Trip to Burnley / Nelson 04-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41316	Burnley BS	Brunshaw, by Bronte Avenue	517	First West Yorkshire
254	Brunshaw, by Bronte Avenue	Worsthorne, o/s Church Square	2	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
254	Worsthorne, o/s Church Square	Burnley BS	2	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1043	Burnley BS	Whitegate, by Cowley Crescent	23	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1855	Whitegate, by Whitegate	Burnley BS	23	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
2768	Burnley BS	Nelson Interchange	X43	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1863	Nelson Interchange	Burnley BS	25	Transdev Burnley & Pendle

Today we decided to visit Burnley. We had only passed through Burnley once before back in November last year. Research for the trip consisted of looking at the Transdev fares and timetables. We also looked at the #517 to Halifax although I thought it would be unlikely we would be there at the right time. The weather was predicted for a fine afternoon although the morning weather was fairly gloomy. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Today we set off around 11:30 going onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. As we passed the Britannia Stadium we saw Atlantic Travel XIB 1494 arriving with Stewards for the Stoke City - Leicester City FA Cup tie. We headed on to the A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. At Shelton we diverted off the A500 and to get some LPG before carrying on North. We got on the Northbound M6 and then onto the Eastbound M62. We headed clockwise around the M60 and then onto the M66. We did the M66 into Rawtenstall and then dropped into Burnley on the A682. We parked on a car park on the opposite side of Red Lion Street to the bus station and then walked across. After visiting the toilets, we ate at the cafe in the bus station where Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. It was around 13:45 when we finished eating so we decided to have a walk around the bus station and take a few bus pictures. We walked past the taxi's outside the bus station and onto the A682. On the top stand was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 266 on the #2 to Worsthorne.

'Starship' 266 in Burnley bus station

Leaving the bus station on the #483 to Bury was Rossendale Transport 218.

'Rosso' 218 in Burnley bus station

First West Yorkshire 32520 had just arrived on the #592 from Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32520 in Burnley bus station

We then saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 709 on the #1 to Pike Hill.

'Starship' 709 in Burnley bus station

We headed back around the bus station as we had just seen a X43 to Nelson arrive. It was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2778.

'Witch Way' 2778 in Burnley bus station

It was 14:00 and we were considering doing 2778 when the #517 to Halifax arrived and it was required First West Yorkshire 41316.

First West Yorkshire 41316 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus and booked to Pike Hill as I knew I could get a Transdev service back from here. We sat down near the back of the bus and the bus set off through town. We had missed getting 41316 back in September when we had seen it pass us on the #517 as we headed out of Halifax. We headed out of town and we passed Turf Moor. There was a large picture of 'Stokie' Martin Patterson on the cladding outside the stadium who also played for Burnley for a few seasons. We carried on east and we passed dud First West Yorkshire 41281 on the inbound #589 from Rochdale. The bus emptied out a little as we headed out of town and Matthew got a picture inside 41316 facing forwards.

Inside First West Yorkshire 41316

The bus went up a very steep hill and we assumed that we had reached Pike Hill. We also saw a Starship Versa turn a corner ahead of us, so we decided that this would be the place to get off. We got to the top of the hill and Matthew got another picture of the fine Marshall Dart 41316.

First West Yorkshire 41316 in Brunshaw

We got off and we crossed the road. Checking the timetable their wasn't a bus due for nearly another thirty minutes! The #2 from this stop was due at 14:41. We crossed back over and the #2 from the opposite side was due at 14:31. There was also the #589 due at 14:28. We had a bit of a walk around to pass some od the time and we thought about getting a picture of 41281 as it climbed up the hill. We could wait on the corner and trot to the bus stop just in case the #2 came first. The #2 did come first so we made our way to the stop. It was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 254. We booked our silver day tickets and we headed into Worsthorne. We came straight back on the bus and we headed back passed Bronte Avenue on what would have been the 14:41. When we got off Matthew got a picture of 'Starship' 254 through the glass of the bus station.

'Starship' 254 in Burnley bus station

We wanted to keep moving so we had a look around at what we could do. We let required Lancashire United 1100 on the #152 to Preston. We saw required Burnley & Pendle 'Mainline' 1043 on the #23 to Accrington so we decided to do this service part way.

'Mainline' 1043 in Burnley bus station

When the bus was ready for service we got on and sat down near the back. There were some empty seats at the back at this point so mathew got his picture there.

Inside 'Mainline' 1043

The bus filled up a little more before departure and then it picked up some more passengers at it went through the town centre. We crossed the M65 and headed up towards Padiham. When we had travelled another mile or so we decided to get off. We got off and we got pictures of 'Mainline' 1043 as it headed Westward.

'Mainline' 1043 in Whitegate

We crossed the road and we waited for the next bus into town. We were approached by a coupe of Jehovahs Witnesses who tried to convert us! It is usually Matthew who approaches stranger to say hello. Before we could be converted, we saw a bus approaching and we got on it. It was required 'Mainline' 1855.

'Mainline' 1855 in Whitegate

The bus was quite well filled and we got on and sat near the back. Matthew didn't get a picture inside the bus as it then became the #25 to Keighley! We got of and it was around 15:30. There was a X43 at 15:37 so we decided to do this to Nelson so we could see a new place.Matthew visited the toilet and said hello to a few people before we got a picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 'Witch Way' bus 2768.

'Witch Way' 2768 in Burnley bus station

We got on and and went upstairs. The bus set off bang on time and we headed out of town and along the A682. On the edge of town we passed Transdev Burnley and Pendle decker 2750, which is now in Mainline colours. We passed through Reedley and Brierfield and the sun came out just before it was about to go dark. We passed a war memorial and a quite impressive mosque just off the main road as we headed into Nelson. I had looked on the timetable and the journey time was 15 minutes. We had also noticed that it was an interchange so we knew we would turn towards the railway line to the South of us. We waited for the bus to empty behind us, so he got a picture inside 'Witch Way' 2768.

Inside 'Witch Way' 2768

We got off the bus and we decided to have a walk around the bus station. Matthew visited the toilet and then we walked around the outside of the bus station As we were there, we saw our first Pennine bus. It was Dennis Dart KX51 UDE otherwise know as D5

Pennine D5 in Nelson interchange

We carried on around the bus station an we saw Tyrer YJ05 WCE in the Nelson sunset,

Tyrer YJ05 WCE in Nelson interchange

back in the bus station we visited the shop where Matthew purchased Munchman flapjacks, chocolate and a can of Coke. We let one Mainline bus go as he was still eating his flapjack when it arrived. The next one was only eight minutes later and it was required 'mainline' 1863.

'Mainline' 1863 in Nelson interchange (Mark)

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus set off back towards Burnley. It was now getting dark. The monument was lit up with light that change colours. We paused outside it for a minute or so and we saw the lights slowly changing. We also noticed Santa's Pizza and some interesting looking cake shops! We called mum to tell her we were on our way and when we got to the bus station Matthew let the bus empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside 'Mainline' 1863

We then walked out of the bus station towards the car park. On Red Lion Street was 'Starship' 262 stabled between duties.

'Starship' 262 outside Burnley bus station

We got back to the car where sausage rolls and pop were waiting for us. We set off back onto the A682 towards Rawtenstall were we saw Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ. We carried on out of town and then onto the M66. We carried on South onto the anti-clockwise M60 and then onto the Westbound M62. We then went south on the M6 and onto the Southbound A500. At Sideway we headed East on the A50 where we saw Z Carz M420 UEH. We got off the A50 at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were 5 buses parked up on the spare ground tonight. First it was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Then there was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Then there was former Alton Towers coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to the was former Phil Smiths Travel Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Last but not least was Blackwood liveried coach B12 PWS displaying 420 in the window.

Z Carz B12 PWS in Longton

We turned onto Willow Row and we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX in the compound. We headed back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross where We headed through Blurton on Blurton Road and we through the estate and got home around 18:30. For a let tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:30...Mark

Trip to Halifax 14-09-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
31775	Halifax BS	Mytholmroyd, opp Burnley Road White Lee Gdns‎	593	First West Yorkshire
66756	Mytholmroyd, adj Burnley Road White Lee Gdns	Halifax BS	591	First West Yorkshire
61288	Halifax Town Centre, George Street (Stop 24)‎	Sowerby, Rooley Heights (NE-bound)	579	First West Yorkshire
41281	Sowerby, Rooley Heights (NE-bound)	Pye Nest, adj Bolton Brow East Parade‎‎	579	First West Yorkshire
TJ25	Pye Nest, adj Bolton Brow East Parade‎	Halifax Town Centre, Crown Street‎	300	TJ Walsh
TJ11	Halifax Town Centre, Market Street (Stop 16)	Ovenden, Keighley Road Shay Ln (SE-bound)	600	TJ Walsh
66748	Ovenden, Keighley Road Shay Ln (SE-bound)	Halifax Town Centre, Broad Street (Stop 30)‎	522	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Halifax. It was a fairly late decision this week. We did no research as such, other than to check the weather (cloudy with sunny intervals) and to find and look at the Calderdale bus map. Matthew got up a little after 10:00 and had his usual toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and got onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthew Way. We went West on the A50 and then North on the A500. The M6 was very busy as we traveled North we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 104 and MIB 346 going the other way. We were also passed by AT Browns Bova coach K30 ATB. After junction 19 the traffic eased and we made better time from this pint onwards. We got onto the East bound M62 and then onto the clockwise ring road. We carried on along the M62 over Saddleworth Moor and we came off the M62 at junction 24. We drove into town up the A629 and then parked near the bus station off the long and Winding Road. We walked up to the bus station to use the toilets and then carried on to Ivanhoe's fish and chip shop. It was busy when we arrived and we struggled to find a seat. It did empty out a little by the tie the food was ready. Matthew had chips sausage and gravy with a hot dog bun and draught Vimto. Whilst we ate we saw something that we had not seen before on our previous visit. First West Yorkshire 31807 on a #512 Mixenden service. It was the first time we had seen a step entranced bus work here. After we had eaten I gave Matthew a choice of wait at the adjacent stop for a TJ Walsh minibus or going to the bus station. Matthew choice the bus station so we walked back to the bus station. As we arrived we saw another step entranced bus working. First West Yorkshire 30809 was leaving on a #592 to Burnley. It also looked like there was another step entranced bus on layover. We walked down and saw it was former Bury vehicle 30802.

First West Yorkshire 30802 in Halifax bus station

As we walked around the bus station another step entranced bus appeared. First West Yorkshire 31775 parked up in the bus station layover area. Where we were standing there was a list of bus services and departure stands. The display was blank as it sat for a few minutes. A driver appeared and set the destination as 593 Old Town. We looked it up on the board and it was from stand C2. As it moved off Matthew got a picture of it.

First West Yorkshire 31775 in Halifax bus station

The bus couldn't turn sharply enough to get onto C2 so it had to do a circle of the bus station. That was fortunate for us because we had to walk all the way up to the top of the bus station before we could cross over to the C stand! We just about beat the bus onto the stand and then we got on it. We brought our Metro Day tickets and then went upstairs. We looked at the map and we discovered Old Town was North of Hebden Bridge. We decided we would get off before then as we didn't want to spend all of our time on this bus when there were so many other buses to go after. We made a decision to get off at Mytholmroyd. The bus left town through Kings Cross where we saw First West Yorkshire Dart 41281 on a #579. We then turned onto the A646 Burnley Road. We passed through Luddenden and just before we got to Mytholmroyd we saw First West Yorkshire Dart 41316 on the elusive #517 service. The front of the top deck was empty so Matthew got a picture as we got off the bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 31775

We got off the bus and we got another picture of the bus as it disappeared Westward.

First West Yorkshire 31775 in Mytholmroyd

The was very busy for a short while, and as we waited to cross over we saw First West Yorkshire new liveried Volvo 66750 bound for Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 66750 in Mytholmroyd

Eventually we crossed the road to wait for a Halifax Bound bus. We didn't have to wait for long before 66756 appeared on a #591 to Halifax. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off at Kings Cross to cover the #579/#300's quicker and he said no. As we entered Kings Cross we did so behind TJ Walsh TJ19 on a #300 towards Halifax. on the other side of Kings Cross we saw First West Yorkshire 30844 on a #579 taking the step entranced deckers in service total up to 5. We headed town and when the bus got to the bus station and emptied out Matthew got a picture inside 66756.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66756

As he didn't get a very good picture of the bus in Mytholmroyd, he also took another picture of the bus in the bus station before in went on layover.

First West Yorkshire 66756 in Halifax bus station

We decided to go after a couple of minibuses so we set off towards George Street. On the way we saw 31807 again n the #512 service.

First West Yorkshire 31807 in Halifax

We carried n walking and went to the disabled toilet on George Street before walking up to stop 24. We had just missed a mini bus, but required First West Yorkshire 61288 was at the stop on a #579 to Sowerby, so we decided to do that up. Before we got on Matthew took a picture.

First West Yorkshire 61288 in Halifax

The bus was quite full and we sat near the back. The bus set off through Kings Cross ad we passed 30844 coming the other way. We passed through Sowerby Bridge and did the steep climb through the housing estate up to Sowerby. When we got to the end of the run we got up and we saw a TJ Walsh mini bus TJ26 leaving the stop. We got up and Matthew got a picture inside this fine bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 61288

We also got off and got another picture of the bus at Sowerby too.

First West Yorkshire 61288 in Sowerby

We let 61288 go as there wasn't long for the next bus. Matthew had a drink of Tizer and we decided to d the next bus. If it wasn't a minibus we would get of in Sowerby Bridge and wait for one. The next bus turned up and it was required First West Yorkshire 41281.

First West Yorkshire 41281 in Sowerby

We got on and Matthew took a picture inside this beast too.

Inside First West Yorkshire 41281

We sat down near the back and a couple of minutes later the bus set off. We headed back thrugh the housing estate and down into Sowerby Bridge. We decided to get off just the other side of town and we saw required TJ Walsh mini TJ19 going the other way. This was followed by a road train! We got off and got another picture of this nice example of a Marshall Dart.

First West Yorkshire 41281 in Sowerby Bridge

At the stop we didn't have to wait ore than 5 minutes before we saw minibus approaching. Unfortunately for us it was one of 2 we had done last time we visited Halifax, TJ Walsh TJ25.

TJ Walsh TJ25 in Sowerby Bridge

The bus was empty so he got a picture as soon as we got on.

Inside TJ Walsh TJ25

We headed up the hill to Kings Cross and then back into town. it isn't very often you hear music on the bus and for some reason Matthew was fascinated by the radio / mp3 player in the bus and took a picture of that. We got off and crossed the road to head back to George Street. We took another picture of TJ25 before we went.

TJ Walsh TJ25 in Halifax

We decided to visit a shop, where Matthew had 12 the contents of the drinks chiller and 2 bars f chocolate! The plan had been to wait on George street for one of the required TJ Walsh minibuses, but we saw required TJ11 on a #600 go passed us. We decided to 'head it off at the pass', or more accurately the stop by the chip shop. We walked down Russell Street and Matthew took a picture of Bon Marche! We just managed to beat the bus to the stop and Matthew got a picture.

TJ Walsh TJ11 in Halifax

We got on the bus and sat down at the back. The bus set out of town northwards passed the Dean Clough Mill and we climbed out of town. It takes the same route as the #700 along the A629 up to Ovenden Way, and then the bus returns to Halifax via Nursery Lane and back down the A629. As the bus turned onto Nursery Lane the bus emptied out. Further down the road the bus was about to start filling again so Matthew quickly took a picture before someone got on.

Inside TJ Walsh TJ11

The bus turned onto the A629 to head back into town and we got off. We didn't have to wait long before we saw a bus approaching. It was required First West Yorkshire 66748.

First West Yorkshire 66748 in Ovenden

We got on the empty bus and Matthew took a picture inside too.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66748

The bus carried on into town down the A629. Just before the edge of town we came off the A629 and went passed the Dean Clough mill. We got off the bus at a stop adjacent to the bus station (stop 30) and we decided to have a few minutes taking pictures before we went back to the car. One of the buses we saw was First West Yorkshire 61289 on the #560 service.

First West Yorkshire 61289 in Halifax bus station

We then saw Arriva Yorkshire 1108 on a #255 service.

Arriva Yorkshire 1108 in Halifax bus station

Before we left we decided to d one more lap of the bus station taking pictures. At the bottom of the bus station was First West Yorkshire 32692 on a #508 to Leeds.

First West Yorkshire 32692 in Halifax bus station

We headed back to the car via the toilet, and then we had our Greggs sausage rolls. We need to take on fuels so we had a slight diversion North onto Pellon Lane. As I had had very little sleep last night mum drove back home. It was now nearly 18:00. We headed down the A629 and onto the M62 Westbound. We went onto the anticlockwise M60 and then carried onto west along the M62. At the M6 we headed South. We followed down and then photographed former Procters (now with Global Travel) Van Hool coach HUI 6822 just North of Sandbach services.

Global Travel HUI 6822 on the M6

We then went South on the A500 and then East on the A50 to Longton. At Z Carz today there were 4 buses on the spare ground. There was a new coach to Z Carz, M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

At the back of the spare ground was coach ALZ 8539. Then there were also 2 LDV minibus. At the front we saw R920 WNT.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

Behind R920 WNT was a blue LDV minibus, probably YN03 HJC. In the Willow Row compound was LDV minibus T408 JUX Not For Service. We went back passed the coach so I could take a picture and then we returned home down Longton Hall Road. We got home around 19:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:30...Mark