Trip to Hanley / Tunstall 31-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40003	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
3415	Hanley BS	Endon, adj The Plough Hotel	118	Wardle Transport
40155	Endon, opp The Plough Hotel	Hanley BS	18	First Potteries
4687	Hanley BS	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	61	Wardle Transport
60004	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	Hanley BS	29	First Potteries
4687	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj stop M	61	Wardle Transport
40020	Tunstall, adj stop M	Longport, adj Longport Road	99A	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip. We had had heard on the Stafforshire and Merseyside bus group that Wardle Transport Scania 3415 had been doing the #118 Hanley - Buxton service. We thought that if we were lucky then the bus would work again today. We checked the weather for today and it was for rain. Matthew got up around 11:15 and he had an oatcake and some orange juice for breakfast. we set off just after 12:00 and we walked to the distance over to the Ladybank Grove stop. We saw a Plaxton bus approaching as we walked to the stop and we decided to run for it. As we got to the stop we turned to see it was dud first Potteries 40003.

First Potteries 40003 'Dinky Donut' #23 favourite!

We got on the bus and booked a Smartday ticket. We sat down near the back of the bus and it was nearly empty. The bus filled up as we headed through Blurton and Heron Cross. At Heron Cross we passed Lightning Travel NX03 JYJ parked up. In Stoke we saw First Potteries 32632 on a Hanley bound #25. We then headed up past the railway station and up College Road. We reached Hanley a little before 13:00 and when we got there we went onto the balcony. I went to fetch some chips and Matthew and Uncle Dave stood on the balcony. Whilst I was getting chips required Wardle Transport 4896 made an appearance on the #30 to Bradwell.

Wardle Transport 4896 at Hanley bus station on a #30

At the same time Wardle Transport 2038 appeared to work the #190 service to Cranberry.

Wardle Transport 2038 at Hanley bus station on a #190

As I walked up with the chips to the balcony, Wardle Transport 3415 made an appearance and it was on the inbound 118 service. So unless it swapped it was going to work the 13:45 to Buxton. We ate our chips and we spent 30 or so minutes taking picture from the Balcony. We saw required Wardle Transport 4652 on the 13:00 #61 to Tunstall. We also saw Wardle Transport 4687 on the 13:30 #61 to Tunstall too. So we had seen 2 of the 3 Wardle double deckers buses that Matthew requires working in a few minutes. Just before 13:45 we decided to walk down to stand W to wait for the #118 service. Matthew got a picture of the bus whilst it waited on the opposite side.

Wardle Transport 3415 at Hanley bus station

Just before time it pulled of the waiting area and did a lap of the bus station and pulled onto the stand. Inside the bus it had been configured for schools work, with 57 seats arranged in a 2 + 3 arrangement, fitted with seatbelts too.

Inside Wardle Transport 3415

With this arrangement its chances of working a service bus are somewhat limited. We deicede to do this bus up to Endon which is the limit of our Smartday ticket. As we pulled off we also saw Wardle Transport 2300 was also parked up by the bus station between duties. As we passed Meigh Street we saw Wardle Transport 4692 on the other #61 turn. This meant that all 3 of Matthew required wardle deckers were working today. The bus sounded really good and hopefully it will have a few more years work left in it. As we approached Endon we shouted to let the driver know we wanted to get off. There appears to be only one bell one this bus and it is at he front. You don't really need bells on a School bus as they generally only have one destination! After we got of we crossed the road to wait for the return service to Hanley. We had around 10 minutes w saw a bus in the distance. A couple of minutes dud First Potteries 40155 appeared.

First Potteries 40155 in Endon

We sat down near the back and then relaxed as we did the 20 odd minute journey into town. We got off and went onto the balcony. We decided to do the next #61 as 2 of the 3 buses out were required ones. Unfortunately for us, the next one out at 15:00 was worked by the one bus we had been on before, Wardle Transport 4687.

Wardle Transport 4687 in Hanley bus station

We got on and sat upstairs. Matthew took a picture of the bus which had been re-upholstered since we last did this.

Inside Wardle Transport 4687

We decided to do this to Bradley, hopefully getting one of the other required buses back. We did the bus up to Bradeley but we didn't pass any of the other buses whilst we were out. If I had checked I would have seen the the 15:00 off Hanley only goes to Chell and then comes back. We got and got a picture.

Wardle Transport 4687 in Bradeley

We then crossed the road to wait for the return. I had the idea of catch the #29 back instead of doing the #61. We could always do the #61 back out. The #29 approached and it was dud First Potteries 60004.

First Potteries 60004 in Bradeley

The bus was empty so he got his empty bus picture there and then.

Inside First Potteries 60004

We got back in Hanley around 15:50ish and then a few minutes later Wardle Transport 4687 re-appeared! We thought it was going to be one of the other 2 buses. Matthew want to go to the toilet, but as we tried to go to the tardis at the end it was busy with someone else waiting to use it too. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do 4687 to Tunstall so he could use a toilet there instead and he said yes. So we got back on Wardle 4687 to go to Tunstall. it was now starting to go dark and it rained quite hard for most of the journey up. When we got to Tunstall High Street it was fully dark and raining hard. We got off the bus and jogged down to the toilets. I then arrange with mum to meet us at Longport. We ran back up to the stop and there was an Optare Solo at the stop on a #99A. It was required First Potteries 40020.

First Potteries 40020 in Tunstall

Matthew beeped the horn as he got on and we sat down. It was nearly empty but a couple more people got on before we set off. We went down the road towards Trubshaw Cross, past the potential site of a new Morrisons. We picked up a couple more on the trip down and then we got off at Longport. Mum wasn't waiting for us so we decided to nip to the local off license. Matthew got a big bottle of Coke and a galaxy Caramel. We went back to the stop to shelter from the rain. A few minutes later mum appeared to rescue us from the rain. We headed back down the A500 to stoke where came off on Wheildon Road to drop Uncle dave off home. We then went up to heron Cross and then home. We got home around 17:30. For tea matthew had a fish finger sandwich with a chocolate cake and cream for afters. He then chilled out before welcoming in the New Year...Mark

Trip to Uttoxeter 16-07-2011

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

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


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


Bennetts A18 BNT on the outskirts of Uttoxeter (Matt)

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


Trent Barton X227 WRA on the Ashbourne service (Matt)

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


Inside 2200 (Matt)

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


61160 on 32A to Hanley (Matt)

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

Trip to Stoke 30-05-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
64	Trentham Road, Magdalen Road	Longton Transport Interchange	22	Scraggs
61237	Longton Transport Interchange	Duke Street, Fenton	6B	First Potteries
60004	Duke Street, Fenton	Church Street, Stoke	26	First Potteries

Matthew returned home from respite care at dinner time, and I knew he would be interested in going out on the #22 service. The bank holiday and Sunday service has been taken over by Scraggs Blue Buses, and this had started the day before. Yesterday I went out to get a photograph of the first running, and today I went out to see what had worked on the second run. both days had produced Scraggs Blue Buses 64 which Matthew had not been on before. It had been raining all day and was forecast to stop around teatime. I took him out as planned, with the intention of catching the bus to Longton and then returning straight away. We walked the short distance to the Trentham road stop and waited for the bus to turn up. After a few minutes,we saw the Blue step entranced minibus appear in the distance. I hindsight we should have gone to the next stop as the bus emerged out of the sun and made it difficult for Matthew to get a good photograph.


Scraggs Blue Buses 64 on a Newcastle to Longton Service (Matt)

We boarded the bus which was half full. Shortly after boarding we followed 40138 through Blurton as it headed towards Hanley on a #23 service. People were talking about the service, and I think it can be said that everyone is willing that the new 'trial' service is a commercial success and that Scraggs continue to run it. When we got to Longton, Matthew photographed the empty inside of the bus.


Inside Scraggs 64, showing it's ex Arriva Interior (Matt)

When we got off, I was hoping that Matthew would get straight back on but he had different ideas,
He did get a much better shot of the bus as it left Longton Transport interchange though.


Scraggs Blue Buses 64 Departs for Newcastle (Matt)

OK..so we got to plan B... I thought we could catch a bus to Fenton and then catch one back. We could then catch the return Scraggs bus back homewards. The next bus in was a 6B to Hanley and Matthew indicated that he wanted to catch it.


61237 pulls into Longton Transport Interchange on the #6B to Hanley (Matt)

On the way towards Fenton we passed 61143 coming the other way, we also passed 61160. After this short run we got off. The timetable indicted a 20 frequency towards Hanley, which I thought was good for a Sunday evening. There was also an hourly 26 to Stoke. We then decided that perhaps the best thing to do was to go to Stoke and then maybe catch a bus to Blurton from Stoke. According to the timetable board, the 26 Newcastle and the 6B Hanley were due at the same time. First bus to turn up was the 6B which was 60057.


60057 on the following 6B Hanley (Matt)

It then occurred to me that maybe the board hadn't been changed. I looked at the date at the bottom and it said from February 2011... That was the last change! We then saw 61237 across the road returning from Hanley.


61237 heading back towards Longton on a #6B (Matt)

I texted the 84268 service to see when the next bus was due, the service retuned a load of 6B's and nothing else... Oh...perhaps the bus doesn't run the late... I was just considering crossing the road and waitng for 60057 to go back to Longton, when a 26 Newcastle turned up about 7 late. I now know the bus does still run and wasn't affected by the timetable change...The bus turns up and it'ts 60004, now the lowest numbered single decker in the First Fleet that is still running. We did this bus to Church Street, Stoke.


60004 on arrival in Stoke on a #26 to Newcastle (Matt)

We we got to Stoke Matthew decided he was staying put for a short while. I tried to give him alternatives for going home, he could either catch a 21 or a 23. but he just wanted to stay put. At that point mum called to see if we were OK. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go home in the car or bus and he chose car??!! So mum set off and we had around 15 minutes in Stoke watching buses. Amongst others 40138 turned up on a #23 Blurton - Hanley


40138 on a 23 to Hanley (Matt)

Eventually mum turned up and we returned home via Trent Vale and Trentham. Matthew insisted we called at the One Stop Shop on the Lea and he purchased some biscuits. As we travelled along Trentham Road we passed Scraggs 64 on a Newcastle bound 22. Had we gone back to Longton and caught the 22 bus, we wouldn't have got home much earlier.... Mark