Trip to Newcastle / Crewe 08-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34286	Sandyford, adj Newfield	Newcastle BS	99A	First Potteries
40145	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	99	First Potteries
34158	Tunstall, adj stop M	Crewe BS	20	First Potteries
34288	Crewe BS	Hanley BS	20	First Potteries

Today we were going on a local trip. worked First Potteries #20 - Hanley service Double Decker. As Matthew had an activity in the morning we decided to drive to Westport lake and then to a tour of South Cheshire and North Staffordshire by car. Matthew got up just before 09:00 and we took him up to Heathfield for 10:00. We Drove onto the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews way. We went onto the Westbound A50 and ten onto the Northbound A500. We then went along The A527 to Chell and then we drive down to heathfield. Whilst there he went to the toilet. We collected him at 12:30 and then drove up to Wickes in Tunstall. We drove up onto High lane and then to Chell Roundabout. We then drove along the A527 Tunstall by-pass up to Wickes. We stopped there so we could have burgers and bacon baps at the burger van with the best view in town.

Burger with a view...

After eating we was First Potteries Alexander RL 34286 to Newcastle. We got on went upstairs sat down bus set off. The bus went via Trubshaw Cross and Longport. The bus then went via Porthill and Wolstanton to Newcastle. we got off we bus station we also saw First Potteries 40140 on a #72 service. We had an ice cream before returning to the bus. It we was First Potteries 40145 with it's ALX200 body. we got on the sat down bus set off through Wolstanton to Porthill and then down through Longport to Trubshaw Cross. We then headed up the Road into Tunstall. We went past the site of the proposed Morrisons in Tunstall. We got off Northwards through Tunstall on First Potteries 34158 we got on a #20 service.to Crewe. We went upstairs and sat down bus.

First Potteries 40142 in Tunstall

As we set off passed through we saw First Potteries 40142. The bus went up the A50 to kidsgrove and then forward Alsager and to Haslington we saw First Potteries 31518 then went past the railway station and into the bus station. Empty in We got off Then carried we saw First Potteries 34288 #20 service to Hanley. we got on went Upstairs. we sat down bus set off back to Haslington and then trough to Alsager. we then went down to Kidsgrove we did 40142 down to Tunstall saw then he went down through Burslem and then Hanley. we was picked up from the bus station we saw First Potteries 60128 was on a #20. we went back to Crewe and we saw 40143 on a #17 service back to the Hanley From here he walked back toey. where he met up with mum. Next we had a sausage roll and Coke. We drove down to Limekiln Bank and then onto Dividy Road. We went passed the Meadows and then on to Adderley Green where we passed 40169 on a Hanley bound #2 service. We then went down Anchor Road, around Longton and then passed the Z Carz depot. we got a picture of D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN

Next to that was a one time School bus DS51 ZJU.

Z Carz DS51 ZJU

There was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO which has just had the Z Carz decals re-applied.

Z Carz BV51 BNO

Finally at the end of the row was coach V690 EBC. It had a service 279 sticker in the front window.

Z Carz V690 EBC

We passed a camper van as we went back past the depot. We then headed down Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries 40148 going towards Newcastle. We also saw First potteries 40152 heading towards Longton. We got home at around 16:40. We had bangers and mash for tea and Matthew then settled down for the evening before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Newcastle 17-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40145	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
40152	Newcastle BS	Northwood Lane, Clayton	72	First Potteries
40152	Northwood Lane, Clayton	Newcastle BS	72	First Potteries
40150	Newcastle BS	Wilding Road Shops, Ball Green	98	First Potteries
40150	Wilding Road Shops, Ball Green	Newcastle BS	98	First Potteries
40145	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	99	First Potteries
40021	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	Newcastle BS	17	First Potteries
40021	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	17	First Potteries

Matthew was taken out for a 3rd day on the trot and started off with 40145 towards Newcastle.


40145 on a Newcastle service (Matt)

When in Newcastle Matthew saw 40152 in Newcastle on a #72 Clayton service. Matthew did this to Clayton and back. back at Newcastle 40150 came in on the #98 Ball Green and he also did this to the end and back. Matthew then did 40145 again back to Wolstanton.


40145 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

He then went back to his respite unit for tea. After tea he came out again and did 40021 to newcastle and back.


