Trip to Warrington 27-10-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
F3	Warrington Interchange	Westy, Whitley Avenue (N-bound)	1C	Fairbrothers
F3	Westy, Whitley Avenue (N-bound)	Warrington Interchange	1C	Fairbrothers
F15	Warrington Interchange	Dallam, Harrison Square (S-bound)	21H	Fairbrothers
F15	Dallam, Harrison Square (S-bound)	Warrington Interchange	21H	Fairbrothers
2262	Warrington Interchange	Winwick, o/s B&Q	360	Arriva NW&W
2556	Winwick, opp B&Q	Warrington Interchange	360	Arriva NW&W
SF06 LLG	Warrington Interchange	Grappenhall, nr Pilling Gardens	37	Warrington Coachways
F13	Latchford, o/s Kwik Save	Warrington Interchange	1C	Fairbrothers

Today we decided to pay a visit to Warrington. As well as the mixture of Arriva visitors to Warrington and the unusual buses in the Warrington Coachways fleet, since our last visit there has been a new operator starting up. As we made the decision quite late in the week we did not do too much research other than find somewhere different to park! We checked the weather the night before and it was for a sunny but cold day. Matthew got up around 09:00 which is unusual for a Saturday. After breakfast and getting ready we set off around 12:00. As we were a little late we decided to visit the Bakery on Nashe Drive for dinner. After consuming some bacn and sausage sandwiches we set of on our journey. We joined the A50 at Heron Cross and then went onto the Northbound A500. We then got on the M6 Northbound. Traffic was a little slow and it took quite a while to reach the M62. We had decided to approach Warrington from the North as it is the easiest way to get into town along the A49. We parked in an open car pack near Warrington Central station at around 13:30. As we walked down we saw a few buses parked up on Winwick Street just North of the railway station. One such bus was Ex Arriva NW&W 3271 which is now Fairbrothers F3.

Fairbrothers F3 between duties in Warrington

After taking a few pictures we visited the toilet at Warrington Central station before walking down to the bus station. Matthew took a picture of one of the Fairbrother Volvo B6's with ALX200 bodywork. As we got to the bus station we saw Fairbrother F3 pull into the bus station and so I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We looked to see were the bus was going and it was on the 1C Westy circular. We booked some of the day tickets for £2.50 and we went upstairs. In the stand next to us Arriva NW&W 2259 which had arrived on the #360 from Wigan had broken down. As the top deck was empty Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Fairbrothers F3

We sat at the front and settled down for the journey. As we didn't really know where we were going we paid close attention to our route out. The main road along which this service travels is the A5061 Knutsford Road down to Latchford and then a right turn onto the A50 before doing a circuit of the housing estate at Westy. When we reached the Whitley road terminus of the service I went down to the driver to flash the tickets and Matthews pass before we returned to Warrington. As we left the estate in Westy someone took a picture of the bus. On the inward journey we passed another on of the B6's working the following 1C service. When we got back into the Interchange, there was a B6 along side us about to work a 21H. As we had the day ticket I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. So we got straight on it and as it was empty Matthew got his inside picture of this bus too.

Inside Fairbrothers F15

We flashed the tickets and got on and sat near the back. Once again we didn't really know where we were. We stopped outside a Co-op about 20 minutes into the journey and so I got up to flash the tickets to return back to Warrington. Shortly after this we crossed the A49 and we saw a Northbound Arriva bus that Matthew wanted to catch. It was too late to catch this bus because by the time we would have got off we wouldn't have made it to a bus stop. After we had crossed the A49 I asked Matthew again if he wanted to get off and he said no. So we stayed on the bus and went into an housing estate along side the Wigan line and then past the Hospital and then we came back into familiar territory as we crossed over the railway line just North of Bank Quay station. When we got back we had a visit to the toilet and the shop. We had a quick wander around and took some more pictures, we then sat and had a drink until we saw required Arriva 2262 appear on a #360 Wigan service. As we queued up to get on Matthew got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2262 in Warrington Interchange

We got on and settled down. Matthew made a friend on the bus as he often does and coincidentally she was getting off at the B&Q Winwick stop. When we got off Matthew got a picture of the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2262 in Winwick

After taking his picture Mathew said goodbye to his new friend. We then decided to grab a quick snack at the adjacent Burger King. Matthew used the toilet whilst he was there and then we went outside and had a little Burger King picnic by the North bound bus stop After we had finished we disposed of the rubbish and then crossed over the A49 to the Southbound stop which is no easy job! It was around 16:00 and the next bus due was a #329 at 16:12. However the next to turn up was a late running #360 which was dud Arriva NW&W 2556.

Arriva NW&W 2556 in Winwick

I asked Matthew if he wanted to let this bus go as I remembered he had been on this bus last time we came to Warrington. He decided he wanted to do it anyway and so we got on and sat in the group of 4 facing seat near the rear of the bus on the nearside. The journey in was quite as most inbound buses are at this time of day. As we got back to the Interchange Matthew go a picture of the empty inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2556

Back at the interchange we saw mum. We also saw Warrington Coachways step entranced minibus SF06 LLG and so Matthew decided he wanted to do this! I booked to Lymm as this was the only intermediate place on the route I knew. As we set off I noticed we were taking a similar route to the 1C service, so I decided it would be a good idea to get off near Latchford Village. As the bus went passed the end of the village I shouted next stop. Unfortunately due to the railway and the Ship canal the next stop was about a 1/4 of a mile away. When we got of we were in Grappenhall and Matthew got his picture into the late evening sun.

Warrington Coachways SF06 LLG in Grappenhall

We got off and walked back. Across the ship canal and uder the railway bridge until we got into Latchford Village. As we walked under the railway bridge we saw a warrington bound 1C disappear around the corner, and so I knew we had 15 minutes to wait. We decided to get some money from the cash machine at the Co-op and to get lottery tickets, and Matthew brought some Irn Bru and frozen cakes! We sat at the bus stop and Matthew drank the Irn Bru. This made him miss getting a picture of the bus as it came around the corner. It was required Fairbrothers F13. As we got he got a picture of the inside.

Inside Fairbrothers F13

We sat down for the journey. It was very quite and I think we were the only ones on this service all the way. As we reached the edge of town we passed Warrington Coachways 476 CEL on a #38 service. When we got back to the interchange we met up with mum and it was time to go. We walked up to the top edge of the bus station taking picture of the stabled buses. Parked up were Network Warrington 40,46 & 73 and Arriva NW&W 2940 between X30 duties. Afterwards we walked up winwick street taking pictures of the buses parked up there too. As well as Hiltons double decker RED 448 which ws on rail replacement duties, the were Network warrington 35 & 54 and Arriva NW&W 2992 parked up. There was also Fairbrothers B6 F14.

Fairbrothers F14 between duties in Warrington

We then walked back to the car and tucked into some Greggs mini sausage rolls which mum had picked up whilst we were travelling. We got back to the car at 17:10 and put the radio on to hear Stoke had drawn 0-0 with Sunderland. We drove out the same way we came in. along Winwick street and onto the A49 to Winwick. It was then M62 West on junction and then M6 South. We came off the M6 at the A500 near Crewe and then headed to Longport where we stopped at the BP garage for air in the tyres and LPG. We then headed South to the A50 before heading into Longton. We went passed Z Carz and there wasn't much stabled with T131 SGA at the front of the row with a couple of the airport fleet present too. We then headed home and we were back for around 18:20. We then had some frozen cheesecake! Later we had sausage potatoes and carrots for a late tea before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Warrington 07-04-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2721	Warrington Interchange	Penketh, opp Heath Road	6	Arriva NW&W
2716	Penketh, opp Heath Road	Warrington Interchange	6	Arriva NW&W
2556	Warrington Interchange	Winwick, o/s B&Q	360	Arriva NW&W
2209	Winwick, opp B&Q	Warrington Interchange	329	Arriva NW&W
2209	Warrington Interchange	Winwick, o/s B&Q	329	Arriva NW&W
2213	Winwick, opp B&Q	Warrington Interchange	329	Arriva NW&W

Today we were going to Warrington. Matthew requested a trip to Warrington a few weeks ago and this was the first weekend we could fit it in. Research consisted of asking questions in the Dennis Dart Forum and then down loading timetables from Arriva and Network Warrington. We set of today around 12:30 due to a slight technical problem with uncle Dave's trousers, picking up mum's friend on the way. We passed Lightning Travel V100 OJW and then we topped up with LPG at Longport on the way before heading Northwards on the A500. The weather today was cool (around 10') and cloudy, typical of the time of year. Th motorway was very busy heading northwards, and there were a few times brakes had to be applied sharply due to drivers in front driving to closely and switching lanes. So we decided to leave the motorway at the A50/M56 junction rather than going further North on the M6. We eventually parked up just before 14:00. We parked in the multi-storey car park adjacent to the bus station. The first thing we usually do on arriving in a town is to get something to eat and use the facilities. We walked around for about 20 minutes looking for a cafe or chip shop in the region around Warrington Central station but the few shops there were were closed. We called in a Warrington Central station to sue the toilets and then we decided to just do a bus and hope to find somewhere to get something to eat out of town. we got into the bus station and saw required Arriva NW&W 2721 on stand and about to work the 14:35 to Liverpool. We had already asked Matthew if he wanted to do Arriva or Network Warrington before we set off and he had chosen Arriva. Whilst we waited for time, Matthew ate a milky way from the emergency rationals pack. The driver appeared and we then boarded the bus, getting Arriva day rovers as we got on. As we left the bus station we saw Arriva 2209 and a marshall bodied Dart which I think was on a #110. As we traveled out we noticed the bus stops had #110 on them so we knew there were other Arriva buses we could get. We passed a 110 as traveled out and it was a Wright pulsar 2. We got off on the edge of Penketh where there were some shops and stops on both sides of the Road. As we got off Matthew got a picture of 2721.

Arriva NW&W 2721 in Penketh

As we got off we noticed there was no open place place in this group of shops. There was a Tesco Express by the bus stop and I went in to try and get something that Matthew would eat whilst Matthew stayed with uncle Dave at the bus stop. The only thing I spotted that he might eat was an iced doughnut, and I brought some Coke for us to drink. Matthew attempted the doughnut but didn't really have more than a bite. He didn't want the coke at that time either, and decided to have a small bottle of Tizer from the emergency rations pack. After eating we crossed the road to wait for the return #6 from Liverpool. Just before the #6 was due, a Network Warrington #30 service was also due. The bus appeared and it was NW 204. As the bus left the stop we could see our bus in the distance down the road. As we had never had any Green Lane vehicle until today it was going to be required. As it got closer we could see it was Arriva NW&W 2716.

Arriva NW&W 2716 in Penketh

We did consider getting off and traveling back towards Penketh and beyond on a #110, but we passed one pretty much as soon as we got on the bus ruling out that as a possibility. So we went all the way back to Warrington, and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus before we got off.

Inside 2716

As we got off we spotted required Arriva NW&W 2556 on the #360 to Wigan, and so we decided to do this. We were going to go to newton for another #360 back, but i noticed that like the #6/#110, the the route of the #360 was also common to the route of the #329 from St Helens at least as far a Winwick B&Q. So I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and he said yes. He then got a shot of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2556 outside Winwick B&Q

We got off and then we crossed the road. Crossing the road here is quite difficult as it is a very busy dual carriageway just off the M62. It takes a good 2-3 minutes to get across on the pelican crossings. When we got to the other side it was just after 15:43 and we noticed that the 15:42 to Warrington #329 hadn't gone passed yet.As soon as we realised this fact we looked up to see a Dennis Dart approaching. It was required 2209 which we had seen in Warrington earlier that day.

Arriva NW&W 2209 outside Winwick B&Q

When we got back to Warrington Matthew became a little unsettled. First he got on the next #360 Wigan but he didn't wan to actually do it. Then he got on a saw Network Warrington 18 on a #22 Vulcan service even though we hadn't got a Network Warrington ticket! He asked for something to eat and the only thing in the bus station shop he wanted was a Milky way and a can of Coke. We had a sit down for a few minutes whilst he ate the Milky Way and drank the Coke, and we decided to go back out on 2209 so we could be in a less hectic environment than Warrington bus station. As we left we noticed Ex PMT Mercedes minibus P420 MEH parked up between duties. We did 2209 out to Winwick again and Matthew got a better picture with the sun behind him this time.

2209 outside Winwick B&Q heading Northwards

We decided to have a bit of time here to watch buses and to have something to eat! I went to the local Burger King and I brought us all some fries. Burger King isn't our first choice of eatery but we were pretty desperate by now. We ate a small fries each and we took as few bus picture. We also saw Arriva NW&W 2454 on a southbound #360 on the other side of the carriageway.

Arriva NW&W 2545 at Winwick

Then we saw Arriva 2464 on a Northbound #360 followed by Network Warrington Marshall Dennis Dart 12 on a #19 service. We then crossed the road and waited for the 16:49 departure which was another #329. It turned up a couple of minutes early and it was required Arriva 2213.

Arriva NW&W 2213 outside Winwick B&Q

As we crossed the M62 we saw Arriva 2211 on a Northbound #329 which had passed us going the other way earlier. When we got back to Warrington Matthew photographed the inside of 2213.

Inside 2213.

When then headed back to the car, but we decided to walk around the outside of the bus station so we could get a few photographs on the way. On of the best vehicles parked u was this Marshall bodied Network Warrington Dennis Dart 13.

Network Warrington 13 stabled at the Interchange

We carried on right around the outside and after we crossed over the tunneled exit to the bus station we found a way into the shopping centre. We walked up the steps and had a short walk through the shopping centre to the lifts. As we left the lift Matthew scare a lady by going to say hello and then we returned to the car. As expected Matthew tucked in to sausage rolls and some cornflake cakes as we left. I took a bit of a wrong turning as I left the car park and we ended going to the edge of Penketh before returning back through the town and back onto the A50. I didn't know there was a late kick-off in the Stoke game and so we were able to listen to first half of the match as we traveled home. The M6 was relatively clear and idiot free as we traveled home, this time via junction 15 as to avoid the football. We dropped mum friend off somewhere in Blurton before returning home around 18:30...Mark