Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 08/12/2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3006	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
2631	Chester BS	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	10	Arriva NW&W
2357	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4488	Chester BS	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2629	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Chester. We hadn't been to Chester for 6 months, and since we had been I had heard alot had changed. We did no research for this trip as we have been to Chester many times. In hindsight, perhaps it would have been good idea to have done some today. We checked the weather the evening before and it was to be cold with rain! Matthew got up around 10:30 and had his breakfast of toast and orange juice. We set off around 12:00 and we headed to heron Cross. We then headed west on the A50 up to the A500. We headed to North up to the M6 and then onto the westbound M56. Just outside Chester we turned onto the northbound M53 which we did to the outskirts of Ellesmere Port. We then did the road into town past the railway station and then onto Civic Way and we parked up near the market. We used the toilets in the market before going to the foodcourt. It took a fewminutes before we got an empty table, but we sat down and ordered food from Cafe Bellamy. Matthew had a breakfast and me and Uncle Dave had sandwiches. Mum had a toasted tea cake. After we had eaten we walked up to the bus station. The GHA staff bus was Optare minibus MB29. We got a picture and then went across to wait for the Chester bus. We noticed that the travel office was open so I decided to pick up a timetable for the 1,2 and X2. I asked Matthew which buses he wanted to catch and he said 'Arriva'. The next bus to Chester was conveniently an Arriva one on a #2 service. We went up to the top of the bus station to get a picture of the bus when it arrived. A couple of minutes later Arriva NW&W 3006 rounded the corner and Matthew got a picture.

Arriva NW&W 3006 approaching Ellesmere Port bus station

Not too surprising this bus was required as we haven't been on too many of these Birkenhead based Pulsars. We booked our Deeside rovers and settled back to enjoy the journey. This was the first time we had done a #2, and it took me by surprise when we turn off the main road onto the estate. Then I remembered that this service had replaced the old #3 Rivacre service that we used to do back when it was Step entranced Darts and Olympians. WE passed a few of the newer First Scania's and another Birkenhead Pulsar on a #2. We also passed First Dart 41068 on a X2 service we got to Chester and the busemptied out Matthew got his empty bus picture of Arriva NW&W 3006.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3006

We then went over to our usual perch when in Chester and took a few pictures of the buses. The first thing of interest we saw was dud First Manchester 34260. A bus that we have had once before in Bury back in January 2011, but never whilst in Chester.

First Manchester 34260 in Chester bus station

We let go Arriva NW&W 2635 on one #10 service, and then let go dud Arriva Solo 689 which we had been on on the same weekend last year 12 months ago. We said we would do the next #10 whatever it was, and the next one was required Arriva NW&W 2631.

Arriva NW&W 2631 in Chester bus station

The driver went off for a quick break as they often do on #10's so we had a little more time.We then saw a couple of First Solo's that we had never see before. The first one being First Manchester 50280 on a #51 service.

First Manchester 50280 in Chester bus station

The was followed almost immediately by First Manchester 40309on a #5 service.

First Manchester 40309 in Chester bus station

Then a #82 service came in. This was the first time we had seen a double decker on this service and it was being worked by W469 BCW.

GHA W469 BCW in Chester bus station

The driver had now returned to the bus bus so we ambled across to 2631. We got on and sat near the back of the bus. It was quite full when the bus left the bus station, so there were no opportunities to take a picture inside. We decided to do this bus to the Welsh border and then catch something back. We got off at Sealand Road by the P&R site. First Manchester 69490 was unloading and e were able to get a picture of this before crossing the road to wait for the next inbound #10. A quick check of the timetable told us we had around 10minutes to wait. The rain had held off so far but it was still quite cold and waiting was not much fun. A few minutes later and we saw a Dart round the corner. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2357.

Arriva NW&W 2357 on Sealand Road

We got on and sat near the back on this near empty bus, As we travlled in we saw the only other Arriva Dart we saw and that was dud Arriva NW&W 2355. When we got back and the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture inside the empty refurbished Dart.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2357

The Dart unloaded by the cinema, and so we took a few pictures as we walked back down. One picture was of GHA single decker SB38 on the X20 Winsford service.

GHA SB38 in Chester bus station

We walked down to our perch and we saw GHA T112 KGP SB44 was on a #82 Tarvin service. There were 2 Arriva buses in the bus station. Dud Arriva NW&W 4488 was on the X11 service and required Arriva NW&W 2630 was on the #10 service. I thougt we were going to 2631 on the #10, but Matthew changed his mind at the last moment and decided to do 4488. That was ok because need to leave something left to do so there are reasons to come back! We got on 4488 and sat upstairs near to the staircase. It was now fully dark and we couldn't really see much of the journey. When we got to the Roundabout and saw Asda we decided to get of at the next stop. We got off and Matthew got a picture of 4488 as it sped off into the distance.

Arriva NW&W 4488 by the Deeside Leisure Centre

We crossed the road and walked to the stop. The sign on the bus said there was a bus due at 17:08. We could see an orange display in the distance so we knew we wouldn't have to wait long. As it got closer we saw it was a Cadet 2. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva 2629. We sat down near the back of this near empty inbound service. The bus did pick up a few passenger as it went into town. There was an accident at the junction of Sealand road and Stadium Way, and the bus divert via Stadium Way, Cheyney Road and Bouvene Street before rejoining it original route. When we got back Matthew got a picture of the inside of this Cadet 2.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2629

We then got off and got a picture of the outside of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Chester bus station

We also saw one of First Manchester new arrivals 66703 on a #16 Saltney service. It was time to got to the toilet before heading back to the car. Matthew tucked into a Greggs sausage roll and we set off for home. We headed around the ring road before heading North up the A56. We got onto the M53 and then turned onto the Eastbound M56. near Warrington we got onto the Southbound M6 and then onto the A500.Matthew decied he want ed to swing by the First garage in Newcastle and so we headed south down the A34. As we passed we saw First 32627 ear the front of the garage. We then did the A53 out of town, cut across to the stoke road and then headed down Shelton New Road. We got back on the Southbound A500 and then onto the Eastbound A50. At longton we got off this road and went past the Z Car depot. There were only 3 vehicle here. They were D104 XAN, W344 WNS and BV51 BNO. We then headed down Longton Hall Road and then home. we got back at 19:05. We the settled down for a late tea of Sausages and Mash. Matthew then sat on his computer until bedtime...Mark

Trip to Bury 25-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40353	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40339	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester
60212	Bury BS	Ramsbottom Lane/market Place (Stop A)	472	First Manchester
30804	Ramsbottom Lane/market Place (Stop B)	Bury BS	472	First Manchester
60235	Bury BS	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop B)	524	First Manchester
34019	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop A)	Bury BS	524	First Manchester

Having has 2 consecutive local trips, Matthew was asked where he wanted to go this weekend and he chose Bury. We set off around 12:00 but we had to make 3 stops including picking up uncle Dave and LPG from Longport. We arrived in Bury around 13:30. We ate at the usual place. Least said about this today the better! We then stood around watching buses waiting for something worthwhile. Pretty much the first 3 buses we saw in bury were the ex Birkenhead Royales. 30804 was see on a #472 Ramsbottom circular, 30807 was on a #93 Manchester and 30806 we didn't see were it was going. Matthew managed to get a picture of 30807.


30807 in Bury Interchange on a #93 service (Matt)

A couple of NC Olympians were also in and out but none of them were required. We decided to wait for the next 510 as this probably would be required. The next 510 in was 40353 and it was required so we decided to do the usual trip up to Walshaw with this service.


40353 in Walshaw (Matt)

As always, after we crossed the road, we only had to wait a couple of minutes before the return service appeared. This was also required in the form of 40339.


40339 in Walshaw (Matt)

On return to bury Interchange Mathhew got a picture of the interior of this bus.


Inside 40339 (Matt)

We then had a period of inaction where Matthew was frantically try to catch some thing interesting. He photographed ex Birkenhead Scania 60183


60183 on a #137 service (Matt)

We also saw NC Olympian 34019 on a service 524, but this was not required so we decided to let it go.


34019 on a #524 to Bolton (Matt)

Eventually we saw 30804 return on a 472 Ramsbottom. With 60212 already on stand on this service, we decided to do this to Ramsbottom and catch 30804 back.


60212 on a #472 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

As we boarded the bus Matthew took a picture inside.


Inside 60212 (Matt)

Just Before 60212 came on stand, Mercedes single decker 60264 went out in front. We spent most of the journey to Ramsbottom Going in front and then falling behind this bus. When we reached Ramsbottom we got off at the main town stops.


60212 heads towards the turning point in Ramsbottom (Matt)

We saw 60212 head North and the return South. We didn't have to wait long for 30804 to make an appearance. We tried to flag it down but it sailed past us. We quickly realised that this stop must be set down only so we crossed the road to wait for its speedy return.


30804 on a #472 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

We then enjoyed a top deck front seats return to Bury. It turned out hat we had been on this bus a couple of years ago in Birkenhead! At Bury Matthew photographed the inside.


Inside 30804 (Matt)

On retun we only had time to have a quick ride, so i gave Matthew a choice of a couple of service to catch along the Manchester road. He chose 60235, but to be honest it was either a Bendibus or a Merc an neither are that great! when we got to Dumers lane we got off.


60235 on a #524 to Bolton (Matt)

At the return stop we let a Merc (60258) and a Bendibus go past (12001), and it paid off as he next bus was the returning NC Olympian 34019. As we got off matthew photographed the empty inside...


Inside 34019 (Matt)

As the bus station Matthew just had time to take a picture of 34263 on a #98 Manchester before we returned to the car to meet mum.


34263 departs Bury Interchange on a #98 Manchester (Matt)

The return was uneventful, but we did pass a Bakers coach on the motorway near home. As we returned we went to the late shop for lottery tickets and we were home around 18:00... Mark

Trip to Bury 21-05-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34029	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Unsworth Pole (SW-bound)‎	93	First Manchester
60273	Unsworth, Kennedy Drive/Parr Lane (nr House 2)	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40343	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40347	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester
34069	Bury BS	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop B)	524	First Manchester
34263	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop A)	Bury BS	524	First Manchester

We asked Matthew last weekend where he would like to go this weekend and he chose Bury. Planning for this trip consisted of packing the Map and timetables we had picked up on previous trip and to take some sausage rolls with us! we set off just after 12:00 and arrived in Bury around 13:20 and we parked near to the Library. Walking towards or dinner destination we saw 40343 which we knew was required on a 510 Bolton. We ate in the Haymarket chip restaurant as per usual, and Matthew had Chips jumbo sausage and gravy with 2 rounds of bread and butter, the rest of us had pies peas and gravy. After dinner we walked to the bus station an immediately had a bit of selection problem. There were 3 First Manchester NC double deckers in and I couldn't remember which ones we had been on before! 34019 was on a 137, 34069 arrived on a 524 and 34029 was on a 93. I was convinced that we need 34019 & and 069. Matthew steered us towards 34069 but then the driver went for a break.


34069 between duties on service #524 (Matt)

I was thinking that we should do 34019 on a 137 before we could go for it, it was already leaving.


34019 departs Bury bus station (Matt)

That left 34029 on a service we had never done before. the destination blind was saying the bus was via Unsworth, so I was sure we could do something on this bus and possibly come back on a 137 which seem to produce quite a few NC double deckers. We got on the bus and booked to Unsworth.


Inside 34029 (Matt)

As we left bury bus station, 34262 came in on a 137. I got out my Bury area bus map and saw that the 137 and 93 share a route along Parr Lane. We got off at the point where the 2 route meet going South towards Manchester,


34029 departs Parr Lane, Unworth for Manchester on a service #93(Matt)

There was a co-operative food shop which Matthew visited and photographed. As we walked south looking for a stop to return to Bury, we realised there was no stop on the part of the road the two routes share going towards Bury. As we got to the junction Mercedes bus 60258 went towards Bury on a 93. At this point we decided to go onto Kennedy Drive to catch a 137. After a few minutes 34262 came around the corner from Bury going towards Manchester.


34262 on a 137 to Manchester in Kennedy Drive (Matt)

Another few minutes past and disappointingly 60273 turned up on the 137 to Bury.


60273 in Bury bus station (Matt)

Not only was this a Mercedes, but it was one of the 2 of this type that he had already travelled on! Never mind... As we were travelling back to Bury, I worked out that if we could get back to bury for 14:55, we could do the next #510 to Walshaw. We arrived back with a couple of minutes to spare and 40343 which we had already seen earlier was on stand. After a bit of kerfuffle with Matthew trying to say hello to someone, we got on the bus. It was quite full for a 510, and as he didn't get time to take a picture at Bury, I made sure he got a good picture in Walshaw.


40343 in Walshaw (Matt)

As always we didn't have to wait long for the return which was another P--- LND bus 40347. He didn't get a good shot at Walshaw, but he did photograph the empty bus when we returned to Bury.


Inside 40347 (Matt)

On getting back we were not sure what to do. We could head towards Unsworth and try to pick up one of the double deckers we saw earlier or we could maybe go to Radcliffe or to Walshaw on a Easyride bus. First bus in was 34260 on a 137, we decided not to do this,


34260 in Bury bus station on a #137 to Manchester (Matt)

There was also Ex Rock Ferry bus 61141 on a 98, and then 34069 returned from working a 524 to Bolton. On arrival the driver went on break. We decided to wait and eventually a new driver turned up. As we didn't have loads of time, we decide to do this onto the Manchester Road and then wait up to 15 minutes to catch something back. We did the bus down the A56 and just as it turned towards Radcliffe we got off.


34069 disappears towards Radcliffe on a #524 to Bolton (Matt)

On the way down we passed a Mercedes single decker going the other way so we thought the 524 would be out of the way. We walked around the corner to the bus stop on the A56. With services 93,135,137 and 524 all going past towards Bury we didn't think we would have to wait long for a bus. We saw several buses heading South including Ex Rock ferry bus 61141. Eventually the next bus that turned up was a 524. A double decker appeared to the side of the road about to turn into the A56. The bus turned out to be dud 34263.


34263 on a service #524 to Bury (Matt)

We did this short run back to Bury and then Matthew photographed the empty lower deck as we left the bus.


Inside 34263 (Matt)

We then had a few minutes in the bus station taking picture before we met uo with mum. Matthew took a picture of the departing 34263. Also seen in this period were 60184 and 60338 on Ramsbottom circulars, and 34291 and 34294 on 98 Manchester buses.



60184 in Bury bus station (Matt)

After we met up with mum, we retired to the car for the sausage rolls that we had brought with us. The drive home was fairly uneventful and we filled up with LPG in Longport... (Mark)

Trip to Bury 19-03-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
164	Bury BS	Walshaw, Church Street/Moyse Avenue (N-bound)	481	Easyride
40371	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
34019	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Castlebrook High School	137	First Manchester
34263	Unsworth, Hollins Lane/Parr Lane	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40356	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40371	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

Matthew had decided we were going to Bury on this day a few weeks ago... He likes to keep a full social calender. He was a bit lethargic today so we did not set off until nearly 12:30. It appeared to be a fine sunny spring day. An uneventful journey followed although it did seem a bit cloudier the further north we went. We parked as usual by the library. Arriving around 13:30 we had dinner in the Corn Market fish and chip restaurant today. The adults had pie peas and gravy, and Matthew had jumbo sausage chips and gravy. With drinks it came to around £18, although they did try and charge us £22 for the food! As we left I realised I could not find my phone, so I went back to the car whilst Matthew and UD stood at he end of the bus station taking bus pictures and mum called my phone...


Maytree Travel MX08 MYR enters Bury bus station (Matt)

The phone turned up in the footwell and must have fallen out of my pockets. When I returned to Matthew it seemed as if we had to wait around 20 minutes before we saw anything worth doing. Whilst I was away a NC's double decker had left on a 98, but we knew that it would not return for at least a couple of hours.


Easyride 164 Bury bus station on a 481 Ramsbottom (Matt)

We decided to try and catch a 510 to start, but there was a different bus on stand. luckily, GMPTE provide diagrams with services and the towns they visit, we saw that the 481 Ramsbottom goes via Walshaw. We decided to do this bus and, it was going to be our first journey on Easyride. We boarded 164 and purchased a system one day ticket. Whilst on the bus, we decided to go a stop further than usual and then walk back as we had a bit of extra time before the returning #510. I thought this would mean we would get a better picture of the bus and if photographed from the rear it would not be taken into the sun. As we left Bury we passed 2 NC's double decker coming into Bury and 60338 which I assumed was on the next 510. As the bus went through Walshaw it turned right, right again and the left. When we got off the rear picture was taken as the bus went off into the distance.


Easyride 164 Walshaw, Church Street on a 481 Ramsbottom (Matt)

There was a short walk back to the stop for the 510 and around a 15 minute wait. Whilst waiting a 510 towards Bolton came past with 40356, meaning 60338 must have been on something else! Eventually our bus turned up, 40371. This bus is right in the middle of the batch that were transferred to Adderley Green, with this bus and a couple of the others being exceptions. When we arrived at Bury, Matthew photographed the inside of the empty bus.


Inside 40371 on it's First arrival at Bury (Matt)

This time at Bury we didn't have to wait long for a NC's double decker. Required 34019 turned up on a 137 Manchester. There was a short layover whilst there was a driver change, and then we got on it.


34019 awaits time before working a #137 to Manchester (Matt)

As per usual, we did this to Parr Lane, Unsworth. On the way down Market Street we saw Copelands MIB 236 which we could have done this morning had we booked on it. Hopefully we'll get this one soon...
As we got off I could see another NC's double decker on the return. We did not have time to get a picture, as we had to quickly cross the road to get it. 34263 turned up.. Dud, but a NC's decker is always welcome.


On arrival at Bury, insude the top deck of 34263 (Matt)

When we got back it was gone 16:00, so there only time to go Walshaw and back. We knew we missed a 510, so the next bus was the 16:15 480... The time was closing in on 16:15 and the bus still hadn't turned up. the was a 98 on stand J and the next 510 arrived and Went straight past it went around again and by the time it did stand J was clear, the bus was 40356, oldest Dart on the #510 today. This bus is not as smart as the others we have seen in the P... LND batch, as some of the seats have been replaced with First purple and green ones. We did this up to Walshaw as usual and we were wondering what would be the return. I was hoping for 40404 which I'd seen early, but if I'd thought about it, I would have realised that it could only be 40371, which had passed 40356 in the Walshaw area earlier! So we did this back into Bury. After we returned Matthew photo graphed a couple more NC's Volvo Olympians...


34260 departs Bury bu station on a 98 Manchester (Matt)


34023 arriving in Bury on a 137 from Manchester (Matt)

Back to the car at around 15:45, just in time to here that Stoke had won 4-0 against Newcastle! One the way back we past quite a few coaches on the M6 and A500 from the North East. Back in Staffordshire we stopped for lottery tickets and Filled up with LPG in Longport. We were back home before it went dark (Mark)

Trip to Bury 12-02-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34262	Bury BS	Chapel Field, Stand Lane/Radcliffe Library (SE-bound)	98	First Manchester
34028	Radcliffe Bus Station	Bury BS	98	First Manchester
31930	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40401	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

Matthew had not been out for a few weeks so we asked where he wanted to go. This time he chose Bury. Setting off just after 12:00 it was a fine day, and there were no problems on the road. We arrived in Bury around 13:15. We parked near the library, and we set off to have dinner in the cafe on the corner of Broad and Haymarket. On the way we saw 40359 on a service 510 to Bolton so it seemed that it was going to be business as usual at least on this route.


40359 departs Bury on a service #510 to Bolton (Matt)

For dinner Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy with some bread. After dinner we stood at the end of the bus station to see what was out today. Within seconds we spotted a double decker on stand K in the bus station. I went to get a new map and bus timetables, and worked out the double decker was on a service 98. We decided to do this bus to Radcliffe. When we got on the bus I looked at the timetable and decide we would go to Radcliffe bus station. Until then I didn't even realise there was a bus station having only ever travel on a 524 as far as the tram stop. As we departed we saw 34260 stabled by the side of the tram station. The 98 heads towards Bolton and then travel towards Radcliffe via a couple of housing estates. about 30 minutes later we arrived in Radcliffe bus station. We didn't get up very quickly, and before we could get downstairs the bus pulled off again. We ended up getting off at the next stop outside Radcliffe library.


34262 departs from Radcliffe library towards Manchester on a #98 service (Matt)

Luckily as the pedestrianised town centre meant the bus went round in a big circle, we only had a couple of hundred yards to walk back to the bus station. Radcliffe bus station consists of 2 island each containing 3 bus stops each. We didn't have to wait long at the bus station for a bus back to Bury. 34028 was the next bus back.


34028 on stand at Radcliffe bus station on a service 98 not 524 :-) (matt)

For some reason when we got on the bus I thought it was a 524 but as can be seen from the photograph it was another 98. Whilst on the bus the 524 Bury came in was required 34254. The return journey seemed much quicker, but it still wasn't quick enough to beat the more direct service 524. Just as we left the ring road to turn into the bus station, we passed 34254 going back out to Bolton. When we arrived in the bus station Matthew stood at the end and took a few pictures whilst we worked out what to do next. my thought was to do a quick trip out to Walshaw on a #510 as Matthew likes the Bolton based P---LND batch of darts. We didn't have to wait long for a 510 to show up but it was unusually Wigan based double decker 31930.


31930 arrives in Bury on a service #510 from Bolton (Matt)

As we left we passed 34023 possibly on a #137 Manchester as it was on a stand adjacent to the cafe. It's the first time we have ridden on one of these buses and they are very strange indeed. It used to have dual doors but the centre doors have been removed. there is also a centre staircase. Matthew went upstairs and it was empty. The downstairs was reasonably well filled. The locals must be used to these buses because the all the windows upstairs were covered in condensation even though it was a general fine day with the odd shower. The only clear window was the rear window. I immediately opened a window to try and clear up the condensation. Once the bus started to move we could feel every bump on the road and the body sides shook. It struggled up the lower part of Walshaw road. It is only a short journey to Walshaw and as we have been before we were able to guess were to ring the bell and get up quite well. it must have been running well to time as it paused for a few second and Matthew was able to get another photograph of this bus.


31930 pauses in Warshaw on a service #510 to Bolton (Matt)

We crossed the road and as usual we didn't have to wait long for the return. Unusually for us it wasn't one of the usual Darts, it was a slightly newer one 40401.


40401 on arrival from Bolton in Bury bus station (Matt)

We then had a few minutes taking photograph until we met up with mum to return back home. As always we saw the Almin Travel bus but we still don't know what it does or if it's general service. We would still love to know if we can catch this bus.


Often seen, never caught...Almin Travel minibus L402 BBC outside Bury bus station (Matt)

Matthew and mum got back just before 17:00 and we set off home via picking up LPG on the way. Back on the M6 we encountered heavy traffic due to an accident! We eventually got back home at 18:50 to find out that Tesco had tried to deliver the shopping at 18:35...Drat!...Mark