Trip to Wigan / Standish 18-08-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
31928	Wigan BS	Lockett Road, Bryn	610	First Manchester
31928	Lockett Road, Bryn	Wigan BS	610	First Manchester
4107	Wigan BS	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Council Offices (Stop D)	385	Arriva NW&W
2990	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Post (Stop C)	Wigan BS	352	Arriva NW&W
2997	Wigan BS	Standish, o/s House 104 Wigan Road/Almond Crescent	362	Arriva NW&W
2683	Standish, Wigan Road/Prospect Lodge (SE-bound)	Wigan BS	362	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to return to Wigan. Three Saturdays ago when we visited Leigh, we made a brief visit to Wigan. We told Matthew we would return again soon and so we decided that today would be the day. The weather was supposed to be mainly dry and cloudy with sunny intervals, but very warm and humid. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had his breakfast. we set off a little after 11:30 heading off towards Hanford. We stopped at Hanford Wrights Pie shop in order to get some sausage rolls but they had sol out. We set off North again on the A500 and as it was before 12:00 we stopped at the cheaper LPG garage to fuel up. We still had to stop at Longport to put a little air in the tyres before going North up the A500 around 12:15. We got on the M6 and headed North. The traffic was quite busy and so it took a while to get up to Wigan. We came off at the A49 junction and we parked up in a small car park opposite Wigan Wallgate railway station. last time we had ridden up to Wigan mum had noticed a cafe on the corner of the road by the railway station and so we had a ticket for an hour so we could go have dinner here. As we were about to cross over to the cafe Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4100 on a Southport service.

Arriva NW&W 4100 outside Wigan Wallgate

We crossed the road and went into the cafe. Todays we had 3 pie and peas, A sausage and chips meal for Matthew with a drink included and another tea and a Cola. It came to little over £10. Matthew was able to see most of the buses entering the bus station from this end including the Southports and the Kitt Green circulars which have always produced at least one First Manchester Dennis Arrow on our previous visits. From what we could see the circulars were mainly Excels and there was at least one Dennis Dart out. We did see First Manchester Dennis Arrow 31941 running towards the bus station out of service. After we had finished eating, we headed back to the car park. We drove the car a little closer to the bus station and parked up. We walked into the bus station and Matthew went to use the facilities. It was a few minutes before 14:00. As we came out we spotted a Dennis Arrow on a #610 service. It was First Manchester 31928. We had never been on this service before but we were reasonably certain that we had not been on this bus before.

First 31928 about to work the #610

We got on and booked 3 system one bus only tickets plus we used Matthew's pass. Mum was still coming with us to help out. As we booked the tickets and explained to the lady driver that we just wanted to ride on this bus, she informed us that this service went through through the bus garage. We sat upstairs and mum got chatting to another woman on the bus who was also on the double decker because her young son liked travelling on the buses. Apparently she had been forced to turn down the previous service as it wasn't a double decker! We checked the 'Buses I have Travelled on' page and we saw that 31928 was required. Mum and the other woman chatted about various things as we headed South. We passed Arriva NW&W 4103 on an inbound #375 service. The lady eventually got off near Sainsbury's as we got back on the A49 South off Wigan. We headed South past the junction for the M6 and then into Bryn. We turned onto the industrial estate and then waited at the gates on the bus garage to be let in. There is a one way system in operation around the depot, and so you have to do a complete lap of the main shed before pulling up outside the drivers mess. As you circle the depot you get quite close to the scrap line at the back of the depot. Buses include 30586,34262 and 40338. Matthew took a few pictures as we went around including a school bus and a trainer. Here is a picture of the head of the scrap line.

First 34262 leads the scrap line at Bryn

We had a short wait in the depot before heading off back to Wigan. as we returned back Northwards we passed 60145 on a #610. The bus was very warm upstairs with it very few opening windows, and by the time we got off we desperately needed to! We got back into Wigan around 15:00 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4107 arrive from Southport. We decided to do this bus on it's 15:13 departure, as unbeknown to us it was one of the few of these buses we had already been on our last trip to Southport. We decided to do this to Orrell as this is about as far as you can go on a System One ticket. The bus filled up reasonably well and we passed Arriva NW&W 4105 on a inbound service. When we got off Matthew got a picture of these fine bus.

