Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 10-09-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4096	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2296	Chester BS	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2107	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

today we decided to go Ellesmere port & Chester as we often do. We set off around 12;30 today and we picked uncle Dave up on the way. Traffic seemed to slow on the A500 and this was because we were stuck behind a wide agricultural vehicle. When we got on to the M6 it was deserted. This was because there had been an accident around junction 16 blocking 2 lanes, and little traffic was getting through. we then had a quick run th Ellesmere Port and we pulled into Asda a fraction before 14:00. As we pulled into the car park we passed Arriva DAF 4158 heading towards Liverpool. we ate at the market as usual and today food was from Laura's. Matthew had a breakfast and the rest of us had sandwiches. Food came to a little over £10. We headed back to the bus station and were there around 14:30. Todays GHA crew mess was another double decker but this time not DD09 but another with no fleet numbers on that we could see.


GHA Olympian B148 TRN in Ellesmere Port bus station (Matt)

We then waited at the end of the bus station and Matthew took several more shots. The 14:37 to Chester was a few minutes late and we were surprised to see another DAF 4096 appear to work this service. Matthew mis timed his shot here and then we ran to the stand to get on the bus. We went onto the top deck to better enjoy the journey to Chester. At the junction of the A5117 we passed 2429 seemingly 'out of service' heading North. When we arrived in the bus station Matthew got his empty bus shot before we got off.


Inside the top decker of Arriva NW&W 4096 (Matt)

We then moved to our usual spot and we didn't have to wait long to get another shot of 4096.


Arriva NW&W 4096 leaving chester bus station for Liverpool on the #401 (Matt)

We then stayed for around 30 minutes and observed buses. The most interesting ones were the first double deckers. Alexander bodied Volvo Olympian 34223 was seen leaving chester on a #25 service.


34223 on leaving Chester bus station (Matt)

Also seen was 30069. The bus had an official retirement do on the 20th of August but as can be seen it it still going strong 3 weeks later.


Still going...30069 on a #53 Kingsway service (Matt)

Then we decided to head into Wales as we often do on an Arriva bus. given the choice of Chester allocated 2359 and Rhyl 2296, Matthew chose the Rhyl bus. when it arrived we walked over to the stand and Matthew got a shot from behind as it was very busy.


2296 in chester bus station about to work the X11 (Matt)

The bus was full leaving Chester, and took on a few more passenger on the way out. the bus did not really start to empty until it reached Queensferry. we decided to get off just the other side of Shotton where we hoped it would be even quieter still, and it was just about. When we got off by the Wepre War memorial Matthew got a better shot of this bus.


2296 by the Wepre war memorial (Matt)

we crossed the road and waited for a bus, we had seen a 12 go past just before we got of and the next service would be a 10. After about a 10 minute wait 2107 turned up. We did not recognise this bus and after looking up at home it appears to be Ex Wrexham. We did this into town and matthew got a picture of the Smartie pattern interior.


Mmm Smarties...Inside 2107 (Matt)

After that we had a few minute in the bus station until we met up with mum. Matthew got a better shot of 2107.


2107 in Chester bus station between #10's (Matt)

We also saw 2641 on Chester -Liverpool #401 which did seem quite odd. is this bus now allocated to laird Street?


2641 about to work on the #401 to Liverpool (Matt)

We then went back to the car for sausage rolls. As we left chester we caught the last few minutes of the Stoke game commentary. on the A56 we passed 30069 again and we soon learned that Stoke had won 1-0 against Liverpool! it might have been a bit lucky but we did defend everything they threw at us. The M56 and M6 were quiet and We got home around 18:00...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 04-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2445	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
30069	Chester BS	Kingsway	53	First Manchester
30069	Kingsway	Chester BS	53	First Manchester
7562	Chester BS	Queensferry, Station Road Q3 (SW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2257	Queensferry, Station Road Q4 (NE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

We were originally going to take Matthew to Chester on Tuesday, but due to a misunderstanding between mum and I, we had to rearrange until today. After doing the weekly shop we set off at around 13:40 today. We went to Ellesmere Port as usual but we abandoned the eating in the market as we had eaten earlier, and went straight to the bus station. We just missed one cadet in the bus station that was Chester bound, so we had to wait around 15 minutes for the next. GHA DD09 was parked up and acting as the drivers mess today.


DD09 in Ellemere Port bus station with #36 on the front (Matt)

There were quite a few buses in and out of the bus station including Alexander bodied SB46 working the #36 service


T510 APS (SB46) on a #36 service in Ellesmere Port (matt)

After a few minutes we saw an interurban liveried Cadet on the #401 Chester approach and it was required 2445.


2445 approaches Ellesmere Port bus station on the #401 to Chester (Matt)

The journey was quick as always, and when we reached the bus station and the bus emptied Matthew got an interior shot.


Inside 2445 (Matt)

Virtually as soon as we got off we spotted First Manchester 30069. The bus has an official farewell planned on the 20th August as can be seen here lower in the comments amongst other place. as we cannot guarantee being here for the 20th, and the bus is required, we made a decision that we had to do it today! When we boarded we had the top deck to ourselves so we sat at the front and Matthew took a picture of the empty bus.


Inside the top deck of First Manchester 30069 (Matt)

When on the bus I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off or to do the round trip and he chose to have the round trip. We got to the shops in Kingsway and then turned left. This is the first time we have done a #53 this far since the timetable changed on May 29th and then end of the route was reversed! I went downstairs at this point to re-book Matthews ticket (me and uncle Dave had local rovers). We then returned to Chester and Matthew once again got another shot of the re-emptied top deck.


Inside the top deck of First Manchester 30069 (Matt)

We then had a 20 minute period where we regrouped to see what we could do next. As 30069 set off to do it's next turn, Matthew got a good shot of it.


30069 now on the #51 Plas newton service (Matt)

shortly afterwards, the other bus retiring on the 20th came out on a #53 service.


First Manchester 30077 working a #53 Kingsway service (Matt)

having acquired some timetables from the booth, we decide to do a 10 or X11. the next 10 that came in was required 7562, the first one of this batch that we have been in a position to catch! So we decided to do this to Queensferry for another Arriva bus back.


Arriva NW&W 7562 about to work a #10 Connah's Quay service (Matt)

having got a picture, we boarded the bus. As it was approaching 17:00 the buses were starting to get busy and Matthew was getting a bit wound up. We did the bus to Queens ferry as planned where got a better shot.


7562 in Queensferry (Matt)

Matthew visited the local post Office for a drink of Tizer. We then had around a 10 minute wait for the return bus at 17:28. This serviceworked by 2257, came up virtually silently and took us by surprise hence Matthew didn't get a shot here. This bus was much quieter as I hoped inbound services would be. When we reached Chester Matthew got a shot of the inside of this bus too.


Inside 2257 (Matt)

And then we got a shot of the outside...


2257 in Chester bus station (Matt)

We then saw Arriva NW&W 2641 on a #401 service and Matthew got a picture.


2641 on a #401 to Liverpool in Chester bus station (Matt)

We then met up with mum and I drove us down to Gorse Stacks car park. I fetched some chips from on of the chip shops on Frodsham Street. and we sat in the car eating them. After we had eaten we set off home along the A56 and up to the motorway. We passed a Palitine bodied single decker on the X30 service. I put Radio Stoke around 18:50 expecting to here the pre-match talk for Stokes away tie to Hadjuk Split only to find it was half time! I had forgotten about the time difference in Croatia...We filled up with LPG in Longport and then we got home around 19:40. Short after that stoke added to there first leg lead and sealed a place in the next round of the Europa League trophy. It was a good trip and we scored all the buses today. Matthew didn't seem to like doing things differently though and was quite difficult at times...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 04-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2409	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2130	Chester BS	Golftyn, Boathouse Inn (NW) (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2360	Golftyn, Boathouse Inn (SE) (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2530	Hoole Road / Newton Lane	Chester BS	X30	Arriva NW&W
2351	Chester BS	Shotton, Ash Grove (NW) (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2570	Shotton, Ash Grove (SE) (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2523	Chester BS	Hoole Road / Dene Hotel	X30	Arriva NW&W

We planned this weekend a few weeks ago. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go for his birthday weekend and he chose Chester. Mum booked an hotel for the Saturday night and we set off at little early than usual at around 11:00. Heading North along the A500 there was a slight delay around Wolstanton due to broken down vehicles. We filled up with LPG in Longport, and we carried on North at around 11;40. The journey was relatively uneventful, although traffic was slow in several places. We passed First Manchester 41068 heading east along the M56. At the junction of the M56 and M53 there had been a serious motorbike accident and there seemed to be a large party of catholic priests in attendance. We arrived in Ellesmere port around 13:00 and we ate in the market food court as per usual. 2 breakfasts, a sausage sandwich, 2 teacakes and 3 drink cost us £11 from café Bellamy. After dinner we had about 15 minutes in Ellesmere Port bus station before dud 2409 appeared on 401 to Chester. This bus came in from the opposite direction presumably due to the road works on the end of Civic Way.

2409 in Ellesmere Port (Matt)

When we got to Chester Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.


Inside 2409 (Matt)

Today Matthew had quite a long stay in Chester bus station and took loads of pictures. First seemed to be short of running midi buses, with the only Marshals seen out being 41069/71/72. 41068 was seeing heading East earlier. 40014 is current in Birkenhead as can be seen here. This resulted in 3 double decker working in service plus another one making a passing appearance. First to appear was 34228 on 5's and 21's, then 34224 appeared and then went out empty. 30077 made an appearance on the 53's and 51's and then 30069 appeared on 5's and 21's aswell.


30077 on a 53 to Kingsway (matt)


30069 on a 21 Hunts Cross (Matt)


34228 on 5 to huntington (Matt)

After around an hour of observing buses in the bus station, I persuaded Matthew to do a 10 to Shotton. The next 10 was required 2130. It was a hot day and perhaps doing this service was a mistake. The bus was quite full and the heaters were on to stop the bus from overheating. It did cool slightly when we were travelling at speed through Sealands, but it was still quite uncomfortable. Matthew got a shot of the bus as it powered away into the distance.


2130 heads towards Connnah's Quay

After we bailed, we crossed the road and we didn't ave to wait long for a #10 returning to Chester. The first one to turn up was 2360. Unbeknown to us we has been on this bus last time we did the #10 buses.


2360 in Shotton (Matt)

As is often the case, Matthew photographed the inside of the bus on arrival at Chester.


Inside 2360 (Matt)

When we arrived back in Chester, it had gone 1600 and mum had driven down from Ellesmere Port. We decided to have a sausage roll break, and to drive to the hotel on Hoole Road and book in for the evening. We had a quick toilet stop and then decided to catch a bus back into chester to have a quick ride around aod a few more buses. The next bus south was at 17:22 and was a x30 from Runcorn. After a short wait 2530 turned up to take us to Chester bus station.


2530 heading South West along Hoole Road (Matt)

This bus has been refurbished inside but does not carry the interurban livery. The refurbished inside can be seen here.


Inside 2530 (Matt)

When we arrived in Chester I ran to get lottery tickets and Matthew sat and took bus pictures. We decided to do a 10 or an X11 to Shotton, so we looked what was out. The 17:55 10 was which was not required, the 18:00 X11 was 2351 which was required.


2351 in Chester bus station (Matt)

We did this to the stop just before Shotton railway station. as we waited the bus we let go came past 'not in service' running back empty to the depot. there was also a 12 due just before our bus that only went as far as the depot. this was one of the usual Solo's. Eventually our bus turned up and it was dud 2570! It was quite pleasant in this bus in the early evening belting along Sealands with a cooling breeze coming through the windows.


2570 in Chester bus station (Matt)

When we returned to chester we had about 30minutes ti kill before the 19:35 X30. We generally hung out and took more pictures. One interesting bus was the WCM minibus on the 21 to Runcorn.


WCM minibus T734 WPA leaves for Runcorn on the #21 service (Mark)

Eventually time passed and 2523 arrived to work the 19:35


2523 arrives in Chester bus station (Matt)

The bus took us back along the Hoole Road, and Matthew took a picture as it headed North.


2523 departs North towards Runcorn (Matt)

After we got back to the hotel, we had chips and sausage for supper from the chip shop in Kingsway, Afterwards Matthew used his net book to upload pictures to Flickr... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 06-11-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2446	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
30077	Chester BS	Plas Newton	51	First Potteries
30077	Plas Newton	Chester BS	51	First Potteries

Set off just before 12:00 today. The roads were fairly clear, and we arrived in Ellesmere Port around 13:00. Had our dinner in the market as usual and then had around 10 minutes in the bus station. We then took a picture of the GHA crew mess today N3 GHA.


GHA bus N3 GHA is the crew mess for today (Matt)

After a short wait Arriva NW&W cadet 2446 turned up on the #401, which was not required! matthew too a picture before we boarded, not dissimilar to the one ho too last time we caught this bus.


2446 in Ellesmere Port bus station about to work the 14:17 service #401 to Chester (Matt)

When we got to chester we had around an hour taking pictures in the bus station. Of note was 30069 which had previously been allocated to Crewe.


Recently transferred from Crewe, 30069 works a #9 to Pipers Ash (Matt)

Also seen in the bus station was a GHA DeeBee liveried bus. This type of bus is usually restricted to working services that start in Delamere Street.


GHA bus DeeBee liveried YJ59 GFX unusually working the 82 Northwich (Matt)

As there was very little about, we decided to ride on 30077 today. We have seen this bus many time before but we have never caught it! We had seen it work a #53 earlier so we knew it would be on a #51 later. As we walked up to the bus Matthew got a shot before we went over to board it.


30077 arrives in Chester bus station about to work a #51 Plas Newton service (Matt)

We booked to the shops in Plas Newton. when we approached the shops we booked again to take us back to Chester. By the time we got back to chester mum had driven up from Ellesmere Port. As it was starting to go dark, we took one last picture before returning to the car.


30077 on return to Chester bus station about to work a #53 Kingsway(Matt)

When mum turned up it was back to the car for sausage rolls. There followed a fairly uneventful journey home other than hearing that Stoke had lost to Sunderland away...Mark