Trip to Bilston / Walsall 10-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2296	Bilston Interchange	Willenhall, Lion Hotel (Stop WF)	326	Arriva Midlands
6765	Willenhall, Market Place (Stop WE)	Walsall St Pauls BS	529	NX West Midlands
30411	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BP)	302	NX West Midlands
4125	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	Walsall St Pauls BS	301	NX West Midlands
1839	Walsall Bradford Place BS	Bilston Interchange	34	NX West Midlands
V882 HBY	Bilston Interchange	Wolverhampton, Bilston Street (o/s Police Station)	905	Costal Liners
4783	Wolverhampton BS	Compton, opp Woodland Avenue	10A	Arriva Midlands
2069	Compton, adj Tettenhall Wood Institute	Wolverhampton BS	10	NX West Midlands

Today we decided to go to Bilston. Mum had some shopping to pick up from shops in the West Midlands area, so we gave Matthew a list of destination from the West Midlands and from the list he chose Bilston. He had originally chosen Walsall but went we mention we would be eating at the truck stop in Cannock on the way Matthew changed his mind and chose Bilston. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we ran down to the A5035. We ran West towards the A34 and we passed New In Lane we saw First Potteries 67641 on a #22 to Longton. By Trenthan Garden we went North up the A34 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. We joined the A519 briefly before we went onto the Southbound M6. As we were about to go down the slip road we saw Daish's Holidays FJ08 BYO coming off the motorway. Traffic was quite light and as we travelled down to junction 10 we saw 2 x Aston Manor coaches, white minibus V310 JAT, an unidentified Prospect Coaches coach & Park's of Hamilton (National Express) LSK 835. We went West along the A454 and we followed the Black Country Route all the way to the edge of Bilston where we turned North onto the A41. We ran up the road and we turned left onto Church Street where we parked at the side of the road. Once out of the car we walked over the bridge over the tramline and we turned left into the Interchange. On the way in we saw required Arriva Midlands 2274 on a #326 to Walsall via Willenhall.

Arriva Midlands 2274 in Bilston interchange

We also saw required National Express West Midlands 1890 on a #34 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1890 in Bilston interchange

We walked into the Interchange and into the cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Cherryade. He also helped himself to some of mum's dinner as he liked the looked of it after throwing out a cute smile as mum took her first bite! Whilst we ate we saw Banga Travel YN53 ELV on a #530 service, Rotala Diamond 20002 on a #303 to County Bridge and Walsall Community Transport minibus YX09 HRU. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and Matthew went to the the toilet. We then spotted Arriva Midlands on a #326 to Walsall so we decided to go and catch it.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Bilston interchange

We got on the bus and we book nBus day tickets at £4.30 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we saw required Costal Liners ex First double decker V882 HBY on the #905 bingo bus. We turned left onto Hall Street and then turned left onto the A41. We turned right onto Mount Pleasant and right onto Beckett Street. We turned left onto Lunt Road which runs parallel to the Black Country Route for a short while and we swept North along Vulcan Road and Lunt Road on Darlston Lane. We Crossed Willenhall Road onto Moseley Road and we turned right onto Beccles Drive. We continued onto Dilloways Lane and we crossed the A454 before we entered Willenhall from the West. We decided to get off in Willenhall. We came into the town and we turned left onto Hall Street. We continued onto John Street and upper Lichfield street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2296 before it carried on towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Willenhall

Once the bus went around the corner, we set off towards Cheapside and we turned right onto the pedestrianised Cross Street. At the end we turned left onto Market Place and to the end Onto new Road where the main bus stop was situated. We decided to carry on towards Walsall on a #529 which runs around every 7-8 minutes between Wolverhampton and Walsall. There was a bus due in a couple of minutes, and we did't have to wait long before required National Express West Midlands 6765 on the #529.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Willenhall

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off Eastwards along the B4464 and we ran the mile or so into Bentley before crossed over the M6 at junction 10. We ran along Wolverhampton Road for around a mile and we deviated off the dual carriageway past the Crown Wharf retail park and into the town centre. We continued onto Townsend Street and we turned right onto St Pauls Street where the bus station is situated at the end. We pulled into the bus station and the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 6765.

Inside NX West Midlands 6765

Once we got off the bus we walked to the toilets and Matthew used the facilities. Once we had finished we walked out of the East side of the bus station where there where a couple of vehicles parked up including dud Arriva Midlands 2706 which was about to work a #35A to Druid's Heath.

Arriva Midlands 2706 in Walsall

We walked back into the bus station and we saw National Express West Midlands 4126 about to work a #89 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4126 in Walsall bus station

Having just missed out doing the double decker, we decided to go in a more familiar direction and do a #301 or a #302 up to Bloxwich. We saw a Rotala Diamond single decker on a #302 so we decided to do it. It was dud Rotala Diamond 30411.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Once again we didn't realise it was a dud bus until we got on it. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went North up Stafford Street. We crossed over the A4148 continuing North up Stafford Street and we ran the 2 miles or so up to Bloxwich passing National Express West Midlands 4190 on a #301 and National Express West Midlands 4155 on a #302 both coming the other way. When we got to town we went up the High Street and we got off just after Wolverhampton Road. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30411 before it carried on towards Lower Farm.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Bloxwich

Across the road we saw required Arriva Midlands 2731 about to work a #326 to Bilston.

Arriva Midlands 2731 in Bloxwich

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do that bus and he said yes. We crossed the road and as we got there I realised that the bus started in Wolverhampton Road and it pulled off and around the corner to that stop. As we thought about what to do next required National Express West Midlands 4125 came around the corner on a #301 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4125 in Bloxwich

We flagged the bus down and we got on it. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so as the bus pulled off Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4125 before we sat down.

Inside NX West Midlands 4125

We deviated off the A34 onto Stafford Street and we ran the 2 or so miles into Walsall, over the A4148 and on St Pauls Street. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off. We decided that we were going back to Bilston to head off the bingo bus, which was due at the Bilston Interchange at 15:35. We walked into the town centre along the mainly pedestrianised street where all the express services stop. At one of those stands we saw National Express West Midlands 6732 on a X51 express service to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6732 in Walsall bus station

We turned right onto The Bridge and at the next junction we went forwards onto Bradford Street. The other bus station was at the other end of Bradford Street in Bradford Place... It was a triangle shaped area with stands on two sides. As we got to the apex of the triangle we spotted that the nearest stand was for the #34 service which I knew from buses I had seen earlier ran to Bilston. We got to the stand and within a minnute a single decker appeared. It was required National Express West Midlands 1839.

NX West Midlands 1839 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of Bradford Place and we continued along Bradford Street onto Wednesbury Road. Just before we crossed over the A4148 we went past the Fastline depot where We saw coach BK10 EHS at the front of the depot. We crossed under the M6 North of Ikea and we ran through to Darlaston where we saw Sandwell Travel EK51 XXG on a #333X service. We crossed under the Black Country Route along darlaston lane and we zigged and zagged under the road before we came onto the road from the South side off Hare Street. We ran West along the A463 for one junction and we then turned right onto the A41 before entering the town and the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 1839 before it carried on towards Stowlawn.

NX West Midlands 1839 in Bilston interchange

Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked into town to visit a shop. There was a rather large Nisa supermarket on the corner so we went in and Matthew had a couple of small bottles of Coke and 2 chocolate bars. Once we had finished shopping we headed back to the interchange to wait the few minutes before the 15:35 was due. As we got to the stand where we need we saw Thandi T99 NND arrive on a #334 from walsall.

Thandi T99 NND in Bilston interchange

We also saw red Rotala Diamond 30861 on layover before working a #43 to West Bromwich.

Rotala Diamond 30861 in Bilston interchange

Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way and a small bottle of lemonade. A few minutes later we saw the distinctive (for the area) bus approaching... As expected it was Costal Liners V882 HBY on the #905 service to Wolverhampton Bilston Street.

Costal Liners V882 HBY in Bilston interchange

We let the hoards of bingo revellers get off the bus and then we got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and we sat down before Matthew took a picture inside Costal Liners V882 HBY.

Inside Costal Liners V882 HBY

It used to be 32882 in the First Midland fleet based at Redditch and was presumably sold on as surplus after the sale to Rotala Diamond. The service is an express service and doesn't have to many stops. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A41. We joined the Westbound Black Country Route and we ran for about a mile before we turned right onto the main Dudley to Wolverhampton route, Birmingham New Road. As we travelled North it was now almost dark. We passed a number of #126 branded buses including National Express West Midlands 6780 & 6786 as well at De Courcey Travel FJ11 GKN on a #410 National Express coach service heading towards Shrewsbury. after travelling around 2 miles we crossed the ring and we ran into along Snow Hill and Forwards onto Garrick Street before we turned right into Bilston Street where we got up and got off the bus. After thinking we might catch a bus around the corner into the bus station we decided to walk around the corner onto Pipers Row where the bus station is situated. When we got to the bus station we headed to the toilet and because of the way the barrier was set up not only did I have to pay 20p for Matthew (which is okay I guess), but I had to pay an extra 20p to assist Matthew getting into the toilet! Once we had used these poorly thought out toilets we headed into the main part of the bus station so that we could do a quick out and back journey We spotted required Arriva Midlands Dart 2209 on a #57 to Bilston via Willenhall. Just as we were about to get on it Matthew spotted required Arriva Midlands 4783 on a #10A to Pattingham.

Arriva Midlands 4783 in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided to do this bus as it was likely to be withdrawn from service before the end of the year. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4783.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4783

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road we came back inside the town along Broad Street and we turned right into princes square and left into Lichfield Street. We ran out of town stopping on Lichfield street and Darlington Street and we crossed the ring road onto Chapel Ash. There appeared to be about 4 buses an hour as far as Perton, but we decided to only go as far as Compton, not least because when we left we could say we came Straight Outta Compton... We continued West along the A454 and road very quickly became rural. We barrelled along in the darkness for around 2 miles and such was the village of Compton we actually passed the point where we had intended getting of and we were about a 1/3 of the way to Perton when we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4783 as it went Straight Outta Compton.

Arriva Midlands 4783 in Compton

We crossed the road and we walked along for about 100 yds before we came across a brick shelter, which was most welcome as the rain started to come down heavier. There was a bus due around 16:40. As we stood at the stop we could see distant double deckers turning a corner. It turned out that if we had gone a stop further West that we would have been on the route of the #1 Dudley to Wolverhampton service! The bus turned up and it was around 10 minutes late as it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands single decker 2069.

NX West Midlands 2069 in Compton

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver for the final time today, before we sat down towards the back of the bus. It wasn't too much of a surprise that the bus was a little late as it seemed to take quite a bit longer that the 18 minutes the journey should have taken when we left town on the Arriva bus. Wolves were playing at home and it was bound to have an effect on traffic, as well as it being the run up to Christmas. We ran back into town down the A454 and passed the Harley Davidson Shop on Chapel Ash. We crossed the ring road onto Salop Street and we ran forwards onto Cleveland Street. We turned left onto Garrick Street following required Arriva Midlands 2707 which was on the #10A service. We then turned right onto Bilston Street. It started to rain heavy and we queue for quite a while in traffic to get onto the ring road and then enter the bus station. Once we got into the bus station the bus didn't empty as the end must be treated as a circular, so we got off the bus and we set off on foot towards where mum was waiting in the car on Tower Street. On the way we saw National Express West Midlands 6760 on a #32 Northwood Park circular.

