Trip to Talke / Trent Vale 02-01-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53829	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
N8 GHA	Hanley BS	Talke, Opp Congleton Road	X81	GHA
66308	Talke, Adj Newcastle Road	Newcastle BS	4A	First Potteries
66310	Newcastle BS	Trent Vale, adj Black Lion BS	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was off from his day service, so we decided to take this opportunity to ride on the X81 service. Matthew got up around 12:00. He has some toast and orange juice. I asked him if he wanted to do a few extra buses today and he said yes. We worked out what we were going to do and when we had to leave the house. We set off at around 13:40 and walked all the way to the bus on Beaconsfield Road. We saw First Potteries 66310 going towards Newcastle on the #22 and then First Potteries 60072 on the #22 to Dresden.

First Potteries 60072 in Blurton

Going towards Newstead on the #23A was First Potteries 53208.

First Potteries 53208 in Blurton

A few minutes later a Solo rounded the corner and it was dud First Potteries 53829.

First Potteries 53829 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked to Hanley. There was only one passenger on the bus at this point and they were sitting near to the front, so Matthew got a picture of the inside of First Potteries 53829 too.

Inside First Potteries 53829

The bus set off through Blurton and onto Blurton Road. We headed through heron Cross and onto Heron Street. On the corner by the railway line there was a smashed up car. We carried on and turned onto left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and then down under the railway line and into Stoke. After a brief pause in Stoke town centre we went around the one way system and onto Glebe Street. We went under the railway and turned left onto Station Road. By the railway station we passed First Potteries 41494 on a #3 service. We went up Cauldon Road and we passed Hind Street we saw GHA single decker N8 GHA parked up ready to the X81 later... We crossed the ring road and we entered the bus station via Bethesda Street and John Street. After using the toilet we realised that we had almost 30 minutes so there was time to go to the car park to take bus pictures. Matthew bumped into one of the staff members from his day service and we stopped to have a quick chat. We carried on towards the car park and as we crossed the road we saw Scraggs YJ59 GHH entering the bus station on the #50 from Longton.

Scraggs YJ59 GHH in Hanley bus station

We entered the car park and went upstairs. One of the first buses we saw was required First Potteries 40805 on the #7B to Biddulph.

First Potteries 40805 in Hanley bus station

This was followed dud (for Matthew) First Potteries 40029 on a #23A to Newstead.

First Potteries 40029 in Hanley bus station

We then saw required First Potteries 60174 running out of service.

First Potteries 60174 in Hanley bus station

We also saw Bakerbus 267 on a #9 to Biddulph.

Bakerbus 267 in Hanley bus station

Bakerbus service buses are soon to history as D&G are taking over these operations... We then saw First Potteries 37157 on a #3 to Madeley.

First Potteries 37157 in Hanley bus station

First Potteries route branded Scania 65001 was being used on it's correct route of #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 65001 in Hanley bus station

On a #16 to Leek was dud Wardle Transport 3601.

Wardle Transport 3601 in Hanley bus station

Wardle Transport 3601 is high mileage bus as we have had this from Sudbury to Fenton on the old X50 back in April 2014 just before the service finished. On a #3 to Newcastle was dud First Potteries 66838.

First Potteries 66838 in Hanley bus station

We had that bus last time on the 27th December. It was time to walk back to the bus station before the X81 arrived. We got back with a few minutes to spare. There was a reasonable crowd waiting to catch this service. When the bus arrived it was as expected GHA step entranced Volvo single decker N8 GHA.

GHA N8 GHA in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and booked to Talke. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We went towards Festival Park and the onto the A53. At Basford we headed onto the Northbound A500. Matthew then took a picture inside N8 GHA.

Inside GHA N8 GHA

The bus carried on up the A500 and we came off at the A34. We then carried on North for another couple of miles or so until we got close the the Caudwell Tavern. We got up and got off the bus and we got another picture of GHA single decker N8 GHA before it carried on Northwards.

GHA N8 GHA in Talke

We had just under 20 minutes to wait for the next Newcastle bound #4A. We had just see a service going towards Kidsgrove so we waited for over bus in the sunshine. It was cold as it was about to go dark. Just before our bus came we saw First Potteries 66839 on a Kidsgrove bound bus.

First Potteries 66839 in Talke

A minute or so later we could see a Cherry branded bus at the bottom of the hill. As it got closer we saw it was required First Potteries 66308.

First Potteries 66308 in Talke

We got on the bus and booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up the hill and we turned left into the housing estate. We came out on the High Street and as the people behind us got off Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 66308

the bus carried on down the High Street and we then turned right and diverted into the Freeport before carrying on South. We crossed the A500 and we headed into Red Street. We continued South into Chesterton and then we turned left onto Wolstanton Road before we turned right onto the A34. We went South past the depot where we could see First Potteries 34311 and 30031 parked up towards the back of the depot. We diverted onto Liverpool Road and then onto the Ryecroft before going down Barracks Road and turning into the bus station. We got off the bus and we saw required First Potteries 60069 on a #22 to Dresden. Not to worry, we were going to catch the 16:05 extra #22 that runs as far as Trentham Mondays to Fridays. Whilst we waited we took a few pictures. Between duties was dud Wardle Transport 2356,

Wardle Transport 2356 in Newcastle bus station

Also between duties was dud First Potteries 43877.

First Potteries 43877 in Newcastle bus station

On a #101 service was required First Potteries 65027.

First Potteries 65027 in Newcastle bus station

On a #3 was required First Potteries 66313.

First Potteries 66313 in Newcastle bus station

On the soon to be finished #33 service was Wardle Transport 2259.

Wardle Transport 2259 in Newcastle bus station

On a #164 from Market Drayton to Hanley was Arriva Midlands Optare Versa 3698.

Arriva Midlands 3698 in Newcastle bus station

I would appear that there was a Saturday service operating today as the 16:05 never came. At 16:10 the next bus came in and it was dud First Potteries 66310.

First Potteries 66310 in Newcastle bus station

After a driver change the bus loaded up and we booked to Trent Vale. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station onto barracks Road. We went South on the A34 before turning into the hospital. after traveling trough the hospital we came out onto Hilton Road and we did this forward onto Harpfields Road. At the other end of Harpfields road we re-joined the A34 and we got up and got off near to the pub. Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 66310 as it carried on towards Dresden.

First Potteries 66310 in Trent Vale

We met mum and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate the highlights of the passing buses was First Potteries double decker 32627 on a #101 to Hanley. After we had finished eating we called Uncle Dave and we went to pick him up. We drove along the A34 and onto the Northbound A500. We went East at the A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we dropped into Fenton. After we had picked up uncle Dave, we headed up to Heron Cross and through Blurton, getting home around 18:40. Matthew then chilled out watching bus videos and using his computer before bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 30-12-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2799	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	X2	Arriva NW&W
2358	Chester BS	Chester, nr Park & Ride	10	Arriva NW&W
2258	Chester, opp Park & Ride	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4482	Chester BS	Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
2646	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
2352	o/s Brewery Arms PH	Chester BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Matthew is on holiday from his day service, so we decided to take him out on an extra trip. We checked the weather in the general area and it was for clear sunny cold weather. Matthew got up around 10:00 and we gave him a list of destinations, out of which he chose Ellesmere Port & Chester. No research was done for this trip other than the previously done weather check. We set off just after 11:30 and we drover through Blurton and onto Blurton Road. We went into Heron Cross and into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. We headed down onto the A500, and as we waited for the lights in Stoke the adjacent bin lorry driver told us we had a flat back tyre. We drove along the high level of the A500 and we turn right into Shelton to visit the petrol station opposite Signal Radio. We pumped up the tyre and filled up with a little disel before we headed back down to the A500. We turned right onto the Northbound A500 and we headed up the the M6. We took the Northbound M6 up to junction 20 and we then headed West on the A56. Matrix signs had been saying that there were delays on the M53 between junctions 11 & 10. We came of the M56 and onto the A5117 and we went North for a couple of miles until we hit the M53. We went North for one junction until we got to the A5032 and we headed into town. It seemed quite busy as we went passed the railway station but then the traffic eased a little we turned into Civic Way and went passed the bus station where there were a few GHA buses and Aintree Coaches 112. We parked up near to the market and we headed into the market. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went to the food court for dinner. Matthew had a breakfast with extra toast and a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed off to the bus station. There was a bit of activity as we walked into the bus station. We saw required GHA 'Into the Port' liveried Solo T789 KNW on a local service.