40021 in Wolstanton on a #17 service (Matt)

He then went home for a good nights sleep!...Mark

Trip to Kidsgrove 06-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40026	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Church Street, Stoke	23	First Potteries
116	Church Street, Stoke	Hanley BS	41	D & G
116	Hanley BS	Church Street, Stoke	41	D & G
30	Church Street, Stoke	Hanley BS	41	D & G
60194	Hanley BS	Clough Hall, Forth Ave (opp)	20A	First Potteries
60128	Clough Hall, Forth Ave (adj)	Hanley BS	20A	First Potteries
65732	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34A	First Potteries

With it being the last weekend of D&G's North Staffordshire operation running before the impending take over by Wardle Transport, I decided to cover the #41 service with Matthew. Firstly because of the fairly frequent service, and secondly because there are sometimes step entranced buses on this service. We set off from home around midday, and we caught the 12:11 #23A service from Blurton. Unusually it was a Solo, and better still it was required! 40026 appeared from around the corner.


40026 in Blurton (Matt)

We did the bus to Stoke and with it being a Solo it filled up pretty quickly especially with two prams in the front.


40026 in Stoke (Matt)

When we arrived in Stoke we had around 5 minutes to wait for the 12:30 #41 service to Hanley, the Clayton bound #41 was D&G 30. Matthew indicated that he wanted to catch this bus later. Eventually the Hanley bound #41 appeared and it was Marshall bodied Dart 116.


D&G 116 in Stoke on the #41 to Birches Head (Matt)

When we got to Hanley, Matthew took a picture of the interior of this bus.

when we arrived in Hanley, Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside D&G 116 (Matt)

This bus has the same strange interior as D&G 14 that we saw last week. We saw the Clayton bound bus in Hanley bus station and it was D&G 14! We let the bus go and Matthew got a picture of D&G 14 as it departed.


D&G 14 in Hanley departing for Clayton (Matt)

At this point we decide to have a short chip break. I went down to get two portions of chips from Tony's to share between the three of us, whilst Matthew watched the buses. it didn't take long to get the chips and we soon polished them off. They were washed down with cans of orange Fanta. After around 30 minutes the next Clayton service turned up and not surprisingly it was D&G 116 again. unfortunately, we needed to do this in order to get D&G 30. In the mean time we spotted D&G 132 heading towards Birches Head on the forth and final diagram. we went down to ground level and boarded D&G 116 which we did to Stoke.


D&G 116 in Hanley departing for Clayton (Matt)

When in stoke we didn't have to wait for long before D&G 30 appeared. Matthew got a picture before we boarded.


D&G 30 in Stoke (Matt)

We did this to Hanley and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus, before we alighted we noticed an Arriva plaque on the drivers door. From the files in the staffordshire and merseyside yahoo group this bus came to D&G via Quantock and was previously with Northumbria Coaches as YD02 RGY.


Inside D&G 30 (Matt)

whilst going up to the balcony, D&G 132 left so we did not get chance to do this bus. At this point we had no plan. Matthew wanted to go to Crewe or even to Alton Towers, but we knew that we would not have today. Eventually we down to catch a #20 and it pulled off. Matthew was reluctant to move so a couple of minutes later when 60194 came in on a #20A we got on it. It was not required but it was virtually empty and it was a bus we could catch out of Hanley. As we were first on Matthew got the interior shot


Inside First Potteries 60194 (Matt)

We did this bus up to Kidsgrove and it was virtually empty all the way. this was because two #20's had left Hanley only a few minutes before. when it pulled up at Tunstall, one passenger at the stop asked "Why isn't anyone getting on?" before he boarded the bus. As I wanted to alight somewhere quiet, we got off two stops out of Kidsgrove at forth avenue, where Matthew got a picture as it pulled off.


60194 powers away in the Clough Hall area of Kidsgrove on it's #20A service (Matt)

Not sure of the frequency, we waited for the bus back to Hanley. we didn't have to wait to long before 60128 appeared.


60128 on a #20A to Hanley (Matt)

We did this back to Hanley and as t emptied Matthew got a shot of the interior.


Inside 60128 (Matt)

When we got back to Hanley we needed to think about getting home. we gave Matthew a few choice of places to go and he chose Newcastle. So we went down to stand where the #34A and #17 services depart from. We didn't have to wait long before required 65732 appeared on a #34A. As we were once again first on Matthew photographed the empty bus.


