1860 on a M1 service Barnoldswick.


Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1860 in Burnley bus station
We then saw a First West Yorkshire single decker on Croft Street. We got closer and we saw it was First West Yorkshire 66748 on a #589 to Rochdale.


First West Yorkshire 66748 in Burnley bus station
I asked Matthew if he wanted to do First buses today and he said yes. We went inside the bus station and we sat down for a short while whilst we waited for the bus to come into the bus station. A few minutes later the bus came into the bus station and started loading up. Matthew decided to go for a quick walkabout and we went to the top end of the bus station and took another bus picture. We then got in the queue before getting on the bus. We asked for 2 day tickets, but the bus driver asked if we were sticking together. We were able to get a First West Yorkshire group ticket for £5 between us.... bargain! We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. We ran over the roundabout onto Yorkshire Street and we ran up the hill past Turf Moor. I didn't notice if the large picture of Martin Patterson was still on the side of the stand. We ran out of town through Mereclough & Cliviger where we joined the A646. After crossing over the railway line we ran East through Portsmouth, Cornholme & Lydgate before we entered Todmorden from the West end. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First West Yorkshire 66748.


Inside First West Yorkshire 66748
We crossed under the railway line before we entered the bus station from the South end. As we entered the bus station we saw required First West Yorkshire 37053 about to work a #592 to Halifax. We got up and got off the the bus and took a picture of First West Yorkshire 37053 before we got on it.


First West Yorkshire 37053 in Todmorden bus station
We flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Stansfield Road before joining the Southbound A646. We followed the road to the left and as we left town we saw TJ Walsh FJ58 FRL outside the Todmorden Social Club. We then passed Pioneer minibus P100 NER. A few hundred yards up the road we passed the Todmorden bus depot where we saw First West Yorkshire Solo 50407, single decker 66790 and school buses 68643 & 68663. The road up to Hebden Bridge is a meandering tight valley. Sometimes there is barley enough room for the road, the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, other times there is a wider area with houses and even a cricket ground. The railway line run above them all on a viaduct the length of the valley. We ran through the little vilages of Eastwood, Charlestown and Mytholm before entering Hebden Bridge from the West. We got to the main street and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed the busy road at the Zebra Crossing and we went into the Co-op store opposite. In the shop Matthew picked a can of coke and a couple of chocolate bars. When we cam out of the Co-op we saw TLC Solo 2261 on a #598 Eaves circular service.


TLC 2261 in Hebden Bridge
We got to the bus stop and we about to have a bus stop picnic when we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First West Yorkshire 66711 on a #590 to Rochdale.


First West Yorkshire 66711 in Hebden Bridge
We got on the bus and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards along the A646 up Mytholm and we saw that the seats opposite to us, so Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 66711.


Inside First West Yorkshire 66711
We continued West through Charlestown and Eastwood and we ran the last couple of miles into Todmorden. We past the bus depot and the social club and we turned right, following the A646 before we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 66711.


First West Yorkshire 66711 in Todmorden Bus staton
We decided to go for a comfort break and we set off along the path opposite to the bus station towards the market. On the way down we stopped to get a picture of First West Yorkshire 69581 on a #592 to Halifax.


First West Yorkshire 69581 in Todmorden Bus staton
We went through the market and across the car park to the toilet block where Matthew used the toilet. We walked back past the front side of the market and as we turned the corner we saw a double decker in the bus station. As we got closer we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 30856!


First West Yorkshire 30856 in Todmorden Bus staton
We walked around to the front of the bus. We spotted on the bus departure display that there was a bus to Burnley in around 50 minutes. We should have plenty of time to go up to Hebden Bridge and back so we got on and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 30856 before we sat down.


Inside First West Yorkshire 30856
The bus set off out of the bus station onto Stansfield Street and we turned left onto the A646. We followed the road around to the left at the roundabout and we ran out of town past the bus depot. As we travelled east we noticed the 'Kindness' in big letters on the side of a wall as can be seen in google maps here. We continued East through Eastwood, Charlestown & Mytholm and we entered Hebden Bridge from the West. On the end of Market Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 30856 as it continued towards Halifax.


