Trip to Bilston / Walsall 10-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2296	Bilston Interchange	Willenhall, Lion Hotel (Stop WF)	326	Arriva Midlands
6765	Willenhall, Market Place (Stop WE)	Walsall St Pauls BS	529	NX West Midlands
30411	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BP)	302	NX West Midlands
4125	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	Walsall St Pauls BS	301	NX West Midlands
1839	Walsall Bradford Place BS	Bilston Interchange	34	NX West Midlands
V882 HBY	Bilston Interchange	Wolverhampton, Bilston Street (o/s Police Station)	905	Costal Liners
4783	Wolverhampton BS	Compton, opp Woodland Avenue	10A	Arriva Midlands
2069	Compton, adj Tettenhall Wood Institute	Wolverhampton BS	10	NX West Midlands

Today we decided to go to Bilston. Mum had some shopping to pick up from shops in the West Midlands area, so we gave Matthew a list of destination from the West Midlands and from the list he chose Bilston. He had originally chosen Walsall but went we mention we would be eating at the truck stop in Cannock on the way Matthew changed his mind and chose Bilston. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we ran down to the A5035. We ran West towards the A34 and we passed New In Lane we saw First Potteries 67641 on a #22 to Longton. By Trenthan Garden we went North up the A34 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. We joined the A519 briefly before we went onto the Southbound M6. As we were about to go down the slip road we saw Daish's Holidays FJ08 BYO coming off the motorway. Traffic was quite light and as we travelled down to junction 10 we saw 2 x Aston Manor coaches, white minibus V310 JAT, an unidentified Prospect Coaches coach & Park's of Hamilton (National Express) LSK 835. We went West along the A454 and we followed the Black Country Route all the way to the edge of Bilston where we turned North onto the A41. We ran up the road and we turned left onto Church Street where we parked at the side of the road. Once out of the car we walked over the bridge over the tramline and we turned left into the Interchange. On the way in we saw required Arriva Midlands 2274 on a #326 to Walsall via Willenhall.

Arriva Midlands 2274 in Bilston interchange

We also saw required National Express West Midlands 1890 on a #34 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1890 in Bilston interchange

We walked into the Interchange and into the cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Cherryade. He also helped himself to some of mum's dinner as he liked the looked of it after throwing out a cute smile as mum took her first bite! Whilst we ate we saw Banga Travel YN53 ELV on a #530 service, Rotala Diamond 20002 on a #303 to County Bridge and Walsall Community Transport minibus YX09 HRU. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and Matthew went to the the toilet. We then spotted Arriva Midlands on a #326 to Walsall so we decided to go and catch it.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Bilston interchange

We got on the bus and we book nBus day tickets at £4.30 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we saw required Costal Liners ex First double decker V882 HBY on the #905 bingo bus. We turned left onto Hall Street and then turned left onto the A41. We turned right onto Mount Pleasant and right onto Beckett Street. We turned left onto Lunt Road which runs parallel to the Black Country Route for a short while and we swept North along Vulcan Road and Lunt Road on Darlston Lane. We Crossed Willenhall Road onto Moseley Road and we turned right onto Beccles Drive. We continued onto Dilloways Lane and we crossed the A454 before we entered Willenhall from the West. We decided to get off in Willenhall. We came into the town and we turned left onto Hall Street. We continued onto John Street and upper Lichfield street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2296 before it carried on towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Willenhall

Once the bus went around the corner, we set off towards Cheapside and we turned right onto the pedestrianised Cross Street. At the end we turned left onto Market Place and to the end Onto new Road where the main bus stop was situated. We decided to carry on towards Walsall on a #529 which runs around every 7-8 minutes between Wolverhampton and Walsall. There was a bus due in a couple of minutes, and we did't have to wait long before required National Express West Midlands 6765 on the #529.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Willenhall

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off Eastwards along the B4464 and we ran the mile or so into Bentley before crossed over the M6 at junction 10. We ran along Wolverhampton Road for around a mile and we deviated off the dual carriageway past the Crown Wharf retail park and into the town centre. We continued onto Townsend Street and we turned right onto St Pauls Street where the bus station is situated at the end. We pulled into the bus station and the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 6765.

Inside NX West Midlands 6765

Once we got off the bus we walked to the toilets and Matthew used the facilities. Once we had finished we walked out of the East side of the bus station where there where a couple of vehicles parked up including dud Arriva Midlands 2706 which was about to work a #35A to Druid's Heath.

Arriva Midlands 2706 in Walsall

We walked back into the bus station and we saw National Express West Midlands 4126 about to work a #89 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4126 in Walsall bus station

Having just missed out doing the double decker, we decided to go in a more familiar direction and do a #301 or a #302 up to Bloxwich. We saw a Rotala Diamond single decker on a #302 so we decided to do it. It was dud Rotala Diamond 30411.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Once again we didn't realise it was a dud bus until we got on it. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went North up Stafford Street. We crossed over the A4148 continuing North up Stafford Street and we ran the 2 miles or so up to Bloxwich passing National Express West Midlands 4190 on a #301 and National Express West Midlands 4155 on a #302 both coming the other way. When we got to town we went up the High Street and we got off just after Wolverhampton Road. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30411 before it carried on towards Lower Farm.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Bloxwich

Across the road we saw required Arriva Midlands 2731 about to work a #326 to Bilston.

Arriva Midlands 2731 in Bloxwich

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do that bus and he said yes. We crossed the road and as we got there I realised that the bus started in Wolverhampton Road and it pulled off and around the corner to that stop. As we thought about what to do next required National Express West Midlands 4125 came around the corner on a #301 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4125 in Bloxwich

We flagged the bus down and we got on it. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so as the bus pulled off Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4125 before we sat down.

Inside NX West Midlands 4125

We deviated off the A34 onto Stafford Street and we ran the 2 or so miles into Walsall, over the A4148 and on St Pauls Street. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off. We decided that we were going back to Bilston to head off the bingo bus, which was due at the Bilston Interchange at 15:35. We walked into the town centre along the mainly pedestrianised street where all the express services stop. At one of those stands we saw National Express West Midlands 6732 on a X51 express service to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6732 in Walsall bus station

We turned right onto The Bridge and at the next junction we went forwards onto Bradford Street. The other bus station was at the other end of Bradford Street in Bradford Place... It was a triangle shaped area with stands on two sides. As we got to the apex of the triangle we spotted that the nearest stand was for the #34 service which I knew from buses I had seen earlier ran to Bilston. We got to the stand and within a minnute a single decker appeared. It was required National Express West Midlands 1839.

NX West Midlands 1839 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of Bradford Place and we continued along Bradford Street onto Wednesbury Road. Just before we crossed over the A4148 we went past the Fastline depot where We saw coach BK10 EHS at the front of the depot. We crossed under the M6 North of Ikea and we ran through to Darlaston where we saw Sandwell Travel EK51 XXG on a #333X service. We crossed under the Black Country Route along darlaston lane and we zigged and zagged under the road before we came onto the road from the South side off Hare Street. We ran West along the A463 for one junction and we then turned right onto the A41 before entering the town and the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 1839 before it carried on towards Stowlawn.

NX West Midlands 1839 in Bilston interchange

Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked into town to visit a shop. There was a rather large Nisa supermarket on the corner so we went in and Matthew had a couple of small bottles of Coke and 2 chocolate bars. Once we had finished shopping we headed back to the interchange to wait the few minutes before the 15:35 was due. As we got to the stand where we need we saw Thandi T99 NND arrive on a #334 from walsall.

Thandi T99 NND in Bilston interchange

We also saw red Rotala Diamond 30861 on layover before working a #43 to West Bromwich.