Inside 65732 (Matt)

Whilst on the bus mum called to ask where we were. this was lucky because my phone had run out of credit. We then arranged to meet at the bus station a few minutes later. When we got to Newcastle Matthew was unable to get a good picture of 65732. We went to the bottom of the bus station to wait for mum. On stand was a 40145 which was about to do a #72 clayton.


40145 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

Also seen was 40153 on an inbound #99A service.



40153 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

As we were leaving we saw an Arriva midlands bus 3468 N168 PUT, but we were unable to get a picture. We then went Home via Aldi and we picked up some bottle of lager shandy...Mark

Trip to Uttoxeter 16-07-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40145	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Longton BS	22	First Potteries
60004	Longton BS	Blythe Bridge, Black Cock Inn PH (adj)	6A	First Potteries
116	Blythe Bridge, High School (adj)	High Street, Tean	7	D&G
61237	High Street, Tean	High Street, Cheadle	32	First Potteries
61531	High Street, Cheadle	Uttoxeter BS	32A	First Potteries
2200	Uttoxeter BS	Lambert Road	4	Arriva Midlands
2200	Lambert Road	Uttoxeter BS	4	Arriva Midlands
61160	Uttoxeter BS	Werrington PO	32A	First Potteries

Today was a very strange day. We had originally planned to go to Crewe today, but the weather was quite bad until gone 13:00. Just after we had given up on going out today, 40145 was on a Newcastle - Longton service the sun came out. Matthew had indicated that he wanted to visit the Co-operative food store in Blythe bridge to get a photograph of the store. So we decided to just go for a drive and then maybe get something to eat. On the way out we followed 60004 on a 6A service. We went to the store in Blythe bridge, and Matthew went in to photograph a few products. When we came out Matthew photographed the left had end of the store as there were a few people hanging around outside the door. We then got in the and drove. We went to Tean on D&G 116 where Matthew photographed the co-op store from the bus and as we reached the outskirts of Cheadle we parked and he photographed another Co-op. 61237 He then directed us towards Uttoxeter. As we arrived in the town we saw 61531 on a 32A (although it was displaying 34a). We also passed Copelands Tours MIB 236 and Bennetts A18 BNT.


Copelands Tours MIB 236 on the outskirts of Uttoxeter (Matt)


Bennetts A18 BNT on the outskirts of Uttoxeter (Matt)

When we reached Uttoxeter we in the bus station and we walked through the shopping precinct where he was able to get a few more shop photographs. when we got to he bus station there was a flurry of activity. we had already seen Wardles Transport Dart 2404 parked up. When we got to the bus station it was working off on the #428 to Lichfield.


Wardle Transport 2404 on the #428 Lichfield service (Matt)

Just a few minutes later Arriva Midlands Dart 2200 appeared on the #4 town circular. we were going to catch this but we heard the driver tell somebody that it was only going to Tesco.


Arriva Midlands 2200 on the Tesco part of the #4 Town circular (Matt)

We decided to let this bus go and catch it 10 minutes later when it works the Outer Circle part of the service. The Arriva Midlands 2207 appeared and Matthew was keen to do this too. We didn't really have time to do one of these buses out and back and mum didn't know the route. he took a picture and we went back to the stop to do the circular.


Arriva Midlands 2207 on a #1 to Burton (Matt)

The circular bus reappeared and right behind it was Trent Barton X227 WRA on the Ashbourne service. Matthew let everyone else board the circular so he could get a shot of this bus. Also seen but not photographed was Wardle Transport 2410 on the 402 to Burton.


Trent Barton X227 WRA on the Ashbourne service (Matt)

We boarded the bus and found a seat near the rear. This is a really friendly time and people were pleased to see Matthew take an interest in the bus. When we reached the half way point was able to leave Matthew in his seat whilst I booked tickets for the return journey into town. The bus came into the bus station with just us on it and Matthew got a picture of the empty bus at this point.


Inside 2200 (Matt)

As we got of the bus Matthew spotted 61160 in the bus station.


61160 on 32A to Hanley (Matt)

After get a picture of this bus Matthew slightly reluctantly went before mum drove us home. 61160 did the 32A toards werrington. back to the car. We had a quick sausage roll break Perhaps not as good as the planned Crewe trip, but at least Matthew was able to pick up another new bus... (Mark)

Trip to Newcastle-under-Lyme 15/04/2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40152	Wolstanton	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
40145	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton	99	First Potteries

Havimg had a day's break doing something in the countryside, Matthew was back out on the buses today. Having seen 40145 going away from Newcastle, first bus of the day was 40152.


Inside 40152 (Matt)

in Newcastle Matthew waited in town until 40145 turned up again...


40145 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

Matthew photographed the inside too.


Inside 40145 (Matt)

Back to Wolstanton for a final time...Mark

Trip to Tittesworth 14-04-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40139	Wolstanton	Hanley BS	17	First Potteries
41070	Hanley BS	Leek BS	18	First Potteries
MIB 246	Leek BS	Tittesworth Reservoir	Charter	Copelands Tours
MIB 246	Tittesworth Reservoir	Leek BS	Charter	Copelands Tours
41070	Leek BS	Hanley BS	18	First Potteries
40148	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34	First Potteries
40149	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton	99A	First Potteries

Today Matthew was taken out to Tittesworth reservoir. Not to sure about the details because he never tell me anything! He still wants me to write about these things though, which makes thing very difficult. Seen out and about were 40139 on a #17 Hanley - Newcastle via Wolstanton, and Ex Chesterbus Marshall bodied Dennis Dart on a #18 Hanley - Leek service. When he got to Tittesworth Matthew visited the cafe and took several photographs of the place. lots of other buses and coaches were seen. Copelands Tours MIB 246 was one of them.


Sheep near Tittesworth (Matt)

After spending a few hour here, Matthew returned to the respite unit. 40148 and 40149 were seen on Newcastle bus diagrams...Mark

Trip to Newcastle-under-Lyme 13/04/2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40153	Wolstanton	Newcastle BS	99B	First Potteries
40153	Newcastle BS	Tunstall	99B	First Potteries
40151	Tunstall	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
40153	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton	98	First Potteries
F39 ENF	Crewe BS	Burford	X19	Stanways
F39 ENF	Burford	Crewe BS	X19	Stanways

Matthew Whilst in respite, they took Matthew out on a bus. First bus of the day was 40153 on a Newcastle bound service. When he got to the bus station he took a picture.


40153 again, in newcastle bus station (Matt)

Matthew decided D&G 137 Dennis Dart with Marshall body to go straight out again on this bus. when he got on he took a picture of the inside of this bus.


Inside 40153 (Matt)

He decided to do this up to Tunstall. At Tunstall he caught the next Newcastle bound bus which happened to be 40151. Back in Newcastle he photographed the inside of this bus too.


Inside 40151 (Matt)

At this point Matthew took a bit of a break from the buses. When he returned to the bus station he waited for the next Wolstanton bus. Also observed today was 40145. The next bus just happened to be 40153 again! Matthew was then able to take Arriva 7647 in Crewe.A few more picture before we departed for respite. Later Matthew was taken out to on service X19 Crewe - Burford - Malpas - Tarvin - Chester Stanways F39 ENF returning later he photographed the inside of this 53 seat Leyland Tiger Ex Heartlands bus. D&G 157 to Crewe. In Crewe he saw D&G 25 waiting to do it's next service and First PMT 40147 on a #20. Hanley - Tunstall. Afterwards back to Wolstanton and then had a walk to respite...Mark

Trip to Newcastle-under-Lyme 12/04/2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40153	Wolstanton	Newcastle BS	98	First Potteries
40153	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton	98	First Potteries

Matthew was in respite nad he was taken out by someone on the bus to Newcastle and back. the First bus to turn up was 40153 which they did to Newcastle. not before he got a photograph of the bus as he boarded.


40153 In Wolstanton (Matt)

When they arrived in Newcastle Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.


Inside 40153 In Newcastle Bus Station (Matt)

Whilst in the bus station Matthew saw step entranced First Volvo 31519. Whilst in Newcastle Matthew walked around town, stopping at the cake shop where Matthew photographed some cakes in the shop window.


Honeybuns Chocolate Shortbread (Matt)

After his walk around town, Matthew returned to the bus station to catch a bus back. He was unfortunate that it was the same bus back. At least Matthew like these ALX200 buses...Mark