NX West Midlands 6760 in Wolverhampton bus station

We crossed Pipers Row and we met up with mum, who was waiting with the car with Greggs sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of town back around to Pipers Row and onto the anti clockwise ring road. It took around 20 minutes just to get to the toher side of the bus station ans the Sat Nav took us another way to try and save us time. We turned right onto Wednesfield Road and we zigged through some street up the the A460 before we turned left and crossed back under the railway line before we joined the Northbound A449. As mum didn't have much dinner (Matthew ate 1/2 of it), we decided to stop for some chips. We tried to stop at the shops by the Ming Moon but the car park was full and flooded! It took a while to get back onto the A449, and we ran North up to Wobaston Road. There were some shops there and mum went to the Co-op and I got a few chips whilst Matthew and uncle Dave sensibly stayed in the car! We then ran North up the A449 and we got back onto the M6 at Junction 13. We ran North and we were passed by Tyrers Coaches coach TYR 15R. We left the M6 at Junction 15 and we went North up the A500 and we came off at Sideway and went east on the A50. We came off at Longton and we went to check out was was at Z Carz tonight. In the first row was Z Carz minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Next in the front row was Z Carz minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the first row was Z Carz minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC. Further along the road we saw Z Carz minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we went to Baths Road so we could fill up with petrol at Tesco. Once we had topped up we re-joined the A50 and we saw Wints coach L964 NWW. We came of the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive, getting home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Leigh / Golborne 26-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1057	Leigh BS	Newton Road, Hesketh Meadow Lane‎	34	Arriva NW&W
66932	Newton Road, Hesketh Meadow Lane‎	Golborne, o/s House 11 Church Street/Manor Street	600	First Manchester
2565	Golborne, o/s House 11 Church Street/Manor Street	Newton le Willows, nr Lowton Old Station	360	Arriva NW&W
1054	Newton le Willows, nr Lowton Old Station	Leigh BS	34	Arriva NW&W
31941	Leigh BS	Platt Bridge, Warrington Road/Millers Lane (N-bound)	658	First Manchester
40387	Platt Bridge, Warrington Road/Millers Lane (S-bound)	Leigh BS	658	First Manchester
2274	Leigh BS	Lane Head, Newton Road/Travellers Rest (SW-bound)	34	Arriva NW&W
2211	Lane Head, Newton Road/Travellers Rest (NE-bound)	Leigh BS	34	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew decided we were going to Leigh. He point to the destination of one of the buses he had photographed last week. Research for this trip was fairly sparse. Other than look for the direction to get there, checking where we could find toilets and it there was a travel shop in the bus station vary little was done. We packed the Wigan South bus map and a few bottle of pop for emergency rations. Afterall, it was a very hot and sunny day. We set off a little early than lately at around 11:15, but we had to make a few stops before we left town. We stopped at a garage to put some air in the tyres, we picked up uncle Dave, and then we got some LPG from near the Festival Park. We then traveled along the A53 and then Northwards on the A500 until the last lay-by before the M6. We stopped for bacon and sausage sandwiches which we ate in the car. As we ate the sandwich we could see that the Northbound M6 was looking very busy, in fact almost at a stand. I was considering what to do for the best. Radio Stoke had said there were no problems which was a little worrying. We left the lay-by around 12:30, and i was still wondering what to do for the best. As we went around the roundabout I remembered the road to Alsager just before the M6 North slip road and so we went in that direction. After going into Alsager I followed direction for Sandbach, traveling along the A533 and the the A534 to get back on the M6 at the next junction. After that slight detour we were back on track. We came off the motorway and onto the A579. We did a short stretch of the Eastbound A580 and then into Leigh along the A572, passing an Arriva NW&W ALX200 Dart heading out of town. There was a bit of traffic in the town centre and we had to queue for a few minutes on Spinning Jenny way. We parked adjacent to the shopping centre before saying goodbye to mum and walking down to the bus station. As we entered the bus station Matthew got a picture of 31926 on an unidentified service.

First Manchester 31926

After a quick toilet stop and a visit to the travel shop for time tables, the first thing of interest we saw was required Arriva NW&W Scania 1057 on a 34 service.

Arriva NW&W 1057 about to work to St Helens

We waited by stop M for the bus to come around. whilst we waited i worked out that the ALX200 dart would be back at 16:20. Eventually just before 14:00 it did. Matthew then took a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside 1057...

We tried to book a System One bus only ticket but as this is a St Helens bus and driver he wasn't sure how to do one. He let us all on for free as we were going to be buying one anyway. We were hoping to go on this bus beyond the A580, but as this was the first time on this bus I got up to early. As we went south we passed a Wright bodied bus and then another Dart. We got off and Matthew got another picture.

1057 in Lowton

We then waited for another bus. I decided the best move would be to catch a First Manchester bus as we would definitely be able to get system one tickets on this bus. We had already seen a modern decker go out on a #600 so with a bit of luck perhaps we would get another one. When the bus appeared it was a Volvo single decker. As it got closer we could see it was First Manchester 66932 would almost certainly be required.

First Manchester 66932 in Lowton

Whilst on the bus, I consulted the map and realised we could do this onto the #360 route, and then get the #360 to meet the #34 at the edge of Newton-le-Willows. When the #600 we were on turned towards Golborne onto the route of the #360 we got off. almost immediately behind 66932 was an Arriva bus. It was required 2688.

Arriva NW&W 2688 in Golborne

We got on and asked if we could go to the junction to meet the #34 ans he said yes, but not on this bus as it was only going to Golborne. In the excitement we forgot to check if it was going to Warrington! He said there would be another on in approximately 10 minutes ans so we let it go. We decided to use the time to visit a shop to get some pop and lottery tickets. We returned to the stop and eventually we could see a bus in the distance. it looked like an Icarus bodied bus and as it got closer we could see that it was. It was almost certainly going to be required as we had only been on one if this type before. Closer inspection revealed required Arriva NW&W 2565.

Arriva NW&W 2565 in Golborne

Off we went, through Golborne and across the A580. We passed Arriva NW&W 2560 which had it's hazards on, presumable broken down. at the junction with newton road we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture.

2565 on the edge of Newton-le-Willows

When we got off we had around 5 minutes to wait. Required Arriva NW&W Scania 1050 went passed going towards St Helens. Pretty much on time, we saw another Scania approaching from the distance. I was almost certainly going to be required with 1057 being out of the way for a while, and the only other one of this type we had been on before being 1053. As it approached we could see it was required 1054.

Arriva NW&W 1054 on the edge of Newton-le-Willows

We headed back to Leigh further familiarising ourselves with the route. When we got back into the bus station Matthew photographed the inside of the bus empty.

Inside 1054

As we got back we just missed First Manchester 31926 again, this time we saw it was on a #658 service. I went to get a timetable for this and whilst I was in the office 31941 appeared, the one we went on last week. Matthew decided he wanted to do this anyway and so we went to wait on stand G for the bus to come around. A few minutes later 31941 appeared on stand and we got on.

Inside First Manchester 31941

We went onto the top deck sitting near the front, and almost immediately regretted it! There are no opening windows near the front of the top deck and it was roasting hot. We set off to the north and we started drinking pop from emergency supplies to try and keep cool. We decided to go to Platt Bridge, somewhere we had been on last weeks trip. The journey to Platt Bridge was quite nice apart from the heat. The journey between Tamar and Platt Bridge is mainly through countryside and you can see for miles from the top deck. We eventually touched down in Paltt Bridge and crossed the Road for a return service. We gave matthew the choice of doing the #360 or the #658 service. When the next bus on the #360 was big and Wright bodied, Matthew turned it down. The following bus was required First Manchester 40387 on the #658.

First Manchester 40387 in Platt Bridge

We got on and sat near the back. There were numerous open windows and this journey was much cooler than the one before on 31941. The journey back was swift, but we didn't pass 31926 at any poit so it must have been wigan side of us. When we got it was nearly 16:10 and we had forgotten about the ALX200 Dart. It appeared and it was required 2274 and so when asked Matthew said yes to doing this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2274 in Leigh bus station

We got on first and Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.

Inside 2274

This time we planned on going to near the A580 junction. As we got to that area Matthew seemed reluctant to get off, ducking down in his seat. We got off a few stops later outside a pub, which had a beer garden at the front.

2274 by the Travellers Rest

Matthew seemed to want to use the toilet and so we decided to stop at the pub for a quick drink. We must have passed a bus which we didn't see, and then we saw 1057 heading towards Leigh. We guessed the next one towards Leigh would be the unidentified Plaxton Dart we saw earlier. After a quick toilet stop we ordered 2 drinks as uncle Dave didn't want one. We quickly had our drinks and waited to take a picture of the St Helens bound bus. It was required Arriva NW&W 2492. Matthew wasn't quick enough to react to get a picture of this bus. Uncle Dave was that hot and bothered he had my ice cubes, and then we crossed the road to catch the bus back. As predicted it was a Plaxton bodied Dart. As it got closer we could see it was required 2211. The picture was hard to take here as we were looking into the sun. When we got to Leigh, Matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2211

It was now time to go albeit taking a few pictures. 31926 made another reappearance on the #658 but we didn't have time to do it now.

First Manchester 31926 in Leigh bus station

Matthew also got a picture of 2211 after it had emptied out and ran around the bus station. We also saw First Manchester 60154 too.

Arriva NW&W 2211 in Leigh bus station

We also spotted Network Warrington 17 on a #19 to Warrington.

Network Warrington 17 in Leigh bus station

We then head back to the car. Mum had moved the car to a shady part of the car park which was a really welcome sight. We tucked into sausage rolls and had a drink before we set off with mum driving. We set off towards the M6 via The A572 and the A580. I told her to go the wrong way after seeing a really confusing sign at the edge of the A580 which appeared to point left. After doing a very small triangle we were back on the A580 propper and heading towards the M6. Matthew was getting a bit fidgity in the back so we decided to Stop at Sandbach service for a quick toilet and shop stop. We had some lollies and Matthew had a couple of truck magazines. We came off the M6 at junction 15 and when on the A500 Matthew directed us down the A34 past the First Newcastle depot. We then did a circle of Newcastle on way system before heading toward festival park on the A53. I decided to take us between Etruria and Shelton on Etruscan Street, but it was blocked by a fire engine with Matthew found amusing. We headed back Along the A53 and then south on the A500. We went to the A50 then back home along Stanley Matthews Way. We got home a little after 19:00...Mark