Arriva NW&W 4107 in Orrell

A few seconds behind us was St Helens allocated Arriva NW&W Volvo B10 2705.

Arriva NW&W 2705 in Orrell

We then walked down to the local co-op so Matthew could do a little shopping. After buying out most of the store we crossed the road. A quick consult of the timetable told us that there was a #352 due followed by a bus from Southport. We saw a Pulsar approaching on the #352. We didn't flag it down but it stopped anyway as here was someone getting off. It was required Arriva NW&W 2990. He got a picture of this bus as it pulled up.

Arriva NW&W 2990 in Orrell

Matthew decided to do this so we got on a trooped towards the back of the bus. The bus was nearly empty and the bus didn't stop often as we headed into town. When we got in Matthew waited for the bus to empty and took his customary empty bus shot.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2990

We then had another visit to the facilities and Matthew did some more shopping in the bus station news agents. We saw required Arriva NW&W 4104 arrive on what we would have been on had we had waited for the service. I thought we would be doing this out to Orrell again as it was a required bus and he really likes double deckers. We also saw First Manchester 31934 on a #598 service that we had been on previously. First Manchester 31941 which we had seen running out of service early was on a #631 Beech Hill circular. He chose to do unrequired Arriva NW&W 2997 which we had been on on our first visit to Wigan returning from Platt Bridge on a #360 service. I asked the driver how far we could go on a System One ticket and he told us we could do the bus to Standish. Matthew then got a picture of the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2997 in Wigan bus station

We got on this nearly full bus and rode up Standish. The bus emptied out a little as we headed North and it was reasonable cool when it was running at speed. We got off the bus and Matthew got a picture as it sped away.

Arriva NW&W 2997 in Standish

Had we know what we were doing we could have ridden on Stagecoach 47226 on a #113 service. This was followed shortly by a #362 service which we flagged down. It turned out to be Required Bolton Allocated Arriva NW&W 2683.

Arriva NW&W 2683 in Standish

The bus was nearly empty as tea time inbound service usually are. It was really nice and cool with the windows open running virtually non stop into Wigan. When we arrived Matthew waited patiently for the bus to empty as the bus emptied out before taking the interior bus photograph.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2683

Matthew took a few picture as we walked around the bus station towards the facilities. One such picture was Arriva NW&W 2732 on a #360 service.

Arriva NW&W 2732 in Wigan bus station

After visiting the toilets we walked around the road near the bus station where the buses park between duties. On of the buses parked up was First Manchester 60144.

First Manchester 60144 near Wigan bus station

We carried on around taking a few more pictures and then headed back to the car. As we were unable to get sausage rolls anywhere, we decided to stop at the MacDonalds so that Matthew could have a quick snack. Afterwards we headed down the A49 and then joined onto the Southbound M6. We put the radio on the find out Stoke had drawn after giving away a penalty in the 90th minute. We reached the M6 and then for most of the journey home we ran just in front or just behind Bakerbus coach 16 (4085 RU). We turned onto the A500 and then headed onto the A50 so we could do a pass of the Z Carz depot. There were only two vehicle parked up tonight.