Rotala Diamond 30861 in Bilston interchange

Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way and a small bottle of lemonade. A few minutes later we saw the distinctive (for the area) bus approaching... As expected it was Costal Liners V882 HBY on the #905 service to Wolverhampton Bilston Street.

Costal Liners V882 HBY in Bilston interchange

We let the hoards of bingo revellers get off the bus and then we got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and we sat down before Matthew took a picture inside Costal Liners V882 HBY.

Inside Costal Liners V882 HBY

It used to be 32882 in the First Midland fleet based at Redditch and was presumably sold on as surplus after the sale to Rotala Diamond. The service is an express service and doesn't have to many stops. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A41. We joined the Westbound Black Country Route and we ran for about a mile before we turned right onto the main Dudley to Wolverhampton route, Birmingham New Road. As we travelled North it was now almost dark. We passed a number of #126 branded buses including National Express West Midlands 6780 & 6786 as well at De Courcey Travel FJ11 GKN on a #410 National Express coach service heading towards Shrewsbury. after travelling around 2 miles we crossed the ring and we ran into along Snow Hill and Forwards onto Garrick Street before we turned right into Bilston Street where we got up and got off the bus. After thinking we might catch a bus around the corner into the bus station we decided to walk around the corner onto Pipers Row where the bus station is situated. When we got to the bus station we headed to the toilet and because of the way the barrier was set up not only did I have to pay 20p for Matthew (which is okay I guess), but I had to pay an extra 20p to assist Matthew getting into the toilet! Once we had used these poorly thought out toilets we headed into the main part of the bus station so that we could do a quick out and back journey We spotted required Arriva Midlands Dart 2209 on a #57 to Bilston via Willenhall. Just as we were about to get on it Matthew spotted required Arriva Midlands 4783 on a #10A to Pattingham.

Arriva Midlands 4783 in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided to do this bus as it was likely to be withdrawn from service before the end of the year. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4783.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4783

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road we came back inside the town along Broad Street and we turned right into princes square and left into Lichfield Street. We ran out of town stopping on Lichfield street and Darlington Street and we crossed the ring road onto Chapel Ash. There appeared to be about 4 buses an hour as far as Perton, but we decided to only go as far as Compton, not least because when we left we could say we came Straight Outta Compton... We continued West along the A454 and road very quickly became rural. We barrelled along in the darkness for around 2 miles and such was the village of Compton we actually passed the point where we had intended getting of and we were about a 1/3 of the way to Perton when we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4783 as it went Straight Outta Compton.

Arriva Midlands 4783 in Compton

We crossed the road and we walked along for about 100 yds before we came across a brick shelter, which was most welcome as the rain started to come down heavier. There was a bus due around 16:40. As we stood at the stop we could see distant double deckers turning a corner. It turned out that if we had gone a stop further West that we would have been on the route of the #1 Dudley to Wolverhampton service! The bus turned up and it was around 10 minutes late as it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands single decker 2069.

NX West Midlands 2069 in Compton

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver for the final time today, before we sat down towards the back of the bus. It wasn't too much of a surprise that the bus was a little late as it seemed to take quite a bit longer that the 18 minutes the journey should have taken when we left town on the Arriva bus. Wolves were playing at home and it was bound to have an effect on traffic, as well as it being the run up to Christmas. We ran back into town down the A454 and passed the Harley Davidson Shop on Chapel Ash. We crossed the ring road onto Salop Street and we ran forwards onto Cleveland Street. We turned left onto Garrick Street following required Arriva Midlands 2707 which was on the #10A service. We then turned right onto Bilston Street. It started to rain heavy and we queue for quite a while in traffic to get onto the ring road and then enter the bus station. Once we got into the bus station the bus didn't empty as the end must be treated as a circular, so we got off the bus and we set off on foot towards where mum was waiting in the car on Tower Street. On the way we saw National Express West Midlands 6760 on a #32 Northwood Park circular.

