Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 21-12-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4156	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
3615	Nantwich BS	Tarporley, opp Community Centre	84	Arriva NW&W
4078	Tarporley, o/s Community Centre	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2609	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4490	Crewe BS	Sandbach, o/s Military Arms PH	38	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Crewe to try and get a ride on step entranced double decker Arriva NW&W 3615. Matthew had been in respite this week and we didn't decide where we were going until Friday night. Very little planning was done for the trip other than to check the weather which was forecast for sunny and dry with rain later. Matthew got up just after 10:00 today and had toast and blackcurrant juice for breakfast. We set off at around 12:15 today. We drove onto the A5035 and onto Stanley Matthew Way. We then got onto the A50 passing an unidentified Aimee's coaches minibus going the other way. We got onto the Northbound A500 which we did up to the A5020. We then drove into Crewe. There was some traffic around the railway station as usual and then we turned into Edlestone Road and drove into the town centre parking in Delamere Street around 13:00. We walked through the bus station towards Les's Fish Bar. On the way we saw Arriva NW&W 4078 on stand about to work the 13:00 to Chester. We sat down in the chip restaurant and we order our food. Matthew went to the toilet and the food arriweved. He had Chips beans and sausage with 2 round of bread and butter washed down with a cup of Pepsi. After we had finished eating headed back to the bus station were we saw Arriva NW&W 4156 about to work the #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Crewe bus station

We decided to do this bus so we could see what was working the #84 service a bit quicker. Arriva NW&W 4156 was a bus we last did back in February 2013. We got on the bus and booked our Arriva Daysaver tickets. We then went and sat upstairs. The bus set off out of town and along Edleston Road. Part way along we passed the bus we come for, Arriva NW&W 3615 working an inbound #84 service. We turn right onto Nantwich Road and we headed out of Crewe. We then turned left into Willaston before retuning onto the A534 and heading into Nantwich. When we got to Nantwich the bus empties out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4156.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4156

We got off Arriva NW&W 4156 and we saw saw GHA SL13 which was on layover. We took a picture of this and then started to walk out of the bus station.

GHA SL13 in Nantwich bus station

We also took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4156 too.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Nantwich bus station

We knew Arriva NW&W 3615 would be on the next Chester bound service so we decided to wait at Nantwich. Whilst we waited we decided to go and use the toilet in the Market and to pick up some spearmint chew from the still opposite the toilets. We walked back to the bus station and we only had a few minutes to wait. Whilst we waited we saw D&G 124 and GHA Solos SL06 & SL14 arrive before required Arriva NW&W 3615 rounded the corner and entered Nantwich bus station on the #84.

Arriva NW&W 3615 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and went upstairs. As it was the shortest day of the year and we knew we wouldn't have long before it went dark we decided to do the bus to Tarporley before returning back towards Crewe. The bus stormed through the Cheshire countryside along the A51 and then onto the A49. We then turned into Tarporley village. we saw a petrol station with a Spar shop so we decided to get off there.

Arriva NW&W 3615 in Tarporley

After we had taken a picture of Arriva NW&W 3615 we crossed over the road and went to the Spar shop. Matthew brought some chocolate bars as well as some of the cheap bottles of pop and a can of Coke. We walked back to the bus stop and the bus towards Crewe was now due. A few minutes later dud Arriva NW&W 4078 reappeared.

Arriva NW&W 4078 in Tarporley

We got on the bus and went upstairs. We decided to stagger our journey and to do this to Nantwich. 4078 put in a really spirited performance... It seemed to travel quite quickly along the A51 toward Nantwich. We had only been on this bus once before when we did the bus from Littleton to Chester on the #84 back in November. When we got to Nantwich we got off and we got another picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 4078 in Nantwich bus station

We also got a picture of GHA SL06 which was now on layover in the bus station.

GHA SL06 in Nantwich bus station

We decided to visit the toilet again and when we retuned to the bus station we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4042 on the next #84 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4042 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was one of D&G MCV Evolution buses on the #45 to Crewe. It was required D&G 132.

D&G 132 in Nantwich bus station

Behind D&G 132 was Arriva NW&W 2609 on the #84 to Crewe. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus back to Crewe and he said yes.

