Trip to Hanley / Tunstall 31-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40003	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
3415	Hanley BS	Endon, adj The Plough Hotel	118	Wardle Transport
40155	Endon, opp The Plough Hotel	Hanley BS	18	First Potteries
4687	Hanley BS	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	61	Wardle Transport
60004	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	Hanley BS	29	First Potteries
4687	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj stop M	61	Wardle Transport
40020	Tunstall, adj stop M	Longport, adj Longport Road	99A	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip. We had had heard on the Stafforshire and Merseyside bus group that Wardle Transport Scania 3415 had been doing the #118 Hanley - Buxton service. We thought that if we were lucky then the bus would work again today. We checked the weather for today and it was for rain. Matthew got up around 11:15 and he had an oatcake and some orange juice for breakfast. we set off just after 12:00 and we walked to the distance over to the Ladybank Grove stop. We saw a Plaxton bus approaching as we walked to the stop and we decided to run for it. As we got to the stop we turned to see it was dud first Potteries 40003.

First Potteries 40003 'Dinky Donut' #23 favourite!

We got on the bus and booked a Smartday ticket. We sat down near the back of the bus and it was nearly empty. The bus filled up as we headed through Blurton and Heron Cross. At Heron Cross we passed Lightning Travel NX03 JYJ parked up. In Stoke we saw First Potteries 32632 on a Hanley bound #25. We then headed up past the railway station and up College Road. We reached Hanley a little before 13:00 and when we got there we went onto the balcony. I went to fetch some chips and Matthew and Uncle Dave stood on the balcony. Whilst I was getting chips required Wardle Transport 4896 made an appearance on the #30 to Bradwell.

Wardle Transport 4896 at Hanley bus station on a #30

At the same time Wardle Transport 2038 appeared to work the #190 service to Cranberry.

Wardle Transport 2038 at Hanley bus station on a #190

As I walked up with the chips to the balcony, Wardle Transport 3415 made an appearance and it was on the inbound 118 service. So unless it swapped it was going to work the 13:45 to Buxton. We ate our chips and we spent 30 or so minutes taking picture from the Balcony. We saw required Wardle Transport 4652 on the 13:00 #61 to Tunstall. We also saw Wardle Transport 4687 on the 13:30 #61 to Tunstall too. So we had seen 2 of the 3 Wardle double deckers buses that Matthew requires working in a few minutes. Just before 13:45 we decided to walk down to stand W to wait for the #118 service. Matthew got a picture of the bus whilst it waited on the opposite side.

Wardle Transport 3415 at Hanley bus station

Just before time it pulled of the waiting area and did a lap of the bus station and pulled onto the stand. Inside the bus it had been configured for schools work, with 57 seats arranged in a 2 + 3 arrangement, fitted with seatbelts too.

Inside Wardle Transport 3415

With this arrangement its chances of working a service bus are somewhat limited. We deicede to do this bus up to Endon which is the limit of our Smartday ticket. As we pulled off we also saw Wardle Transport 2300 was also parked up by the bus station between duties. As we passed Meigh Street we saw Wardle Transport 4692 on the other #61 turn. This meant that all 3 of Matthew required wardle deckers were working today. The bus sounded really good and hopefully it will have a few more years work left in it. As we approached Endon we shouted to let the driver know we wanted to get off. There appears to be only one bell one this bus and it is at he front. You don't really need bells on a School bus as they generally only have one destination! After we got of we crossed the road to wait for the return service to Hanley. We had around 10 minutes w saw a bus in the distance. A couple of minutes dud First Potteries 40155 appeared.

First Potteries 40155 in Endon

We sat down near the back and then relaxed as we did the 20 odd minute journey into town. We got off and went onto the balcony. We decided to do the next #61 as 2 of the 3 buses out were required ones. Unfortunately for us, the next one out at 15:00 was worked by the one bus we had been on before, Wardle Transport 4687.

Wardle Transport 4687 in Hanley bus station

We got on and sat upstairs. Matthew took a picture of the bus which had been re-upholstered since we last did this.

Inside Wardle Transport 4687

We decided to do this to Bradley, hopefully getting one of the other required buses back. We did the bus up to Bradeley but we didn't pass any of the other buses whilst we were out. If I had checked I would have seen the the 15:00 off Hanley only goes to Chell and then comes back. We got and got a picture.

Wardle Transport 4687 in Bradeley

We then crossed the road to wait for the return. I had the idea of catch the #29 back instead of doing the #61. We could always do the #61 back out. The #29 approached and it was dud First Potteries 60004.

First Potteries 60004 in Bradeley

The bus was empty so he got his empty bus picture there and then.

Inside First Potteries 60004

We got back in Hanley around 15:50ish and then a few minutes later Wardle Transport 4687 re-appeared! We thought it was going to be one of the other 2 buses. Matthew want to go to the toilet, but as we tried to go to the tardis at the end it was busy with someone else waiting to use it too. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do 4687 to Tunstall so he could use a toilet there instead and he said yes. So we got back on Wardle 4687 to go to Tunstall. it was now starting to go dark and it rained quite hard for most of the journey up. When we got to Tunstall High Street it was fully dark and raining hard. We got off the bus and jogged down to the toilets. I then arrange with mum to meet us at Longport. We ran back up to the stop and there was an Optare Solo at the stop on a #99A. It was required First Potteries 40020.

First Potteries 40020 in Tunstall

Matthew beeped the horn as he got on and we sat down. It was nearly empty but a couple more people got on before we set off. We went down the road towards Trubshaw Cross, past the potential site of a new Morrisons. We picked up a couple more on the trip down and then we got off at Longport. Mum wasn't waiting for us so we decided to nip to the local off license. Matthew got a big bottle of Coke and a galaxy Caramel. We went back to the stop to shelter from the rain. A few minutes later mum appeared to rescue us from the rain. We headed back down the A500 to stoke where came off on Wheildon Road to drop Uncle dave off home. We then went up to heron Cross and then home. We got home around 17:30. For tea matthew had a fish finger sandwich with a chocolate cake and cream for afters. He then chilled out before welcoming in the New Year...Mark

Trip to Newcastle/Stoke 08-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Wardle Transport
NIL 3944	Abbey Hulton	Cheddleton	Charter	Procters
NIL 3944	Cheddleton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Procters
1450	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport
40003	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Newstead	23	First Potteries
40003	Newstead	Church Street, Stoke	23	First Potteries
66841	Church Street, Stoke	Newcastle Town Centre, adj Alma Inn PH	25	First Potteries
61553	Newcastle Under Lyme, adj Seagrave Street	Church Street, Stoke	26	First Potteries
40024	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66849	Stoke railway station	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
2962	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way	500	Wardle Transport

Todays was Matthews first day back at college after the bank holiday weekend. He was also having a trip out on the Beatrice today aswell. Matthew was up shortly after 07:00 and on his college bus at 08:00. It was the usual bus Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle Transport 1450 in Blurton

Whilst at college, Matthew did Procters NIL 3944 to Chedleton. He had Procters NIL 3944 back to college too. He came home once again on Wardle Transport 1450. Mathew then had his tea which was sausage carrots and potatoes. As it was a nice evening, I asked Matthew if he fancied a jaunt down to Stoke on the bus to which he said yes! We set off a little after 20:00 and we waited for the Hanley bound bus. We saw the bus heading in the other direction so we decided to cross over and do it to Newstead first. As it approached we could see it was first PMT 40003 as it often is on this turn. We got on the bus and took our seat near the back. we noticed that this bus had been refurbished, and the seats were now in first colours. The old grey and salmon zig-zag pattern seats had been replaced. When we got to Newstead I got up and booked back to Stoke station. When we got back to Blurton, an old school friend of Matthew's got on the bus and we chatted to as we headed towards Stoke. As we were late we decided to get off in Stoke town centre so we could see both of the buses we night catch. As we got off Matthew got a good picture of 40003.

First PMT 40003 in Stoke

Matthew immediately decided he need to go to the toilet so we went to the one's by the market. We got back onto church street just in time to see the #26 to Newcastle, which was required 61553. we decided to turn this down for now, and to wait to see what the following #25 was, as we would be coming back on 61553 anyway. We waited a further few minutes and dud 66841 appeared on the Keele bus. As we traveled up to Newcastle we passed 66849 on the Hanley bound #25, a little further up the road than usual. We did it to the edge of Newcastle where Matthew got a picture of this bus.

First PMT 66841 in Newcastle

We got off the bus and crossed over to wait for 61553. sure enough after a few minutes a appeared from around the corner. As we rode on this bus to stoke, we could see how different this bus was internally to some off the Scania's that were original to PMT. We approached stoke and there were 2 possibilities. if we got to Stoke and the #23 hadn't gone past then we would do this to stoke station. Otherwise it would be the #25. as we approached stoke there was a couple of minutes before the #23 was due off. We got to Stoke and it was waiting at the stop. Cool as a cucumber, Matthew insisted on getting a picture of 61553 before walking over to the Solo across the road.

First PMT 61553 in Stoke

After he had taken the picture we ran over to the #23. another lady had already run across in front of us, obviously she didn't have to stop to take a picture of the other bus! We got across the road and jumped straight on it. We sat down and we didn't even know which one we were on. as we got off we made a conscious decision to what we had been on and it was required 40024. Matthew got a picture just as it pulled away.

First PMT 40024 in Stoke

It had now just about gone dark. We crossed the road for the impending #25. As expected it was dud 66849. It was a little late turning up and quite full. The move is usually to stoke town for the Hanley bound #25. As we pulled into Church street we passed 66852. We now had 2 choices... Wait for the #500 in Stoke Town centre, or walk back to the railways station. As we approached the stop in stoke town centre the bell's in Stoke minster were sounding out and Matthew decided he want to catch the bus from by the station. We had 12 minutes to get there. as we passed the end of Kingsway matthew spotted a coach in front of the Kings Hall. We had to go and have a look. It was Leon's Coaches AT61 LCT which was in town with the Stoke city end of season awards ceremony. We also saw a coach behind the north Staffs hotel which we had to go have a look at. It was Simpson's coaches SM12 SON. we got to the stop by the railway station with about a minute to spare! It rounded the corner and we could see it was a Versa so we knew it was probably not going to be a required bus. As it approached we saw it was Wardle Transport 2962. We did the bus to the end as usual, and just before we got off Matthew got a picture of the very brightly lit interior of this bus.

Inside Wardle Transport 2962

We got off and waited for the bus to come back onto the bus stop so we could take a few more pictures of this beast.

2962 on Stanley Matthews Way

We then walked the long walk home, before getting ready to go to bed...Mark

Trip to Heron Cross 28-04-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40375	Heron Cross	Ladybank Grove, Blurton Corner	23A	First Potteries

today Matthew started the day in respite and we were on our way home from a holiday. It had been arranged for Uncle Dave to stay over at our house to wait for Matthew, whilst transport had been arranged for Matthew to come home some time in the morning. Due to a mix up the transport never came! Somebody saw the transport arrange on a Saturday and presumed it was a mistake and and canceled it. He got up around 07:00 and then had some breakfast. around 09:00 Whilst waiting in Heron Cross he went to the local shop and brought a few things such as some pop and a cake. On the way back we saw First Potteries 42727. we saw Wardle Transport 1647 going to Alton Towers pick up one of his friends. He also had some cake whilst he waited for something to happen. Some time in the morning Uncle Dave received a phone call telling him he had to come down to pick Matthew up! Uncle Dave walked up from Blurton as he had no change for a bus and then picked up Matthew with his bus pass just after 12:00. They then walked up to Blurton Road to wait for the bus back. Whilst there we saw First Potteries 40003 on a Hanley bound #23 service.

First Potteries 40003 in Heron Cross

A few minutes later a Newstead bound #23A bus appeared and we got on it. It was First Potteries dud 40375.

First Potteries 40375 in Heron Cross

After a short ride up to Blurton we got off and Matthew got another picture of this fine bus.

First Potteries 40375 in Blurton

They then walked back and wait for us to return from our holiday. When we got back a little after 14:00 I had to show him all the pictures I had taken whilst away, and we had a take away delivered so we had time to sort a few thing out. After tea we settled down for the evening before going to bed...Mark.

Trip to Stoke / Newcastle 06-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Wardle Transport
1451	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport
40003	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Newstead	23	First Potteries
40003	Newstead	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66840	Stoke railway station	Newcastle Town Centre, adj Alma Inn PH	25	First Potteries
60136	Newcastle Under Lyme, adj Seagrave Street	Church Street, Stoke	26	First Potteries
40028	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66849	Stoke railway station	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66852	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2406	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way	500	Wardle Transport

Today Matthew had an extra trip out, in order to help to train up a new PA. He started the day on his usual college transport, Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle 1450 in Blurton

He did to Abbey Hulton and back 1451. As arranged, the PA turned up at 20:00 and we walked all the way to Ladybank Grove. As we had just missed the 19:56 to Hanley, and it was a freezing cold evening, we decided to wait on the other side of the road and do the bus out to Newstead First. The bus turned up and as it is most of the time, this turn was worked by First Potteries 40003.

First Potteries 40003 in Blurton

As we passed through Newstead, I got up to book ticket back to Stoke station. The journey ent to plan and we alight outside the railway station we he got a better picture of 40003.

40003 outside Stoke railway station

We crowssed the road and in a matter of minutes we could see a Volvo single decker approaching. It was required 66840.

First 66840 outside Stoke railway station

We decided to do this to the outskirts of Newcastle and to do the #26 back into Stoke. As we went through Stoke town would could see the Scania we would have on the #26 heading into Newcastle, We also passed another Volvo heading towards Hanley which we would probably ride on later. We got off in George Street Newcaslte and Matthew attempted to get a better picture of the bus.

66840 pulls away on George Street

We crossed the road and headed into Newcsatle, going to the stop opposite The Rigger. We only had to wait a few minutes and we could see our bus approaching. It turn out to be required 60136.

First Potteries 60136 approaches...

We got on and found a seat near the back. A few people got off on the way to Stoke so Matthew was able to get a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside 60136

In Stoke town centre we got off, and Matthew was able to get a much better picture of 60136 under the bright street lights in town.

60136 on Church Street, Stoke

As we had not seen the other #23 diagram we crossed the road in the hope that we might not have missed it. A minute or two later, 40028 turned up on this turn.

First 40028 on Church Street, Stoke

At the railway station Matthew was able to get a better picture.

40028 outside Stoke station

All was going well. We hadn't passed the #25 so we crossed the road in anticipation of this and sure enough after a couple of minutes required Volvo 66849 appeared. We arrived in the town centre and we could see a Hanley bound #25. We were abel to cross the road and get a picture of 66849 before looking at our next bus.

First Potteries 66849 on Church Street, Stoke

After getting his picture of 66849, we turned to see required 66852 and he got a picture of this too!

First Potteries 66852 on Church Street, Stoke

Back at the railway station, Matthew was able to get another picture of 66852.

First Potteries 66852 outside Stoke station

It was now time to wait for the last bus of the day, the #500 to Stanley Matthews Way. As we waited we saw 40028 returning back towards Blurton. After around 10 minutes Wardle Transport 2406 appeared on the #500. It was quite well loaded today, but everybody else got off at the DHL warehouse or before. We did the bus to the end of Stanley Matthews Way where Matthew was able to get a reasonable picture of this beast.

Wardle Transport 2406 on Stanley Matthew Way

When then had a short walk home and we said our goodbye's to the PA. I think secretly he quite enjoyed this hectic evening of bus travel...Mark

Trip to Newcastle 02-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40003	ladybank Grove, Blurton	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66838	Stoke railway station	Newcastle town centre, the Alma inn PH (adj)	25	First Potteries
40139	hartshill, Kingswell Road (adj)	Stoke-upon-Trent, Lytton Street (adj)	26	First Potteries
60074	Stoke-upon-Trent, Lytton Street (opp)	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66839	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2931	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew hadn't been out yet this month, and as he had been quite good today I decided to take him out for an hour or two. We were ready about 30 minutes earlier than usual, so I decided we could go to the railway station on the other 23 diagram, the one that is almost always 40003. we went to the Ladybank grove stop tonight and after a few minutes sure enough 40003 turned up!


40003 in Blurton on it's usual 23 turn (Matt)

As we were earlier. I thought we could potentially cover all 3 buses on the #25 service, as well as one of the buses on the #26. This would of course depend on if all the buses were running to time. We did 40003 to Stoke railway station, and as it was on time we were able to casually cross the road to wait for the Keele bound #25 service. After a couple of minutes 66838 appeared on the service. I had worried Star Travel Minibus out that we should pass the next #25 outside stoke and we could go to the Alma and catch a #26 back to stoke for this bus. Going up Harsthill bank we passed 60074 on the Hanley bound #25 which was required! we got off outside the Alma and Matthew photographed the bus as it sped off...


66838 heads towards Newcastle on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

We got off the bus and head to the next bus stop towards Stoke. In hindsight we should have gone the other way as it was about 1/4 mile! after a short while 40139 turned up on the service. Initially I thought it was a bus that Matthew required, but I remembered it was the second bus we had the first time we had been to Chester specifically to ride on buses. we did this bus to Lytton Street, where once again Matthew got a shot.


Ex Chester Dart 40139 heading towards Longton on a #26 (Matt)

The plan was now, if the #23 was on time we would do it to Stoke station and pick up 60074 there, otherwise, just stay put and have a short ride on 60074. 40155 was indeed a couple of minutes late on the #23 Hanley, and we stayed put to make sure we got 40155. 60074 eventually rounded the corner. we did it to stoke and Matthew got a shot.


Purple 'W' 60074 on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

we crossed the road and waited about a minute before the next Hanley bound #25, this one was 66839 which we have had recently. we did it to the station and Matthew got a picture.


66839 on a #25 outside stoke railway station (Matt)

We then had 10 minutes to wait, before the #50, we did this by photographing the coaches behind the North Stafford hotel, and then sitting on the steps next to the bus stop. Todays #500 was 2931 which was the same as last time we did it. at journey end we crossed the road and then photographed the bus as it wait time for the return journey.


Wardle Transport 2931 at journey end on the #500 (Matt)

Afterwards we walked back home in darkness...Mark

Trip to Stoke 28-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T131 SAG	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
DX56 FYZ	Abbey Hulton	Park hall	Charter	Blackfriars
T412 JUX	Park hall	Trentham	Charter	Z carz
T413 JUX	Trentham	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Star Travel
S973 OVR	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40027	Waterside Drive, Shepley Grove	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
60194	Stoke railway station	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66839	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2933	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

T131 SGA was the power for this morning, once at college he did college transport to Park Hall. He then did T412 JUX to Trentham. He then did Star Travel T413 JUX to Abbey Hulton. he returned home on VW minibus S973 OVP.

It was a fine evening so we decided to go out tonight. I went to view the 23a diagram which was 40027. This wasn't a required bus but we hadn't been on it since January 2009! We walked the short distance to the Shepley Grove stop and after a short wait sure enough 40027 appeared.


40027 in Newstead (Matt)

A short journey later and we were by Stoke station. in this fine summer evening Matthew was able to get a good picture here.


40027 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

We crossed the road and waited for the #25 which was a Newcastle bus and usually required. Whilst waiting the other 23 diagram turned up with it's usual power 'dinky donut' 40003.


40003 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

A few minutes later the #25 turned up and it didn't disappoint! It was Ex Manchester Scania 60194! We then did the short run into Stoke town Centre where he got a good picture.


60194 in Church Street Stoke (Matt)

We noticed we hadn't passed the Hanley bound 25 this time, and there were people at the stop so we crossed the road to wait for that bus. Unfortunately there was a drunk who was a bit abusive. We just smiled and kept our fingers crossed he didn't turn violent. I often have to hold Matthews hand to keep him safe, so he called us a derogatory term for homosexuals! As we got on the bus the drunk also called everyone on the bus w*****rs because they wouldn't have a sing song! the bus was 66839. one which Matthew had been on before with his respite carers, but I had not. We got off at the station thankful to be in one piece...


66839 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

We then had Approximately 10 minutes before the 500. the bus turned up and it was same as last time Solo 2933. the bus was reasonably well filled up to the distribution centre and then we were the only one left on. Before we got off Matthew got a picture of the inside.


Inside 2933 (Matt)

he then got an OK picture as it went to turn around for the Norton leg of the journey.


2933 on Stanley Matthews Way (Matt)

Another good nights bus travel slightly marred by the drunken fool...Mark

Trip to Fenton 16-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
W187 RRE	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z Carz
GN53 ETZ	Abbey Hulton	Newcastle	Charter	Blackfriars
GN53 ETZ	Newcastle	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Blackfriars
S973 OVR	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40165	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Mount Pleasant, Temple (adj)	23A	First Potteries

Matthew did his current usual bus out in the morning W187 RRE. Whilst at college he did GN53 ETZ to Newcastle and back. He also saw Copeland's Tours MIB 746 & Procters TLZ 9417 Unusually, the return trip from college was VW bus, S973 OVR!

Later, the same family event that put us in a position for the bus last night, also changed our usual Thursday night routine. As such We went to visit a family member by bus, that we usually do by car on a Wednesday. as we approached the Ladybank stop we saw a Marshall bodied Dart heading towards Newstead. Whilst we waited, we speculated on the identity of the bus and if it would be required. Eventually very much required 40165 turned up on our service.


40165 in Beaconsfield Drive on the 23A to Hanley (Matt)

On the way we passed evening regular 40003 on the 23 diagram. After the short run down through Heron Cross, we got off the bus at the appropriate stop.


40165 departs towards Stoke and Hanley on the 23A (Matt)

After a few hours with said family member, mum came by in the car to pick us up... Mark