NX West Midlands 6760 in Wolverhampton bus station

We crossed Pipers Row and we met up with mum, who was waiting with the car with Greggs sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of town back around to Pipers Row and onto the anti clockwise ring road. It took around 20 minutes just to get to the toher side of the bus station ans the Sat Nav took us another way to try and save us time. We turned right onto Wednesfield Road and we zigged through some street up the the A460 before we turned left and crossed back under the railway line before we joined the Northbound A449. As mum didn't have much dinner (Matthew ate 1/2 of it), we decided to stop for some chips. We tried to stop at the shops by the Ming Moon but the car park was full and flooded! It took a while to get back onto the A449, and we ran North up to Wobaston Road. There were some shops there and mum went to the Co-op and I got a few chips whilst Matthew and uncle Dave sensibly stayed in the car! We then ran North up the A449 and we got back onto the M6 at Junction 13. We ran North and we were passed by Tyrers Coaches coach TYR 15R. We left the M6 at Junction 15 and we went North up the A500 and we came off at Sideway and went east on the A50. We came off at Longton and we went to check out was was at Z Carz tonight. In the first row was Z Carz minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Next in the front row was Z Carz minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the first row was Z Carz minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC. Further along the road we saw Z Carz minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we went to Baths Road so we could fill up with petrol at Tesco. Once we had topped up we re-joined the A50 and we saw Wints coach L964 NWW. We came of the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive, getting home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Walsall / Bloxwich 03-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4264	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, High St (Stop BK)	301	National Express West Midlands
4021	Bloxwich, High St (Stop BK)	Mossley, adjacent Tintern Crescent	301	National Express West Midlands
1436	Mossley, adjacent Tintern Crescent	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	301	National Express West Midlands
4017	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	Walsall St Pauls BS	301	National Express West Midlands
30411	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, High St (Stop BK)	301	Rotala Diamond
1447	Bloxwich, High St (Stop BK)	Mossley, adjacent Tintern Crescent	301	National Express West Midlands
1641	Mossley, adjacent Tintern Crescent	Walsall St Pauls BS	301	National Express West Midlands
1755	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, Bloxwich Hospital (Stop BG)	302	National Express West Midlands
30832	Bloxwich, Bloxwich Hospital (Stop BF)	Walsall St Pauls BS	302	Rotala Diamond

Today we decided to visit Walsall, so could take part in the National Express West Midlands 'Heritage bus service'. They were running extra buses on the #301 service from Walsall to Mossley via Bloxwich to the end of 4 bus types in service with the company. We found out about the event as Tony Hunters excellent West Midlands Buses in Photographs website had a picture of the flyer advertising the event on the front page of his website. We didn't do much research for this as we just expected to turn up and catch the buses as they appeared. A quick check of the weather is for a mild day with some sunshine, quite warm for the time of year. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 onto the A5035 and we went West towards Trentham. We joined the Northbound A34 and we headed up Whitmore Road and onto the M6 at Junction 15. AS we had never been to Walsall before the plan was to eat at the Truckers Rest on the A5 and then head down the A34 to Walsall. On the M6 we passed a number of vehicle coming the other way. These were 2 Aston Manor coaches, a Prospect coach, Parks of Hamilton/National Express LSK 839, Jounson;s YJ04 GYC & Shearings 106. At junction 12 we left the M6 and we joined the Eastbound A5. Just to the South West of Cannock we pulled over into the Truckers Rest Cafe for a dinner stop. Matthew went to the toilet and we ordered him a breakfast which he washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we got back onto the A5 and we travelled East until we got to the A34. We headed South through Bloxwich and we passed National Express West Midlands Optare Spectra's 4020 & 4021 on Mossley bound #301's. When we got to Walsall we had a bit of trouble finding the car park we wanted to park at because it wasn't research properly, but we soon got back on track, parking in the multi storey car park right next to the bus station on St Paul's Street. Once parked up we walked out onto the street and we got a good look at the bus station for the first time. Leaving the bus station up St Pauls Street was National Express West Midlands 857.

NX West Midlands 857 in Walsall bus station

This was followed by National Express West Midlands 4600 on a #529 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4600 in Walsall bus station

The bus station design could be described as being like a very big petrol station... It was a large canopy supported on legs with 3 rows of stands underneath it. At the near end of the bus station we saw a former Wardle Transport vehicle. It was required Arriva Midlands 2211 on a #19 to Bloxwich.

Arriva Midlands 2211 in Walsall bus station

The one thing I had researched is where the #301 departed from in the bus station. The buses departed from stand D and E depending on which operator's buses you wanted to catch. We wound our way through the stops and across the crossing towards the stop that we needed. Already on the stop was required National Express West Midlands 4264 on a #301 service.

NX West Midlands 4264 in Walsall bus station

We decided to catch this bus so we could see what else was working the route. We got on the bus and we purchased nBus day tickets at £4.60 each. We went upstairs and we sat down in the middle of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Stafford Street. We crossed the ring road and we headed out of town. Stafford Street (B4210) runs parallel to the A34, but serves more housing where the A34 is a fast less built up road. As we left town we passed National Express West Midlands 4020 & 4021 again. Further up the road closer to Bloxwich we passed National Express West Midlands 4017, 1436 & 1447 running together in a short convoy! We rejoined the A34 just South of Bloxwich High Street and a few people got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us in National Express West Midlands 4264.

Inside NX West Midlands 4264

When we got to the High Street we waited until the bus turned left into Wolverhampton Road before we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4264 before it carried on towards Mossley.

NX West Midlands 4264 in Bloxwich

We got off the bus and Matthew decided he wanted to use the toilet. We crossed over the A34 and we went to the toilet block. The public toilet at Bloxwich is only to be used when desperate... It stinks and the cubicles don't have doors on them. Still, it is slightly better than no toilet. We did not know which direction the next heritage service would run in, so we did not know which side of the road to wait on for the best. Whilst we waited we saw required National Express West Midlands 1756 on a #302 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1756 in Bloxwich

As we contemplated what to do we saw an Optare Spectra coming up the high street. The road was busy and we couldn't get across. As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 4020.

NX West Midlands 4020 in Bloxwich

We crossed the road and by the time we had gotten to the stop we saw National Express West Midlands 4020 disappearing into the distance. We decided to wait where we were as a far as we knew all the buses at the Walsall end, with the exception of the bus we just missed. Going the other way was required National Express West Midlands 4293 on a #89 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4293 in Bloxwich

A few minutes later we saw an Optare Spectra turn the corner... It was dud National Express West Midlands 4021 on a #301 service.

NX West Midlands 4021 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Wolverhampton Road and we turned right onto Sand Bankk and then left onto Bell Lane. We crossed through some lights at a crossroads and we went forwards onto Sneyd Lane. A few stops up the road we turned right onto Creswell Cresent. We travelled around 1/2 a mile and we could see a main road up ahead. To the right there was a turning circle where 2 buses were lined up. These were National Express West Midlands 4020 and Rotala Diamond 30412. As we pulled up into the turning circle National Express West Midlands 4020 pulled off and went towards Walsall. Our bus pulled up alongside Rotala Diamond 30412 where the other Optare Spectra had stood and the bus terminated. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of National Express West Midlands 4021.

Inside NX West Midlands 4021

We got off the bus and there were around 1/2 dozen other bus enthusiasts taking pictures. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4021 alongside the Rotala Diamond bus.

NX West Midlands 4021 in Mossley

Pretty much as soon as we took the picture we turned to see another bus approaching. It was another one of the buses finishing service later in the day, required National Express West Midlands Volvo B10 1436.

NX West Midlands 1436 in Mossley

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. The rear of the bus was empty so we took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 1436 just as another Optare Spectra pulled up behind us.

