Trip to the 'Potteries Connection' running day 04-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1918	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	250	Midland Red North (Preserved)
JTF 218F	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	250	Wardle Transport
170	Gladstone pottery Museum	Coalville, adj Bath Street	105	Bournemouth (Preserved)
170	Coalville, adj Bath Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	105	Bournemouth (Preserved)
677	Gladstone pottery Museum	Cheadle Town Centre, opp Royal Oak Hotel	X43	PMT (Preserved)
677	Cheadle Town Centre, opp Royal Oak Hotel	Gladstone pottery Museum	X43	PMT (Preserved)
170	Gladstone pottery Museum	Wedgwood Visitor Centre	510	Bournemouth (Preserved)
170	Wedgwood Visitor Centre	Gladstone pottery Museum	510	Bournemouth (Preserved)

Today was the annual 'Potteries Connection' running day, and one of the first dates in his calender. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had bacon on toast for breakfast washed down wit orange juice. It was gone 11:20 when we left for the rally today. We headed off into Longton via the A5035 and into Longton town centre. We stopped on the Strand to visit the cash machine. When then went around the one way system and to the museum where we parked up. As we walked onto the site we saw Bournemouth 55 on the 11:40 to Foxfield.

Bournemouth 55 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We went to one of the stalls where Matthew brought 3 DVD's (Bristol, Norfolk and Merseyside) and a couple of photographs and a bus stop sticker. He walked around and took a few more pictures of buses, including one of this Alexander bodied Volvo E867 RCS which had been brought to the rally by the GB bus group.

E867 RCS in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

As there was someone on the bus we asked if he could go on and look around. He went upstairs and took a picture of the inside of this fine bus with stagecoach interior.

Inside E867 RCS

He had also had one of the complementary Trident magazine's and one of the GBBG Midland fleet books. We had another walk around and we took some more pictures. One of the pictures was of PMT 60100 which we first had back in February this year.

First PMT 60100 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We decided we were going to go to Stone on Wardle Transport JTF 218F. We then looked at another stall for with MTL 1070 where he brought 3 more pictures. Traveling down at the same time as Wardle Transport JTF 218F was Midland Red North 1918. As this was pulling onto the stop first we decided to do this down for the open top bus back.

Midland Red 1918 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we sat near the back on the top deck. At 12:20 the bus set off along the A5035 and New passed a new cafe called Go Eat in Dresden. We got onto the Southbound A34 and we had a very quick run down to Stone. We came in along Newcastle road and then around the one way system past Morrison's and the to Crown Street. Almost everyone got off and Matthew was able to get a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Midland Red 1918

We got off and we took more pictures of Midland Red 1918.

Midland Red 1918 in Stone

We got off and Matthew went to use the disabled toilet. The journey down was booked for 30 minutes and 1918 was so quick on the A34 it only took 20! We had to wait for a few minutes before Wardle Transport JTF 218F made an appearance. Matthew took a picture and we got on the bus.

Wardle Transport JTF 218F in Stone

We went upstairs so we could enjoy the open topper as she should be enjoyed. It was a little chilly so we put our jackets on. Whilet we waited for departure a red and white double decker coach whizzed by. At 13:00 we set off back to Gladstonne this time via the A520. The driver had swapped from the journey down making some of the kids on board think the bus was returning on autopilot! Just North of stone we went passed the coach that had passed us earlier. It was Red Rose Travel HIL 7628. We got out into the countryside and bus hit top speed. Charging along the country lanes it we were really getting blown around. The rain held off all the way back thankfully. At Rough Close We turned on Lightwood Road and we descended into Longton along this most scenic of local roads. Wen we got back to Gladstone Matthew photographed London Transport RM467 off the top deck of the open topper.

London Transport RM467 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

At this point we decided to go and get some dinner. We checked out a couple of the places that we usually go to and they were closed today. So we decided to go check out Go Eat on the A5035. We got there around 13:30 and we ordered our food. Matthew had a breakfast with oatcakes and I had a pasta bake, mum had cheese on toast and uncle Dave had a burger. For afters Matthew had a carrot cake. The food was really nice and was well priced too. We will definitely return here to eat. After we had finished we headed back to the Gladstone Pottery Museum. Mum dropped us off and we walked over to the car park. The 14:15 to Coalville was booked to be bus P3 (PMT 604) bus B3 appeared to work the service (Typo perhaps?). As it is a required visiting bus and a double decker to boot we decided to do it turning down required PMT 279 and SL805 which were booked to work the 14:40 to Foxfield. We got a picture of Bournemouth 170 and then we got on it.

Bournemouth 170 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off towards Weston Coyney and we climbed Weston Coyney Road and onto the A520 when we got up near where the old Moorland Buses garage used to be we turned right, before turning in a junction and resting on the stop on Mann Street. It had now started to rain a little. A few of us got out and we took pictures of this fine example of a Leyland Atlantean.

Bournemouth 170 in Coalville

We got back in and the bus waited a few minutes until it's book departure time. The bus went back along the same route as it took out of Longton and we got back in no time. When the bus arrived back we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this fine beast.

Inside Bournemouth 170

We had a short while to wait for the next service. PMT 466 was about to head off the stoke railway station. We had been on this bus from the county showground to Stafford station back in February 2012. Also working shortly were First PMT 60100 and PMT 677 both of which we had done on quite short runs back in February this year. We decided do have another run on PMT 677 as it was on a run up to Cheadle. In the meantime we took a few pictures of the buses again. One which we hadn't photographed earlier was Crosville Bristol VR DVG270.

Crosville DVG270 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

A few minutes later PMT 677 pulled onto the stop and we got a picture.

PMT 677 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on and went upstairs. The bus set off onto the Eastbound A50 and we made a spirited run up to Meir where we left the A50 and headed in Blythe Bridge. We paused at the level crossing to allow a train to pass and then we headed into town before turning left to head through Forsbrook. We then headed uphill through the rain until we reached Cheadle high Street. We stopped for a short while and took pictures.

PMT 677 in Cheadle

We headed back, pausing outside the Bird in Hand pub before heading towards Tean. We headed out of Cheadle passed the 'Party in the Park'. It was slightly unnerving to see young lads firing muskets in a civil war re-enactment even if it was just gunpowder! We headed into Tean and we went passed the Co-op as we headed out towards Draycott. We joined the A50 at off the Blythe Bridge by-pass and we headed through Meir and we came off the A50 at Normacott. The bus ran into Longton along Uttoxeter Road and we got back in time to see the 16:00 to Stoke station which was PMT 466 again. Matthew waited for the bus to empty and he took a picture inside PMT 677 which he didn't manage to do back in February.

Inside 677

There wasn't many more trips left today, so we decided to get another run on Bournemouth 170 with all the other buses left running being local and ones we had been on before. We got another picture Bournemouth 170 and then we got on it.

Bournemouth 170 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off down the A5035 and we turn towards Barlaston when we reached Blurton. The bus when down to a loop in the road just short of the level crossing and stopped there outside the visitors centre. We got off and we took a picture of the bus there too.

Bournemouth 170 in Wedgwood

We got back on and the bus set off. The bus also went into the wedgwood site and next to the Mercedes-Benz club SL event. It didn't look anywhere near as big as the bus rally which attends every May! We dropped off a solitary passenger and we set off back through the country lanes towards Blurton. When we reached the A5035 we turned right and headed into Longton. We didn't stop to take a picture inside as we had already gotten one earlier. The buses were being arranged so they could take some different pictures. We stopped and took a few more pictures. Once such bus was the recently restored PMT 279.

PMT 279 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We also managed to get a nice clear view of the PMT minibus MMM120.

PMT MMM120 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

After Matthew had been for a quick look at First 60100, we walked back to meet mum at the car. We drove home via Z carz and there were on or 2 buses there tonight. coach D104 XAN was there, as well as LDV minibus YN03 HJC.

Z Carz YN03 HJC in Longton

DAF Minicoach W344 WNS was there, as was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Most surprising of all was the new coach ALZ 8539.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Behind this was mini coach W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

there was nothing in the Willow row compound, so We headed back to Heron Cross and into Fenton to drop uncle Dave off at home. After we had said goodbye we headed back through heron Cross and into Blurton. We got home around 17:30. For tea Matthew had chicken popcorn and fries, and we wrote up Saturday's Blog. Matthew also had a bath before chilling out on his computer before bedtime round 23:40...Mark

Trip to Hanley 'Finale Running day' 17-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53829	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
60100	Hanley BS	Burslem	3	First PMT
60100	Burslem	Hanley BS	3	First PMT
4546	Hanley BS	First Adderley Green depot	13A	Wardle Transport
4546	First Adderley Green depot	Hanley BS	13A	Wardle Transport
SUX 476X	Hanley BS	Newcastle	33	Bassetts Coaches
SUX 476X	Newcastle	Hanley BS	33	Bassetts Coaches
604	Hanley BS	Stoke station	5A	PMT
EFM 181H	Stoke Station	Hanley BS	5A	Crosville
537	Hanley BS	Adderley Green	13	Devon General
537	Adderley Green	Hanley BS	13	Devon General
EVD 406	Hanley BS	Twigg Street	12	Joseph Wood
EVD 406	Twigg Street	Hanley BS	12	Joseph Wood
GJW 43N	Hanley BS	Burslem	3	Midland Fox
GJW 43N	Burslem	Hanley BS	3	Midland Fox
3999	Hanley BS	Burslem	3	Arriva Midlands
3999	Burslem	Hanley BS	3	Arriva Midlands
677	Hanley BS	Stoke station	5A	PMT

Today we were going to Hanley for the "Hanley Finale" running day. We got up before 09:00 and had crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. I went to fetch uncle Dave and whilst out I saw 41492 on a #23 and Scraggs Mercedes minibus DX09 LAA parked up on Grove Road. For a change I didn't see the #22. We set off just before 10:00 as we were catching the 09:54 from Ladybank Grove. It rounded the corner and we saw it was a new liveried Solo so we knew it would be required. It was First Potteries 53829. We travelled through Blurton and passed the temporary traffic light on Blurton Road which wee out of action. Traffic was being controlled by the police. As we travelled down we saw that someone had sent a picture into the Staffordshire and Merseyside Yahoo bus group of an Arriva Streetlite parked up at Hanley. In stoke we saw Wardle Transport 2539 on the #41 service. We were diverted from the normal route due to the dangerous building on Liverpool Road. We went along Hartshill road, Shelton Old Road and Copeland Street before going back onto the proper route. when we reached Hanley Matthew got a picture of the inside of 53829.

Inside First Potteries 53829

We got off and Matthew cheekily honked the horn. He then got a picture of 53829 which wasn't great due to the sun being behind the bus.

First Potteries 53829 in Hanley bus station

We walked down to the side stand where all the action was taking place. At this time of year I expected there to be perhaps a dozen buses at the most, with the majority of them being local ones. As we reached then end we saw that the majority of the parking stands were filled with buses of all ages and colours, and quite a few of the side stands contained buses too. more than 20 buses had made the journey into the potteries for this event. The first bus that caught our eye was newly preserved ex First PMT 60100, which we decided that we were going to do first. We saw it was leaving the parking area so we knew it was about to work, so we walked up to the stands. It came in and Matthew got a picture of it.

Preserved 60100 in Hanley bus station

We asked the driver where we could get a programme and he said off the control bus which was PMT single decker SL805. So we asked the driver where he was going and he said "Burslem". That would do :). We could get a programme when we got back. The bus set off out of Hanley and up Waterloo Road. We stopped in Burslem for a few minutes, We got off and took a picture but the sun wasn't favourable. We got back on and travelled back down Waterloo Road into Hanley. When we got back Matthew waited for the bus to empty and he got his empty bus shot of this fine beast with PMT Grey seating.

Inside 60100

We purchased a programme from the control bus and then we decided to stop for an early dinner. We went to Tony's cafe and matthew had a breakfast and a can of Coke. It was around 11:30 now, so we decided to go for trip on the Wardle tri-axle double decker 4546 which along with 60100 was going up to Adderley Green. It pulled onto stand and Matthew got a picture of it.

Wardle Transport 4546 in Hanley bus station

We got on and went upstairs. As it was empty behind up Matthew got a picture of the top deck of this vehicle.

Inside Wardle Transport 4546

A few minutes later we set of out of hanley and down limekiln bank. 60100 which was also on this rum as a duplicate was in front of us. At the bottom of Dividy Road 60100 pulled over to let us catch up, we passed the bus and then pulled over ourselves whilst 60100 caught up. This seemed a little odd but we didn't know why this was happening. the reason soon became apparent when we got to Adderley Green. 60100 was being driven by a First driver, and we saw him indicate to pull into the depot. Then we pulled into the depot behind 60100 and we proceeded to go clockwise around the back of the depot piloted by the First Driver! As we went around we passed a collection of Solo's on our left followed by Dennis Darts old and newer one too we also saw withdrawn 40379. On the right was a solitary Solo and a Stafford branded Scania in the bus washing plant. The at the very back was a large collection of scania's. It was easy to get pictures of them through the misted bus windows, but #26 branded Scania's 65026 and 65027 can be seen in the photograph below with 60063 in front of them.

First Potteries 65026 & 65027 at the back of AG

We then went past a couple of newer Darts inside the shed, past the back of the trainer buses 60316 and 60317. We rejoined Dividy Road and headed back into Hanley. As we travelled back we worked out what we were going to do next. We had a choice of Ex Arriva NW&W Scania 1051 or Bassetts coach SUX 476X. We decided to go for the coach as we had been on 1051 last July in Earlestown just before it was withdrawn from service. When we got back we had around 20 minutes before the coach was due off at 12:25 so we went down to the bottom of the bus station to take a few pictures. Wardle Transport 3611 had arrived and was parked up at the top of the row of buses it may have worked in on the #118 from Buxton. It didn't work out again though as a Dart took over the rest of the duty. We saw the coach pull onto stand and we walked up to catch it. Matthew got a picture before we got on the coach.

Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we set off towards Newcastle. we went around Hanley on the ring road to Etruria Road and onto the A53. At Newcastle we went around the main roundabout and then headed back. we followed the route back passing RML 467 by Broad Street on a service for Stoke Station. We decided we would do Crosville EFM 181H next when we got back. Back at Hanley Matthew got a picture inside Bassetts SUX 476X.

Inside Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X

EFM 181H pulled in and we went to get on it. The driver said he was going out of service even though he was due off in 6 minutes! At the same time PMT 604 was running as a duplicate service and that pulled in and so we got on. The bus set of and EFM 181H pulled into Hanley bus station at roughly the same time. We thought we could get off 604 by stoke station and catch the crosville single decker back to Hanley. We set off around Hanley and we went down Stoke Road before turning into Station Road. We got off and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

PMT 604 by Stoke station

We only had to wait a minute of so before EFM 181H made it's appearance and we got on it. The ride back was via Leek Road and Lichfield Street, and when we got back he got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Crosvile EFM 181H

We got back and we saw the bus T was about to work the 13:35 to Adderley Green. There was no t in the programme so didn't know what it was going to be. Devon General 537 pulled onto stand and we decided to do this. It turned out that this bus was T. Matthew got picture of it and we went upstairs.

Devon General 537 in Hanley bus station

We set off down Limekiln bank and headed on Dividy Road. We wondered if we would do another spin around the depot, but the answers was no. We went to the roundabout on Anchor Road and turned around. We did pause briefly outside the depot before returning back along Dividy Road to the bottom of Limekiln Bank. The driver opted not to do the steep climb into Hanley and instead went along Leek Road to Joiners Square and then travelled up Lichfield Street. When we got back we managed to get back in time for the next shuttle to Twigg Street which was due out 5 minutes before we should have gotten back. As it was another interesting double decker we decided to do it. Not before Matthew coolly took a picture of the inside of Devon General 537.

Inside Devon General 537

We jumped on the Joseph Wood double decker EVD 406 and we sat down upstairs. It was a front engine half cab bus and the conductor rang the bell before we set off. The bus was quite slow compared to some of the others we had travelled on and very noisy, the gears seamed to be quite hard work. The bus went to Twiggs Street and stopped briefly. Whilst there CRU 103C made an appearance on an unscheduled journey. We set of back expecting EVD 406 not to tackle Limekiln bank but we were surpried and delighted in equal measures when it did. By the time the bus had reached the first summit over the canal the bus was moving at walking pace! The bus managed to get to over 20mph on the flat before attempting the longer climb. it slowed gradually by the tie we reached the footbridge we were down to walking pace again. and we stopped on the level for the traffic lights. We got back just in time to transfer over to single decker GJW 43N on a Burslem service.

Midland Fox GJW 43N in Hanley bus station

We sat down on this fine vehicle with its high back coach style seats. The run up to Burslem was swift. We went along Waterloo Road and this tie we paused on Market Street. We returned back to Waterloo road via Woodbank Street. When we got back there was a booked dead time at hanley for the Arriva Midland Streetlite 3999. We got back a little early and Matthew to a picture of the inside of GJW 43N before we got off.

Inside GJW 43N

The Streetlite along with Wardle Transport 4546 were going the 15:00 up to Burslem. These buses seemed way more powerful than some of the old vehicle and we made it to Burslem in less than 10 minutes. We had a quick photo stop Place before retuning to Hanley.

Arriva Midlands 3999 in Burslem

We had a booked dead time at Hanley for the last shuttle to stoke station. We made it back with 12 minutes to spare. It was enough time for Matthew to use the before the bus was due. For some reason I ha it in mind that the 15:30 was being worked by GFM 104X. It was on stand but there was no-one onboard at 15:30. I checked the book again and realised it was meant to be PMT 677. A quick look around and we saw it was still parked up in the parking area. A few minutes late, 677 pulled onto a stand. The event was winding down and this was one of the last departures. We did it to the station and called mum to arrange to be picked up. Matthew got a picture of 677 outside stoke station.

PMT 677 by Stoke station

Whilst we waited for mum, we saw First potteries 41492 headed towards Hanley on a #23A and First Potteries 32639 appeared on a Keele service.

First Potteries 32639 by Stoke station

Mum appeared and we got in the car. We drove along leek road and then up Wheildon Road dropping off uncle Dave as we went. We went up to Heron Cross. Lightning visitor WX06 VSA was being worked on in the Lightning house and then to Blurton and home. Matthew had some pizza but he didn't enjoy it because there were onion and peppers in it so we did him some chicken popcorn and fries. After a bath he chilled out on his computer before bedtime...Mark

Trip to St Helens 21-01-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
7559	St Helens BS	Eccleston, adj Knowles House Avenue	35	Arriva NW&W
677	Eccleston, adj Millwood Avenue	St Helens BS	35	Arriva NW&W
2102	St Helens BS	Burnage Avenue, Four Acre Lane	32	Arriva NW&W
2702	Burnage Avenue, Four Acre Lane	St Helens BS	33	Arriva NW&W

Matthew has been away for a few days in respite and we didn't plan a trip this weekend. Having given Matthew a choice of places for today, Matthew chose St Helens We have never been before so we did not have much time to do research. Research consisted of a quick look up of directions for St Helens (just off the M6), and a quick look on the Merseytravel website. We saw that there was a travel office and it was open on Saturdays so we knew we could buy Saveaway tickets and get timetables. We set of around 11:30 today on a sunny but very old and windy day. We traveled out via The incinerator at Sideway and we also picked up LPG at Longport. Setting off North, we joined the M6 and traveled up to the A580. We decided to stop at Haydock on the way in and stop a chip shop. Using an App on her phone, mum located the chip shop as we traveled in. The Crisp E Cod in Haydock is situated just of the A580, and also on the bus route for the #20/#320 too. We had Small Fish and Peas twice and Chips, Sausage and Gravy twice. Along with 3 cans of pop it came to around £11. We sat and ate the chips in the car and watched the buses go past. There was a variety of buses including Scanias, pulsars and Volvo B10's. The fish was very nice and so were the peas! After eating we carried on into St Helens along the A58, parking up in the car park near the bus station around 13:10. When we got into town we purchase some Saveaway tickets, picked up a few timetables and then had a quick toilet stop. whilst passing the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 1049. We then headed into the bus station and we saw 7559 & 7564 a Dart on a #35 services We decided to do 7559 to Gillars Green. We booked to the end and when we reached there a short time later, Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus. We had passed 7559 on the way up too...

Inside Arriva NW&W 7559 at Gillars Green

We got off and Matthew got a picture of the outside too..

7559 at Gillars Green

As we had caught the #35 we had an approximate wait of 20 minutes. We had decided that if was something good we would go to St Helens Junction station, else we would get off back at the bus station. If Required, the next bus was going to be Matthew's 100th recorded Arriva NW&W bus, so we were hoping it was going to be something good. It turned out to be a Solo.. 677!

100! Arriva NW&W 677 at Gillars Green

I had tried to get Mathew to do a Peter Couch style celebration, but he wasn't interested :-). Anyway, we decided to go back just as far as St Helens bus station. On the way we passed 7571. When we arrived Matthew got another picture.

677 in St Helens Bus Station

At this point we were looking for something else to do. We knew 7571 was coming in Shortly. I went to get a St Helens bus map which I forgot to pick up before and Matthew took some more pictures. When I came out we saw 7650 arrive back in town.

7650 in St Helens Bus Station

We then saw 7571 arrive on a St Helens Junction bound service.

7571 in St Helens Bus Station

We were about to catch 7571 when Matthew spotted a wrinkly (original) Dart on a 32 to Clockface. We walked over to the bus and seeing it was required 2102 we got on. After asking the driver about the frequency, we booked to Clockface as there was a bus at least every 20 minutes depending on where we got off. After a short journey we appeared to passed the end point as the driver changed the blind. so we got off. Matthew took a picture of the rear step as we got off, also showing the blue Smartie seat moquette.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2102 at Clockface

As we got off Matthew got a picture of the outside.

2102 on Burnage Avenue

Consulting the bus stop timetable there didn't seem to be a #32 return from here. There was however a 10 minute frequency #33 back to town. We had a few minute so we crossed the road to look at the other stop. This stop had no information so we weren't sire if it was in use. Back at the original stop after a short while required Volvo B10 2702 appeared.

2702 on Burnage Avenue

We did this bus back which seemed to take a similar route back into town as the #32. We immediate passed a reverse #33 which was a Scania. The bus emptied out as we entered town bus as it is a through service somebody got on. As we got off Matthew took a picture of the inside of the nearly empty bus,

Inside 2702

He then got a picture of the outside of 2702 in the bus station.

2702 in St Helens Bus Station

We also saw Arriva NW&W Dennis Dart 2274. No trip to St Helens would be complete without a picture of one of their Scanias. 1061 was seen on a #34 as we got off in the bus station

1061 in St Helens Bus Station

It was now around 15:40 and it was very cold and windy. We headed back to the car taking pictures as we went. There were sausage rolls waiting for us of course! We set of around 15:45 and just caught the last minute of the First half of the Stoke game on the Radio. Back onto the A580, we were on the M6 in no time. We saw coach MIB 246 on the M6. We got off the M6 at junction 15 and headed South down the A500, passing near The Britannia Stadium we listened as Stoke came back into the game, and then lost in the dying seconds to West Brom. We stopped in Blurton for lottery tickets and pop and we got home just before 17:00...Mark