Trip to Wigan / Westhoughton 13-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
19523	Wigan BS	Golborne, before Church Street/Manor Street	600	Stagecoach Manchester
2978	Golborne, before Church Street/Manor Street	Wigan BS‎	360	Arriva NW&W
30918	Wigan BS	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Town Hall (Stop F)	715	Rotala Diamond
27233	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop E)	Wigan BS	540	Stagecoach Manchester
SN56 AXB	Wigan BS	nr Downall Green Road/Bryn Cross, Ashton-in-Makerfield	375	Wigan Buses
19339	after Wigan Road/Bryn Cross, Ashton-in-Makerfield‎	Wigan BS	600	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. A check of the weather revealed the weather was slightly better to the North. We gave Matthew a list of destination from the North and from the list he chose Wigan. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and strawberry juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we drove onto the Westbound A5035 passing First Potteries 41522 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and then West on the A50. We went North on the A500 and we passed preserved Midland Red 227 & Redline coach 16 RED coming the other way. We joined the M6 at Junction 16 and we went North. As we traveled North we saw Keith's coaches minicoach YN11 AYF and Ian Jarvis Setra coach IIL 4595.

Ian Jarvis IIL 4595 the on M6

We continued North up the M6 and we came off at Junction 25 on the A49. We ran the last few miles into town and there was traffic as there often is. Going up the A49 into town we saw Stagecoach Manchester 19525 on the #600, Stagecoach Manchester 36785 on the #631 and Stagecoach Manchester 27208 on the #621 Kitt Green circular. We also saw Arriva NW&W 4578 on the #375 to Southport. We parked up on Crawford Street. It was dinner time so we walked up to Hallgate and to the Mr Chip chip shop cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and when he had used the facilities he had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked down to the bus station. One of the first things we saw was dud Stagecoach Manchester 22361 on a #598 to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 22361 in Wigan bus station

As we walked into the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 2692 on a #360 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2692 in Wigan bus station

On one of the centre stands we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 10031 which looked like it was about to work a #32 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10031 in Wigan bus station

Whilst we were considering what bus to do next we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 19523 on a #600 to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 19523 in Wigan bus station

I asked Matthew which of the buses he wanted to do and he chose to do Stagecoach Manchester 19523. We got on the bus and we booked System One bus only day tickets at £5.20 each. We went upstairs and sat down. As the bus in front of us was empty Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 19523.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19523

The bus set off out of the bus station and down Dorning Street and onto King Street West. We turned right past the rail stations and South down the A49 past Wigan Pier. We ran through the Marus Bridge area. After Taybarn's we continued South down the A49 into Bryn. We turned right into Old Road and then we ran into Ashton-in-Makerfield. We turned left onto Bolton Road and after around 1/2 a mile we turned right onto Golborne Road. We turned right into Edge Green Lane and we zigged down to the Southern end of Golborne along Bank Street and Heath Street. In Golborne we turned left onto the High Street and we stopped in town before going over the railway line. Before the bus turned into Lowton Road we got up and got off the bus. The bus conti ued North to the junction and we check the bus stop mantdmat on nextbuses.mobi to see when the next bus was due. We decided to catch the more direct bus, the #360 which was due at 14:46. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw a coupe of buses going the other way. We saw Arriva NW&W 2985 on a #360 to Warrington and Stagecoach Manchester 27281 on a #600 to Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 27821 in Golborne

A few minutes later we saw required required Arriva NW&W 2978 on the #360 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2978 in Golborne

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the A573 and we went fast through rural Greater Manchester along side the west coast main line and up into Abram. Further North we came into Platt Bridge and we ran the last two miles or so into Wigan up Warrington Road. We joined Darlington Street and went into the town centre up King Street. We crossed Wallgate and we continued onto King Street West. We turned right into Dorning Street and we entered the bus station. After the bus had emptied out Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2978 before we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2978

Once off the bus bus we had a think about what to do next. We didn't have to think for too long as we saw required Rotala 30918 on a #715 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 30918 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus behind us was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 30918.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30918

We set off out of the bus station onto New Market Street where we saw Rotala Diamond 20000 on an inbound #638 service. We headed out of town along Mesnes Street and Compton Street and we crossed the A49 on to the A573. As we turned left onto Scholes we saw Wish Travel minibus W15 HTL. At the end of Scholes we continues onto Whelley (what is it with the single names for roads?), and we climbed the hill out of town through New Springs. When we got to the village of Aspull we turned left into Holly Road. We went into town from the North traveling down St David's Crescent and Haigh Road. After passing through the centre of the village we went Eastwards along Bolton Road and onto Diconson Lane. At the end of the lane we turned right onto Chorley Road. We turned right onto Church Street and we went past Westhoughton railway station. We turned left into Market Street and as we approached the Co-operative Food store we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30918 as it carried on towards Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 30918 in Westhoughton

We went into the Co-operative Food store and Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of orange as well as pack of Curly Wurlies. We paid for the stuff and we walked down the street towards the toilet. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W Solo 667 on the #715 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 667 in Westhoughton

We tried to us the toilet but there was an old lady in there who had not locked the door. I'm not sure if the woman was living in there or she was just removing the security tags of her 'shopping'. We decided to abandon the toilet and cross over and catch a bus back to Wigan. On the way we spied Star 401 minibus Y591 ANV in the car park behind The Wheatsheaf.

Star 401 Y591 ANV in Westhoughton

Once we crossed the road we checked out the bus stop timetable and there was a #715 to Wigan due. As we waited for the bus we saw a Stagecoach bus approaching. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this of wait for the #715. He wanted to do the Stagecoach bus. As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Manchester 27233.

Stagecoach Manchester 27233 in Westhoughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Market Street and we turned left and forwards onto the A58. We headed down to Daisy Hill railway station via Southfield Drive and Washacre. We went towards the Northern End of Hindley Green via Hindley Road and Swan Lane and then we headed through the housing estate and int Hindley via Lancaster Road and Market Street. Once on the A577 we ran the 3 or so miles from Hindley to the edge of Wigan. We crossed the A49 and we entered Wigan town centre along King Street, King Street West and Dorning Street. Once in the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 27233.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 27233

Once off the bus we headed up to the top corner of the bus station so that Matthew could use the toilet. After using the facilities we had a look around the bus station to see what we could catch. At the South Eastern end of the bus station we saw required Stagecoach Lancashire 47337 about to work a #113 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47337 in Wigan bus station

We also saw Wigan Buses Solo YN04 XYY on a #613 New spring circular.

Wigan Buses YN04 XYY in Wigan bus station

After a walk around the bus station we saw Wigan Buses SN56 AXB on a #607 to Ashton Heath.

Wigan Buses SN56 AXB in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus so we legged it up to stand B. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Dorning Street. We turned left into King Street West and then tight onto the A49. We went past the railway station and we went down to Wigan Pier and we turned off the A49 onto Swan Meadow Road. We continued down to Poolstock and we turned right at St Judes Church onto St Pauls Avenue. We then rejoined the A49 at Marus Bridge. We continued South down the A49 into Bryn and we went around the housing estate at Land gate to the East of the main road. After rejoining the A49 We turned right onto Soughers Lane. The bus emptied and Matthew took a picture inside Wigan Buses Dart SN56 AXB.

Inside Wigan Buses SN56 AXB

The bus headed back towards the A49 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Wigan Buses SN56 AXB as it carried on towards Ashton Heath.

Wigan Buses SN56 AXB in Bryn

We walked around the corner to the stop on the A49 and we checked the bus stop timetable to see when the next bus was due. There was a #600 due in 10 minutes time at 17:25. Whilst we waited Matthew had a curly Wirly from out of the trip bag. A few minutes later the bus made an appearance and it was dud Stagecoach Manchester 19339.

Stagecoach Manchester 19339 in Bryn

We got on the bus and we flashed the system One bus only day ticket to the driver for the last time today before we went upstairs. We sat down and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 19339 as the bus behind us was empty.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19339

The bus set off up the A49 and we traveled though Marus Bridge and up into town. The journey up was around 4/5 miles and we went past Wigan Pier, the two railway stations where the police were waiting for the Oldham fans to return home on the train after their match against Wigan. We turned left onto King Street West and then right onto Dorning Street before entering the bus station. As we went around onto the stand we saw Rotala 30916 about to work a #132 to Tyldesley. We got of the bus and we had a walk around to take a few more picture before we went back to the car. We saw Rotala 20729 on the #715 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 20729 in Wigan bus station

As we left the bus station down the steps onto hallgate, we saw Wigan Coachways 402 on layover outside the bus station.

Wigan Coachways 402 in Wigan

We walked over to the car, which mum had now moved onto Hallgate. When Matthew got in the car he had a Greggs sausage roll and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of town onto Dorning Street and left onto Frog Lane. To get back to the A49 is quite tricky... We crossed under the West coast main line and we turned left into Prescot Street. We went under the Southport line and we turned left into Miry Lane and under the Kirby Line. To get back onto the Southbound A49 you enter the northbound road off herbert Street / Haig Street and then go around Wigan Pier. Once on the Southbound A49 we went South a few miles to Marus Bridge where we stopped at a Shell petrol station to take on some Diesel. At the roundabout we turned right and we took the link road down to the M6. We traveled South down the M6, and we saw LMT Travel minibus R14 LMT. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500 which we did down to Sideway. We took the Eastbound A50 up to Longton and we came off to check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the middle of the front row was Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

At the front of the first row was Z Carz MV53 KKD.

Z Carz MV53 KKD in Longton

In the second row was Z carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Visible at the back was another Ford minibus, Z Carz LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. Outside the compound on Willow Row itself was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Inside the compound was Z Carz silver minibus HK57 LFV.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we drove up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton onto Church Road. After turning right into Beaconsfield Drive we passed required First Potteries 67633 on the last Longton bound #22 of the day. We got home a little after 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had roast beef with Yorkshire puddings, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Wigan / Bryn (Last day of First) 01-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34028	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	621	First Manchester
3024	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	352	Arriva NW&W
34262	Wigan BS	Lockett Road, Bryn	610	First Manchester
34262	Lockett Road, Bryn	Wigan BS	610	First Manchester
4101	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	385	Arriva NW&W
40065	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester
60149	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	621	First Manchester
60403	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester

Today was a trip to Wigan. It was decided last Sunday it was going to be Wigan with it being the last day of Frst operation from their Bryn depot. From the 2nd of December all services run from this depot will be run by Stagecoach Manchester. I had been ill for a couple of days but I knew we had to take him out today. We checked the weather and it was for cold and clear weather barely reaching 4' C. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Despite trying to set of early we didn't actually leave the house until gone 12:00. Luckily progress today was quite fast and we got to Wigan just after 13:15. We got a good parking space near Hallgate. Today mum suggested a different cafe so trouped past the bus station to a little cafe in a courtyard called not unsurprisingly 'Courtyard cafe'. We sat down and Matthew had a breakfast and me and Uncle Dave had Bacon and sausage barms respectively. As we ate Matthew spotted a dessert menu and insisted we stopped for after. Matthew had a Chocolate fudge cake with custard. Eventually he finished it and we paid and left the cafe. The plan was to keep going as much as possible and when we spotted a double decker on the #621 it was a no brainer! We trotted down to the stop and jumped on a got our system one tickets. It was dud 34028, a bus that we haven't been on since March 2012 when it was allocated to Bury. We sat upstairs and Matthew got his customary empty bus shot.

Inside First Manchester 34028

After a minute or so off we went. We headed out past the railway station and down past Wigan Pier. We then took the new Saddle relief Road down to the big roundabout near B&Q. We headed up the Ormskirk Road and when we reached the top of the hill near Aldi we decided to get off. When we got off Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

First Manchester 34028 in Pemberton

Directly behind us was dud Arriva NW&W 4103 on #385 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Pemberton

We crossed the road and waited at the stop opposite. The First bus to turn up was required Arriva NW&W 3024 on a #352 service.

Arriva NW&W 3024 in Pemberton

We got on and sat down. Directly behind us was an Optare Excel #628. It overtook us on the run down Ormskirk Road and it was dud First Manchester 60160. When we got to Wigan bus station the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3024

As we had seen a double decker on the #610 we decided to do one of these doan to Bryn so we could have a look in the depot to look at some of the Stagecoach buses that have been reported as being in the depot. We had planned on catching the 15:00 service but we missed this bus as we walked up and it was First Manchester Dart. So we had 20 minutes to wait for the next bus. as we walked down to the bottom to take some picture we saw Arriva NW&W 2454 on a #360 service.

Arriva NW&W 2454 in Wigan bus station

As we took a few picture one of the drivers noticed Matthew and asked if he wanted a First tie as they wouldn't needed anymore. I said no as Matthew already has one given to him by another driver about a month earlier! First Manchester 34291 made an appearance on a #631 circular.

First Manchester 34291 in Wigan bus station

We then walked up to stand B because I though 34291 was going to work the next #610. It turned out that I had my turns mixed up and the next #610 was worked by First Manchester 34262.

First Manchester 34262 in Wigan bus station

After taking a picture we ran around to get on the bus. We hadn't travelled on this double decker since February 2011. We sat upstairs and then Matthew got a picture of the inside of top deck.

Inside First Manchester 34262

We settled down for the journey down to Bryn. It took around 25 minutes through the estate, and when we got there we saw a row of Brand new Eniro 200's and some older ALX300's ready for service from Sunday. We turned around and headed back North through Bryn village and up to Wigan. By the time we got back it was just gone 16:10. Required Arriva NW&W 4101 was in and Matthew wanted to do so we crossed over the stand and jumped on it. We sat upstairs and did the bus up the hill to Pemberton again. When we got off the bus stopped at the lights and Matthew got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 4101 in Pemberton

We crossed over the road and waited fo a bus back again. By now it had just about gone dark. We turned down a Arriva Pulsar on the #395 and eventually a bus rounded the corner on a #628. It was required First Manchester 40065 and the first of this type we had been on.

First Manchester 40065 in Pemberton

We got on and sat down at the back. The seats over the rear axle are sideways on these buses. The ride was a little shaky and any sudden movements from the bus had us sliding down the seats a little! The were very few passengers on this turn and when we got back and the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 40065

We decided we could have time for on quick out and back if we caught something straight away. Matthew wanted to get on one of the Wigan Buses hybrids, but this was on a #638 and was heading out towards Standish so we had to turn it down for today. There was a #621 in so we decided to do it. It was an excel but unfortunately it was dud First Manchester 60149. We did it to the top of the road at Pemberton again and he got a picture of this beast.

First Manchester 60149 in Pemberton

We then crossed the road again for one last time. It was 17:13 and there was 1 #628 due at 17:19. It didn't show up. We let 3 different Arriva Pulsars go on #385, #352 and #395 receptively before a #628. It was required First Manchester 60403.

First Manchester 60403 in Pemberton

We got on a sat down near the back. I had hoped it was going to be a required Excel or Dart, but you can't have everything. This was the First of these b10's we had been on and they are quite nice buses for their age. It made a funny whining noises as it went through the gears which was different to anything we had been on. When it emptied out Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside First Manchester 60403

When we got off Matthew got a picture of the bus standing still and in better light than in Pemberton.

First Manchester 60403 in Wigan bus station

It was now around 17:50 so we visited the toilets and then headed back to the car. We would usually walk around Hallgate and past Uncle Joe to see if there were any parked buses but we were all so cold we headed straight back to the car. we drove around the circuit and there were only 3 buses. There was a Strawberry Dart, First Manchester 60390 and 40394. Matthew opted to stay in the car and eay his sausage roll rather than get pictures! We then drove home via frog Lane and across under the railway line to Wigan Pier. We then went around the Pier before trying out the new Saddle relief road for ourselves. The road does seem to make a big difference. We then headed South down the A49 to the M6. Traffic was flowing well and we got to the A500 just before 19:00. We then headed down the A500 to sideway before heading east on the A50. we were all cold and hungry so we went along Stanley Matthew Way before reaching home around 19:15. We sorted out out pictures and then had sausages and mash for a late tea. Matthew didn't each much as I think he is coming down with a cold after today's chilly trip. He then had some computer time before bed...Mark

Trip to Wigan 29-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34291	Wigan BS	Beech Hill, nr Off License Shaftesbury Street/Beech Hill Avenue	625	First Manchester
34291	Beech Hill, nr Off License Shaftesbury Street/Beech Hill Avenue	Wigan BS	625	First Manchester
31923	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	628	First Manchester
60160	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester
40394	Wigan BS	Lockett Road, Bryn	610	First Manchester
40394	Lockett Road, Bryn	Rose Hill, Wigan Road/Eddleston Street (N-bound)	610	First Manchester
60147	Rose Hill, Wigan Road/Eddleston Street (N-bound)	Wigan BS	610	First Manchester

Today we had planned on going on a fairly local trip, but Matthew had some unexpected news and we thought we would cheer him up with a longer trip on Friday we decided to go to Leigh. We checked the weather for Saturday the night before and the weather for the North West was for cloudy and sunny intervals. Mathew got up around 10:30 and had some breakfast. As we got ready to go out we asked Matthew if he was sure he wanted to go to Leigh or did he want to go to Wigan. Mum had thought that if we went to Leigh we would probably end up in Wigan anyhow as we often do! So Matthew now chose Wigan. We made sure that we had the Wigan South map in the bag as well as all th other stuff we tend to take with us. We set off around 12:00 and we called into the LPG place in Etruria to pick up some LPG. We headed North up the A500 and then onto the Northbound M6. Traffic was quite heavy going, and we averaged around 50 mph until we reached the A556 junction and then we able to go a little faster. As we came up the A49 into town we passed 34291 on a #610 Bryn circular service. We got into Wigan around 13:30 and we parked up on street close to the bus station. We went to the cafe on Hallgate that we went into on our first visit to Wigan. Matthew had a breakfast, mum had soup and some chips to share with everybody, I had a bacon barm and Uncle Dave had a sausage barm. With 3 drinks the food came to just over £13. After diner we walked across to the bus station and Matthew used the facilities. As we came out we spotted an old double decker on stand and so we went over to investigate. It was 34291 again but it wasn't on the correct stand for Bryn. Matthew got a picture of this beast before we walked over to see where it was going.

First 34291 about to work the #625

We asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We had already looked up to see if we had been on this bus before and we had. closer inspection of the Blog revealed that we had done it to Prestwich from Bury back in March. It was doing a 625 to Beech Hill. We got on and got our system one tickets before going upstairs on this bus. The top deck was empty and so Matthew was able to get a picture of this bus straight away.

Inside the top deck of First 34291

We had never been on this service before so we looked at the timetable to see how long it took and how frequent the service was. It was a service that took only 20 minutes to do a complete circle and ran a t a 20 minute frequency. We set off in a North Westerly direction. It didn't take long to get to the Beech Hill area, nd before we knew it we were on our way back into town. I asked Matthew if the bus was doing the #610 next did he want to do it again and he said yes. When we pulled into the bus station it looked like 34291 was going to do something different from the #610. We also noticed a Dennis Arrow on the Kitts Hill stand. We got off 34291 and pretty puch walked straight onto the other double decker. It was 31923. I looked it up on his buses I have travelled on page and we saw it was required. When we got on the top deck it was empty again and Matthew got a picture of this bus.

Inside the top deck of First 31923

We settled down to enjoy the journey. It was now quite sunny and at the front of a poorly ventilated Arrow it was warm! As we have been on this service before we asked Matthew if he wanted to do it to Pemberton where we could get off and then catch one of a number of services back into Wigan. after a journey of about 25 minutes we rounded the corner onto the main road and then we got off. Matthew didn't get his camera out quickly enough to take a picture of this bus. The was a #385 due i a few minutes which is what we thought we would be on. However, the First Manchester Excel 60160was on the following #628 and when it turned up Matthew decided he would like to do this bus.

First Manchester 60160 in Pemberton

We got on the bus and looked it up. It was required! This is no big surprise as we had only been on 2 before. After around 15 minutes on the bus we arrived back in the bus station. The bus emptied, there wasn't many people on the bus anyway, and then Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside First Manchester 60160

At this point we didn't have a plan, and so we had a bit of a photographic break at the west end of the bus station. One such bus was Bolton allocated 2623 on a #362 to Chorley.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Wigan bus station

This was followed by St Helen allocated 2712 on a #320 St Helens service.

Arriva NW&W 2712 in Wigan bus station

We saw a Dart arrive on a '#610 service. as we had only previously been on one of the Wigan Darts we knew there was a good chance that it would be required. It was First Manchester 40394 and it was required. We decided to do this down to the depot and then back out so that we could do a different bus back. It is quite a long journey, and we set off through the South end of Wigan heading towards Bryn. The journey was fairly uneventful, and by the time we got to the A49/M6 junction there was only ourselves and bus drivers left on the bus. In the depot we were surprised to see large number of new Enviro 400 bus waiting to start in service with First Manchester. One such bus that I can remember was 33743. There was also a few withdrawn buses to be seen such as 30586,40338,40339,34028 and 34262. We then headed off Northwards and we decided to get of just north of Bryn so that we could have a choice of buses back to Wigan. As we headed north we were the only people on the buses with the exception of a driver at the front. Matthew got a picture of the empty bus behind us as we went to get off.

Inside First Manchester 40394

We got off and it was now just after 16:10. There was a 600 due and then a #610 at 16:30. We saw required 60147 heading Southwards on a #610 so we decided to wait for this bus instead of catching the busy #600. When the #600 turned up it was 66925 so it was nothing exciting! After around another 10 minutes which were quite busy with southbound #600's and empty First and Strawberry buses, 60147 reappeared as expected.

First Manchester 60147 on Rose Hill, Bryn

We did the bus back and we had another uneventful journey. The bus was quite loud and was a little diesely, but that's what makes these Excels good buses for enthusiasts if not the travelling public. When we got Wigan, Matthew got his empty bus picture. We really like this orange and red squared Moquette!

Inside First Manchester 60147

We then headed back to the car whilst taking a few pictures. I managed to get a picture of 31923 which we had been on earlier.

First Manchester 31923 in Wigan bus station (Mark)

We then walked down the steps to Hallgate and then Richmond Street and onto Dorning street. Between duties was Arriva NW&W 2998 which was going to work a #362 Chorley service.

Arriva NW&W 2998 on Dorning Street

We carried on around the corner on Dorning Street and we saw a few more buses go past. One such bus was Wigan Buses SF55 GXL.

Wigan Buses SF55 GXL on Dorning Street

We got back into the car and then set off home. As we were about to go we saw Arriva 7621 on a #360 service. Which must be new to Bolton as we had not seen this before. We then headed out of wigan and under the railway bridge. We rejoined the Northbound A49 near Wigan Pier and then went around it to head back South. We then headed out of town and then onto the M6 South. Back in Staffordshire we headed down the A500 and onto the A50. We went passed Z Carz where we saw the usual coaches and T408 JUX which we hadn't seen for a while. It has a '408' service sticker in the front window. We decided to go past Longton bus station and we were surprised to see East Yorkshire Coaches DC54 EYC in there. We then headed home and we got home around 18:30. After having sausage potatoes and carrots for we tea we settled down for the evening before bedtime...Mark