Inside NX West Midlands 1436

The bus set off down Cresswell Crescent and we saw another Volvo B10, required National Express West Midlands 1447. At the end of the Crescent we turned left into Sneyd Lane and we carried on back into Bloxwich town centre via Wolverhampton Road. We turned into the high street and we got up and got off the bus. Adjacent to the toilet parked in Park Road was WMSNT Optare Solo 2012.

WMSNT 2012 in Bloxwich

A few minutes later we saw two buses approaching off Wolverhampton Road. National Express West Midlands Volvo B10 1447 had got in front of the other Spectra, which was required National Express West Midlands 4017.

NX West Midlands 1447 in Bloxwich

We let the single decker go by and waited for National Express West Midlands 4017.

NX West Midlands 4017 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4017.

Inside NX West Midlands 4017

We sat down and the bus set off down the High Street. We turned slight left onto the B4210 and we headed the 2 miles or so into Walsall. We crossed the ring road and we headed into the bus station down St Pauls Street. The bus pulled up on the end of one of the adjacent stands and we got up and got off, before it ran off out of service. In the bus station in front of us was National Express West Midlands 4126.

NX West Midlands 4126 in Walsall bus station

We walked around the bus station whilst we thought about what to do. matthew visited the toilet and then we went next door to the shop. Here we brought some pop and chocolate to fill up the truip bag with supplies as well as a bag of egg sweets. At stand D was required Rotala Diamond 30411.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Walsall bus station

Around the corner from the bus station were another few stands. National Express West Midlands 6755 was on a #934 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6755 in Walsall bus station

There didn't seem to be any other buses about so we thought we would get back up to Bloxwich on Rotala Diamond 30411. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus was filling up quickly and so Matthew took a picture of the empty back seat behind us.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30411

When we got on the bus we spotted a plastic number plate at the front of the bus with the number 1819 on it. This and the buses blue seat moquette gave away the buses origin of the bus as being a former Transdev Lancashire United bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and across the ring road onto Stafford Road. We travelled 2 miles north before joining onto the A34 and running into Bloxwich town centre. We passed along the high street and we waited before the bus turned left onto Wolverhampton Road before we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30411.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Bloxwich

We decided to stay put and wait for the next required bus towards Mossley. Required National Express West Midlands appeared but it was going towards Walsall. A few minutes later dud Arriva Midlands 2733 appeared on a #326 service to Bilston.

Arriva Midlands 2733 in Bloxwich

Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 4017 & 1436 going back towards Walsall and National Express West Midlands 4021 & 1436 going towards Mossley. This flyer for the event stated that buses would b out until around 16:30 and it was now nearly 16:00. We were beginning to think that there wasn't going to be anything else heritage going up towards Mossley when required National Express West Midlands 1447 came around the corner.

NX West Midlands 1447 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. There were a few familiar faces on the bus including the dog that appeared on the Cheshire Champion tour back in June 2015! We set off onto the Westbound A4124 before turning right onto Cresswell Crescent and to the turning circle at the end of the road. We got of the bus and the dog somehow got into a fight with a local Pit Bull, with the Pit Bull own having to pick his dog up by the harness and swing it around out of the way to stop the dogs from going at each other. Matthew got another picture of National Express West Midlands 1447 as it carried on towards Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1447 in Mossley

Also at the terminus was Rotala Diamond Plaxton Centro 30825 on a #301 to Walsall.

Rotala Diamond 30825 in Mossley

A few people decided to catch this bus back towards Walsall and we had wondered if the service had now stop running. A few others stayed and these looked like they knew what they were doing. In the distance we saw the first Mercedes single decker that we had seen today. As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 1641.

NX West Midlands 1641 in Mossley

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and National Express West Midlands 4021 pulled up behind us. We decided that this was probably the last new heritage bus that we were going to be able to get today, so we decided to do this through to Walsall. The bus set off back down the Crescent and turned right onto the main road. We entered Bloxwich town centre along Wolverhampton Road and we turned right into the High Street. At the bottom of the high Street we veered of to the left onto Stafford Road and we ran the 2 miles or so into Walsall. We crossed the ring road and entered the bus station passing National Express West Midlands 4603 along St Pauls Street. The bus emptied out except for one person who wanted to take a picture inside this bus just like Matthew. Its not very often Matthew has competition! They both took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 1641 before getting off.