Z Carz W344 WNS & V690 EBC at their Longton depo

We then headed down Longton Hall Road following 40140 on the #22 Newcastle service. As we got to the end of the road we saw a new liveried First vehicle. As we knew it has to be an Adderley Green vehicle, it was almost certainly going to be one of the new second hand Caetano Darts from London. We caught up and passed First 41501! We decided to stop by the church to wait and take a picture of the bus. Unfortunately it must have been empty and on it's last turn as it headed off to the depot and we didn't get a picture this time. We then got home around 18:20. We then settled down for the evening and a late tea of Bangers and mash before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Wigan 19-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
31941	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	628	First Manchester
2715	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Council Offices (Stop D)	395	Arriva NW&W
3083	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Post (Stop C)	Pemberton, Ellesmere Road/Halfway House (E-bound)	385	Arriva NW&W
60146	Pemberton, Ellesmere Road/Halfway House (E-bound)	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester
2562	Wigan BS	Abram, Warrington Road/School Street (S-bound)	360	Arriva NW&W
2997	Abram, Warrington Road/School Street (N-bound)	Wigan BS	360	Arriva NW&W
4103	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	375	Arriva NW&W
60149	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester

Today we finally got to go to Wigan. We had planned on going on the 5th of May, but a late running Aiming High trip that morning (due to an accident on the A500) had forced us to temporarily postpone this trip and go to Nantwich intead. The 12th was the Wardle running day and so we rescheduled for today. Research had been to get the 2 TfGM maps for Wigan, as well as to get hold of a few choice timetables. Matthew got up around 11:00 today. We set off a little after 12:00. It was an overcast afternoon, and it was even trying to rain as we left. We filled up with LPG at Longport before continuing north along the A500. the roads were fairly quite and we did the M6 and then the A49 into Wigan. We parked on a street near the bus station arriving around 13:30. First thing as always is to find a cafe to eat. We found a place called Mr Chippy, a small cafe just around the corner form the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast, as well as helping his mum eat hers! We finished eating around 14:15 then walked to the bus station. The first thing we saw of interest in the bus station was required First Manchester 31941. It was just going off service and Matthew got a picture.

First Manchester 31941 lays over Between 621's and 628's

We deiced to wait around for a short while to see if it was going to work again. It was displaying 628 Kitt Green on the display so we looked up the stop for this service and waited there. There was already a Excel on stop P which left promptly. The next one was due off 12 minutes later at 14:42. Just before 14:42 did indeed move onto stop P and then we boarded the bus. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the upper saloon.

Inside First Manchester 31941

Off we went, heading South West out of Wigan along Wallgate. Just after the big roundabout we turned to the right onto Ormskirk Road passing Arriva NW&W 4101 on an inbound service from Southport. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus later and he said yes. I looked at the Wigan South map and worked out if we got off as the bus was returning back along Ormskirk Road and then crossed over, we could catch 4101 as it went out of town. We did 31941 around the estates and it was a pleasant journey, much better than when we did 31930 out of Bury. We got off as planned as the bus rounded the corner onto the A577. Matthew got another picture of this fine beast.

31941 in Pemberton

We crossed the road to wait for the 385. We consulted the bus stop timetable and we saw we had about 15 minutes to wait for the 385, so as another Arriva bus approached, I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We flagged it down and Matthew got a picture of Arriva 2715.

Arriva NW&W 2715 in Pemberton

We got on the bus and looked at the fleet number as we sat down. It was required Arriva NW&W 2715! We decided to do this to Orrell, and if we got a bus quickly enough then maybe we could still get back for Arriva NW&W 4101. the bus journey to Orrell was swift. We got off and Matthew got another picture.

2715 in Orrell

We crossed the road and waited at the stop. Almost immediately a bus turned up and it was required Arriva NW&W 3083 from Southport depot. Matthew got a picture as it approached.

Arriva NW&W 3083 in Orrell

We got on the bus and set off towards Wigan. just as we were about to get up we passed 4101. we decided to get off anyway, as we could do a 628 back into Wigan which would almost certainly be required, rather than travel any further on this rather new bus. we got off and Matthew got another picture.

3083 by the Halfway House

So we waited for the #628, which we knew would almost certainly be an Excel and therefore a required bus. a few minutes later we saw an excel approaching in the distance. as it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 60146.

First Manchester 60146 by the Halfway House

We got on and headed for the back. The Excels have mainly orange and red checked seats, which are very bright. The back seat is warm from the engine and they smell like a proper bus. we did this short journey back to Wigan bus station and Matthew took a picture of the inside of this interesting bus.

