Trip to Trent Vale 27-12-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42892	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to catch a bus and travel up to meet mum. Matthew got up around 11:30, just after I got back home from work. He had some toast for breakfast washed down with orange juice, and later he had some chicken goujons and fries for a late dinner. We had planned to catch the 15:50 from Longton to Newcastle #22 bus as far as Trent Vale where we were going to meet up with mum. We set off just before 16:00 and walked all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw one of the other two buses on the #22, Longton bound First Potteries 40015.

First Potteries 40015 in Blurton

This was followed shortly by Wardle Transport 2963 on the Plumline service. A few minutes later our bus appeared from around the corner and it was dud First Potteries 42892.

First Potteries 42892 in Blurton

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. 42892 was a bus that we only had for the first time last month. The bus turned onto the A5035 and headed towards Trentham. We passed First Potteries 41512 on the #21A to Hanley as it was waiting to start it's journey from outside the Toby Inn. We turned into New Inn Lane and we paused for a short while outside the Man in Space. First Potteries 41512 passed us on it's way to Hanley and then we headed into Hanford. We passed First Potteries 60011 on a Trentham bound #21 as we passed the Wrights Pies shop. We headed along Wilson Road and then down the hill to the A34 down church Lane. At the A34 we saw Robinsons Coaches PO62 LVA going North. We carried on towards Newcastle and crossed the A500. As we headed through Trent Vale we passed First Potteries 40007 on the third and final #22 turn. As the bus was nearly empty in front of us Matthew took a picture facing forwards.

Inside First Potteries 42892

We turned the corner off the A34 and onto Harpfields Road. At this point we decided to get up and get off. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 42892.

First Potteries 42892 in Trent Vale

We then walked back onto the A34 and towards the pub. We went through the door just as mum arrived in the car park. Matthew had his usual meal of two sausage, chips egg and beans with extras of bacon and two rounds of bread and butter. The was followed by toffee sponge pudding and ice cream. After we had finished eating we decided to go home via Z Carz as I had seen some different coaches parked there earlier in the morning. We drove back down the A34 and onto the Northbound A500. At Sideway we got onto the Eastbound A50 which we did up to Longton and to the Z Carz depot. By the time we go there there were only the usual vehicles parked up. First in the row was Scania Coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Behind D104 XAN was M534 RSO which appear to have had it's nearside panel replaced since we last got close to the bus on Saturday.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Way back in the shadows was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY. Next to this was another Mercedes minibus W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

We turned left into Wilow row where we saw airport transfers bus DL03 HHU and SORN LDV minbus T408 JUX. We turned the car in the road and headed back to Heron Cross along the A50. We headed into Blurton along Blurton Road and onto the A5035. We got home around 17:30. We then chilled out and watched some Christmas telly and ate snakcks. We also watched bus DVDs and of course wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Trent Vale 31-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40150	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew had a playscheme arranged for the morning, so we decided to take him on a bus to Trent Vale too. Matthew got up around 08:00 havig toast and orange juice for breakfast. He chilled out on his computer until around 09:30 wen mum took him up to Chell Heath. They turned onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews way. The went onto the westbound a50 and then onto the northbound A500. We saw Wardle transport 4652 on a #30 service on the A500. North of longport they turned onto the A527 Tunstall by-pass which they did over to High Lane. Off high Lane they turned down Spring bank road and into Heathfield school. She dropped him off at 10:00. Whilst there he did various thing including baking some chocolate cakes which he of course ate whilst he was there. We also spent some time outside where he was able to see buses go past. some of his sightings include bakerbus 183 & 250 on the #9 and 41495 on a #21. I picked him up from Chell Heath around 14:55. Matthew went to the toilet and then we departed. We went back via Spring Bank Road. As we turned onto Spring bank Road we saw Wardle Transport 4891 on another #61 turn. Te route back was a reverse of the rote in. High Lane, Tunstall by-pass, A500, A50, Stanley Matthews Way. Outside the Britannia stadium we saw Wardle Transport 2963 on the Plumline. We got home around 15:15 and we had a quick toilet stop before walking down to the stop on Magdalen Road. We had left the bus pass at home so we had to go back and fetch it. We returned to the stop at the exact time the bus was due. Luckily traffic was heavy today so the bus was a few minutes late. I had seen the turn early I the day so I knew the bus was going to be First potteries 40150. It turned up a round 5 minutes late and it was 40150 as predicted.

First Potteries 40150 in Blurton

We got on the bus and sat near the back. This is a bus that Matthew had done before but hadn't. He hadn't been on it for a long time, the last he did it was when he had respite in Parklands more than two years ago!. It was very warm and Matthew was glad I made him leave his jacket at home. The bus turned onto the a5035 and then onto New Inn Lane. We passed 40148 on a Longton bound #22 and we stopped on New Inn Lane to let someone off and the bus cut out! The bus was quickly restarted and we carried on to Wilson Road and Church Lane. We then got onto the A34 and then headed to Trent Vale, and then turned onto Harpfields Road. As we passed the Black Lion pub we had seen mum parking the car. We got off the bus and then Matthew took another picture of 40150 as it carried on to Newcastle.

First Potteries 40150 in Trent Vale

We walked onto the A34 towards the Black Lion. As we walked down we spotted a Scania in the distance. It was 65040 on a Hanley bound #101. He got a picture as it headed away.

First Potteries 65040 in Trent Vale

We walked to the pub car park and met up with mum. Inside Matthew had his usual brunch and toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. this was washed down with coke and blackcurrant and soda. Whilst we ate we saw a number of #101 including two the rarer Scania's for this service 65003 and 65004. We left the pub around 17:00, setting off to pick up uncle Dave. We headed down the A34 and onto the A500. As we joined the A50 we were alongside Wardle Transport 2260 on a #350 service. We headed to Heron Cross and after picking up uncle Dave We headed back through Heron Cross into Blurton. We got hone around 17:30. We then chilled out watching telly ad eating snacks. He also spent time on his computer and watching bus DVDs before going to bed around 23:30...Mark

Trip on the Wardle Transport running day 12-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2963	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	Plumline	Wardle Transport
4622	Hanley BS	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	61	Arriva Midlands
4545	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	Hanley BS	61	Wardle Transport
4687	Hanley BS	Wardle Transport garage, Adderley Green	Charter	Wardle Transport
4891	Wardle Transport garage, Adderley Green	Hanley BS	Charter	Wardle Transport
4547	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj Asda superstore	61	Wardle Transport
4547	Tunstall, adj Asda superstore	Hanley BS	61	Wardle Transport
60196	Hanley BS	Cross Heath, Swift House	34	First Potteries

Today was the double decker running on the #61 service. We have know about this for a month or so and so it has been marked in our calender for some time. As it was a local trip not much research was carried out. We brought a copy of Buses magazine as there was an advert about the event, although the advert was quite vague about what was happening regarding the shuttle service to the depot. we also checked the times of the #61 service on Saturdays, and the times of our local Wardle service to Hanley, which is the Plumline. News had come through in the week that Arriva Midlands 4622 was coming up from Oswestry depot on a feeder service for the event. 4622 is A bus that is mainly confined to schools work. I was up very early today, and it was a fine sunny morning. I opened Matthew's curtain early around 08:00. the early he got up, the more buses we could ride on. The First Plumline service was at 08:40, and this made it on to the second departure from Hanley. Matthew got up around 09:00, and so after breakfast we made it on to the second Plumline at 09:40. The bus was 2963, dedicated bus for the service in the Plum coloured livery. This was only the second time we had been on this bus, the first being on 05/12/2008 5 days into the new service. We booked a Wardle Day ticket, and apparently it was the first one the driver had ever sold! We set off to Hanley picking up quite a few more passengers on the way. We picked up another enthusiast at the railway station and the driver sold another Wardle Day ticket. We arrived in Hanley around 10:10 and we actually saw the 10:00 departure disappearing towards Tunstall although we didn't know at the time. So we now had around 50 minutes to wait, which we spent on the balcony watching and photographing buses. the time passed quite quickly, Arriva Midlands 4701 arrived, on what I can only assume was another feeder service from the Leicester area. Just before 11:00 required 4622 arrived, but I wasn't sure if it was from the depot or directly from Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 4622 in Hanley bus station

We went down to the bus station and it was obvious it was being made ready for service. The ticket machines were being swapped over from an Arriva to Wardle one. A couple of minutes later the bus started to load. At the wheel was non other than Robert Thompson, owner of of Dart DRN116. we had a very quick chat before I chased Matthew up the stairs. There were a handful of regular passengers and 20 plus bus enthusiasts. Upstairs the bus was filled with the sound of bus related chat. We had found out that required Wardle tri-axle Volvo 4545 had gone out on the 10:00, so we knew if we got off part way we could get it back into Hanley. After around 20 or so minutes on the bus we got off in Bradeley, and Matthew got another picture of this fine beast!

4622 in Bradeley

We got off the bus and it started to rain a little. We also saw step entranced Volvo B6 Bakerbus 227 on a #9 to Biddulph. We then crossed over to the stop, After a few minutes we saw 4545 head into Bradley village, and then re-appear a couple of minutes later. Matthew got a picture of required 4545 as I flagged it down.

Wardle Transport 4545 in Bradeley

We went upstairs in this very unusual vehicle. the sun came out again and we had a very pleasant journey back to Hanley. As we got off Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside 4545

when we got to Hanley we saw that the 12:00 from Hanley was going to be unrequired 4607, and 4545 was heading back to the depot. So we decided that we were going to stop for diner. We went to the tardis toilet at the end of the bus station. and we were walking back to the cafe when we saw another Wardle transport double decker. It was required 4687. i asked the driver where he was going, and he told us he was going to the depot only and so we jumped on. We went upstairs and it was virtually empty. Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4687

We did this to the depot, which is a good 15-20 minutes from Hanley. When we got there the few people that were on the bus got off.

4687 at the Wardle Transport garage

The yard had been split off, with the public being allowed in the front part of the yard. We found out that you could go in the yard if you sign into the office and if you wear a hi viz. We had one in the bag and we went to visit the office. Matthew use to be a fairly regular visit to this depot when it used to be D&G. He would come up about once a month with Outreach and have a look around the yard. after he had a bit of an explore around the office we got extra hi viz jacket and went around the yard. He took pictures of the buses inside and out, he also went in to see his usual college vehicle 1450, which was having some work done on it. Whilst we were in the depot tri-axle Volvo 4547 went off to work the 13:00 from Hanley. After finishing around the depot we waited for the next service back to Hanley. as we had not yet had dinner, we broke into our emergency rations pack, which had a double milky way and a very squashed Toffee Crisp. We also had a small bottle of limeade too. Eventually Wardle 4891 was started up to work to Hanley. As we waited Arriva Midlands 4622 arrived and seemed to bring in quite a few people to the depot. required 4891 pulled up in the front part of the yard and we got on it. Matthew took a picture of the top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4891

When we got off we now had chance to do dinner. the 14:00 was 4891 and we had just been on that. We went to Tony's cafe and we had breakfast's and uncle Dave had a sausage sandwich. After dinner we had around 30 minutes to wait for the 15:00 departure. We knew required 4547 was on it's way back from Tunstall, but it was unlikely to work the #61 again when it got back. We st on the balcony in the afternoon sun just watching the buses. Eventually 4547 arrived back from Tunstall. It still had the Tunstall card in the front window so perhaps it would go again? We went down the stairs to the bus station and before long it started to load. We knew it was the #61 as there were normals getting on and using their bus passes. Arriva Midlands 4622 arrived from the depot with a load more passengers. As we were getting on the driver was speaking to someone through the window about which bus was going to Tunstall. Apparently, the 15:00 should have been Arriva Midlands 4701 and the driver was to swap over the machines so he could issue tickets. however the driver had sai that he hadn't been told and he had loaded up with passengers. We were glad 4547 was going again, as AM 4701 is a much newer bus and we will probably have a chance to get this bus another time. As we went upstairs Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4547

The plan was now to go to Bradeley, come back on WT , and then cover the last #61 from Hanley. When we got to Bradeley Matthew decided that he didn't want to get off, and so we went on to Tunstall. As we got off, Matthew got a picture of 4547 in Tunstall.

4547 in Tunstall

we now about 30 minutes to kill, and so we walked up the hill to the public, toilets. On the way back we went to an ice cream van in the Matalan car that we had spotted on the way up. We then got back to the bus and Matthew was getting a bit restless. it had been a long day. So we go back on the bus ans sat upstairs and waited for time. it was boiling hot on the bus. It had no opening windows and the air con didn't feel like it was working. We got a can of pop out of the emergency supplies to try and cool down. Eventually 16:10 came around and we set off. The plan was now to go back to Hanley and then catch a bus to somewhere so that mum could meet us. At Bradeley we passed the 16:00 from Hanley and it was required WT 4692. that was slightly disappointing but at least we had got everything else that we want that worked today. When we got to Hanley we went up to the balcony we need to pick a bus to somewhere and then make a call. Matthew suggested 60013 on a #34A, but as we started to go towards it, it pulled off. We then saw 60196 come in and lay over for a short while. It was displaying #34, and so I thought this would be a good time to pick of another NE Scania. When the bus came onto stand we walked down to it and Matthew got a picture.

First PMT 60196 in Hanley bus station

As we sat down we could see the seat were like new and so this must have been a recent internal refurb. We had booked to Cross Heath, as we thought this would be a good place to meet mum. When we got to Newcastle bus station, Matthew want to get off, but we had already arranged to meet mum. Newcastle bus station isn't really well suited to Matthew as it is a long and very thin glass tube. It is hard at most times, but at 17:20 on a Saturday it would just be too difficult. A few minutes later we were at Cross Heath and we got off. Matthew got another picture of this bus after we had alighted.

60196 in Cross Heath

Mum had parked up around the corner, and as we walked back to the car I spotted a take away. Matthew jumped in the car and I decided to get him a small fries to keep him going until our late tea. We headed back through, Hempstalls Skirted Newcastle and joined onto the Southbound A500 in Shelton. We arrived home a little after 18:00 after a very long day. We then had our tea for sausages and mash and carrots gravy...Mark