Inside NX West Midlands 1641

It was now nearly 17:00... Mum needed us back at the car before 17:45 because of the parking, we considered what to do next whilst Matthew went to the toilet. We walked around the outside of the office and we saw Walsall Radio Cars MF52 PPK go by.

Walsall Radio Cars MF52 PPK in Walsall bus station

There was a raised walkway that overlooked the stops outside the bus station, whilst we were there we saw National Express West Midlands 4327 on a #77 to Sutton Coldfield.

NX West Midlands 4327 in Walsall bus station

We walked back inside the bus station and we saw required National Express West Midlands 1755 on a #302 to Lower Farm.

NX West Midlands 1755 in Walsall bus station

We decided to do this bus up to Bloxwich for something back. We got on bus and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Before the bus filled up Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 1755.

Inside NX West Midlands 1755

We set off out of the bus station and we passed National Express West Midlands 4598 on a #529 service. We crossed the ring road onto Stafford Road and we travelled up to the Southern edge of Bloxwich where we got up and got off the bus. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 1755 as it carried on towards Lower Farm.

NX West Midlands 1755 in Bloxwich

We crossed over the road and we waited at the opposite bus stop. We didn't have to wait long before we saw a walsall bound bus approaching. It was required Rotala Diamond 30832 on a #302 service.

Rotala Diamond 30832 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down B4210 and into Walsall. As we approached the bus station we passed National Express West Midlands 1436 going out again on a #301 service. When we got to the bus station we let bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 30832.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30832

As it was now getting late we decided to take a few pictures before going back to the car. it was National Express West Midlands 4597 On a #529 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4597 in Walsall bus station

This was followed by National Express West Midlands 1763 on a #29 to Blakenall.

NX West Midlands 1763 in Walsall bus station

After that we saw National Express West Midlands 4125 on a #89 to Wolverhampton

NX West Midlands 4125 in Walsall bus station

We walked around the corner into Hatherton Road which appeared to be a place where vehicle lay over. There were a couple of Arriva Midlands buses parked here. First in the row was required Arriva Midlands Enviro200 2147.

Arriva Midlands 2147 in Walsall

Behind this was required Arriva Midlands 3705.

Arriva Midlands 3705 in Walsall

On the opposite side of the road was a bus stop where there was a bus service to the Amazon Distribution Centre. It was being worked by National Express West Midlands 4300.

NX West Midlands 4300 in Walsall

In front of the bus was a coach, also bound for the Amazon Distribution Centre was Fastline coach FC03 MDN.

Fastline FC03 MDN in Walsall

We walked back to the car and mum was waiting with sausage Greggs rolls. Matthew washed his down with a bottle of Irn Bru. Once in the car we headed out of the car park onto Hatherton Road and forwards onto Hatherton Street. We joined the ring road for a short while before going onto the Northbound A34. We passed through Bloxwich and North through Great Wyrley towards Cannock. When we crossed the M6 toll road, I spotted a sign for the M6 which I had seen before when passing this junction, so today decided to take it see where it went to. It was the A460, and it ran parallel to the M6 toll road right up to the the M6 junction 11. We got onto the Northbound M6 and we made good time running through the roadworks and up to Junction 15 where we joined the Northbound A500. At Sideway we went East following Happy Days Coaches 209 & 226 towards the Britannia Stadium which was carrying Stoke fans returning from Aston Villa. We carried on to Longton along the A50 and we came off to have a look what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. Unusually, The nearest bus was Z carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Also present was Z Carz Iveco minibus HX51 HRU which is receiving some attention. Closest bus in the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was n the compound this evening. The closest bus to the gate was Z Carz maroon coloured Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we went up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we went onto Church Road and into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark