Trip to Rochdale / Royton 06-09-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60275	Rochdale Interchange	Jericho (Bury), Rochdale Old Road/Jericho (opp Service Station)	468	First Manchester
241	Jericho (Bury), Bury and Rochdale Old Road/Jericho (Church)	Rochdale Interchange	468	Rossendale Easyride
37463	Rochdale Interchange	Wrens Nest (Shaw), by Milnrow Road/Wrens Nest	182	First Manchester
30956	Wrens Nest (Shaw), by Milnrow Road/Wrens Nest	Royton, High Barn St/Park St (Stop H)	181	First Manchester
37553	Royton, High Barn Street/Park Street (Stop E)	Wrens Nest (Shaw), adj Smallbrook Road/Wrens Nest	181	First Manchester
37469	Wrens Nest (Shaw), at Smallbrook Road/Wrens Nest	Rochdale Interchange	182	First Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Rochdale. We left the choice until the morning again, the weather had been forecast for Cloudy weather with an occasional shower. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 12:00 we set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthew Way. We went West on the A50 and then North up the A500. There was a broken down van at Sideway and the police had cone off part off the sliproad for Stoke. We carried on North and we got onto the Northbound M6. We caught up with a couple of Richardson's coaches, the rear one of the convoy was YN57 BWE. The coaches turned of onto the M56 before we caught back up with them. Near to Thelwall viaduct we passed Z Carz W221 CDN going South. We turned onto the Eastbound M62 and then forward onto the M60. As we passed the M61 it started to rain. We saw ABC Supreme VK06 LTV and Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2776,which was on a X43 to Burnley. We carried onto the M62 and the windscreen wiper jumped out of its holder, so we turned into Birch services to effect a repair. Wiper back on we carried on along the M62 and we came off onto the A627(M). We turned righ onto the A58 and we headed into town passing First Manchester 37298 on a #471 service. We parked up near to the town hall and we walked into town to get something to eat. As we walked alongside the main road we saw Rossndale Easyride Solo 60 on a #448 service.

Rossendale 60 in Rochdale

We spotted a Yates that seemed to have good meal deals, so we went into to inquire about them. Matthew headed downstairs to use their toilet. Mum had been informed that there was going to be at least a 30 minute wait on food, so we walked around the corner to the chicken place. There wasn't a free table here, and it was raining anyway, so we walked back to Yates. Matthew had a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked up to the interchange. As we walked in we saw Yorkshire Tiger Solo 311 on a #528 to Halifax. We walked up to the top of the interchange so that we could get a few pictures. We saw required Rossendale Easyride Volvo B7RLE 216 on a #464 to Accrington.

Rossendale 216 in Rochdale Interchange

Parked up between #6 Kirkholt circulars was First Manchester 60240.

First Manchester 60240 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked down the other side of the interchange and we saw First Manchester 60275 on a #468 to Tottington.

First Manchester 60275 in Rochdale Interchange

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the Citaro and he said yes. As we went to catch the bus we saw First Manchester Solo 40331 on layover between duties.

First Manchester 40331 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus and booked System One bus tickets at £5.20. The bus was nearly empty, so before we sat down Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First Manchester 60275.

Inside First Manchester 60275

A few minutes later the bus set off out off the interchange and across the A58. W headed out of town towards Spotalnds before turning back South towards Jericho and along War Office Road. At the bottom we turned right onto Bury and Rochdale road and we passed the Church in Hooley Bridge where we had done Rossendale Easyride 163 out for 139 back in July 2014. It was still a little damp so we were looking for a stop on the opposite of the road with a shelter. About half a mile down the road we spotted a shelter opposite so we got up to get off the bus. The bus pulled off from the stop and was stopped at some temporary roadworks.

First Manchester 60275 in Jericho

We crossed the road and headed for the stop. We could see a 'Rosso' bus on the other side of the roadworks so we walked quickly to the stop... So much for needing a bus shelter! The bus got closer and we saw it was required 'Rosso' 241.

Rossendale 241 in Jericho

We got on the bus and we flashed our System One tickets. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took his picture inside 'Rosso' 241 there and then.

Inside Rossendale 241

The bus headed of down Bury and Rochdale Road and we turned left onto War Office Road. We went past Spotlands and then into town past Asda and across the A58. When we got back into the interchange we got off and Matthew got another picture of 'Rosso'241.

Rossendale 241 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked up to the toilet and after Matthew had done we had a look around to see what we could catch. Looking around we spotted required First Manchester 37463 on a #182 to Manchester. As we had done a #182 before and we knew where it went, I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. He took a quick picture before we went to get on this bus.

First Manchester 37463 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and it was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37463 before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 37463

We came out of the interchange and we stopped at the tram track to let Metrolink trams 3008 and 3061 go passed on their way to East Didsbury. We followed the tram up Drake Street and then turned onto Milnrow Road. We passed through Newbold and the Kingsway Retail Park and carried on South to Milnrow. We went down the high street under the M62 motorway. Here we reached a more rural part of the route crossing over and back over the Metrolink tramway. Just North of Shaw we stopped at triangular junction with a green in the middle. As we stopped we saw required First Manchester 30956 park opposite on a #181 service. we also saw required 30959 whizz past on a #59 service. Damn! Two good buses that we wouldn't of minded doing go past us in less than 30 seconds. The driver then shuts the engine down on the bus that we were on and says that the bus was going out of service and we would have to get on the bus opposite when it come around. That was well timed. The bus opposite had just terminated and it was about to form a #181 back to Manchester... We would have never have dared got off to catch it by ourselves but now we were being asked to do so. We got of First Manchester 37463 and we took another picture of this bus.

First Manchester 37463 in Shaw

A quick check of the timetable revealed First Manchester 30956 was due off in a few minutes. When it was time the bus came around the triangular green and pulled up at the stop.

First Manchester 30956 in Shaw

We got on the bus and flashed our System One tickets. We went upstairs and as the bus was empty Matthew took his picture inside First Manchester 30956 immediately.

Inside First Manchester 30956

We sat down and the bus set off down through Shaw along the high street. The #181 take a slightly different route into Royton, and we went along Oldham Road and Blackburn Lane before going onto High Barn Street. Just before we got to Royon we passed another Volvo B7TL on a #181.. This was First Manchester 30963. We rang the bell as we approached Royton, and we got up and got off the bus. As the bus carried on towards Manchester we took another picture of this fine bus.

First Manchester 30956 in Royton

We decided to got and visit the Co-op Food store, so we crossed over the two roads and went into the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of cherry Coke to drink now. He also had a six pack of Milky Ways. We paid for the thing and went down Oldham Road to take a few pictures and to look at the timetable at the bus stop. There was a #181 to Shaw in around 15 minutes so we decided to wait for that. Matthew had his Cheryy Coke and a Milky Way and whilst we waited we let First Manchester 33755 go on a #409 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 33755 in Royton

Just after this we saw First Manchester 30955 going South on #64 service. After Matthew had finished his bus stop picnic We decided to go back to High Barn Street to wait for the #181. As we got to high barn Street we saw a heritage liveried First Manchester bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 37451.

First Manchester 37451 in Royton

We crossed over High Barn Street and sat down to wait for the #181. A few minutes later we saw it was a modern double decker... As it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 37553.

First Manchester 37553 in Royton

We got on the bus and we flashed our System One tickets. We went upstairs, and as the top deck was empty behind the stairs, Matthew took a picture there and then on First Manchester 37553.

Inside First Manchester 37553

The bus set off back to Shaw via Blackburm Lane and Oldham Road, and we headed into Shaw up the high street. We went out of the North end of town and then bus terminated at the triangle-shaped green an we got off the bus. The bus moved off and parked on the opposite side of the road in a layover area. Also in this area was Ring & Ride minibus BX58 VCT.

Ring & Ride BX58 VCT in Shaw

We walked over to the other stop where the #58 departs, as well as the #182 towards Rochdale. The first bus due was a #58, we saw that it was a single decker as it went around the green. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Manchester 66858.

First Manchester 66858 in Shaw

This is a bus that we had been on between Moorside and Oldham on the #83 back in September 2013. The was a Rochdale bound #182 due a few minutes later, and we were certain that this would be a double decker. We saw it approaching and it was a double decker. As it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 37469.

First Manchester 37469 in Shaw

We got on the bus and we flashed our System One tickets for the last time today. We went upstairs and as it was empty Matthew took a picture there and then.

Inside First Manchester 37469

The bus set off into the sticks and we went through Milnrow and Newbold before popping into Rochdale. We dropped into the interchange and we met up with mum. She was in the shop, and Matthew had another couple of pieces of chocolate here. We decided to have a walk around and take a few pictures before we headed back to the car. First Manchester 66912 was parked up on layover between duties.

First Manchester 66912 in Rochdale Interchange

Rossendale Easyride 208 was about to work the next #468 to Bury.

Rossendale 208 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked down to the bottom end of the interchange. Running empty was First Manchester 66880.

First Manchester 66880 in Rochdale Interchange

Also on layover was First Manchester 37371.

First Manchester 37371 in Rochdale Interchange

We waled back up to the top and we saw a First Manchester Solo approaching. Closer inspection revealed it was First Manchester 40319.

First Manchester 40319 in Rochdale Interchange

Then a minibus arrived. Branded for 'Kingway Link' was Manchester Community Transport DX09 KWR.

MCT DX09 KWR in Rochdale Interchange

We headed back to the car where Matthew had got a sausage roll waiting for him. This was washed down with a 500ml bottle of Irn Bru. We drove out of the town centre and onto the A58. We turned left onto the A627(M) and then we joined onto the Westbound M62. We joined the anti-clockwise M60 and then carried on the West bound M62. Just before we got to the M6 we had a minor electrical issue with the car.We turned onto the Southbound M6 and we came off the M6 at the A57 so we could stop somewhere to sort out the problem. We turned the car off for a few second and the problem was cured. We carried on South on the M6 and we caught up with Ridlers YYD 154 around the junction with the A54.

Ridlers YYD 154 on the M6

We left the M6 at the North end of the A500 and we went south through Stoke-on-Trent. At Sideway we took the Eastbound A50 which we did up to Longton. We went passed the Z carz depot today see what was there. first in the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY, which appears to have had a little accident with the front bumper.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

As we were taking pictures, Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN arrived at the depot.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Also at the depot tonight was former Alton Towers Transport coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

There were quite a few Ford minibuses at the depot tonight including Z Carz BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

At the back was Z Carz FP06 WTW. The last of the buses on the front row was airport transfer bus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row and there were a few minibuses in the yard. These included long term SORN LDV T408 JUX and Y568 XFV, We headed back onto the A50 and through Heron Cross, At the lightning house was T2 DLT. We went through Blurton we tirned right onto Beaconsfield Road and we saw First Potteries Solo 40016 on the last bus up to Longton. We got home just after 19:20. For a late tea Matthew had sausage, potatoes and carrots followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Rochdale 28-12-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60254	Rochdale Interchange	Shore, o/s King William Inn Shore Road/Cote Lane	454	First Manchester
60276	Shore, o/s King William Inn Shore Road/Cote Lane	Rochdale Interchange	454	First Manchester
37389	Rochdale Interchange	Castleton, o/s Shops Manchester Road/Church Inn	17	First Manchester
37289	Castleton, opp Church Manchester Road/Church Inn	Rochdale Interchange	17	First Manchester
145	Rochdale Interchange	Fairfield General Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital (SE-bound)‎	469	Rossendale Easyride
231	Jericho, o/s House 545 Rochdale Old Road/New Hall Road	Rochdale Interchange	469	Rossendale Easyride

Today we decided to re-visit Rochdale. It was the first time we had been since the new Interchange opened in November. Matthew had shown an interest in doing the #589/590 beyond the edge of Manchester, so research was done to see if there were any tickets valid across the border into West Yorkshire. The only ticket I could find was a Wayfarer, but at £11 doing that ticket would have to wait until the Summer where we could make better use of the ticket. We also researched the weather which was predicted for cold and sunny weather with occasional rain showers. Matthew got up just before 10:00 today and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 going onto the A5035 and onto Stanley Matthew Way. We diverted into Fenton via Heron Cross to pick up uncle Dave before we carried on down onto the A500. At Shelton New Road we came off the A500 to go and pick up some LPG. After filling up we went West on the A53 and back onto the A500. We headed North on the A500 up to the M6. We had considered eating at the burger van on the last lay-by on the A500, but the van wasn't there due to it being Christmas week. Northbound on the M6 was heavy, but at least it was moving unlike on the Southbound side. We headed East on the M62 and then onto the clockwise M60. we carried on East on the M62 and then onto the M627. As we hadn't eaten earlier we diverted to the only cafe we knew and we could park near, the Mighty Bite in Castleton. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can in Coke. After we had finished we jumped back in the car and drove into Rochdale. We got a little lost trying to find the car park in which we wanted to park, but eventually we parked up outside the town hall. We then walked around the corner to the new bus station. We had a quick look around the bus station which is similar in design to Middleton's bus station only a little bit bigger. We then took a few pictures whilst we decided which bus to catch. The thing we photographed was Rossendale Easyride Solo 58 which was parked up between duties.

Rossendale Easyride 58 in Rochdale Interchange

After using the disabled toilet we spotted a Citaro on stand B. It was First Manchester 60254 on a #454 to Stansfield and Shore. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the bus and he said yes. So we walked further up the bus station and he took a picture of First Manchester 60254 through the glass.

First Manchester 60254 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on and we booked our £5 System One bus only tickets and then we sat down near the back. The bus pulled out of the bus station and then went along Smith Street and then onto Entwistle Road. The bus carried on along this road and then we turned tight onto the A58. We headed East towards Littleborough and we turned into Station Street and we called at the railway station. I knew the #454 took a different route into Stansfield that the #457 did but I didn't know exactly where we were heading... We headed back onto the A58 and then up Hare Hill Road. Hare Hill Road became Shore Road and we carried on climbing up the hill we could see a distant hill to the left of us and we thought we were in the same valley as the A6033, but we were actually heading in a different direction. The bus was nearly empty now so Matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside First Manchester 60254

The bus came into a turning circle and we decided to get off. A quick glance at the timetable saw there 4 buses an hour from this stop. Matthew got another picture of 60254 as went back towards Rochdale.

First Manchester 60254 in Shore

A closer inspect of the timetable reveal that the bus came 3 minute and then 27 minutes apart! It was 14:39 and then next bus was due until 15:06! I was hoping that we were on the 14:36 and the we were running a few minutes late. Luckily almost as soon as the bus was out of ear shot, we heard the roar of another bus coming up the hill. It was First Manchester 60276.

First Manchester 60276 in Shore

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We headed back down the hill and across the A58 to Littleborough station. we then went back on the A58 and headed West towards Rochdale. We stopped at almost every stop and the bus filled up as we headed into town. We were then overtaken by First West Yorkshire 60815 on a #590 from Halifax. We carried on into Rochdale along the A58 and we passed First Manchester 40364 on a #452 Littleborough service and First Manchester 69186 on a local service. We carried on until we reached Entwistle Road and we turned left. As we crossed into Smith Street we saw 60815 again coming down John Street. When we reached the interchange Matthew let the bus empty before getting a picture inside the empty First Manchester 60276.

Inside First Manchester 60276

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do First West Yorkshire 60815 and he said no, so we had a short spell in the bus station taking picture whilst we thought about what to do next. We visited the McCoy shop in the bus station and Matthew had a can of Coke and some chocolate. We sat down on a seat and we shared most of a large bar of galaxy Caramel and Matthew had a small bottle of Vimto from out of the trip bag. had he had finished eating we walked up to the top of the of the bus station where we saw required 'Rosso' 110 on a #464 to Accrington.

Rosso 110 in Rochdale Interchange

We were considering doing 110, but the driver wasn't on the bus yet. Behind 110 on layover was First Manchester 37389.

First Manchester 37389 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked around the other side of the bus station and we saw newly repainted First Manchester 60234 on the #6 kirkholt circular service.

First Manchester 60234 in Rochdale Interchange

We then saw required First West Yorkshire arrived on the #589 from Burnley.

First West Yorkshire 66713 in Rochdale Interchange

We briefly considered doing on the newer Enviro 400's on the #409 to Ashton, but then Matthew changed his mind and decided to do First Manchester 37389 on the #17 Manchester service. We decided to do this down to Castleton to catch another #17 back again. We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. There were people front and back on this bus so Matthew didn't take a picture inside. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the Westbound A640. The bus the went onto the Westbound A58. We then headed into Castle and onto Manchester Road towards Castleton. Just after we passed the cafe at which we had eaten earlier, we got off the bus. We didn't get a very good picture of First Manchester 37389 at this point, so we crossed over the road to wait for the #17 back down to Rochdale. Matthew ate the rest of the Galaxy caramel we had started earlier and a couple of minutes later we saw a bus approaching. We could see that it was the Manchester City Transport liveried First Manchester 37289.

First Manchester 37289 in Castleton

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus returned back up the Manchester Road and onto the eastbound A58. We then headed into town and into Rochdale Interchange. When the bus emptied out Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37289.

Inside First Manchester 37289

We now had time to do another couple of buses before we went home. Matthew visited the toilet and we had a quick look around the bus station to see what we could catch. We photographed First Manchester 60244 which was on a #6 Kirkholt circular service.

First Manchester 60244 in Rochdale Interchange

We then photographed First Manchester 33694 which was on the #182 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33694 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus and we were about to go upstairs when Matthew changed his mind again and we got off. We then considered doing a West Yorkshire Volvo B7RLE on the #590. Then we saw Rossendale Easyride Dart 145 on a #469 to Jericho.

Rossendale Easyride 145 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on this bus and it was nearly empty. Matthew stood beyond the last person on the bus and took a picture of the empty rear of Rossendale Easyride 145.

Inside Rossendale Easyride 145

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. We had never done a #469 so we had to rely on using the map to work out where to get off. The bus set off in a North West direction out of town up College Road. The bus then headed West along Bury Road. We saw the Rossendale bus depot in the valley to the left of us as we left town. It was now starting to go dark. We headed West to war Office Road and then we headed North up to a turning circle. The bus then went South and back onto to Bury Road. When we turn left into Fairfield General Hospital, we thought we had reached the end of the run. we asked the driver and he said he was now going forward to Bury! He told us that there were more return buses operated by First on the main road. We got off and Matthew took another picture of Rossendale Easyride 145.

Rossendale Easyride 145 in Jericho

We walked up to the main road and waited at the stop. A quick glance at the timetable revealed that there were buses every 10 minutes. Just under ten minutes later we saw a Citaro approaching from out of the darkness. It was First Manchester 60254 which we had done earlier in the day. We flagged the bus bus down and we got on. He asked us where we were going and we answered 'Rochdale' and he told us that he was only going to Jericho. We got off and the bus disappeared into the darkness. We looked at the timetable and we saw that only every third bus went to Rochdale and the other two terminated in Jericho. I thought that we were in Jericho! The next bus was another one that terminated and the bus to Rochdale wasn't until 16:58. It was cold and dark so we decided that we would catch the other bus to Jericho and the 16:58 forward so we could get out of the cold for a while. Going the other way we saw a Rossendale Solo on a #475 service which turned into the hospital and we also saw a Scania on another #469 to Bury turn in the hospital too. First Manchester 60282 came up the hill and went straight past us. The driver seemed to try and indicate he was only going a few stops up the road. Just before the bus was due we saw a #469 to Rochdale Rosssendale bus turn into the hospital. I thought the timetable may be wrong and the bus didn't call at the stop we were at. So I suggested to Matthew and uncle Dave that we ran to the next stop along the road. We were approaching the stop and and we could see the bus about to turn out of the hospital. I ran ahead to flag the bus down and Matthew and uncle Dave followed on behind me. It was required 'Rosso' 231. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus headed back along Bury Road before going up to the turning circle on War Office Road. It occurred to me that this must have been where the First buses turned before retuning to Tottington! Looking at the timetable when we returned home it could be seen if we had waited where we were a few minutes that eventually there would have been a First bus to Rochdale. The bus went back South to Bury Road and back into Rochdale along College Road passed Asda and the college. When we got back into Rochdale we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside 'Rosso' 231.

Inside 'Rosso' 231

As we didn't get a picture as we ran down the road to catch the bus, we got a picture of 231 in the Interchange.

'Rosso' 231 in Rochdale Interchange

We had a quick look around the Interchange and Matthew visited the toilet again. We walked down to the bottom of the bus station just as First West Yorkshire 66776 arrived on the #590 from Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 66776 in Rochdale Interchange

We then walked back through the town to the car. At the car mum was waiting with sausage rolls. We set off back out of town and onto the A58. We then turned onto the M627 before heading homeward along the Westbound M62. At the M60 we went anti-clockwise to the M62 and the onto the Southbound M6. We did the M6 down to the A500. As we traveled South on the A500 we passed Z Car D104 XAN going North. We carried down to the A50. At Sideway we saw there had been an accident where a car had been crushed by a lorry. The car now looked like a convertable. We headed East on the A50 to Longton where we diverted to see the Z Carz depot. There was only one vehicle at the front of the depot, but it was a new one to Z Carz. It was a silver Van Hool bodied scania CNZ 3828, which was formerly with Ausden Clark.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

At the back of the spare land was Z Carz minibus S952 VMY. In the willow row compound was a taxi fleet minibus YJ61 GYZ and SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We then headed come along Blurton Road and onto the A5035. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had mini bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30..Mark