First West Yorkshire 30856 in Hebden Bridge
We crossed over the road at the Zebra crossing and we sat down at the stop. This time Matthew had time to share a bounty with me and uncle Dave as well as drink a can of Vimto. the bus was due at 17:10 and a few minutes later as expected we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saws that it was required First West Yorkshire 37052 on a #592 to Todmorden.


First West Yorkshire 37052 in Hebden Bridge
We got on the bus and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. It was now starting to go dark, made more evident by the lights inside the bus. We travelled back West through Mytholm, Charlestown and Eastwood and my attempt at getting a picture of the word kindness on the wall as mentioned above failed miserably! We travelled back past the depot and into town and at the roundabout we turned right following the A646 North. We turned into the bus station where the bus terminated. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 37052 before we got off it.


Inside First West Yorkshire 37052
We had around 15 minutes to wait for the Burnley bus. Outside the bus station on the stop on the A646 we saw TLC SoloSR 90819 on a T1 Cross Lee service.


TLC 90819 in Todmorden bus station
A few minuted later and the following bus from Halifax arrived. It was required First West Yorkshire 30561.


First West Yorkshire 30561 in Todmorden bus station
A few minutes later and the #589 Rochdale to Burnley made and appearance. It was First West Yorkshire 66748 that we had down to Todmorden earlier in the day!


First West Yorkshire 66748 in Todmorden bus station
We legged it across the exit to the bus station and we got on First West Yorkshire 66748. We flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Stansfield Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A646. It was now quite dark and we couldn't really see where we were going. We ran out of town via Lydgate, Cornholme and Portsmouth. We ran over the summit and we crossed the railway line and we continued West to Cliviger where we turned right onto Red Lees Road. We passed through Mereclough and we ran the last few miles into town down the hill and past Turf Moor. We went under the Rochdale Canal and we at the roundabout we went straight across continuing along Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto Croft Street and we ran to the end where buses sometimes stop to let out passenger if buses are going onto layover. We got up and got off the bus and then we went inside the bus station. We visited the shop first, in case it was about to close, and Matthew brought a can of Coke and a chocolate bar. Afterwards we went to the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. On the way out of the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 267 on a #1 Stoops Estate service.


Transdev Burnley & Pendle 267 in Burnley bus station
We walked across Red Lion Street to the car park where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage Rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off put of the car park onto Red Lion Street and we turned left onto Parker Lane. At the end we turned right onto Finsley Gate and then left onto Manchester Road. At the roundabout we went right onto the A671 and we ran out of town up to the M65. We ran West for a couple of junctions and then we went south down the A56. It was properly dark and we ran up to the summit and down the other side towards Haslingden, passing an unidentified white Bova. We continued onto the M66 and we ran down the the M60. As we joined the M60 we saw Parry's NU03 BUZ and an unidentified white double decker with black roof and window surrounds. We left the ring road to go West along the M62 and then we joined the Southbound M6. Traffic was going well until we got to a mile North junction 18 where we came to a stop. A fire engine and police cars went racing by and we eventually started to move. Two lanes were closed as there had been an accident involving a car and a lorry. We also saw Scraggs VT 9389. We let the M6 at junction 16 and we went South down the A500 passing Carvers coach FN52 HRW. At Sideway went east up the A50 and we came off at Longton. The fuel warning light was on so we stopped at Tesco petrol station to fill up with petrol. Once we had filled up we ran around to Z Carz to see what was parked up at their depot this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus OV05 WSW


Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton
Also in the front row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.


Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton
Also in the first row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.


Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton
Closest to the road on the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.


Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton
In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.


Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton
We turned into Willow Row to see if there was anything visible in the compound. Parked up in the compound we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.


Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton
We returned onto the A50 and we ran west to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton up to church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield drive and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Saturday, 19 October 2013

Trip to St Helens / Earlestown 19-10-2013























































BusFromToServiceOperator



2729St Helens BSNew Boston, opp Vista Road320Arriva NW&W
2254New Boston, adj Vista RoadSt Helens BS20Arriva NW&W
2693St Helens BSClock Face, Gartons Lane (NW-bound)32Arriva NW&W
712Clock Face, adj Jersey StreetSt Helens BS33Arriva NW&W
2261St Helens BSEarlestown BS34Arriva NW&W
2238Earlestown BSSt Helens BS20Arriva NW&W


Today we decided to revisit st Helens. We didn't do much research other than to check the weather. The weather was for cloudy with sunny interval and showers. We hadn't checked the Arriva St Helens allocations recently and were surprised that there was only one Marshall Dart left there 7634. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had bacon and oatcakes for breakfast. We set off at 12:00 and went onto the A5035. We headed north up Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. We then got on the Northbound A500 where we passed Rigby's minibus SUI 8773 and Ausden Clarke BIG 9834. We got onto the Northbound M6 and it was quite busy. We decided to eat in Earlestown as we knew where there was a cafe, and then drive into St Helens. We got onto the westbound M62 and then drove into Earletown via Newton le Willows. As we parked up around 13:10 we saw required Arriva NW&W 2346 on a #34 service. As we walked to the cafe we saw required Arriva NW&W 2261 on a #34A to St Helens.


Arriva NW&W 2261 in Earlestown
We had dinner at Crumpets again, Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After dinner we walked back to the car. On the way back we photographed South Lancs Travel 23 on a #603 service.


South Lancs Travel 23 in Earlestown
We got back in the car and we drove into St Helens along the A572 and onto the A58 and passed the Co-op. We went behind the bus bus museum and then we parked up near the town hall. We walked to the travel centre and purchased our Saveaway tickets. We scratched off the date and went to look for a bus to catch. We let required Arriva NW&W 2254 go on the #20 and we had a walk around to see what we could catch. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2729 on a #320 to Wigan and we decided to do it.


Arriva NW&W 2729 in St Helens bus station
We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was empty looking forwards so Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus too.


Inside Arriva NW&W 2729
The bus filled up a little and then we set off. We decided to do the bus to the far end of Haydock just before the #20 turns off towards Earlestown so we had a few choice of bus back. As we set off out of town we passed Arriva NW&W 2238 on the #20. This was followed by Arriva NW&W 2701 on the #320 and Arriva 2712 on the following #20. When we got to Penny Lane we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2729 as it went off into the distance.


Arriva NW&W 2729 in Haydock
Across the road was Arriva NW&W 2422 on a St Helens bound #620, but we couldn't get across the road quickly enough. We checked the timetable a the bus stop and the next bus due was a #20 next in around 7 minutes. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Rice Crispy squares. The bus turned up and it was Arriva NW&W 2254. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. I had thought it was dud, but a quick check of the page revealed that it was in fact a required bus! The bus set off back towards town through Haydock and passed the Tesco store. As we traveled back into town in addition to the buses that we passed heading inbound earlier, we also saw Arriva NW&W 3025 on a #320 and 2242 on a #34A. When we got to St Helens Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2254.


Inside Arriva NW&W 2254
As he hadn't been successful get a picture of the outside of Arriva NW&W 2254, he had another successful go here.


Arriva NW&W 2254 in St Helens bus station
We then had a break from buses for around 30 minutes. matthew wanted the toilet and the tardis toilet in the bus station was out of action again. We took him around the outside of the shopping centre to use the disable toilet by the entrance of the shopping centre. when we walked back we took a few bus pictures. One vehicle type that we didn't tkae many pictures of were the electric shuttle buses. Here is Selwyns Travel 193 on the E11 to Ravenhead retail park.


Selwyns Travel 193 in St Helens bus station
We carried out another circle of the bus station and we took some more pictures. Here is former D&G buses 30 which is now there sister company South Lancs Travel.


South Lancs Travel 30 in St Helens bus station
Another vhicle which took us by surprise was Arriva NW&W 3047 which is now painted in a gold livery.


Arriva NW&W 3047 in St Helens bus station
Time was moving on and we need to catch another bus quickly. Of all the thing in the bus station at that moment, Matthew decided we should do required Arriva NW&W 2693 on a #32 to four Acre Lane.


Arriva NW&W 2693 in St Helens bus station
We got on the bus and sat down. As we left the bus station the sky started to look very dark indeed... We also noted an unidentified ALX200 Dart behind us on a #33 service. We passed the hospital and headed South out of town. I seemed to remember us doing a Dart on a #32 and doing a #33 back from the same stop. It was Arriva NW&W 2102, and it was our first trip to St Helens back in January 2012. The bus emptied out a little in the Clockface area, and Matthew took a picture of empty rear of Arriva NW&W 2693.


Inside Arriva NW&W 2693
We were going along a road and I noticed the Dream in the distance on the left so I thought it was time to get off. We saw two stops opposite each other with shelters (essential with the inevitable rain) and got up to get off the bus. Just before we reached the stops, the bus turned left and stopped at a stop with no shelter! We quickly got off the bus and walked around the corner to the other stops. The view looked familiar, from the time we had gone after and caught up with Arriva NW&W Pointer Dart 7570 back in July 2012. The rain started to fall and fall it did... We all huddled under the shelter as the rain lashed down. Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru and we put the empty bottle in the bag as no one wanted to venture out of the shelter to the bin. Disappointingly we saw an Arriva NW&W Solo SR approaching. The only consolation was it was going to be required as we had yet to sample on of these buses. As you can see from the photo the light was very poor as required Arriva NW&W 712 approached the bus stop.


Arriva NW&W 712 in Clockface
We waited for the bus stop and the door to open before we ran onto the bus. We got on and Matthew insisted on honking the horn. Luckily we had a very nice obliging driver...We sat down near the back and enjoyed the journey. The rain was so heavy that every time we turned left water washed down the right hand side of the bus and vice versa. By the time we had reached the A569 and the run past the park we were running through a few inches of water and waves of spray were being sent up on either side of the bus. Some of the cars were struggling a little with the flash flooding but the bus went though these roads with no problem. We got to the bus station as the a was easing off and Matthew waited for the bus to empty so he could take a picture inside.


Inside Arriva NW&W 712
We had another quick wander around and Matthew took us down to the railway station to say hello to someone. We let required Arriva 2238 go on the #20 and then we told Matthew he had to catch another bus quickly. He decided to do required Arriva NW&W 2261 which we had seen a few times today. he got another picture of it through the glass of the bus station.


Arriva NW&W 2261 in St Helens bus station
We got on and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus was quite full so he was able to get picture inside at this point. We set off out off town towards Parr and then we turned onto the road to Earlestown at The Horseshoe pub. We carried on along the A572 and into Earlestown. The people behind us were getting off at Earlestown so Matthew took a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2238 as we got off.


Inside Arriva NW&W 2261
We got off and we got a another picture of the outside of this bus too.


Arriva NW&W 2261 in Earlestown bus station
We had a few minutes to wait for either the next #34 or the next #20. We worked out that the next #20 would probably be required Arriva NW&W 2238. We saw required Arriva NW&W Cadet 2495 on the #34 but we decided to wait for the Dart. A few minutes later Arriva NW&W 2238 appeared as expected.


Arriva NW&W 2238 in Earlestown bus station
We got on and the bus was empty and so he got his empty bus picture first.


Inside Arriva NW&W 2238
We sat down near the back and the bus set off. As the bus set off North towards Haydock there was a bright rainbow in the sky. the bus turned right into Penny Lane and we headed into town. We got off and had a quick walk around the bus station taking pictures. Immediately we saw required arriva 2271 on the #329 to Warrington.


Arriva NW&W 2271 in St Helens bus station
Matthew decided h want to go to the toilet so we walked through the shopping centre and went to the disabled toilet at the other end. We walked back around the outside and as we walked back towards the car we finally caught up with the ALX200 Dart on the #33 to Widnes which was Arriva NW&W 2269.


Arriva NW&W 2269 in St Helens bus station
We also saw Arriva NW&W 2346 Which was on the #34 to Leigh. We waked back to the car where there were sausage rolls and Tizer waiting. We drove off and headed out of town on the A58. We joined onto the A580 and we passed an accident were two cars had collided. We then got onto the Southbound M6 and then onto the A500. We then got onto the A50 and we went into Longton to view the Z Carz depot. There were 2 coaches at the front of the depot. First was Z Carz M534 RSO with its purple decals.


Z carz M534 RSO in Longton
Next to this was Z Carz Scania coach D104 XAN.


Z carz D104 XAN in Longton
Behind these was the minibus OV05 WSW which was too far back to get a good picture in the dark. We turned the corner into Willow Row where we saw T408 JUX parked up at the back of the Z Carz compound. We went down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark