Trip to Accrington 01-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N195 LFV	Accrington BS	West End, opp Percy Street	46	M&M Coaches
MC53 MMC	West End, by Percy Street	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
N201 UHH	Accrington BS	Laneside, by Haywood Road	19	M&M Coaches
1304	Accrington, o/s Victoria Hospital	Accrington, opp Lister Street	7	Transdev Lancashire United
N379 PNY	Accrington, by Lister Street	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
1828	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Towngate	7	Transdev Lancashire United
1306	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street	Accrington BS	6	Transdev Lancashire United
573	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Rhyddings Street	6A	Transdev Lancashire United
205	Oswaldtwistle, opp Rhyddings Street	Accrington BS	7A	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to pay another visit to Accrington. I gave him a list of places to go of which first choice this week was Sale so he could do a few Finglands buses before they left the First Manchester fleet, but Matthew chose Accrington. We did no research for today other than to check local football fixtures and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for a cool day with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11;40 today, going onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews way. We saw 2 unidentifed Barkerbus coaches on the car park near the Britannia Stadium before going around the roundabout behind Optare bodied Commandery Coaches YX54 BHD. We went West on the A50 and then North on the A500 up to Shelton New Road so that we could take on LPG. After gassing up went West on the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. We turned onto the Northbound M6 and traffic was moving quite well. In Cheshire we passed two Copeland's Tours coaches heading South. First we saw MIB 236 followed by MIB 229 a few minutes later. It was the first time we had seen MIB 229 on the road since arriving at Copeland's Tours. We carried on North up through the roadworks on Thelwall Viaduct and then onto the Eastbound M62. We took the clockwise M60 and just after the M61 junction we passed Stagecarriage S467 GUB. We carried on until we reached the M66 which we did North up to the A56. When we reached the A680 we turned right towards Accrington and drove the last few miles into town. We parked up on the car park near the railway station and we walked into town. On the way we stopped to take a few pictures. We saw Pilkington Bus R846 VEC on the #20 Hyndburn circular service.

Pilkington Bus R846 VEC in Accrington bus station

We also saw required M&M Coaches N201 UHH on the #2 service and required M&M Coaches MC53 MMC on the #46 to Blackburn. After using the toilet we crossed over the road to the bus stop cafe on Peel Street. Matthew had breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. Whilst we ate we also saw required M&M Coaches N379 PNY on the #1 Oswaldtwistle - Clayton-le-Moors circular service. Three out of Three required buses seen with only one left to view. hen we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and headed off to the bus stops. As we needed MC53 MMC we decided to check out the final M&M Coaches bus on the #46 which we could do up to the West end for MC53 MMC back. Whilst we waited we saw Transdev Lancashire United 401 on the X41 to Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 401 in Accrington bus station

We also saw required Transdev Lancashire United 205 on the #7A to Blackburn. We didn't have to wait long before required M&M Coaches N195 LFV appeared on the #46 to Blackburn. Four out of Four bus out today required!

M&M Coaches N195 LFV in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and booked a return to the West End. The bus was almost empty when we got on and Matthew was able to get a picture inside the bus straight away.

Inside M&M Coaches N195 LFV

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. As we got on the bus we saw dud but interesting Pilkington BUs G306 UYN on an #20A Hyndburn circular service. We set of out of town and onto Blackburn Road. We passed Transdev Lancashire United Optare Tempo 1307 on a #7 service and we turned to the right and continue on Blackburn Road. When we reached the West end of town we got off N195 LFV and it climbed the hill into the distance towards Blackburn. We crossed over the road and we didn't have to wait for long before we saw MC53 MMC appear over the horizon. As the bus approaches Matthew got a picture of this fine Mercedes minibus.

M&M Coaches MC53 MMC on Blackburn Road

We got on and flashed our return tickets and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus had really nice high backed coach seat fitted throughout. We headed back down the hill and we veered right at the junction to head into town. When we got back to Accrington Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside of M&M Coaches MC53 MMC.

Inside M&M Coaches MC53 MMC

We decided to take a few pictures whilst we waited for N201 UHH to make another appearance. On the X41 to Blacburn was Transdev Lancashire United 440.

Transdev Lancashire United 440 in Accrington bus station

Whilst we had the chance we also took another picture of M&M Coaches MC53 MMC whilst it was stationary.

M&M Coaches MC53 MMC in Accrington bus station

We then saw required Pilkington Bus X591 USC on a clockwise hyndburn circular. We visited the toilet and M&M Coaches N379 PNY appeared on the Clayton-le-Moors bound #1.

M&M Coaches N379 PNY in Accrington bus station

We turned it down for now, as we were going to try and do it up to Oswaldtwistle a bit later. There was quite a bit of activity in bus station at this time. Pilkington Bus X374 NNO was on an anticlockwise Hyndburn Circular and Rossendale Easyride 206 was on the #464 to Rochdale.

Rossendale 206 in Accrington bus station

'Rosso' branded 100 was photographed on the #484 to Bury.

Rossendale 100 in Accrington bus station

We had a quick drink of Cherryade and then we walked around to the stop to wait for the #9 Laneside circular. A few minutes before departure time, required M&M Coaches N201 UHH made an appearance as predicted with our driver friend at the wheel.

M&M Coaches N201 UHH in Bridge Street

We worked out which direction the bus was going in, and booked a single up to the hospital. The plan was now to do this to the Hospital for a Transdev bus back, and then do N379 PNY up to Oswaldtwistle. The bus set off out of town and as we headed up Whalley Road towards the hospital we passed M&M Coaches N379 PNY going the other way... Drat! A couple of minutes later and we would have been on it. The bus turned the corner into Queens Road and we got off. We walked back around the corner and stood at the stop by the hospital to wait for a bus back. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a required bus approaching. We knew it was required because we had never been on a Transdev Optare Tempo. As it got closer we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1304.

Transdev Lancashire United 1304 on Whalley Road

We got on we booked local day tickets before we sat down near the back. We decided to do this bus through to Oswaldtwistle to try and head off N379 PNY. We headed back down Whalley Road and into town along Abbey Street. We waited in Accrington for a few minutes and then we set off along Blackburn Road. Time was getting on and we didn't know when the bus was due back the other way. A family got on the bus and they were messing about getting on the bus and sorting money and tickets. We decided to cut our losses and get off at the next stop to make sure we didn't miss our final required M&M Coaches bus of the day. We got off crossed the road.A quick look at the bus stop revealed we had around 5 minutes to wait so we could have gone a little further. Pretty much bang on time the final required M&M Coaches bus of the day made it's appearance on the #1 service.

M&M Coaches N379 PNY on Blackburn Road

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus went back into town along Blackburn Road and we turned into Peel Street at the end of our journey. Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside M&M Coaches N379 PNY.

Inside M&M Coaches N379 PNY

We decided to go to the papershop and get some food in. Matthew brought a bottle or Irn Bru and some chocolate and a Millionaire Shortbread. We sat on the seats outside the shop an Matthew ate the shortbread. We decided we would use the Transdev day ticket to go after Transdev Lancashire United 205. It is a bus we have seen about and one that used to be a Park and Ride bus in Norwich many years ago. At this point I had forgotten it was on the it was on the 7A. I had also forgotten that the #7A and #6A only run on the Oswaldtwistle side of the run. After going to the toilet Transdev Lancashire United 1828 was on the #7 circular service.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Accrington bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. A check of the Blog revealed that this bus was dud! We had been on this bus back from Knuzden back in December 2013. We decided to do this to Great Harwood in the hope of getting Transdev Lancashire United 205 back! The bus set off up Whalley Road and into Clayton-le-Moors. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture in the bus facing forwards.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1828

We turned into Harwood New Road and then we turned into Park Road and Queen Street. When we reached the familiar Towngate area of town we got off the bus and got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Great Harwood

When we got off we didn't have to wait for long before required Transdev Lancashire United 1306 appeared. I was going to turn it down to wait for 205 to turn up. I would have been waiting for a long time... Matthew insisted on doing the bus and he was right...

Transdev Lancashire United 1306 in Great Harwood

We got on and unusually Matthew wanted to sit on the seat behind the driver. We set off back passed Tesco and out of town before turning right towards Clayton-le-Moors. When we got back we we saw Mercedes minibus V53 EWB parked up. We decided to wait for either a #7 or #7A towards Oswaldtwistle. Going in the other direction towards Great Harwood was required Transdev Lancashire United 1827.

Transdev Lancashire United 1827 in Accrington

Required Transdev Lancashire United 573 made an appearance on the #7A so we decided to do this in the hope of heading off 205. Whilst the bus was loading we crossed over the road so that we could get a good picture of 573.

Transdev Lancashire United 573 in Accrington bus station

The bus had filled up and we sat down near the back. The bus set off out of town along the Blackburn Road. About a mile out of town we took the left turn into Market Street. We headed through Oswaldtwistle and we passed Transdev Lancashire United Optare Versa 258 on an inbound #7A. At least that one was out of the way... As we traveled through Oswaldtwistle Matthew took a picture of an empty seat on this bus.

A seat on Transdev Lancashire United 573

We decided to get off near the monument, and we crossed over the road to wait for the bus back. The next bus back was a #7A so perhaps if we were lucky it would be 205. A few minutes later the bus was due and we could see it sweep down into the valley. Unbelievably it just happened to be the bus we were hoping for Transdev Lancashire United 205.

Transdev Lancashire United 205 in Oswaldtwistle

We got on and we sat down near the back. The bus passed through Oswaldtwistle and back onto Blackburn Road. The inside of this bus was unusual with its blue seats and grey handrails. When we got back to Accrington Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside this bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 205

Matthew wanted the toilet and the public toilet on Peel Street had closed for the day. So we took him into a pub called The Calder on Blackburn Road. After he had used the toilet he insisted on going to the bar for a drink. He had a bottle of Coke which he took back to the car. In the car he had his sausage roll and we set off out of town. We went around the time on the A680 and headed down to the A56. We continued onto the M66 and then onto the anti-clockwise M60. The matrix sign were flashing for delays on the M60 between junction 13-10. I knew junction 10 was beyond where we needed but I wasn't sure if 13 was back towards the M62. It turned out that it was and we were stuck in traffic for a short while. Whilst there we saw South Lancs Travel 71 on a #300 service. We joined the M62 and the traffic problems eased as we headed West to the M6. It was now fully dark and w went south to the A500. On the A500 we passed Z Carz CN57 HWA. We went down to the A50 which we did to Longton so that we could check out the Z carz depot. At first we could only see 3 vehicles parked up but Z Carz D104 XAN was maneuvering back into the row. First in the row was Z Carz M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to this was now Z Carz D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

This was followed by Mercedes minibus used on school bus work S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Finally was Z Carz M372 NWN another bus used on school work.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to look in the compound where we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. There we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT and the current bus being refurbished YN04 CUY. We got back home around 19:10. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Accrington 21-09-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
707	Accrington BS	Accrington, opp Victoria Hospital	231	Transdev Lancashire United
X374 NNO	Accrington, opp Victoria Hospital	Great Harwood, by Towngate	20A	Pilkington Bus
G306 UYK	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	Accrington BS	21	Pilkington Bus
N652 VSS	Accrington, Bridge Street	Accrington, opp Victoria Hospital	9	M&M Coaches
N230 TPK	Accrington, o/s Victoria Hospital	Accrington BS	20	Pilkington Bus
L339 FWO	Accington BS	Forts Arms, adj Sparth Road	1	M&M Coaches
L339 FWO	Forts Arms, adj Sparth Road	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
G306 UYK	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Town Hall‎	21	Pilkington Bus
VU52 UEJ	Oswaldtwistle, opp Rhyddings Street‎	Accrington BS	20A	Pilkington Bus

Today we decided to re-visit Accrington. No research was done, we didn't even check the weather! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Today we set off around 11:20 as wanted to get home a little earlier. We went ont the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews Way. We went onto the westbound A50 and onto the Northbound A500. We came off at Shelton to get LPG and we saw 65730 on a #34 service. We got onto the Westbound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. On the M6 we saw a couple of coaches. First we were passed by National Express 138 (NFZ 9138) on a #921 to Belfast, and then we were passed by Motts MT11 MTT on the Oxford City team coach on it's way to Vauxhall on the Wirral. We carried onto the the M62 and then onto the clockwise M60. Around the A56 junction we passed First West Yorkshire 66762 running out of service. We then headed North on the M66 and onto the A56. We drove the last few miles into town along the A680 and then we parked up just off the Blackburn Road just after 13:15. We set off walking to the bus stop cafe on Peel Street. On the way we saw Pilkington Bus R846 VEC on the #20 Hyndburn circular service.

Pilkington Bus R846 VEC in Accrington

We carried on to the cafe, On Peel Street we saw M&M Coaches N652 VSS on a local service.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Accrington bus station

We stopped at the toilet on the way to the cafe. Whilst we were on the wrong side of the road we saw M&M Coaches L339 FWO on the #1 to Clayton-le-Moors.

M&M Coaches L339 FWO in Accrington bus station

We crossed back over to get something to eat. In the cafe Matthew had a small breakfast followed by a slice of jam roll in custard. When we had finished eating we came out of the cafe to see required Pilkington Bus G306 UYK going towards Oswaldtwistle. It must have been running a little late because it carried straight on at the end of Peel Street instead of waiting. We decided to have a walk up to Bridge Street to see what other M&M coaches buses were out. On Bridge Street we saw 2 buses. Dud N202 LPN was on the #46 to Blackburn.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Peel Street Accrington

Required M&M Coaches N652 VSS was just departing on the #9 Laneside circular.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Peel Street Accrington

We decided to go back towards the stop by the toilet to see if we could catch up with M&M coaches L339 FWO. At the stop was required Transdev Lancashire United 707 on the #231 to Clitheroe.

Transdev Lancashire United 707 in Accrington bus station

We crossed over and Matthew decided he wanted to catch this bus. We got on and sat down. After making inquires with the driver we realised we could do this out to the Victoria Hospital and still be able to cover the Hyndburn circulars and get back for the required M&M Coaches buses. As we waited to depart we saw dud X374 NNO on the following Hyndburn circular. We sat down with Matthew and the bus set off. The bus didn't take long to get to the hospital. We got off and Matthew got a picture of this fine example of a MPD Dart.

Transdev Lancashire United 707 in Whalley Road Accrington

We waited at the stop for the next Hyndburn circular. Going the other way we saw Pilkington Bus N230 TPK. We Also saw Required M&M Coaches N652 VSS returning from the #9 Laneside circular. The plan was to do X374 NNO to Great Harwood and hopefully get G306 UYK back. There were a few people around. We guessed that Accrington Stanley were at home and we must be fairly near to the ground. What we didn't realised until now is that it was a local derby against Rochdale! Just after 14:07 we saw the bus coming up Whalley Road and as expected it was dud Pilkington Bus N374 NNO.

Pilkington Bus X374 NNO in Whalley Road Accrington

We booked a Pilkington Bus day ticket and went upstairs. We carried on towards Clayton-le-Moors and we passed Accrington Stanley where crowds were starting to amass. We also passed required R846 VEC which Matthew had photographed earlier. We didn't have the timetable n us today so we were winging it as such. We got to Great Harwood and thankfully we hadn't passed anything. We got off and we both took pictures of Pilkington Bus X374 NNO.

Pilkington Bus X374 NNO in Great Harwood

We looked to the timetable on the stop to see when the bus was due. It should have been there 2 or 3 minutes ago! We didn't have to wait long before G306 UYK made an appearance. It came around the square and Matthew got a picture of this required Olympian.

Pilkington Bus G306 UYK in Great Harwood

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The top deck was empty and so he got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus G306 UYK

The bus returned back through Clayton-le-Moors, the roads were full of parked car of people attending the match. We passed the Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ which was on the Hyndburn circulars and we also saw the final turn which was required R845 VEC. We got back to Accrington around 14:45. We decided to get off and get a pictuure of g306 UYK from the opposite side of the road.

Pilkington Bus G306 UYK in Accrington bus station

We then decided to see if there was a bus abut to depart from bridge Street. Required N652 was at the stop and it was abut to do the #9 Laneside circular which was perfect timing! We got a picture and we crossed over to get on the bus.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Peel Street Accrington

We got on and booked to the Victoria hospital. As the rear of the bus was empty Matthew got a picture inside M&M Coaches N652 VSS.

Inside M&M Coaches N652 VSS

We sat down and the bus set off. The bus went through town and we climbed up the hill towards the Victoria Hospital. That was one required M&M Coaches out of the way, one left to go. We got off at the hospital and Matthew got another picture of the fine Mercedes beast.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Whalley Road Accrington

We crossed the road to wait for inbound service. We had about 10 minutes to wait. We guessed that the bus would be dud Pilkington Bus Dart N230 TPK. A few minutes late the bus turned up and it was as expected dud Pilkington Bus N230 TPK.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Whalley Road Accrington

We got on and sat down near the back. I was only a short journey and we were back in town in no time. The bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus N230 TPK

We also got another picture of the outside of this bus too.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Accrington bus station

We had just over 15 minutes to wait before required L339 FWO returned on the #1 to Clayton-le-Moors. Matthew went to the toilet an whilst he was in there the bus turned up. We had a few minutes and so we crossed over the road to get a picture of L339 FWO.

M&M Coaches L339 FWO in Accrington bus station

We got on and sat down. The driver informed us that this was probably going to be the last few days of service for L339 FWO and that it was due to go some time next week. When it was time the bus set off out of town and up to Whalley Road. The bus travelled int clayton-le-Moors and then turned left into Pickup Street. After going through the terrace street the bus returned onto the main road off Sparth Road. The bus then headed back into Accrington. When we got into town the bus emptied out and matthew got a picture inside the empty L339 FWO.

Inside M&M Coaches L339 FWO

He also got another picture of the outside of L339 FWO too.

M&M Coaches L339 FWO in Accrington bus station

We decided to have one more short out and back on Pilkington Bus before we went home. We had around 20 minutes before there were any buses due we decided to visit the newsagents. Matthew had a can of Coke and an orange carton, as well as a Milky Way and a slice of cake. Matthew ate the cake and drank the orange carton, putting the Coke and Milky Way away for later. It was at this point Matthew noticed his camera battery door was open slightly. I returned to the newsagent to see if they had any sellotape for sale but they didn't have any. After we had left the newsagent guy came out to ask how much we needed and he very kindly gave us a piece to hold his camera shut until we got back home. The next Oswaldtwistle bound #21 was G306 UYK so we decided to have another run on this bus. We got on and we down upstairs. Just after 16:00 the bus set off towards Oswalldtwistle. on the Blackburn Road we finally passed the 4th M&M Coaches turn and it was dud N213 UHH on the 2nd #46. At Church we turned int Oswaldtwistle and we got off by the town hall. We crossed over the road and we checked the stop. The bus wasn't due for nearly 20 minutes. We could see another stop nearby so we decided to walk to it. When we gt to that stop we saw the war memorial so we decided to sit there for a while and Matthew had his milky Way and a bottle of Irn Bru. Whilst there we saw and photographed Transdev Lancashire United 1824 on a #6A service.

Transdev Lancashire United 1824 in Oswaldtwistle

A few minutes before the bus back to Accrington was due we crossed over the road to the stop. We also saw Transdev Lancashire United 272 on a #7A to Blackburn. The bus turned up and predicted it was required Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ. We got on the bus and sat down. The bus returned down onto the Blackburn Road and then back into Accrington. When we got into town Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside this bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ

He also got a got a good picture of the outside of VU52 UEJ too.

Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ in Accrington bus station

On the way back to the car we then saw Rossendale Easyride 105 in the new 'Rosso' livery on the #464 service and we got a picture.

'Rosso' 105 in Accrington bus station

We carried on past the market and onto the Blackburn Road where we met up with mum. We walked back to the car where there were sausage rolls waiting. Matthew washed this down with a drink of Irn Bru. he also had a cake which he decided to save for later. We set off through town following the directions for the M66. This took us a different way out of town along the A679 towards the A56. Until we got to the A56 we had considered turning back! Once on the A56 we headed South and continued onto the M66. We went past bury and then We did the M60 anti-clockwise and then onto the Westbound M62. We then turned onto the Southbound M6. When we reached junction 16 we turned onto the Southbound A500 where we passed a silver Arrowebrook minibus. We carried on south to the A50 and then into Longton to view the Z Carz Depot. First in the row was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Behind this was coach Scania D104 XAN with ALZ 8539 n the background.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next in the row was another Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

The we saw Volkswagon minibus OV05 WSW..

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Last in the row was newcomer S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row where the only bus was T408 JUX hiding behind some taxis. We returned home down Longton Hall Road and onto Blurton Road where we passed First Potteries 42726 on the #23. On Beaconsfield Drive we also passed First Potteries 53155. We got back home for 18:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots, for afters he had the cake he had earlier. He then chilled out on his computer until around 01:00 in the morning...Mark