Arriva NW&W 2609 in Nantwich bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. Consulting the 'Buses I have travelled on' page It turned out the 2609 was required! We now only need 4 Winsford based Centros. We returned back via Willaston and the A534 and then down Edleston Road into Crewe town centre. When we got into the bus station Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2609 too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2609

When we got to Crewe we watched a few buses come in and go out. Arriva NW&W 4078 and now transferred onto the #31 to Northwich, possibly swapping for required Arriva NW&W 2614 which was now on the #84. Matthew decided that he fancied a bit of a walk around town so we headed off into the shopping centre before walking around the town centre and back into the bus station. As we got back into the bus station and we saw required Arriva NW&W 4490 arrive on the #38 from Macclesfield. We decided to do this back out towards Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Crewe bus station

We waited for 5 minutes whilst the driver had a quick break before readying the bus for service at 16:35. We got on the bus and went upstairs. It was empty towards the back so Matthew got a picture inside 4490 too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4490

The plan had been to do this bus to Wheelock and the catch the #38 back with would almost certainly be required 4491. matthew decided that he needed the toilet again, so we decided we go to Sandbach and use the toilet there. This would mean that we would just miss the #38 and would have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus back Crewe. I phoned mum to tell her our plans and she said she would come up to us and pick us up from Sandbach. We arrived in Sandbach and as predicted we just missed Arriva NW&W 4491 on the #38 to Crewe. We went to use the toilet and then we went to the chip shop and we shared a portion of chips between me, Matthew and uncle Dave. Matthew had a whole jumbo sausage too. This was washed down with a can of Fanta. Whilst we ate we saw Arriva NW&W 2503 on the #37 to Northwich. We also saw D&G 164 on #78 to Nantwich.

D&G 164 in Sandbach

Just after we had finished eating it started to rain, and rain hard. The main stop was filling up with passengers waiting for the next Crewe service so we retreated to the stop for the Macclesfield bus. Mum eventually turned up after around 30 minutes. She had gotten a little lost following the GPS! We walked over to the car and got in. We then saw dud Arriva NW&W 4099 on the #37 to Crewe. We set off home via the A534 which we did East to the M6. We went down the motorway one junction to the A500 and then we headed to Longton on the A50 to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were a few vehicles parked up here this week. At the front of the row was coach M534 RSO which appeared to be having some work done.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

As can be seen there are a few boy panels missing from nearside of the coach.Next to this was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was OV05 WSW which was parked in the shadow of the coach. Besides this was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Behind a few parked cars was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN. In the Willow Row compound was airport transfer minibus DL03 HHU and SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We headed home via Blurton Road and the A5035, passing First Potteries 40029 on the #23. We got back home at 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a Manchester Tart. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Northwich / Nantwich 31-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2612	Northwich Interchange	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W
2617	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL15	Nantwich BS	Bishop Wood	51	GHA
SL15	Bishop Wood	Nantwich BS	51	GHA
SL07	Nantwich BS‎	Crewe BS	K39	GHA

Today we decided to go on a shorter trip as mum had a night out planned. I gave Matthew the choice of going to Leek to cover the Clowes Coaches #108 and #234, or to go Northwich to try and get some of the more recent ALX400 DAF arrivals at Arriva. Matthew chose Northwich. We didn't do any research for this trip other than to check the weather which was for sunny intervals. In hindsight we should have done some as will be revealed Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 today, heading onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. We headed onto the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. There was a short delay on the A500 due to a crash near Talke which must have only just happened. At the end of the A500 just before we got onto the Northbound M6 we saw Z Carz BV51 BNO going South. We got onto the M6 and went one junction up to the A534. I decided to drive through Sandbach up to Middlewich to try and see some of the the #37 turns as we traveled North. In Sandbach itself we saw Arriva NW&W 2616 going towards Crewe. On the edge of town we passed Arriva NW&W Cadet 2497 going the other way. We carried on North up the A533 into Middlewich, where we stopped at the country Kitchen for dinner. Matthew had a bacon and egg bap washed down with a bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw required Arriva NW&W 2618 heading North. We then carried on into Northwich parking up around 13:20. We walked down to the interchange and there were 3 buses on stand. Dud Arriva NW&W 2516 was on the #1 service, required Arriva NW&W 2502 was on the #29A circular and dud 2612 was on the #37 to Crewe. Matthew went to use the toilet and then we made a decision. As we hadn't seen any double deckers on the 5 #37 turns we had seen so far, that there probably weren't any out on the #37 so we would head to Crewe to see if there were any double deckers on the #84's. Matthew got a picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 and then we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Northwich Interchange

We sat down somewhere in the middle on the drivers side. The bus was about 1/3 full. As we left Northwich we saw Arriva Dart 866 and 867 on the #2 and #4 service. This was our second run on Arriva NW&W Centro. The first run had been back in June on the short run into Northwich from the iron bridge. We headed South through Davenham and Moulton and through Wharton. At Wharton we saw Arriva NW&W 2497 on the #37 having crew change. We carried on South to Middlewich and then towards Sandbach. We passed Arriva NW&W 2503 on the A533 between Middlewich and Elworth. As we headed towards Sandbach the bus had emptied and we were the only ones on the bus. We arrived in Sandbach around 14:35 and the bus took on a few more passengers. We left towards Wheelock passing the remaining #37 turn which was dud Arriva NW&W 2610. We went through Haslington passing Arriva NW&W 4490 on the #38 to Macclesfield. We passed the railway station. and headed towards town passing required Arriva NW&W 4143 on the #84 to Chester. When we got into Crewe Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

There was a few inutes befre the next #84 turn, which appeared to be dud Arriva NW&W 2617. Also parked up in the bus station was dud Arriva NW&W 4156 on layover.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Crewe bus station

A few minutes later Arriva NW&W pulled onto stand and Matthew got a picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 2617 in Crewe bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. The last time we got on this bus was back in December 2012 on a #29A circular. The bus headed out of town and onto Nantwich Road. It was a while before we passed the first Northbound #84 and it was required Arriva NW&W 4017. Very close behind was dud Arriva NW&W 4096. Just before we reached Nantwich we passed another DAF, required Arriva NW&W 4078. when we got to Nantwich we waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2617

When we got to nantwich we decided to visit the toilet and the market. As we approached the toilet we noticed this Routemaster being used as a mobile shop. After using the toilet we got a picture of this bus.

RM1590 in Nantwich Market

We had a few Mint Toffees from a market stall and then walked back to the bus station. We were waiting to see the next Chester and Crewe buses on the #84, and whist we waited we took a few pictures. GHA Solo SL07 was parked up n the bus station in between turns.

GHA SL07 in Nantwich bus station

Dud GHA SL17 was parked up with Explorica Tours on its display. GHA SL15 was working the Nantwich town circular services.

GHA SL15 in Nantwich bus station

When the next Chester service came in and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4156 Matthew decided he wanted to do something different. GHA SL15 arrived off one of the town circulars and we got on it leaving uncle Dave behind. We sat down and off we went. The buses crossed the railway a couple of times and went around the housing estates to the South of the railway line. A short time later we headed back into the town centre. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 4042 on a Crewe service. When we got back to the bus station matthew photographed the inside of the now empty GHA SL15.

Inside GHA SL15

When we got off SL15 he ran straight onto SL07. We caught up with him after we got on and got a picture inside the empty SL07.

Inside GHA SL07

Uncle Dave joined us and we saw it was on the K39 service to Crewe so we decided to do this. We sat down and the bus set off. We called mum to ask her to meet us at Crewe. The bus headed out of town on the A51 and then we went around a big housing estate off Peter Destapleigh Way. We got back on the A51 and then we headed through Walgherton & Wybunbury. We then went through Hough and Shavington and then crossed the A500. We wound our way from Rope Lane to Gresty Road through the houses and then we crossed straight over Nantwich road going into town via Tesco. When we arrived into Crewe bus station Matthew got a picture of GHA SL07 on stand.

GHA SL07 in Crewe bus station

We decided to spend 5 minutes taking pictures in and around the bus station before we returned to the car. First thing photographed was dud Arriva NW&W 876.

Arriva NW&W 876 in Crewe bus station

Then we got a picture of dud Arriva NW&W 4489 which had just arrived into the bus station on a #84 from Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4489 in Crewe bus station

The next #84 short to Nantwich was required Arriva 4078 which we could have done up if we had waited for it.

Arriva NW&W 4078 in Crewe bus station

We walked out of the bus station towards the car on the Delamere Street car park. As we crossed the road we saw D&G 5 was about to leave on a #8A service so Matthew got a picture.

D&G 5 in Crewe bus station

We turned to see D&G 3 on a #1 service too.

D&G 3 near Crewe bus station

We got in the car and Matthew had his Greggs sausage roll. He also had a burger which supposed to be mums tea and a few f her fries. This was washed down with the Coke from the MacDonalds meal. We set off ut of town and onto the Nantwich Road. We went passed the railway station and onto the A5020 passed Crewe Hall and onto the Southbound A500. We did this past the M6 and down to the A50 which we did to Longton. At Z Carz today were the following. The Mercedes minibus which we had seen earlier BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Newest coach ALZ 8539 was also there.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

We also saw Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next we saw decal-less DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

Lastly n the spare ground was W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

In the Willow Row compound parked at the back was LDV minibus T408 JUX. We carried on hoe heading down Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries Dart 40144 n the #22 to Longton. We got home just after 18:00. Mum went out and we had a late tea of bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Sandbach 02-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N472 XRC	Chell Heath	Sandbach, o/s Common	Charter	Winsford Taxis
3330	Sandbach, o/s Common	Wharton, nr Wharton Road	37	Arriva NW&W
7628	Wharton, Wharton Road (cnr)	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)	37	Arriva NW&W
4156	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)	Wharton, opp Wharton Gardens	37	Arriva NW&W
3349	Wharton, nr Wharton Gardens	Winsford, Town Bridge (W-bound)	31	Arriva NW&W
3330	Winsford, Town Bridge (W-bound)	Sandbach, o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we went on another relatively short trip. Matthew had something on at Heathfield and so we weren't going to set off until after 12:00, so we chose to go to Sandbach. Matthew got up around 08:30 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We left home at 09:40 ans we went past the Hem Heath pub and along Stanley Matthews Way. We joined thee westbound A50 and then went along the A500. We passed City buses & coaches TJI 3131 as we went along. We then did the Tunstall bypass the High Lane and then we cut down to Heatfield School. We got there just after 10:00. Matthew went to the toilet and did some cooking before we returned to pick him up at 12:30. After saying goodbye to his friends we saw Mercedes Minibus N472 XRC which we got on to Winsford.

N472 XRC in Chell Heath

we sat down near the back and the bus set off the 25 coach seat bus back on to the Tunstall bypass and then onto the A500 and though the roadworks. Just before we reached the motorway we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 236 heading South. We did the M6 up to the A54 and we did this through Middlewich past the new Morrison to Winsford Morrisons, as this one has a cafe! We visited the toilet before going into the cafe. In the cafe Matthew had a breakfast and 2 cakes. It was quite busy so the meal took a while. He had the Bakewll slice first as a starter as he was a little impatient. after the breakfast he ate his favourite lemon meringue pie. We then moved on to Sandbach. We headed back to middlewich and then down the A533 to Sandbach. i made a slight error and we ended up going through Middlewich town centre and through some backstreet to The Cheshire Cheese pub. As we went South alongside the Trent and Mersey canal we saw a southbound bus and it was a double decker. We also saw a Northbound bus and it was a Centro. We got off headed into Sandbach and got another picture of this bus. The double decker we saw arrived and it was Arriva NW&W 4156.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Sandbach

We decided not to do 4156 and Matthew went to the toilet by the market. Matthew saw the #319 and it was GHA S280 AOX. When we got back to the stop the Northwich bound #37 was there and it was Arriva NW&W 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Sandbach

We decided to do this and we got on and booked Arriva NW&W Daysavers and went upstairs. It was empty so Matthew photographed the empty up stair of 3330.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

Whilst we waited for time we saw D&G 64 on a #78 service.

D&G 64 in Sandbach

Time passed and we set of towards Northwich. We passed the first Southbound #37 in the estate South of Middlewich and it was 2613. When we got to Middlewich we diverted around town due to roadworks. We passed the new Morrisons and then set off towards Winsford. We passed the next bus just before Road One and it was another Centro 2614. In Winsford we saw a Crewe bound #31A and it was 2610. We decided to get of in Wharton so we could get back for 4156. We rounded the corner into Crook Lane and got off. Matthew got another picture of 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Crook Lane

We crossed the road and immediately spotted this Gailsway Travel LDV minibus T834 JVR come around the corner.

Gailsway Travel T834 JVR in Crook Lane

We only had to wait 2 minutes and then we saw a bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 7628 and Matthew got his picture.

Arriva NW&W 7628 in Crook Lane

We decided to do this 2 buses back through the rota to get another ride on 4156. We went down into Winsford around town and back down the hill. Whilst we were at the bottom stop on the high Street we saw Arriva NW&W 4042 heading towards Crewe running out of service. Almost immediately we saw Arriva NW&W 4040 going in the opposite direction. We passed the Northbound Centro on the #37 on Station Road and then we continued East to Middlewich. As we passed back through Warmingham Lane we decided to get off for 4156. We cut it a bit fine as we didn't have time to get a picture of 7628 as it went or 4156 as it approached. We ran across the road and flagged down 4156 an got. As the upstairs was empty behind us Matthew got a picture of the top deck.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4156

We passed the New Morrisons and I managed to get a picture of the Blimp. We carried on North and passed the next bus which was Arriva NW&W 3334. We went through Winsford and back towards Wharton. We were going to get off on Crook Lane again but as we climbed the bank out of Winsford we passed a Centro on the #37. We decided to stop on he bus and go to Wharton Gardens and wait for the next #31. We got off at Wharton Gardens and crossed the road. There was a #31 in 5 minutes and a #37 15 minutes later. The #31 appeared and it was Arriva 3349.

Arriva NW&W 3349 in Wharton

This was only our second trip on this bus as we scored it last week on the #29A. We only had a short trip on this bus today. It did go via the morrisons store which we had eaten at earlier. At the roundabout at the bottom we passed GHA SB38 on the X20 service. We got off at the bottom of Winsford High Street and he got another picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 3349 in Winsford

We now had around 12 minutes to wait for the next bus which we worked out should be Arriva NW&W 3330 again. As we waited we saw 7628 return North on a #37. We also saw 2613 on a #31. Eventually we saw a double decker approach from across the roundabout and it was as predicted Arriva NW&W 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Winsford

We got on and sat upstairs for our last journey. We went past The Red Lion and we saw the De Bees Music Bar N469 AWB Mercedes minibus that parks at the back. I called mum to let her know when to meet up. The bus emptied out so Matthew got another picture of the top deck.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

It was now going dark as we approached Sandbach. When we got to Sandbach we got of and got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Sandbach

We went to the chip shop and Matthew pick a can of Ben Shaws dandelion and burdock and a can of Coke for later. The toilet was out of order so we went to the toilet by the market. We then met up with mum at the car to eat chips. Whilst we sat there we saw D&G 66 on a #78 service and Arriva NW&W 3334 returning north on a #37. After we had finished eating we set off back home. We headed out of town on the A534 to the M6. We did the M6 down to the A500. As we went down the A500 we passed D&G 26 running empty back to Crewe. We also saw Mercedes minibus N769 EWG. We got on the A50 and headed to Longton. We then went past Z Carz to see what was on. First in the row was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The we saw DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We then saw Mercedes minibus T131 SGA.

Z Carz T131 SGA in Longton

Finally we saw LDV minibus T408 JUX.

Z Carz T408 JUX in Longton

We then passed Z carz minibus CE02 LYX from the taxi fleet before going down Longton Hall Road. we passed 40151 on a 22 and 40030 on a #23A. We got hoe around 18:30. For a late tea tonight had sausages potatoes and carrots. He washed this down with a glass Shandy Bass. He went to bed just before midnight...Mark.