Trip to Burnley 22-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2758	Burnley BS	Clayton-le-Moors, by Hare and Hounds	152	Transdev Lancashire United
1831	Clayton-le-Moors, opp Hare and Hounds	Great Harwood, by Pendle Road	7	Transdev Lancashire United
1830	Great Harwood, opp Pendle Road	Clayton-le-Moors, by Hare and Hounds	6	Transdev Lancashire United
2757	Clayton-le-Moors, by Hare and Hounds	Burnley BS	152	Transdev Lancashire United
1861	Burnley BS	Nelson Interchange	29	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1862	Nelson Interchnage	Colne, o/s Bradford and Bingley	25	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1062	Colne BS	Burnley BS	21	Transdev Burnley & Pendle

Today we decided to go to Burnley. We only made the decision late on Friday due to the fact that the weather was changeable and we were trying to decided which direction would be best to travel. The weather was to be showery all over the North West and of the place we give Matthew to go to we chose Burnley. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off at just after 11:30 traveling through Blurton. After a quick stop we carried on through Blurton to Heron Cross. We joined the West bound A50 and then got onto the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton New Road so we could get some LPG. After filling up we headed onto the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. As we got on the Northbound M6 we saw The Kings Ferry tri-axle coach YR52 VFE. We carried on North up through the roadworks at Thelwall viaduct and onto the the Eastbound M62. We then went clockwise on the M60 and then onto the Northbound M66. We carried on North onto the A56 and then onto the Eastbound M65. A few miles along the M65 at Junction 10 we left the M65 to do the last few miles into town before parking on the car park opposite Tesco. We walked through town to the Atlantis cafe adjacent to the bus station. On the way we saw Starship liveried Transdev Burley & Pendle Dart 709 on the #1 to the Stoops Estate.

'Starship' 709 in Burnley

Also seen on the way into the cafe was new First West Yorkshire bus 69587 on the #589 to Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 69587 in Burnley

Matthew visited the toilet at the top of the stairs and then had dinner. For dinner he had a English breakfast washed down with a beaker of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the outside of the bus station to take some pictures. There weren'tt many buses in the bus station at this time, and his best picture from this session was Starship liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle Versa 286.

'Starship' 286 in Burnley bus station

We walked around and back into the bus station and there were a few buses about to leave the bus station. 'Mainline' liveried bus 1871 was about to do the #21 to Trawden. Next to this was 'Mainline' 1871 on the #28 to Skipton. As we were considering which of these buses to do Required Transdev Lancashire United double decker 2758 arrived on a #152 to Preston.

Lancashire United 2758 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus and booked Silver Day tickets at £6 each. We then went upstairs and sat down. We decided to do the bus to Clayton-le-Moors. I decided to do this because if we missed the #152 coming the other way then at least we didn't have to wait 30 minutes for a return bus. We could do a #6 or #7 Hyndburn circular. There were people sat front and back so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats beside us.

Inside Lancashire United 2758

After a few minutes the bus set of through town and off towards Padiham over the M65. We crossed the bridge at Padiham and went into the town centre for the first time. It is a reasonably sized town, but not big enough for mum to go shopping in though! We carried on West through Altham and through an industrial estate before climbing up the hill towards Clayton-le-Moors. As we got to the crossroads at Clayton-le-Moors we saw the #152 service coming the other way! Drat... We got off and Matthew got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 2758 as it carried on towards Preston.

Lancashire United 2758 in Clayton-le-Moors

As we had missed the #152 back to Burnley,we walked across the road to the stop on the Great Harwood road. There was a Transdev bus due in 5 minutes, so perhaps there would be a move that worked out. In the distance we could see a Pilkington Bus Olympian we we knew would be dud as we have been on both of their G reg vehicles. As it got closer we saw it was Pilkington Bus G301 UYK.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Clayton-le-Moors

At roughly the same time we saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1827 going towards Accrington.

Lancashire United 1827 in Clayton-le-Moors

That confirmed that we should be able to do a bus up towards Great Harwood and back and still get on the #152 to Burnley. The bus turned up and it was dud Transdev Lancashire United 1831. This is a bus that we had last done back in December 2013 up to Knuzden. We did the bus through the centre of Clayton-le-Moors and into the Hyndburn valley. We climbed the hill up the other side and we decided to get off before we passed the other bus. A we were getting off the bus we saw required Pilkington Bus J622 GCR on the #20 Hyndburn circular service. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1831.

Lancashire United 1831 in Great Harwood

We crossed the road and we only had to wait a couple of minutes before the bus appeared. It rounded the corner in the distance and as we closer we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1830.

Lancashire United 1830 in Great Harwood

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty but there were people front and back. As we were traveling down to Clayton-le-Moors Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite us.

Inside Lancashire United 1830

We carried on into Clayton-le-Moors and we got off and Matthew got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1830.

Lancashire United 1830 in Clayton-le-Moors

We went around the corner to the stop and we must have missed the bus by less than a minute. It was 15:15 and the bus was due at 15:14. We asked Matthew if he wanted to catch a bus towards Accrington and he said no. We now had to wait for best pasrt of 30 minuyes for the next #152 to Burnley. Whilst we were there we saw Pilkington Bus X374 NNO go past the end of the road on a Hyndburn circular. The bus stop we were at had a real time display but it appeared not to be working. Matthew had a milky Way and stood just outside the bus stop in the rain. The bus turned up a couple of minutes before it was due and it was required Transdev Lancashire United 2757.

Lancashire United 2757 in Clayton-le-Moors

We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off through Altham and into the industrial estate. If we ever do the #152 out of Burnley again we will do it to the industrial estate unless we want to change direction. It had now stopped raining and the sun had come out. We carried on through Padiham and over the bridge before going through Whitegate and crossing over the M65. We went through town and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and then Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 2757.

Inside Lancashire United 2757

Matthew went to the toilet and then we had a walk around the bus station. The best picture we took in this session was of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2778 on the X43.

Burnley & Pendle 2778 in Burnley bus station

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834 arrived into the bus station running out of service and parked up in the layover area. We walked back into the bus station. and we saw First West Yorkshire 69582 on one of their services. There were a couple of buses in the bus station about to work. Required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1071 was on the #29 to Barnoldswick. Required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1073 was on the #27 to Clitheroe. We decided to go towards nelson and we had a choice of 2 buses. Required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1861 was on a #29 to Barnoldswick and Pennine Dart D11 was on the #215 to Skipton. Matthew chose to do 1861

'Mainline' 1861 in Burnley bus station

We waited for the driver to arrived and then we got on the bus. As the bus was nearly empty he took a picture as we got on the bus.

Inside 'Mainline' 1861

The bus set off out of town North along the A682 towards Reedley and Brierfield. The bus carried on and went into Nelson Interchange. Matthew got a picture of 'Mainline' 1861 before it carried on North.

'Mainline' 1861 in Nelson Interchange

Matthew visited the toilet and then we had a walk around the interchange taking pictures. The best picture that we took was of 'Starship' liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 260.

'Starship' 260 in Nelson Interchange

Dud Transdev Burnley & Pendle arrived in the bus station on the X43 from Manchester. We walk back into the bus station expecting to go to the shop only to find that it had closed. We then saw required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1862 on a #21 to Laneshawbridge so we decided to do that.

'Mainline' 1862 in Nelson Interchange

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus set off North out of Nelson on the A56 after a short run we arrived in Colne. As we got off Matthew took another picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1862.

'Mainline' 1862 in Colne

Matthew decided he waned to go to the toilet again. The market was closed and the toilets in the bus station were closed for maintenance. We saw required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1857 heading back to Burnley but Matthew was still concerned about going to the toilet even though he had been less than 30 minutes ago. We had to let 1857 go, but we had to persuade Matthew that the best thing to do would be to go back to Burnley as quick as we could to use the toilets there. Whilst we were waiting Matthew had a Milky way and a bottle of dandelion & burdock. Eight minutes later required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1062 appeared on a #21 service.

'Mainline' 1062 in Colne bus station

We got on the bus and as the bus was empty Matthew took his picture straight away.

Inside 'Mainline' 1062

The bus set off South onto the A56 and through town. When we got to Nelson Interchange we saw Holmeswood Dart S9 BOS on the #95 service. We left the interchange and we passed required Pennine Dart D6 going towards Skipton. We carried on south down the A682 through Brierfield and Reedley and then bus came into town. It must have been it's last run off the as the bus emptied out on the outside of the bus station.

'Mainline' 1062 in Burnley

Matthew tried to visit the newsagent but it had just shut. He visited the toilet and then we walked back to the car. We set off out of town along Trafalgar Street and onto the Westbound M65 at junction 10. We decided to go back along the M65 going back as opposed to the A56 route back. We headed West to the M6 and then we headed South. The matrix sign were showing delays between junction 17-16 so we were considering diverting off the motorway if we had to. We carried on South through the roadworks at Thelwall and by the time we reached junction 17 the problem had cleared up. We got onto the Southbound A500 and we went down to the A50 to Longton. At the Z Carz depot there were 3 vehicles. The first vehicle was Z Carz coach CNZ 3828.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

This was followed by Z Carz coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The final bus bus was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and then went back onto the A50. We then headed through Heron Cross and into Blurton and onto A5035. We got home at 19:45. For tea Matthew bangers and mash with carrots followed by cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Burnley / Colne 15-02-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1867	Burnley BS	Whitegate, by Cowley Crescent	22	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1053	Whitegate, by Whitegate	Burnley BS	27	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
2761	Burnley BS	Whitegate, by Cowley Crescent	152	Transdev Lancashire United
1868	Whitegate, by Whitegate	Burnley BS	22	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
2771	Burnley BS	Nelson Interchange	X43	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
D5	Nelson Interchange	Colne BS	215	Pennine
1066	Colne BS	Burnley BS	25	Transdev Burnley & Pendle

Today we decided to revisit Burnley. We had been checking the weather for today, and it was looking like the weather was going to be better North or North West of us. So we gave Matthew a few choices of destinations in this direction and he chose Burnley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we headed onto the A5035, before heading Northwards on Stanley Matthews Way. We headed North on the A500 and we came off at Shelton New Road to get LPG. After filling up we headed West on the A53 and we got back onto the A500. We headed up to the M6 and we carried on North. It was raining as we headed through Cheshire as we expected it to be. We headed north and then onto to the Eastbound M62. We carried on Eastwards on the M60 before joining the M66. We headed North to the end of the motorway and we headed onto the A682 and through Rawtenstall and into Burnley. After we had parked up we headed over to the Atlantis Cafe on Croft Street. As we crossed the street we saw required First West Yorkshire 41317 about to work the #517 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41317 in Burnley

When we got to the cafe Matthew went to the toilet before having a breakfast wash down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum before crossing the road to the bus station. We decided to have a walk around the outside of the bus station to see what was around. On layover between rail replacement duties was Howards coach HOW 3R.

Howards HOW 3R in Burnley bus station

We carried on around and we saw a Pennine bus in the bus station for the first time. It was required Pennine D18 on the #215 service to Skipton.

Pennine D5 in Burnley bus station

We saw Lancashire United 2752 on the #152 to preston. On the #589 to Rochdale was new and required First West Yorkshire 69583.

First West Yorkshire 69583 in Burnley bus station

We carried on around the bus station and then we went inside. We decided to catch a bus towards Padiham. We decided to do required Mainline liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1867 on the #22 service.

'Mainline' 1867 in Burnley bus station

We got on and booked our Silver day tickets before sitting down near the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town and it was quite well filled. the bus left town on the A671 and we crossed over the M65. We decided to get off at the turning circle like we did last time we visited Burnley. As we approached the are Matthew took a picture of the empty back seat.

Inside 'Mainline' 1867

We got up and got off the bus, and Matthew got another picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1867 as it went off into the distance.

'Mainline' 1867 in Whitegate

The rain had all but stopped now. We crossed the road to wait for an inbound service. We were only there for a couple of minutes so there wasn't time for anybody to try and convert us to Jehovah's Witnesses! The bus rounded the corner and then we could see it was required Mainline liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1053.

'Mainline' 1053 in Whitegate

We got on and booked to Nelson. We sat down near the back and we set off into town and back over the the M65. When we got back to Burnley we decided to get off and wait for the next double decker on the Witch Way. As we waited Lancashire United 2761 came in on the #152 from Preston.

Lancashire United 2761 in Burnley bus station

So we decided to wait for this bus and go back out to Whitegate. When the bus was ready for service we got on the bus and we went upstairs. It was almost empty so Matthew decided to get a picture inside Lancashire United 2761 too.

Inside Lancashire United 2761

So we headed out of town again and back over the M65. We thought we might make the inbound #152 at Whitegate, but a couple of stops before we reached there we passed required Lancashire United 2757. We got up and got off at the same point as we did on the last trip out. We crossed the road and we didn't have long to wait for a return service. It rounded the corner and it was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1868.

'Mainline' 1868 in Whitegate

We got on and booked to Burnley. This time we decided to get off and when we reached town and the bus emptied out, Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1868.

Inside 'Mainline' 1868

As we had a few minutes before the next X43 towards Nelson we decided to have another lap around the outside of the bus station taking pictures. we saw required Starship liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 259 on a #2 to Worsthorpe.

'Starship' 259 in Burnley bus station

We then saw required 'Rosso' 232 on the #483 to Bury.

'Rosso' 232 in Burnley bus station

As we walked around to the entrance of the bus station we saw dud Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1043 on the #23 from Accrington.

'Mainline' 1043 in Burnley

Parked up on Red Lion Street were a couple of Tyrer Bus Optare Solos. One of the Solo's was MX08 DGU.

Tyrer MX08 DGU in Burnley

By the time we got back into the bus station and Matthew had visited the toilet the X43 to Nelson was due. It came on stand and we could see that it was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2771.

Burnley & Pendle 2771 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. There were a few people on the bus as we set off out of town towards Brierfield. The bus carried on through to Nelson where the service terminated. As we got off the bus Matthew took a picture inside the now empty bus.

Inside Burnley & Pendle 2771

We decided to have a short run on the Pennine service #215 so Matthew could ride on a new operator. The bus was due at 16:40. This gave us enough time to go to the shop and buy some chocolate, buy a cake and a can of Coke. He then visited the toilet. He ate the cake which was washed down with a bottle of Coke he had in the bag. Just before the bus was due we managed to get a picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1861 on the #21 service to Trawden.

'Mainline' 1861 in Nelson interchange

A minute or so later required Pennine Dart D5 appeared on the #215 to Skipton.

Pennine D5 in Nelson interchange

We got on the bus and booked Adult singles to Colne which were £2.20 each. The bus was nearly empty, but all the passengers were spaced out in the bus. So as we approached Colne with a few passenger less on the bus he took a picture of the seats behind him.

Inside Pennine D5

We got to the end of Market Street and we got off after the bus driver had directed us to the bus station . for the return service. Matthew then got another picture of pennine D5 as it headed East.

Pennine D5 in Colne

We crossed over the road and headed down to Craddock Road where the Westbound buses departed from. Here we found a 3 stop bus station. We only had 5 minute to wait for a return bus and it was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1066 on a #25 service.

'Mainline' 1066 in Colne bus station

The bus was empty as we got on it so he took his picture straight away.

Inside 'Mainline' 1066

We sat down near the back of the bus and the bus set off down the A56 to Nelson. After we called at the interchange the bus carried on Southwards through Brierfield and into Burnley. It was now dark so headed back to the car via the papershop in the bus station. Mum had brought us sausage rolls and Matthew washed it down with a large can of Irn Bru. We headed out of Burnley along the A682 and over the moors past Clowbridge reservoir and down to Rawtenstall. We then went south on the M66 before heading West on the M60. We carried on West onto the M62 and then we joined the Southbound M6. We did the A500 down to the A50 before coming off the A50 at Longton to check out Z Carz. At the depot tonight were 3 coaches an LDV minibus. First we saw Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was former Ausden Clark coach CNZ 3828.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

Next the that was Blackwood coaches liveried B12 FWS.

Z Carz B12 FWS in Longton

Airport transfer minibus DL03 HHU was hiding at the back of the ground behind LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and we were surprised to see Mercedes minibus S952 VMY parked up there.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we headed back to Heron Cross. We headed through Blurton and we got home around 17:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by ice cream. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark