Trip to Crewe / Tarporley 26-03-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
LJ04 LGK	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	C84	Routemaster Buses
LJ04 LGK	Nantwich BS	Tarporley. o/s Rising Sun PH	C84	Routemaster Buses
LJ04 LGK	Tarporley, o/s Shops	Crewe, Opp Earl of Crewe	C84	Routemaster Buses

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. On the Friday we found out that Routemaster Buses were suspending there C84 service, so we decided to get up to Crewe to try and ride on a few of there buses before it happened. We had checked the weather and it was for heavy rain all over the North West and the Midlands. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We had to pop up to Hanley on the way, so we set off around 11;30. We drove down Beaconsfield Drive and left onto Church Road. At Critchlow's Corner we went forwards onto Blurton Road. We crossed over the A50 and at Heron Cross lights we turned left. We turned right at Smithpool Road an as we we joined city road we saw First Potteries 42554 on a #23A to Newstead. We went down City Road and we joined the A52. As we stopped at the lights near to the railway station Happy Days mini coach 229 came up the inside of us to turned onto Station Road. We continued onto Joiners Square and at the roundabout we turned left onto Lichfield Street. At the ring road we turned right and we ran around to the Intu Potteries shopping centre and we parked outside in the street in a loading by whilst mum ran in to a shop to return an item. We set off back around onto the ring road and we ran down to the bottom of Waterloo Road. At Cobridge we turned left onto the A53 and we ran down to the A500. We went North on the A500 and we passed Space Bus P246 UCW. At the Mr we went straight across and we carried on a couple of junctions and we overtook Paul's of Stoke M41 KCU. We took the new road under the Alsager line and we came up to the roundabout turning left onto the A534. By the side of the railway station we saw another Happy Days coach 225. We turned right at Edleston Street and we ran down to Delamere Street and past the bus station. We wound around the streets and we parked up at Asda. For dinner we went to Vernon's fish bar. After Matthew went to the toilet we ordered him sausage, chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating we paid and we said goodbye to mum. We had missed the 13:05 departure, and we had around 40 minutes to wait for the nest Routemaster Buses bus. whilst we waited we took a few bus pictures. We saw D&G Buses 103 on a #1B to Nantwich.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We also saw Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK which we assumed was going to be the 14:05 C84 departure to Chester.

Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK in Crewe bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 service.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Crewe bus station

On layover across the was was Arriva NW&W 4104.

Arriva NW&W 4104 in Crewe bus station

On the following #84 service was Arriva NW&W double decker 4476.

Arriva NW&W 4476 in Crewe bus station

We walked up the other end of the bus station and we saw D&G Buses 102 on a #8A to Sydney Drive.

D&G 102 in Crewe bus station

Down the side of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W Solo SR 708 on a #6 service.

Arriva NW&W 708 in Crewe bus station

We walked back up to the other end of the bus station and we sat down to wait for the 14:05 departure. Matthew had a Cadbury's Snack bar which he shared with me and uncle Dave. Just before the bus was due we got up up and had a wander around. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 2626.

Arriva NW&W 2626 in Crewe bus station

We also saw Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT arrive on the 12:35 C84 departure from Chester. The bus emptied out and headed up the top corner to go on layover.

Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT in Crewe bus station

Once the bus had gone up to the top corner Routemaster Buses double decker LJ04 LGK came off layover and onto the stand. We got on the bus and we booked day tickets at £5.00 each. The bus was empty so Matthew photographed the empty lower saloon.

Inside Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK

We went upstairs and Matthew also took a picture inside the empty top decker too before we sat down.

Inside Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK

We set off out of the bus station and onto Delamere Street. We followed the road around to the right and over the old railway bridge and forwards onto Edleston Street. At the end we turned right onto Nantwich road. We continued West for a couple of miles before we turned left onto Wistaston Road. We traveled down for about a quarter of a mile towards the level crossing before we turned right onto Coppice Road. We turned left back onto the A534 and we traveled down to The Peacock roundabout. We carried on across the roundabout over the Nantwich by-pass and we ran around 1/2 a mile to the Eastern edge of town we turned right onto the B5074 and left onto Beam Street. We passed M&S and the library and we entered Nantwich bus station. As we entered the bus station we saw Kee travel coach 0006 KEE depart the bus station and we saw GHA minibus EEZ 2362 parked up being used for drivers. We decied to go forwards towards tarporley to see what the next turn was. we saw Routemaster buses Dart PL05 PLN come into the bus station but we weren't sure what this bus was working. The town centre was busy today. We had forgotten that it was the Nantwich Jazz Festival this weekend. We set off back onto Beam Street and we went through the town centre. As it was busy we were delayed a few minutes leaving town. We went through the traffic lights and over the river onto Welsh Row. We went under the canal and we went forwards onto the A51. we went past Snugbury's and into Wardle. We crossed over the railway line at Calverley and forwards into the village of Alpraham. We joined the A49 and a few yard up the road we left the main road to run into Tarporley. We passed the garage with the Spar shop and at the next stop we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK as it carried on towards Chester.

Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK in Tarporley

Once off the bus we had around 10 minutes for the return service in theory. We gave Matthew a choice of going to the pub and using the toilet or going across the road and going to the Co-operative food to do some shopping. Matthew chose to do shopping... Before we crossed the road we saw required Arriva NW&W 4477 on a #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4477 in Tarporley

We crossed the road and we went into the Co-operative Food store. Matthew had a can of Coke and a couple of small bottles of pop as well as a couple of chocolate bars. After we had finished paying we went outside and Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet after all. We crossed back over to The Rising Sun and Matthew went to the toilet. We came out of the pub and it was raining. I think Matthew wanted to stay in the pub but with an hourly service we could afford to miss this bus. We crossed the road and we walked down towards the bus stop. On the way Matthew went into a coffee shop called Latte Da to say hello to someone and then we went into the bus stop. There was only a few minutes to wait for our bus in theory... It was due at 15:11... The late running 15:06 GHA service #84 to Crewe appeared around 15:16 being worked by Centro CA07 GHA.

GHA CA07 GHA in Tarporley

There was an Arriva bus due around 15:40... We waited for close to 30 minutes for the Routemaster Buses service to appeared but it was a no show. We decided to go back to the pub and have a drink to get out of the rain and we could then come out for the 16:11 which should definitely be running as was booked to be Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK returning. We fought our way through the rain back up the High Street and we dived into The Rising Sun again. Me and Matthew had a glass of Coke and uncle Dave had some crisps, but Matthew wouldn't let him eat them! He wouldn't even let us put the crisps in the bag I had to put them in my coat pocket. Whilst in the pub the rain came down pretty hard. I think it was a good decision to go to the pub. Just after 16:00 Matthew went to the toilet again and we saw the unidentified Arriva double decker on the #84 to Crewe running over 20 minutes late. Chester traffic can be a nightmare on a Saturday afternoon... We stood up at the bus stop as the rain had soaked the seats. When we first got there there was a river running down the street. As the rain eased off it got down to a mere trickle. The bus appeared around five late and as expected it was Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK.

Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK in Tarporley

We got on the bus and we flashed the day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. There were quite a few people on the bus, but not many upstairs. there had been a few more as the windows were are misted up. We opened a window to try and de-mist the bus windows a little. We set off down the High Street and onto the A49. At the traffic lights we went straight across onto the A51 and we went through Alpraham and Calverley. We crossed the railway line and we went out into open countryside before passing through Wardle. We passed the Snugbury's ice cream and we went through Acton along the B5341 and into Nantwich town centre along Welsh Row. We crossed the river and as we waited at the traffic light we saw an unidentified Alfa Coach turning the corner to go South. We crossed the lights and we turned right into the bus station where we saw GHA Solo YJ54 ZYF & D&G Buses 101 on the #1B service. We left the bus station and we went onto Beam Street and around the Eastern side of town. We joined Crewe Road and we went East to the Peacock roundabout. we carried on along the A534 before turning right onto Coppice Road. At the end we turned left onto Wistaston Road and we re-joined the A534. We considered the doing the 17:05 from Crewe back to Nantwich. It was now getting close to 17:05 so we thought that if the bus was going to swap at Crewe we would need to get off to intercept it. As we got to the edge of Crewe by the shops on Nantwich Road we got up and got off the bus. The bus carried on towards Crewe bus station and we crossed the road to the stop outside Aldi. The bus etop timetable said that the Routemaster Buses bus was due at 17:09. Whilst we where there we saw GHA Centro CA07 GHA on the #84 to Chester again.

GHA CA07 GHA in Crewe

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2625 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 2625 in Crewe

We decided to give up on today so we called mum to come and pick us up. Five minutes later she arrived from where she was parked in Crewe town centre. We jumped in the car where Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We turned around and we went back down the A534 we turned right just after the railway station onto the Weston Road By the Brewers Fayre pub The Brocklebank We took the new road down to the A500. We went East under the M6 and down to Sideway where we took the eastbound A50 up to Longton. At Z Carz this evening there were more than usual parked up on the spare ground. This was probably down to it being the Easter weekend. Towards the back of the front row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Further down the row we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Next to the Mercedes was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

At the end of this row was Z Carz MV53 KKD.

Z Carz MV53 KKD in Longton

last on the spare ground was Z Carz Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

We turned left into Wilow Row to see what was in the compound. With it still being daylight we were able to see more of the buses today. The first we could see was Z Carz PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Finally was saw Z Carz Airport Division minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

As we were turning the car we also saw Z Carz HK57 LGW which was parked on the road.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we drove West up to Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We then turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive getting home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had sausage, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 30-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4163	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4100	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2612	Crewe BS	Winsford, opp Asda	31A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Winsford, opp Siddon Street	Crewe BS	31	Arriva NW&W
4169	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4163	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Crewe. We had checked the weather for the North West and the Midlands and it was for dry and cool weather with some sunny intervals. We had a slight crack in the windscreen of the car and it couldn't be replaced until Monday, so we gave Matthew a list of places nearby. From the list Matthew chose Crewe. Since our last visit there had been a few Darts arriving at Winsford depot from Bolton, plus there were a couple of Plaxton President double deckers on loan at Winsford for the half term holidays. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice fro breakfast. We set off just after 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and and down past the Britannia Stadium where there appeared to be some kind of event taking place. We went West on the A50 and then Northwards up the A500. At Wolstanton we passed ABC Supreme YX03 JVZ going Southwards. We crossed under the M6 and carried on along the single carriageway section of the A500 until we got to the Crewe turning. We turned right onto the A5020 and we followed the road right to the edge of town before turning left onto the A534 and passing the railway station. We turned right onto Edleston Road for the final run into town. Just before we got there we passed required Arriva NW&W 4163 on a #84 to Nantwich. We turned left into Delamere Street and we passed the bus station. We wound our way around the one way street and we parked in Asda car park this time. We walked through the car park to the shopping edge of town and we went into Vernon's fish bar for dinner. We looked across at the bus station and we could see an Arriva double decker was parked up as spare bus. After using the toilet Matthew had sausage chips and beans with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. When it was time to go we walked into the bus station and we saw what we were hoping to see, Arriva NW&W 4163 had returned and was about to the next #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva North West day tickets at £5 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4163.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4163

We sat down in the middle of the top deck and we waited for depature time. We noticed that the spare bus had swapped and was now a Plaxton Centro double decker. The bus set off out of the bus station Southwards onto Delamere Street. We carried on going South on Edleston Street. As we travlled down edleston Street we passed Beeline Taxis PN52 HUY going the other way. We turned right onto the A534 and we headed out of town. We passed through Wells Green and we turned left onto Willaston Road. We turned right into Coppice Road before rejoining the A534. We crossd the nantwich bypass and we carried on into town along the B5338. When we got to the edge of Nantwich we went North and around town until we got to the bus station on the A530. We got up and got off the bus. We crossed the road to get a better picture of Arriva NW&W 4163.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Nantwich bus station

There was quite a lot of activity in the bus station when we arrived. D&G Cadet 125 was on a #6 service to Nantwich Millfields.

D&G 125 in Nantwich bus station

There were a few GHA buses too. GHA's new Solo SR 1202 was on a #39 to Crewe.

GHA 1202 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was another on of their new Solo SR's, GHA 1203.

GHA 1203 in Nantwich bus station

Whilst we were there we also saw GHA Solo YJ59 GHG arrive and go on layover.

GHA YJ59 GHG in Nantwich bus station

We walked into town and we went to the toilet. After we had finished there we headed back into the market and Matthew had some spearmint chews. We carried on walking back to the bus station. matthew sat down and had a Milky Way and then dud Arriva NW&W double decker 4104 came into the bus station on a #84 to Chester

Arriva NW&W 4104 in Nantwich bus station

A minute or so later the Crewe bound service appeared in the hands of dud Arriva NW&W 4100.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Nantwich bus station

As both buses were dud we decided to head back towards Crewe to give us a greater choice of buses we could do. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and he rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4100.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4100

The bus set off onto the A530 and we wheeled around the North East corner of town before going Eastwards on the B5338. We crossed back over the Nantwich bypass and we headed East on the A534. We then headed into Willaston village along Coppice Road before turning left onto Willaston Road. We rejoined the A534 for the run into Crewe. We turned left into Edleston Road for the run Northwards into the town centre before turning left into Delamere Street, entering the bus station from the South. When we got back into to Crewe we considered which bus to do next. D&G 183 was on the on the #6 to Leighton hospital.

D&G 183 in Crewe bus station

We walked down the row of buses in the bus station taking pictures. We then stood on the end of the bus station and we took a few more pictures. On a #3 service we saw dud First Potteries Volvo 66962.

First Potteries 66962 in Crewe bus station

GHA have some new buses operating their #42 service to Congleton via Leighton Hospital and Middlewhich. We saw GHA Enviro 200 1407.

GHA 1407 in Crewe bus station

We then saw dud Arriva NW&W 2612 come in on a #37 service. It was about to work out on a #31A to Winsford, so we decided to do this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. It was the first time we had done this service between Crewe and Winsford so it was a bit of an adventure! The bus set off North out of the bus station and we wound our way through the streets towards Leighton Hospital. At the hospital there was a small bus station and there were a few buses there including D&G 183 on a #6, First Potteries 66303 on a #3 to Newcastle and GHA 1407 again on a the #42 to Congleton. We left the bus station area and we crossed the A530 at Bradfield Green before we continues up to Church Minshull crossing the Shropshire Union canal and the river Weaver. We continued North through the centre of Cheshire, Darnhall. We came into town along Beeston drive and we stopped opposite the shopping centre outside Witherspoons. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the now empty Arriva NW&W 2612.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 as it carried to its next turn.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Winsford

We saw the bus turned right onto the A54. There were a few buses parked up there. On bus pulled off before we got there but the other two were Arriva NW&W 2612 which was now on the #37 to Crewe and Arriva NW&W 2610 which was about to work a #29 to Northwich. Across the road we saw required Arriva NW&W 2615 went passed on the other side of the road. Another Plaxton Centro also appeared and stopped on the opposite side of the road. So we crossed under the road in the subway and we came out and we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a #31 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Winsford

We decided to do the bus anyway so we got on and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off West up the A54 before turning left into the housing estate and heading back South through Darnhall. Somewhere between Darnall and Church Minshull we passed Northwich Travel minibus Y743 DDA coming the other way. We passed through Church Minshull and just before we crossed the A530 to go towards the hospital, we saw that the bus in front of us was empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2611

At the hospital this time we saw D&G 124, GHA 1406 on the #42 to Congleton and required Arriva NW&W 2608 on the #31A to Winsford. We headed back through the estate passing an Arriva Solo SR on the #6 to Leighton Hospital. When we got back to the bus station there was Plaxton President in the bus station. It was required Arriva NW&W 4169.

Arriva NW&W 4169 in Crewe bus station

It was going to work the next #84 to Chester, but it wasn't departure time so we had a look around the bus station to see what was about. Next to Arriva NW&W 4169 was dud Arriva NW&W 4489 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4489 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station was First Potteries 66838 on the #3 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 66838 in Crewe bus station

The driver came to the bus and readied Arriva NW&W 4169 for service. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4169.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4169

The bus set off out of the Southern end of the bus station onto Delamere Street and we turhedn right onto Edleston Street. As we left the bus station we passed Arriva NW&W 2609 on the #84 from Nantwich. At the other end of Edleston Street we turned right onto the A534 and we went Westwards along the road for a few miles until we got to Willaston. We turned left on Willaston Road to go into the village before going fight onto Coppice Road and we then rejoined the A534. We crossed the Nantwich bypass and we headed into town we rounded the North end of town and we turned into the bus station from the A530. We got up and got off the bus and once again we went across the road to get a better picture of Arriva NW&W 4169 as we had done earlier with Arriva NW&W 4163.

Arriva NW&W 4169 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was GHA Solo SR 1201.

GHA 1201 in Nantwich bus station

Behind this was standard GHA Solo YJ59 GHF.

GHA YJ59 GHF in Nantwich bus station

We decided to walk into town to use the toilet by the market. We walked into the market which had been packed up and when we got to the toilet it was closed! It shuts at 16:30 apparently. There were a couple of gentleman tidying up the yard area so we asked where there was another toilet. One of the gentlemen kindly opened up the toilet so that Matthew could use it. Once Matthew had finished with thanked the gentleman and we walked to the chip shop and brought a portion of chips between us and 3 cans of pop. We walked back to the bus station and we ate the chips. Matthew had a can of Coke and I had a can of Pepsi. We let Arriva NW&W 2609 go which was on the #84 to Crewe having worked in from Crewe on the short turn. We saw D&G 103 on a #1A to Crewe and also parked up was GHA solo SR 1204.

GHA 1204 in Nantwich bus station

The Chester bound #84 came into the bus station as it should do, and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4102.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Nantwich bus station

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was a Plaxton President double decker. It was dud Arriva NW&W 4163 which we had earlier, which had switched from doing the #84 shorts to Nantwich, to doing a trip to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Nantwich bus station

We got on this bus again and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver for the final time today and we went upstairs. The bus was a little fuller than we had been on earlier, which is understandable for the time of day. It didn't matter as we had already got a picture inside this bus earlier. The bus set off around the town and onto the B5338. As we approached the Nantwich bypass we saw David Brown of Willaston's Iveco minibus BX56 MVA in a pub car park which appeared to be on wedding duties! We crossed the bypass and and we entered Willaston village along Coppice Road and we rejoined the A534 off Willaston Road. When we got into town we made the left turn into Edleston Street behind required Arriva NW&W 2608 which was on a #37. When we got to the bus station there was just time to get a picture of Arriva NW&W 2608 before we headed back to the car.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Crewe bus station

We walked out of the bus station and mum had parked up on Victoria street outside Wetherspoons so we didn't have to walk as far back. Matthew said hello to a lady outside the pub and we got into the car. Mum had got Greggs sausage rolls for us and Matthew washed his down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We wound our way through the Streets in and we came out on Edleston Street. We headed onto the A534 and we went past the railway station before turning right onto the A5020. we ran out of town for a few miles before we joined the A500 and we went East. After we crossed under the A500 we followed Anytime Airports PY07 NHT South as it had come of the M6. When we got to Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton so that we could check out what was parked up at Z Carz today. First in the row was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to the Mercedes minibus S952 VMY was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus GL04 CVE was another Ford minibus PY08 KDX, Z Carz PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

At the back were another couple of minibuses. Next to the Fords minibus BN03 OVS was another Mercedes minibus, Z Carz CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Finally, last in the row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was there. There was only one vehicle, Z Carz Renault traffic DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We headed back onto A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. Unusually we passed through Blurton without seeing another bus. We got home around 18:40. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:15... Mark