Trip to Northwich 30-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2616	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, Iron Bridge (SW-bound)	1	Arriva NW&W
2610	Northwich, Iron Bridge (NE-bound)	Northwich Interchange	1	Arriva NW&W
2515	Northwich Interchange	Wharton, nr Wharton Gardens	31	Arriva NW&W
4040	Wharton, opp Wharton Gardens	Northwich Interchange	37	Arriva NW&W
3346	Northwich Interchange	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)‎	37	Arriva NW&W
2516	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)‎	Northwich Interchange	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Northwich to try and ride on the last 2 Olympians that we hadn't been on before they are withdrawn from service. We checked the weather the night before and it was for cool cloudy weather around 6'. Matthew got up around 11:00 and he had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:15 and we headed to heron cross passing Lightning travel FD53 UNX on our way. We got onto the A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. When we reached the motorway it was a little slow so we decided to come off at the next junction and drive through Sandbach. This also gave us chance to see some buses on the #37 service as we went. Between Sandbach and Middlewich we passed one of the Ex Runcorn Cadets. It was Arriva NW&W 2516 on a Sandbach Short #37. We stopped at the country Kitchen food van for dinner and whilst we were there I saw a unidentified double decker heading to Crewe on a #37. I did consider waiting for the next northbound bus to come passed but I worked out it was going to be 2516 anyhow. We carried on up the A533 into Northwich and parked up. There were required Centros on the #37 and #29A but Matthew didn't fancy them. We also saw Network Warrington 60 on the #45 service.

Network Warrington 60 in Northwich

Matthew went to the toilet and then we had a look what was about to work. Unusually, there was also a Centro on the #1. It was unrequired Arriva NW&W 2616, but Matthew decided he wanted to do this anyway so he got a picture of 2616 before we boarded to bus.

Arriva NW&W 2616 in Northwich

We booked our Arriva Daysavers and sat down near the back. This is a bus we first had back in January when we had it around Leftwich on the #29A. We did the bus to the iron bridge as we do when we catch the #1 and we got off and got another picture.

Arriva NW&W 2616 by the iron bridge

We crossed the road to wait for the next inbound #1. We only had to wait a couple of minutes and required Arriva 2610 made an appearance. We got on and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty and the journey back was swift. When we reached Northwich Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2610

We got off and he also got a picture of the bus of the outside too.

Arriva NW&W 2610 in Northwich

We had a short wait for the next batch of services. We knew 2516 was on it's way up and was going to work an #29A soon. W then saw another ex Runcorn Cadet 2515 on the #31 service so we decided to do this. We also saw GHA YJ04 BVB on a #82 to Chester.

GHA YJ04 BVB in Northwich

After we got a picture of the GHA bus we got a picture of Arriva 2515 and then got on it.

Arriva NW&W 2515 in Northwich

We got on and as the bus was lightly loaded Matthew photographed the inside of the bus too

Inside Arriva NW&W 2515

We sat near the back and we set off at 14:15. The bus seemed really nice for a 55 reg bus. It was better than the 54 reg Cadets and better than the centros too. As we passed by Davenham we saw an as yet unidentified Northern Counties double decker. We thought that there was a 50% chance of being 3346 (forgetting there were 3 of these type) so we knew we had head back to Northwich. We carried on to Wharton Gardens where we knew both the #31 and #37 go along. We got off and then matthew got anothr picture of this fine bus.

Arriva NW&W 2515 near Wharton Gardens

We crossed the road to wait for the next bus back. There was a #31 at 14:50 and the was a #37 at 15:01. We had a little picnic at the bus stop. We shared a Galaxy caramel and Matthew had a small bottle of cherryade. As we waited we saw a Pegasus Coaches coach J941 JWP which was on its way to Everton for the football match and it stopped in the distance. After a short while it approached and Matthew got a picture of it.

Pegasus Coaches J941 JWP near Wharton Gardens

14:50 came and went. There was a driver waiting for a driver change so we knew the bus was imminent. The bus arrived at 1458 and it was dud. As we waited to get on the bus we spotted a double decker in the distance. We thougt that it was proabably going to be on the #37 so we decided to turn down 2501. It turned out to be a good move as the bus was ALX400 DAF 4040. It was a bus that we had only done once before back in May 2012 to Nantwich. Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus as it was empty behind us when we got on.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4040

The run up to Northwich was swift, and as we pulled around the corner we could see a double decker waiting. The gamble had paid off, it was required Arriva 3346. We got off and then got a picture of 4040.

Arriva NW&W 4040 in Northwich

I asked the driver of 3346 if he was due off at 1530 and he was. This gave us 10 minutes to go to the toilet before coming back and getting a picture of 3346.

Arriva NW&W 3346 in Northwich

We got on and went upstairs. The driver said that these buses have around 2 weeks left before they were being replaced. Matthew also got his inside bus picture too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3346

We set off South and I asked Matthew where he wanted to end the day Sandbach or Northwich. Matthew chose Northwich so we decided to go just South of Middlewich on 3346 and then catch a bus back. We passed Olympian 3334 on a Northbound #31 and then we passed 4156 between Winsford and Middlewich. At this point we knew we would be returning on required Cadet 2516. We passed around the back of Middlewhich as there are still diversions on around town due to roadworks. As soon as we got back on route and to a place with stops both sides of the road we got of to wait for 2516. We only ad to wait about 2 minutes and 2516 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 2516 South of Middlewich

The bus was empty when we got on and so Matthew got a picture inside too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2516

We set off north and in Winsford we saw 2608 on a #31, which means it must have swapped with 3334. Sure enough we passed 3334 just outside Winsford. We also passed 4040 coming south around the Brighton Belle pub. We got to Northwich a little after 17:10 and matthew got another picture of 2516.

Arriva NW&W 2516 in Northwich

We then walked back to car and we drove to the nearby Co-operative food store. We went around the shop and Matthew brought some Coca Cola and some Milky Ways and a chocolate Gateau. After paying for the shopping Matthew visited the toilet before we got back in the car. We drove home listening to the Everton Stoke game and Matthew ate a sausage roll. Everton took the lead after Mirales went passed a couple of stoke player and then beat Begovic! We traveled along the A556 and then onto the Southbound M6. We did this down to the A500 and to Longton on the A50. At Z carz tonight there were quite a few vehicles. At the back was LDV minibus YN03 HJC. First on the front row was coach V690 EBC.

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

Then was Iveco HX51 HRU.

Z Carz HX51 HRU in Longton

Next was minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row where there was a VW transporter DX55 WGE.

Z Carz DX55 WGE in Longton

We ten headed home down Longton Hall Road. We passed First Potteries 40015 on a #22 and in Blurton we saw First Potteries 53830 on a #23A.

First Potteries 53830 in Blurton

We got home around 19:00 and Matthew had a late a of battered burger and chips. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 12:00...Mark

Trip to Crewe 09-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2500	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL17	Nantwich BS	Nantwich, Millfields Marsh Lane	53	GHA
SL17	Nantwich, Millfields Marsh Lane	Nantwich BS	53	GHA
138	Nantwich BS	Crewe, opp The Brunswick	44A	D&G
4489	Crewe, Crewe Arms Hotel (NE-bound)	Sandbach o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
3330	Sandbach o/s Common	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to do a fairly local trip as we have been out a few days this week. Matthew chose to go to Crewe. Today was overcast but dry and fairly cool for the time of year. We set off around 12:00, going North along the A500. We had planned on stopping at the food trailer at the top of the A500 but it wasn't there! So we decided to carry on and see if there was a burger van in the B&Q car park in Crewe. We parked up by the road so Matthew could see if any useful buses went past on the #37 or #38 whilst we waited and ate. Whilst I was getting the food an unidentified Olympian went past towards Crewe. After we ate we drove into Crewe town centre. We passed the Olympian going out on the #37 and it was 3330. After parking up we walked into the bus station. The first bus we saw was GHA SB55 parked up between duties.

GHA SB55 in Crewe bus station

We now had to choose what we were going to do. Arriva NW&W 2499 was on the #31, 2500 was on the #84 to Chester and 4491 arrived in on the #38. Matthew chose to do the one bus he had already been on Arriva NW&W 2500 on the #84. We booked to Nantwich and got on the bus. As we were leaving Crewe bus station we saw First Potteries ALX200 40144 on a #20. These don't work to Crewe very often. The journey down was quite quick and pleasant and we passed several Plaxton Centros on other #84 services. When we arrived in Nantwich, Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus which was nearly empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2500

He also got a good shot of the outside of the bus.

2500 in Nantwich bus station

We decided to go use the facilities in Nantwich market. On the way back we called at the sweet store and picked up some Taveners mint chews. Back at the bus station we now had around 15 minutes to wait for a bus back to Crewe. Matthew was eying up GHA step entranced minibus MB29 which we presumed was being used as the crew mess bus. When the next #84 turned up it was a Centro and Matthew refused to do it! After it had left had dragged me over to MB29 and I told it again it wasn't working. I even asked the driver on the bus and he confirmed it to be the case. Whilst we were there GHA SL17 turned up on one of the town circular. Matthew wanted to do this respite having been on it before so we did a circle around the town on this.

GHA SL17 in Nantwich bus station

After doing the spin around time Matthew photographed the bus empty back at the bus station.

Inside SL17

There was a Crewe bus in the bus station, bus it pulled away before we got off SL17. Behind it was a D&G bus bound for Crewe so we decided to get on this as it wasn't a Centro. It was unrequired D&G 138

D&G 138 in Nantwich bus station

We did this bus back and as it was travelling along Gresty Road I though about getting off to intercept the #37 to Northwich. As we got up Matthew photographed on of the seats on this unusual Marshall bodied Dennis Dart

Inside 138

We got off at the end and Matthew got a picture of the bus.

138 in Crewe

We then crossed over Nantwich Road to wait for the #37. The bus stop looked like a normal bus stop and as we waited for the #37 we saw First Potteries 60194 go past on a #20 and D&G 21 on a #85. As the #37 approached we stuck out our hand to be picked up. The bus driver shook his head and waved and went past. We thought that the bus didn't look full so we guessed that the bus stop must be disused. Later research found that this stop is alight only despite there being no clue to this on the actual stop. We decided to walk to the stop by the railway station to wait for the #38. We had already seen it going towards Crewe and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4489. After around a 15 minute wait we saw 4489 approaching.

Arriva NW&W 4489 near Crewe railway station

We got on and climbed onto the top deck. The journey was swift and when we got off matthe got another picture of this bus.

4489 on Sandbach Common

We used the facilities at Sandbach Market and then went back to the Common. Required Arriva NW&W 2617 was on a Northwich short but Matthew turned it down again. As we had time to kill before the next bus we visited McColls for drinks and lottery tickets. When we got back we had around 15 minutes to wait for the #37 to Crewe, which was the Olympian we seen earlier 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 on Sandbach Common

We sat on the front seats. Matthew photographed the empty top deck.

Inside 3330

Matthew had wanted to sit on the seat behind but appeared to be broken. The journey back was swift, we had the top deck virtually to ourselves as we travelled back to Crewe bus station. Back at Crewe we saw 4040 on a #31A pull off as we arrived. We walked around the bus station where matthew said hello to a couple of people before we head back to the car. Not before getting a picture of First Potteries 60015 on a Hanley service.

First Potteries 60015 in Crewe bus station

Back at the car we had sausage rolls and drink before setting off back towards Stoke-on-Trent. We had a quick trip past Longton bus station where we saw First Potteries red and yellow 60171 on a #26 service. We also saw some vehicle parked up at the Z carz site before retuning home a little before 18:00...Mark.

Trip to Conkers / Nantwich 05-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
GN60 GZM	Packmoor	Conkers	Charter	Middlehurst
GN60 GZM	Conkers	Packmoor	Charter	Middlehurst
3348	Sandbach o/s Common	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W
4040	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL17	Nantwich BS	Nantwich, o/s Sainsbury's	52	GHA
SL17	Nantwich, o/s Sainsbury's	Nantwich BS	52	GHA
26	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	45	D&G
3331	Crewe BS	Sandbach o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Todays was going to be a trip to Wigan. Also today was a trip for Matthew to Conkers with Aiming High. Research for the Wigan trip consisted of downloading timetables from the transport for greater Manchester site. Matthew was due to leave Packmoor at 09:30, so we set of a fraction after 09:00. After we dropped Matthew off we went home to mow the lawn and make final preparation for the Wigan trip. In the meantime Matthew found out he was going to be going on a different minibus than usual, Middlehurst minbus GN60 GZM. Matthew got a good picture of the bus before it loaded up.

Middlehurst GN60 GZM about to set off for Conkers

Conkers is an activity centre near Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Matthew reportedly had a great time and took a few pictures inside the visitor centre.

Beetle in the Indoor Activity Centre at Conkers

Whilst out he saw Arriva Midlands 2242 in Burton-on-Trent. They also stopped somewhere for chips and Coca Cola. The called into a garage near Uttoxeter and saw saw Arriva Midlands 2200. He also had cake. The plan was now to pick up Matthew after his outing and to get to Wigan around 14:30. We set off a little after 13:00 to pick Matthew up from Packmoor. As we approached the A527 turning on the A500 we noticed the traffic had started to build up. we go stuck in slow moving traffic and had to move over for emergency vehicle several times so we guessed there had been a serious crash up ahead. We passed the crash site just before we got to our turnoff, and it appeared a car a crossed the central reservation and landed on it's roof. We got to Packmoor around 13:40 and Matthew had not yet got back on the minibus. They eventually turned up just before 14:00. the road had been closed behind us and the bus had been diverted via Tunstall and had taken a extra. 20 minutes to get there. Matthew went to use the toilet and then we got into the car to North and saw Wigan Coachways N551 VDC. As we wanted Matthew to have a good long trip to Wigan we made the decision to go to Sandbach instead. We would put off going to Wigan for a short while. We got to Sandbach around 14:20 and Matthew was a little disappointed at not going further today. At the stop on the common, Matthew pointed at the 14:55 GHA 319 service to Goostrey and Homes Chapel. i downloaded the timetable and saw that this circular service didn't return back to Sandbach so doing this probably wasn't going to be an option today. There was a 14:40 to Crewe which might be something good, so we decided to wait and see what this was. just before 14:40, Arriva NW&W 3348 appeared and Matthew had a big smile on his face so we knew this was going to be the first bus that we did today. We brought NW day rovers and went upstairs. Matthew got a picture of the empty upstairs as we got on.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3348

As we left Sandbach, we passed the previous #37 to Crewe returning, which was Arriva NW&W 3331. The plan had been to go Haslington and come back on the #38 which would probably be required as we have only been on one of the three new Gemini's that usually work on the #38 service. Matthew had other ideas though, and he didn't want to get off. We ended up doing 3348 all the way to Crewe. As we went into Crewe station we could see another double decker along side us on the adjacent stand. It was required 4040. we got off 3348, and as we waited to see where 4040 was going Matthew got a picture of 3348.

3348 in Crewe bus station

4040 was going to Nantwich, which wasn't what I planned to do, but at least it was a required bus and so we waited for the driver to return. When the driver got on, we booked to Nantwich and we went upstairs. Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck on this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4040

the ride down to Nantwich via Willaston was very pleasant. On the way down we passed a few different Plaxton Centro's returning from Nantwich and chester. One of the Centro's we saw was our bogie machine 2619 ,so it was good to know this bus was out of the way! When we got to Nantwich Matthew was able to get a good shot of 4040 in the bus station.

4040 in Nantwich bus station

As Matthew didn't want to go back on 4040 we had an approximately 15 minute wait for the next service. We saw GHA Solo SL14 on a #73 service which Matthew wanted to do,but i wasn't sure how we could get back. When the next Solo came in on a Sainburys circular, he got a picture of it, Solo SL17.

GHA SL17 in Nantwich bus station

After taking the picture Matthew decided to get on the bus. I asked the driver how long it took to do the circle and he said 15 minutes. So we decided to do a quick trip down to Sainsbury's and back leaving uncle Dave behind. When we reached Sainsbury I got up to pay for the return journey. When we got back we just missed a Cadet heading to Crewe. Matthew must have seen something or someone when we were out on the circular, because then he took us on a walk around town. we stopped and sat on a bench on an island in the road where he had a bottle of Coke from the emergency rations. When we got back to the bus station 2619 was on stand to return to Crewe and Matthew walked straight passed to find a toilet. We found one next to the market, and on the way back we had to stop at a sweet stall he noticed on the way to the toilet. Needless to say 2619 had now departed. I made an executive decision that in order to get back to Sandbach we would catch the next bus back whoever operated it. the next bus back happened to be required D&G 26 and so after Matthew had got picture we got on.

D&G 26 in Nantwich bus station

We paid the fare £2.50 each for an adult single and sat down. It was now 16:20 and we worked out how to get back to Sandbach. Mum couldn't come to meet us anywhere as she wasn't feeling well enough to drive so we had to get back on our own. As we traveled back towards Crewe we passed D&G 42. There was a 16:35 #38 and the next bus was a 17:17 #37. We got into Crewe at 16:37 and must have just missed the #38. Before we got off Matthew to a picture of the inside of D&G 26.

Inside D&G 26

We now had a fair wait for our bus and we saw and photographed quite a few others whilst we waited. D&G 41 which we saw at Nantwich made an appearance at Crewe. Arriva 2619 arrived from Nantwich on the #84 we had missed half an hour previously. we saw 4040 again working another turn to Nantwich. Of the 2 Arriva buses that had been parked up, 2615 worked off empty presumably back to Winsford, and 2502 went on to work an #84

Arriva NW&W 2502 on a #84

We turned down returning to Sandbach via Winsford on 2612 which as on a the 17:01 #31A. At around 17:05 our bus arrived in the bus station and it was the dud but interesting Arriva 3331.

Arriva NW&W 3331 in Crewe bus station

After taking a few more pictures and waiting until time, we boarded the bus. the bus filled up due to the fact that the Crewe game had just let out. Crewe had just managed a 2-2 draw and this meant that had made the division 2 play-offs! at the railway station even more people got on and needless to say the journey was a lively one. considering the bus was quite full, 3331 moved really quickly. As we stopped in Haslington near to the Co-op, a car decide to overtake us and subsequently flattened a bollard on the central reservation. the bus did empty out a little. As we approached sandbach we passed 3330 again going towards Crewe. eventually we got to Sandbach where Matthew got another picture of this beast.

3331 on Sandbach Common

When we got to the car, Matthew had a sausage roll waiting for him. We headed back along the A534 to the M6 and we came off at junction 16 for the A500. Matthew decided he wanted a slight detour around the city as we traveled home. we came off at the A34 and went north to Talke. We then traveled home past Tesco and then via Kidsgrove, Whitehill, Newchapel, Packmoor, High Lane, Smallthorne, Hanley and Fenton. We got home around 18:20...Mark