GHA T789 KNW in Ellesmere Port bus station

This was followed by required GHA Caetano Dart FJ06 URR on a #7 to Rivacre village.

GHA FJ06 URR in Ellesmere Port bus station

We then saw required GHA East Lancs Darts R504 JFE on a #36 to Runcorn.

GHA R504 JFE in Ellesmere Port bus station

We missed this bus last week on our trip to Northwich, and we missed it again today. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21116 on a Northbound service, and we also saw Arriva NW&W 3009 on a Liverpool bound bus. We decided to go South on the next Arriva Bus. This happened to be required Arriva NW&W 2799 on a X2 service.

Arriva NW&W 2799 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and week booked Arriva Deeside day Saver tickets at £4.50 each. Unusually, when we got on the bus it was empty so Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2799.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2799

We sat down near to the back of the bus and a few more people got onto the bus bus before we set off onto Civic Way. We headed south down Chester Road and forward onto the A41. We were able to track the buses progress on the new Arriva Livemap site. We carried on onto Liverpool Road for the last couple of miles into the town centre. We paused outside the Stagecoach depot were we saw Stagecoach Merseyside double decker 18151 and Stagecoach Merseyside Dart 34819.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34819 in Chester

We carried on South across the ring road and into Northgate. We passed under the city wall and turned right into the bus station. After we had got off the bus we headed off to the sheltered spot under the market car park to watch buses and take a few pictures. Running out of service was required Stagecoach Merseyside E300 27779.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27779 in Chester bus station

On a #31 to Sealand Road park and ride was Stagecoach Merseyside 21267.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21267 in Chester bus station

It appears that since our last visit to Chester Stagecoach have taken over running the service to Heswall. Seen on the X22 was Stagecoach Merseyside 34742.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34742 in Chester bus station

We saw a double decker in the distance on the #84 stand. The double decker looked a little unusual so we went up to see what it was. It was recent transfer to Winsford, required Arriva NW&W 4166 which is a Plaxton President on a DAF DB250 chassis.

Arriva NW&W 4166 in Chester bus station

We then saw an Arriva Dart on #10 to Connah's Quay. I had thought it was required Arriva NW&W 2358, but...

Arriva NW&W 2358 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus thinking it was Arriva NW&W 2358. It had metal framed seats, another clue that should have told us that it wasn't 2358. We flashed the tickets and sat down near to the back. The bus was already loaded and a few more people gt on the bus after we did. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We turned onto the A548 and we headed under the wall. The road widened and we went out along past all the retail units on the edge of town. A few people got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2358

At the edge of England we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2358 as it set off towards Wales.

Arriva NW&W 2358 in Sealand

We had just missed a Cadet, so we crossed the road and looked at the timetable. We had 10 minutes to wait. Across the road Stagecoach Merseyside 21265 came and went. Another park and ride bus arrived and we were about to take a picture when a Dart appeared from around the corner out of Wales. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2258!

Arriva NW&W 2258 in Sealand

We flashed the tickets and I asked the driver if he had just turned around and come straight back. I thought we had just got off Arriva NW&W 2258 and yet we had also just got on it... Something was amiss. A quick check ed of the picture I took at Chester revealed that the first Dart we had been on was Arriva NW&W 2358. I checked to see if this bus was required and it was! That was a nice surprise... We headed back into town along the A548 and we turned onto South View Road and we went under the ring road and onto Northgate. We turned right and went under the wall before going into the bus station, We unloaded at the end of the row from which the 10 departs, by the #53 & #51 stands. Matthew let the bus empty before taking a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2258.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2258

We walked over to our usual perch and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2258.

Arriva NW&W 2258 in Chester bus station

We had around 10 minutes before the next group of buses that we might catch, so we took a few bus pictures. On the #53 to Kingsway was required Stagecoach Merseyside 34816.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34816 in Chester bus station

On the #1A to Blacon was Stagecoach Merseyside 2125.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21256 in Chester bus station

We saw the next #84 to Crewe arrive and we went over to see if it was something worth catch. On closer inspection we saw it was dud former Southport allocated Volvo double decker Arriva NW&W 4101.

Arriva NW&W 4101 in Chester bus station

We had been on Arriva NW&W 4101 before from Wigan to Pemberton back in December 2012. The next Arriva bus in was Rhyl allocated required Arriva NW&W 4482, so we decided to do this.

Arriva NW&W 4482 in Chester bus station

There were a few people getting on this bus so we queued up and eventually we got on it. We flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets and we went upstairs. The bus left the bus station and onto the ring road. We joined the A483 to go past the racecourse and we crossed over the river Dee. At the next roundabout we took the A5104. We crossed under the Wrexham railway line and into Wales. We passed through Saltney and in the Saltney Ferry area we overtook required Arriva NW&W 2253, which was stopped near to the big footbridge with it's hazard lights on. We passed another #11 double decker and we carried on to Broughton where we got up and got off the bus. Before the bus carried on West Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 4482.

Arriva NW&W 4482 in Broughton

We crossed over the very busy road which took a minute or two. As there was a while to wait for the next #11 and the #3 & #4 don't go to the bus station, we decided to stagger our journey back to get in an extra bus. We had around 5 minutes to wait and then we saw a bus going into the retail park. A few minutes later it came out and onto the roundabout before heading our way. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2646.

Arriva NW&W 2646 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed our Deeside Day Saver tickets. This was now five out of five require buses, which wasn't bad considering how many times we've been to Chester. The bus headed back along the A5104 and we decided to get off just the other side of the railway line as there was a chips shop there. We got off and went into the flames kebab house. We had a portioned of fries between us and we brought 3 cans of pop. Once we had the fries we had a few minutes before the #11 or so the theory went. As we started to eat the chips we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4479 on the #11.

Arriva NW&W 4479 in Lache

We ate the chips and then checked the time... It was now 16:15 when the #11 should have been. Not to worry as there was a #12 to the bus station at 16:18 we we assume would probably be a Solo, and a required one at that. The time came and we saw a Dart approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Arriva NW&W Dart 2352.

Arriva NW&W 2352 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver for the last time. We sat down near to the back of the bus. This was a bus that we had done for the first time from Broughton to Chester railway station back in September 2013. The bus carried onto up to the A483 and we crossed over the Dee before heading into the bus station via the ring road. When we got back Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2352.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2352

Mum hadn't arrived from Ellesmere Port yet. So we decided to take a few more bus pictures whilst we waited for her. Having seen Stagecoach Merseyside 21116 earlier in the day, there was a second one of these Volvo B10's on the Chester - Liverpool service. Required Stagecoach Merseyside 21117 was on a #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21117 in Chester bus station

On the next #84 to Chester was dud Arriva NW&W 4030.

Arriva NW&W 4030 in Chester bus station

Arriva NW&W 4030 was a bus we first had at the beginning of November. The next #10 to Connah's Quay was required Arriva NW&W 2636.

Arriva NW&W 2636 in Chester bus station

On the #82 to Northwich was required GHA Olympian S644 KJU.

GHA S644 KJU in Chester bus station

On the #12 to Connah's Quay was dud Arriva NW&W 2257, proving the previous Dart on the #12 was not a one off...

Arriva NW&W 2257 in Chester bus station

Mum appeared from the car park and we headed to the toilets before returning to the car. We had some Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew washed his down with a bottle of Irn Bru. We left the car park and we went anti-clockwise around the ring road until we got to the A56. Here we followed a Stagecoach bus branded for the X8 Liverpool - Chester service. We carried on across the A41 and onto the Northbound M53. At the first junction we went east along the M56. We travelled for a few miles until we got to the M6 and then we went South. There was some congestion down through junction 18 & 18 and then we got up to speed until we came of the M6 at junction 16. We went South down the A500 and we came off the A500 at the North end of Stoke so that we could go up Wheildon Road. After we dropped uncle Dave off we headed up to Heron Cross and onto the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we headed to Z Carz. There was only one bus on the spare ground and this was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We went back to the other end of Longton and we picked up Matthew usual Tuesday nights MacDonalds. After we had picked up the food we went past the bus interchange and down King Street. We got on the A50 link road we headed through Heron Cross and into Blurton. We got home at around 18:30. Matthew had is MacDonald which was a chicken nugget meal with a plain cheeseburger washed down with a cup of Coke. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark