Trip to The Burnley Big Bus Bash 23-07-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1775	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Ribble
81	Burnley BS	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Special	GM Buses
66	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Burnley & Pendle
8	Burnley BS	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Special	Blackburn Transport
8	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Blackburn Transport

Today we decided to go to the The Burnley Big Bus Bash bus rally in Burnley. It was an event run by Transdev to promote the new buses being introduced on the Mainline services Padiham & Colne and other point beyond. We checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with the chance of some rain. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:00 and we ran onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews way and we got onto the Westbound A50. We ran North up the A500 into Stoke and we ran into the town centre. We ran around the one-way system and we parked up on South Wolfe Street. We decided that we should have dinner first so we could go straight to the bus depot. We walked around the corner onto Church Street and we ate at the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked around the corner to the car and we set off around the one-way system onto Church Street. We turned right onto Shelton old Road and at the bottom we turned left onto the Northbound A500. We ran up to the M6 and we got onto the Northbound M6. We ran North for around 30 miles up to junction 21A and we then went Eastwards along the M62. We got onto the M60 and we continued clockwise around the North of Manchester. We joined the Northbound M66 and we ran past Bury and we continued North onto the A56. We passed nearby Accrington and we then got onto the Eastbound M65. We ran past Burnley and we came into town from the North end as we came off the M65 at junction 12. We went Eastwards along the A682 link road and then at the next roundabout we went South down the A682. We ran through Brierfield and when we got to Ruskin Street. We did a cicrle of the depot whilst we looked for somewhere to park and we ended getting back onto the A682 and turned left onto Ruskin Road. We stopped the car to get out and we said goodbye to mum who was off to do some shopping whilst we went to the bus depot. We walked back to the front side of the depot and we saw one of the new buses pull up outside the depot. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 261 on a M1 service to Colne.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 261 in Burnley

We managed to find out by asking around that buses were operating between the depot and the bus station approximately every 20 minutes. We waited at the stop outside and a few minutes and a couple of buses appeared. First we saw Ribble double decker 1775. We also saw Blackburn Transport double decker 8.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

The buses both parked up in the depot, so we decided to have a walk around the depot. There was only one way in and out of the depot through the main shed. This was kept empty with a few exceptions as to allow vehicles to come and go into the main part of the depot which was an open courtyard. There were a couple of other small sheds off this courtyard where thing like the bus wash was located. In the first shed 1543 was running up and down one side where you could pay to have a short drive off the bus. Also in this shed was Burnley & Pendle 66.

Burnley & Pendle 66 in Burnley

We walked out into the main courtyard in which most of the buses were being displayed. In the yards we saw Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner double decker 3635.

Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner 3635 in Burnley

There seemed to be quite a few different buses from around the different Transdev garages. Representing Intack depot was Transdev Lancashire United Versa 233.

Transdev Lancashire United 233 in Burnley

There were also quite a few different preserved buses on display. In the yard was Ribble single decker 135 in early Stagecoach livery.

Ribble 135 in Burnley

With the other preserved buses was Pennine Leylad national LN19.

Pennine LN19 in Burnley

Back out the depot was one of the new buses for which the launch bus rally had been arranged. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 249.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 249 in Burnley

We decided it was time to go out and ride on a bus or two. Whilst we waited we took a few more pictures. In the main repair shops was Transdev Burnley & Pendle double decker 2002.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2002 in Burnley

A few minutes later Ribble double decker 1775 appeared after returning from the bus station. Whilst the bus was emptying out we stood in the reservation in the middle of the road to get a picture of Ribble 1775.

Ribble 1775 in Burnley

The bus emptied out and started to load up again. We got on the bus and we went upstairs. A few minutes later we set off Northwards up the A682. At the next big junction we turned right onto Casterton Avenue and we ran Eastwards to the Burnley Lane part of town. We turned right onto Briercliffe Road and we ran Southwards towards town. We joined the A682 by the church and Duke of York pub and we continued towards town. We crossed over the canal and we ran past Morrisons before turning right into Yorkshire Street. We turned left into Croft Street and we stopped at the end at the drop off stop and the bus unloaded. Once off the bus we walked into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. We let Ribble 1775 go in the hope of getting something different back to the depot. This paid off as a few minutes later we saw GM Buses coach 81 stop outside on Croft Street. A few minutes later it cam into the bus station and Matthew got a picture of GM Buses 81.

GM Buses 81 in Burnley bus station

We got on the coach and we sat down towards the rear. Whilst we were waiting for the coach to depart we saw First West Yorkshire 69581 on a #592 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 69581 in Burnley bus station

A few minutes later we set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto the A682 and we ran out of town. We went up the hill past Morrisons and over the canal. We past the Duke of York and we continued up the A682 and we saw ABC coach PO16 HSA. A few hundred yard up the road we pulled into the stop outside the depot. There was a low ceiling above Matthew's seat where the ducting for the ventilation was, and Matthew stood up quickly and banged his head! We let the coach empty out and matthew took a picture inside GM Buses 81.

Inside GM Buses 81

We had another quick look around the depot whilst we waited for a different bus to work. Burnley & Pendle 66 had started up so we asked someone on board if it was going to work. They said it was doing a single one-way trip, after they had been through the yard and packed up their stall in the courtyard. I asked when they were leaving and they said in around 10 minutes! We decided to take a few more pictures whilst we waited for the bus to depart. In the main maintenance shops was Transdev Burnley & Pendle Versa 269.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 269 in Burnley

On the charity driver training run was the aforementioned Transdev Burnley & Pendle T543.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle T543 in Burnley

We went outside to wait for the single decker to depart towards Burnley. Whilst we waited we saw Blackburn Transport 8 parked up outside the garage.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

A few minutes later Burnley & Pendle 66 pulled out of the garage and stopped by the entrance of the depot. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the garage and onto the A682 and we ran Southwards into town. In town we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned right onto Croft Street and we stopped at the set down stop outside the bus station. We crossed the road to get a better view and Matthew took another picture of Burnley & Pendle 66 before it returned to to the bus depot.

Burnley & Pendle 66 in Burnley

We were hopefully going to get a bus a back to the depot. Matthew went to the shop and brought some chocolate and a can of Coke. We went back into the bus station and we sat and waited for another bus to appear. A few minutes later required Blackburn Transport 8 appeared on a return service to the depot.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley bus station

whilst we waited to board the bus we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 244 on an adjacent stand.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 244 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus bus and we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackburn Transport 8 before we sat down.

Inside Blackburn Transport 8

A few minutes later we set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto the A682 and we ran out of town. We went up the hill past Morrisons and over the canal. We past the Duke of York and we continued up the A682 and we saw ABC coach PO16 HSA. A few hundred yard up the road we pulled into the stop outside the depot. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Blackburn Transport 8.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

It was now 16:00 and we had heard that Blackburn Transport 8 was going to do one last trip towards town, so we got straight back onto the bus and went upstairs and sat down. The bus set of along A682 heading Northwards towards Nelson. We turned right onto Casterton Avenue and we went Eastwards. Instead of turning right onto Briercliffe Road, we continued Eastwards along Eastern Avenue. After quite a long run we turned left onto Ormerod Road. At the roundabout went straight onto Ridge Avenue. At the end of the road we turned right onto Brunshaw Road. We ran down the steep part of the hill and we ran past Turf Moor. We ran under the railway line and at the roundabout we went straight onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto Croft Street and we got up and got off the bus. We had arranged to meet mum in the car park opposite to the bus station, we went around the outside of the bus station to take a few more pictures. We saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 605 on a #1 to Burnley.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 605 in Burnley bus station

We continued around the outside of the bus station and we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle Dart 720 on layover.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 720 in Burnley bus station

We also saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 245 on a M4 service.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 245 in Burnley bus station

We walked back into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we crossed over Red Lion Street and we walked into the car park. In the car parked we saw Max Private Hire minibus YD61 AXZ.

Max Private Hire YD61 AXZ in Burnley

We got into the car an we set off out of town along Parker Lane and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We turned left onto Manchester Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto Trafalgar Street. We saw B&N Coaches A7 BXN. We ran onto Westway and we ran Westwards out of town onto the M65. We ran Westwards for a couple of junctions and then we turned left onto the Southbound M66. We ran South and forwards onto the M66 and at the end we joined the anti-clockwise M60 and we saw Kirby Lonsdale coach hire SP04 HRL. We ran around North Manchester and we saw Lets Travel FX51 BVG ahead of us.

Lets Travel FX51 BVG on the M60

We joined the M62 and we ran Westwards to the M6. We ran Southwards through the roadworks and then at junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500. We ran down to Stoke and we came off and ran into Fenton to Drop uncle Dave off at home. Once we had dropped uncle Dave off we ran up to Heron Cross and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. We chilled out on the sofa and we sort out the pictures from today and put them online. We also wrote some of the weeks Blog entries. For a late tea we had a fish finger sandwich followed by chocolate cake. Later on Matthew had a bath and then chilled out on the computer until around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Lichfield / Burton upon Trent 15-04-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53	Lichfield BS	Burton upon Trent, Adj High Street	X12	Midland Classic
31	Burton upon Trent, New Street (Stand 6)	Winshill, St Marks Church	3	Midland Classic
114	Winshill, Bladon Street	Burton upon Trent, New Street (Stand 4)	3	Midland Classic
8	Burton upon Trent, New Street (Stand 2)	Horninglow, Horninglow Road North	2	Midland Classic
8	Horninglow, Horninglow Road North	Burton upon Trent, New Street (Stand 8)	2	Midland Classic
57	Burton upon Trent, New Street (Stand 3)	Uttoxeter BS	401	Midland Classic

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. We had checked the weather for today and it was for mainly dry sunny weather with some showers, with more chance of rain in the North West. We were also trying to avoid the bank holiday weekend traffic. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from North West and Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Lichfield. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we ran through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and left again onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop something off and also for Matthew to have an Easter Egg off mum's friend... Whilst we were stopped we saw First Potteries 67159 on a #23A to Newstead. We then continued on our way back up Blurton Road and right onto Church Road. At the ens we turned right onto the A5035. As we ran towards Trentham we caught up with First Potteries 53208 on a #22 to Newcastle. We also saw First Potteries 42554 on a #21A to Hanley. At the roundabout we turned left onto the Southbound A34. As we travelled down towards Stone we saw First Potteries 65037 on a #101 to Hanley. We continued South just to the West of Stone and then we went Eastwards along the A51. The road through Colwich and past Rugeley was unusually quiet and we didn't see a single bus coming the other way. I was beginning to think that maybe there was a Sunday service in these here parts... We continued into town and we followed the A51 Southwards and then left onto Birmingham Road. We stopped in the car park at the rear of the chip shop and we picked up dinner. Whilst in the chip shop we saw Middleton's coach YJ06 LGC going towards Tamworth and also Arriva Midlands 2368 on a #60 to Cannock. Once we go the food we carried on along Birmingham road and we parked at the car park at the rear of the bus station whilst we ate our food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy with a bap. Once we had finished eat we said goodbye to mum and we went to the toilet. Whilst at that end of the bus station we saw required Midland Classic 5 on a #821 Lichfield town service.

Midland Classic 5 in Lichfield bus station

We decided to have a wander around before we caught something. We saw Midland Classic 83 on a X12 to Burton upon Trent.

Midland Classic 83 in Lichfield bus station

We had seen a coach parked up at the other end of the bus station when we arrived. Closer inspection revealed it to be National Holiday coach NH13 BWH.

National Holidays NH13 BWH in Lichfield bus station

We decided sit for a while at the western end of the bus station whilst we decided which buses to do next. We saw required Central Buses Solo 151 arrive on what was to form the next #35B to Walsall. We decided to go for a bit of a wander back to the other end of the bus station and we saw required Arriva Midlands 2745.

Arriva Midlands 2745 in Lichfield bus station

We sat up by the stop for the #35B as we think Matthew was eying up doing the Solo towards Walsall. Whilst there we saw required Midland Classic 3 on a #822 Lichfield town circular service.

Midland Classic 3 in Lichfield bus station

The time was coming close to departure for Central Buses 151. Just when we thought we might be doing that Midland Classic double decker 53 appeared on the X12 service to Burton upon Trent.

Midland Classic 53 in Lichfield bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw dud Arriva Midlands 2372 on a #60 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2372 in Lichfield bus station

People started to board the X12 so we queued up to get on the bus. Once on the bus we purchased a daysaver plus ticket at £4.90 before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off onto Birmingham Road and we continued North-Eastwards up the A5127 out of town. We past over the railway line near to Lichfield Trent valley station and we continued a bit further before joining onto the A38. We then had a very spirited run Northwards up the A38. We cams off the A38 just South of Burton onto the A5121 and then we turned right onto the B5018 and we ran through Branston into the centre of Burton. We turned left onto the A5189 and then right onto Uxbridge Street. We turned right onto New Street and we got up to get off the bus. We left the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Midland Classic 53.

Inside Midland Classic 53

Once we got off the bus we walked up New street towards the market hall so that Matthew could use the toilet. At the side of the Octagon Shopping Centre we saw Midland Classic 58 running out of service.

Midland Classic 58 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed over the High Street and we walked through the shopping arcade towards the Market. In the square to the left there appeared to be some kind of event going on, and there was also a bouncy castle. We went into the market and Matthew used the toilet before we returned onto the High Street. On the High Street we saw Arriva Midlands 3768 about to work a X38 service to Derby.

Arriva Midlands 3768 in Burton upon Trent

We returned onto new Street and as we got there we saw dud Midland Classic double decker 42 about to work a #19 service to Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Midland Classic 42 in Burton upon Trent

Down the other end of New Street we could see another bus on stand. When we got closer we saw that it was required Midland Classic Solo 31 about to work a #3 service to Winshill.

Midland Classic 31 in Burton upon Trent

We decided to do this bus on the proviso that Matthew behaved himself and didn't try to honk the horn! We got on the bus and we flashed the Daysaver Plus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back if the bus. We set off up New Street and we turned left onto High Street. We ran onto the one way system and we joined the Eastbound A511. After we crossed the River Trent We turned left onto Newton Road and almost immediately onto bearwood Hill Road. We ran uo the hill through Winshill and we turned right onto Hawfield Lane. We turned right onto Vancouver Drive and at the end we turned right onto Melbourne Avenue. At the roundabout we turned left onto Empire Road.At the end we turned left and re-joined Hawfield Lane. At the end of Hawfield Lane we turned left onto Church Hill Street and we spotted the C-operative food store that we had seen on the way to the estate, so we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once we had got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 31 before it returned to Burton where this bus was finishing.

Midland Classic 31 in Winshill

Once we got off the we wandered down the road to the Co-operative Food store to stock up on supplies. In the shop Matthew picked up a couple of small toffee cheesecakes and a chocolate bars as well as a can of Coke and an orange Calypo. Once we had paid for the stuff we walked down Hawfield Lane to the stop we could catch the return service. We worked out that we weren't at the loop end so crossed back over to the first stop we looked at and Matthew ate his orange Calypo. We saw the bus heading into the estate and it was Midland Classic 114. A few minutes later after it had been around the loop it appeared from round the corner and Matthew took a photo of Midland Classic 114 on the #3 to Horninglow.

Midland Classic 114 in Winshill

We got on the bus and we flashed the Daysave plus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Hawfield Lane and we turned left onto Church Hill Street. We ran down the hill and we turned left onto Newton Road before we turned right onto the A511. We crossed over the River Trent and then we turned left onto the High Street.We ran into town and we turned right into New Street. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Midland Classic 114 before we got off the bus.

Inside Midland Classic 114

Once we got off the bus we had a look around to see what we could do. New Street was empty when we got there, but we saw a couple of buses on layover around the corner at the side of the Octagon Shopping Centre. At the front of the queue was required Midland Classic 32 and behind that was dud Midland Classic 55.

Midland Classic 55 in Burton upon Trent

We walked back around the corner and there seemed to be a bit of a gap in some of the services at this time. There was a #2 at 16:07 which we thought would be a good option. Staying on the bus should in theory get us back 5 minutes before the next X12 to Lichfield. Across the road we saw Midland Classic 106 on a #3 to Winshill.

Midland Classic 106 in Burton upon Trent

A few minutes before the bus was due Matthew wanted to go around the corner to see another bus on layover. Closer inspection revealed it was Arriva Midlands 3800 on a #29 to Coalville

Arriva Midlands 3800 in Burton upon Trent

We came back around the corner to see required Midland Classic 8 arrive on the #2 to Horninglow.

Midland Classic 8 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Daysave Plus ticket to the driver before we sat down. We set off down New Street and we turned right into Union Street. There was a bit of a delay and the bus started to lose time. We turned left onto Station Street and we went past the railway station before we got onto the one-way system. We turned right onto Waterloo Street and we continued forwards onto the other half of Waterloo Street beyond the one-way system. At the end we continued onto Victoria Crescent and at the end of the road we turned left onto the A511. We ran under the A38 and we turned right onto Harper Avenue. The bus stopped and I flashed the ticket again to the driver for the return journey. We turned left onto St John's Road and right onto St Luke's Road At the end we turned left onto St Mary's drive and then we turned left onto Rolleston Road. At the end we re-joined the A511 and we ran back towards town. We dipped under the A38 and over the canal and we turned right into Victoria crescent. We went straight across onto Waterloo Street and then we turned left onto the one-way system. We joined the A5121 before turning left to go past the railway station. Further up Station Street we turned left onto Union Street. We then turned left onto New Street. In theory we had two minutes to spare and we should have just got off the bus and crossed the road... However, the stand where we should have stopped already had two buses there so we went straight past to the next stop. By the time we got back the X12 was just pulling off. Next to it was Trent Barton single decker 659 on one of The Villager services to Derby.

Trent Barton 659 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed the road whilst we considered what to do next. There wasn't a bus towards Lichfield for over an hour, and it would be gone 18:00 by the time we got back to the car. Just as we thought about what else we could do we saw required Midland Classic 57 on a #401 service to Uttoxeter.

Midland Classic 57 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Daysaver Plus ticket to the driver for what turned out to be the last time today before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Midland Classic 57.

Inside Midland Classic 57

We set off along New Street an we turned right into Union Street. We worked out we could get to Tutbury for another bus back, or we could do as we decided to do and called mum to get her to meet us at Uttoxeter. Mum agreed to pick us so we continued to the end. We turned left onto Station Street and we ran onto the one-way system. Like we had done before we ran up Waterloo Street to the end, but on this service we turned left onto Dallow Street. We ran under the A38 and up to the hospital. We turned at the turning circle on the end of Belvedere Road and then we turn left onto Calais Road. We ran to the end and we turned left onto the A511. We ran past the pub at beam Hill and we ran at high speed for a couple of miles to the edge of Tutbury. We turned left onto Burton Road and we ran down into the centre of Tutbury. At the main junction we turned left onto Ludgate Street and we ran through the housing estate onto Belmont Road. We turned left onto Redhill Lane and ran past Tutbury Castle before we returned onto Duke Street and turned left onto the High Street where we passed dud Midland Classic 111 on the #401 to Burton upon Trent. We ran down the High Street on Bridge Street and we re-joined the A511 for the run into Hatton. We crossed over the railway line and we ran through Hatton village. At the end of the road by The Salt Box Cafe we followed the road to the left and we ran down for another couple of miles to the A50. We ran fast down to the next roundabout until we turned left onto the A515 and then right into Sudbury. We ran through Sudbury and past the stops where we used to swap over when we did the #1 for the X50 back in the day! We then ran past the village of Doveridge before we re-joined the A50. We ran down to the A518 roundabout and we continued to the retail park. We ran past the stop outside Tesco and up to the roundabout by the railway station. We did a u-turn and we went past a new Waitrose supermarket before running back into town up Bridge Street and Church Street. We turned left onto the A522 and we entered Uttoxeter bus station. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 57 before it returned empty back to Burton.

Midland Classic 57 in Uttoxeter bus station

Once we got off the bus we spotted Midland Classic 88 on the return #401 service to Burton.

Midland Classic 88 in Uttoxeter bus station

We walked through the bus station and we walked around the corner to the car park where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of the car park onto Church Street and we turned left onto the A522. As we passed the bus station we saw Trent Barton 737 on a Swift service to Derby. We followed the road out of Uttoxeter and we passed minibus DX07 OAV. We joined the A50 and we ran West passing Swiftsure YN14 PLV & Acklams E14 ACK. We came off the A50 and we went to Z Carz to see what buses were parked up at the depot this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen was Z Carz minibus Ford minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

Closest vehicle in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus MJ03 DPU from the airport division.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the second row was Z Carz LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned left into Willow row to see what was parked up in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We also saw Z Carz ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We turned around and we also saw Z Carz minibus BN03 OVS which is currently off the road. We rejoined the A50 and we ran West to Heron Cross where came of the A50 and onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a toffee cheesecake. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.