Inside 60146

We now had a few minutes to regroup and think about our next move. I decided to take Matthew to the toilet whilst we had the chance. Whilst he was in there, I saw a strange looking bus at the other end of the bus station. I thought hat it might be an Ikarus bodied DAF on the 360 to Warrington, so when Matthew came out I asked if he wanted to do that bus and he said yes. As we got closer it was confirmed as required Arriva NW&W 2562. We got on this bus and booked to Platt Bridge. It was quite full and we had to sit near the back as these were the only available seats. We set off around the bus station and as we were heading back up the bus cut out! it was soon restarted and of we went. As we traveled down we passed Arriva NW&W 2556. The bus did empty out a little as we went towards Platt Bridge, but it was still quite full as we got off. Matthew wasn't able to get a good picture of the front of 2562, but he took one of the rear as it went.

Arriva NW&W 2562 disappearing towards Warrington

We crossed the road and looked at the timetable. There was a bus due almost immediately, and it turned up and was required Arriva NW&W 2997, just transferred from Manchester. we got on to a completely empty bus. On the journey up one person did get on and then got off again before we reached Wigan. When we got into the bus station Matthew took a picture of the inside of the empty bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2997

At this point we knew we would only have time for one more quick out and back run before the 17:00 rush. Within a few minutes required 4103 came into the bus station and we knew Matthew would want to do it.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Wigan bus station

It wasn't due out for around 15 minutes, and so we decided to stand and take picture for 10 minutes. One such picture was First Manchester 40391 on a service to Leigh.

First Manchester 40391 in Wigan bus station

We also saw First Manchester 40064 at this point too. We saw First Manchester 40390 here too. After a few minutes we saw 4103 move of from its stabling point to go onto stand U so we headed off to the stop. We boarded the bus and Matthew go a picture of the empty upper saloon on this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4103

And so off we went. The plan was to do this to Pemberton, and catch one of 352/375/385/395 or 628 back. s we left town we passed the car and mum was reading awaiting our return. We got talking to another passenger about Matthew travels and when we got to the edge of Pemberton we got off 4103 and Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Pemberton

Behind us was a Dennis coach. It was Hartley's P509 NBP. We crossed the road to wait for a return bus. It wasn't long before we saw an Arrive bus approaching. It was something new looking so we let it go and decided to wait for another Excel on a #628. After a few minutes we saw an Excel turn the corner. It was required 60149.

First Manchester 60149 in Pemberton

Same as before we sat at the back. The bus was warm and had the same real bus smell as the other Excel. When we got back Matthew photographed the inside of this bus too.

Inside 60149

when we got off Matthew had a quick wander round and said hello to a few people. As we walked back to the car past the stabled buses, we noticed there were further stabled buses on the street below. so e walked back to the car the long way, taking picture of Excels and other buses as we went. one bus we saw was Arriva NW&W 2800.

Arriva NW&W 2800 in Wigan

We then walked back to the car and met mum who was waiting with sausage rolls. As we left Wigan I got a little lost. As I could see the DW stadium to my left I worked out I was heading North West. i turned left at the next big junction and then when I saw the DW stadium close up I knew we were heading towards the big roundabout near Wallgate. We got back onto the A49 and headed south until we reached the M6. As we approached the M56 I got talking to mum and forgot to move over to car on South on the M56. And so we were on the M56 heading toward Chester. I was going to come off at the next junction, but as we traveled west we spotted a Bristol RE in the distance. We overtook it just as we got to the next junction and Matthew got a picture out of the rear opening window.

Crosville YFM 280L on the M56

It was just too late to turn off at the A49, and so we went to the next junction for the A56. We rounded the roundabout and then headed back to the M6. We headed south until we reached junction 16 and then got onto the A500. Matthew wanted to go South as far as the A34 in Hanford, and so we turned and turned again up Church Lane. We then went along New Inn Lane, and then called in at McColls on The Lea. We then headed home, getting back around 18:40...Mark.