Trip to Rochdale / Littleborough 30-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37726	Rochdale Interchange	Littleborough, stop A	590	First West Yorkshire
69506	Littleborough, stop B	Rochdale Interchange	457	First Manchester
287	Rochdale Interchange	Healey Dell	464	Transdev Rosso
285	Healey, Whambottom Lane	Rochdale Interchange	464	Transdev Rosso
11521	Rochdale Interchange	Oldham BS	409	Stagecoach Manchester
84206	Oldham BS	Shaw, Community Centre	57	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Rochdale. Last weekend there was an extension of the Bee Network area to include Oldham and Rochdale. First ceased operations in Oldham and these service were taken over by Stagecoach. First gained a small depot in Rocdale and now operate local services there previously operated by Transdev Rosso.Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather which was for dry and cool weather. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off just before 12:00. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. We saw an unidentified minibus. We continued up to Barthomley Interchange and we joined the Northbound M6. Traveling up the M6 we saw grey minibus VN21 JFK, Moving People coach, Johnson coach and white minibus YX53 CYZ. We came off the M6 at junction 19 and we joined the Eastbound A556. Mum had looked for a place to have dinner and had found a small cafe in Wythenshawe. We continued onto the M56 and we headed towards the M60. At junction 3 we did a u-tun and headed Westwards back to junction 4. We turned left onto Simonsway and right onto Portway. We pulled in to where the cafe was and we parked up behind the block. We sat down and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Arriva NW&W 3101 on a #18 to Eccles. We got back into the car and we set off onto Portway. We turned left onto Simonsway and we turned right to re-join the M56. We continued East and ran forwards onti the anti-clockwise M60. We ran around the East side of Manchester amd we came off the motorway at Junction 21. We ran along the A6104 and we turned right onto the A663. We ran Northwards through Chadderton to Holden Fold and we joined the A627(M). At the end we turned right onto the A58. We turned right onto the A640 and we ran inti town. we turned right onto Water Street aand we ran past the end of the bus station. We turned left onto the A671 and we turned left onto Smith Street. We turned left onto Milton Street and we turned ariund in the car park at the end. Mum dropped up off and we said goodbye to her before turning left onto Smith Street. We headed to the bus station and as we arrived we saw Go North West 2047 on a #471 to Bolton.

Go North West 2047 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked into the Interchange and Matthew went to the toilet. Once he came out we went to see uncle Dave, and uncle Daves was having some trouble walking. We decided it would be best for him to return to where we were dropped off and mum would come back and pick him up. Matthew went into the shop and had a bottle of Coke and a caramel flapjack. We came out and said goodbye to uncle Dave and we walked around the interchange to see what we fancied catching. We saw a First double decker on stand. As we got closer we saw it was First West Yorkshire 37726 on a #590 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 37726 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus an we booked System One Bus Day tickets at £5 each before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto the B6266. We turned left onto the A671 and we ran Northwards. At the junction we turne right onto the Eastbound A58. We ran through Wardleworth and through Smallbridge and Greengate. We got to the centre of Littleborough and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed towards the crossing to go back in the other direction. As we approached the crossing we saw Transdev Team Pennine 1725 on a #587 to Rochdale.

Transdev Team Pennine 1725 in Littleborough

As we approached the stop we saw another bus coming I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said no. As it got closer we saw it was First Manchester 69507 on a #455 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 69507 in Littleborough

Whilst wewaited for a bus Matthew had his caramel flapjack. Afterwards he decided that he needed a drink so we went to the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a small Coke each. We finished our drinks and we went outside to catch a bus. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Manchester 69506 on a #457 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 69506 in Littleborough

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towars the back of the bus. We set off along the A58 and we passed through Greengate. Just after the fire station we turned left onto Hammer Lane. We turned right onto Belfield Road and we ran forwards onto the B6266. We turned left onto the A671 and we turned right onto Water Street an we entered the bus ststaion from the South end. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around to see what we could catch next. we saw Stagecoach Manchester 84202 on a #17 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 84202 in Rochdale Interchange

Also seen was First Manchester 47629 on layover in between runs on the #461 Shawfield circular.

First Manchester 47629 in Rochdale Interchange

Matthew decided he wanted to do the Rosso bus. As we got to the stand we saw it was Transdev Rosso 287 on a #464 to Accrington.

Transdev Rosso 287 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Water Street. We turned left onto the A671 and we headed Northwards. We crossed over the A58 and we continued to Healey and the border of Lancashire where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus We set off back down the road to the First bus stop in Greater Manchester and we waited for the next bus. We onoy had a few minutes to wait. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Transdev Rosso 285 on a 464 to Accrington.

Transdev Rosso 285 in Healey

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A671 and we headed Southwards out of Healey. We continued South into Rochdale and we crossed over the A58. We turned right into Water Street and entered the interchange from the South end. We arrived at the bottom end and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We walked out of the interchange and we took a few pictures. We saw Stagecoach 11801 arrive on a #409 from Aston-under-Line.

Stagecoach Manchester 11801 in Rochdale Interchange

Also seen was former First Manchester 67411 now Stagecoach Manchester 27945 which was on layover.

Stagecoach Manchester 27945 in Rochdale Interchange

We headed back into the Interchange and we looked for another bus to catch. We decided to do a bus towards Oldham. AS we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 11521 on a #409 to Ashton-under-Line.

Stagecoach Manchester 11521 in Rochdale Interchange

We got onto the bus and we flashed the System One tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the interchange. We went down River Street and onto Water Street. We turned left onto the A6223 and we turned left onto Oldham Road and we continued into Balderstone. We continued Westwards along the A671 under the M62 and into Royton. We got in touch with mum to find out how everyone was getting on. Mum let us know that she was at Asda in Shaw. We continued straight up Long Sight and we continued Southwards past thr Royal Oldham Hospital and we turned left onto St Mary's Way. We travelled Eastwards for a short distance and we turned right into Oldham bus station. We walked down to the other part of the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked to the other part of the bus station. We saw Nexus Move YJ61 JHY on a #356 to Ashton-under-Line.

Nexus Move YJ61 JHY in Oldham bus station

We had a walk around to see what was around. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 13190 on a #350 to Ashton-under-Line.

Stagecoach Manchester 13190 in Oldham bus station

We looked up what bus we needed to get to mum at Shaw. There was a #57 to Rushcroft in around 20 minutes. We popped to the shop and Matthew had chocolate bar. WE sat at the stop and after Matthew had eaten the choclate he decided he needed to toilet. The as a pub nearby that we could see and an alleyway next to it. We walked down the alleyway and we got to the main pedestrian street. The pub had closed down. There was a shopping centre nearby so we went in there. Matthew used the toilet and we cut past Home Bargain to the bus station. On the way to our stand we saw Stagecoach Manchester 37632 on a #149 to Chadderton.

Stagecoach Manchester 37632 in Oldham bus station

Also seen was former First Manchester 67412 now Stagecoach Manchester 27941 on a #82 to Sholver

Stagecoach Manchester 27941 in Oldham bus station

A few minutes later our bus appeared. As it came on stand we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 84206 on a #57 to Rushcroft.

Stagecoach Manchester 84206 in Oldham bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Day ticket for the final time today. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty, so Mtthew took a picture inside of Stagecoach Manchester 84206.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 84206

The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned right onto the B6477. We followed the B6477 through the town and we went past the former First Manchester depot which is now in Stagecoach hands. We turned left onto the A62 and left onto the B6194.

Stagecoach Manchester 84206 in Shaw

We continued along Greenfields Lane and we turned left into Asda car park. We found mum and we got in the car. We got onto Greenfields Lane and we turned right onto Eastway. We turned left onto Beal Lane and we crosed the crossroads onto Rochdale Road. We turned left onto Collinge Street and we parked in the car park. I went to the chip shop and bought Matthew sausage chips and gravy. When I got back to the car, Matthew needed to toilet so we walked along Collinge Street and we crossed over Rochdale Road and we visited The Pineapple. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back to the car and Matthew had his sausage chips and gravy. When we were ready we came out of the car park and we turned right onto Kershaw Street East. We turned left onto Westway and left onto Rochdale Road. We turned left onto the A663 and we ran through Royton. We crossed over the A627(M) and we continued Southwards through Chadderton ande Nimble Nook before joining the clockwise M60. We ran around the Eastside of Manchester and as we ran through Stockport we passed an American style school bus going the other way. We continued onto the Westbound M56 and we came off onto the A556. We joined the M6 at junction 19 and we ran down to junction 16. WE headed Southwards down the A500 through Talke Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew ate a birthday cake in a jar and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Rochdale 31-03-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40677	Rochdale BS	Littleborough, o/s 191 Todmorden Road/Ferrand Lodge	589	First West Yorkshire
40675	Littleborough, o/s 191 Todmorden Road/Ferrand Lodge	Rochdale BS	589	First West Yorkshire
40407	Rochdale BS	Kirkholt, nr Open Land Baldestone Road/Hill Top Drive	6	First Manchester
34295	Kirkholt, nr Open Land Baldestone Road/Hill Top Drive	Rochdale BS	6	First Manchester
511	Rochdale BS	Castleton, o/s Shops Manchester Road/Church Inn	17	JPT
37287	Castleton, opp Church Manchester Road/Church Inn	Rochdale, Drake Street/Fleece Street (NW-bound)	17	First Manchester

Today Matthew wanted to go to Rochdale. He chose this destination after last weeks trip to Bolton, pointing at the LED display of a bus that he had photographed last week. As usual a period of research was taken including asking a question on the Dennis Dart forum with regards to buses in Rochdale. With information gathered I also visited the Transport for Greater Manchester site to download timetables and maps to my phone. Also researched before we left was a place to eat. Mm found a cafe about a mile off route in Castleton called Mighty Bite. The weather was cool and cloudy, having just come out of a week of warm unseasonable weather. Today we set off around 12:20. We picked up mum's friend in Blurton and then we headed onto the A50. We headed north along the A500 and then North onto the M6. We took the motorway route via M62, M60, back onto the M62 after the ring road and then the A627(M). At the end of the road we turned left and headed into Castleton.The cafe wasn't hard to spot and after we had seen it we turned around and parked up. We ordered 2 breakfasts, a pastie and a drink and it came to £7.60. The breakfast was really nice and it set us up nicely for the day ahead. Before we left Matthew spotted a sink behind the counter, and so he insisted on photographing it! You can take the boy out of Stoke but you can't take Stoke out of the boy...We set off to Rochdale, and we parked in the town centre not far from the bus station around 14:30. We walked around the corner to the bus station and we walked up the outside taking pictures of the vehicles parked on these stands. You can get some nice pictures of buses from around these stands, but it became apparent that a lot of the interesting stuff goes from inside under the canopy. We carried on walking around the bus station and we noticed all the double deckers parked along the other side. As we walked around, 30806 arrived to join the other vehicles.

First Manchester 30806 arrives in Rochdale

We carried on walking around and the other interesting bus in this row we could photograph was 30803.

First Manchester 30803 in Rochdale

Whilst we were wondering what bus we could catch when an ALX200 Dart came into the bus station on a #589 which was 40677.

First West Yorshire 40677 arrives...

I had been told that these services were sometimes Darts and so I thought that this would be a good start to the afternoon. As it was a Halifax based bus and we had never been on any First West Yorkshire buses both the out and the back were certain to be required. Matthew was keen to do this move too and so we looked up and then waited at the relevant stand. Sure enough, just before 14:55 the bus came onto the stand. we brought our System One bus tickets which did prove a little tricky for a Halifax driver until he worked out how to do it. The journey Eastward out of town was swift. The bus emptied quickly and by the time we reached Littleborough most of the passengers from Rochdale had disembarked. We passed 66790 on the #590 service, and we had worked out that if we went just the other side of Littleborough that we would have an approx 15 minute wait. As we got off in the Gale area of town, Matthew got a better picture of this fine beast.

40677 in the Gale area of Rochdale...

With a bit of time to wait and with another bus towards Rochdale we decided to cross the road and sit on the grass until closer to the due time. The sun had now come out and it was nearly warm. We had seen that the other service the #457 was being worked by Mercs so we would be OK chilling on the grass and maybe we could even get a picture. The Merc sailed past which was if I recall correctly 60245. As we got closer to the time we crossed back over the road to wait for the #589. We could see in the distance that it was another ALX bus, and as it came closer we could see it was required 40675.

Return Power...First West Yorkshire 40675

We boarded the bus and sat near the back. It was another swift journey and bizarrely the bus also empty out as it headed into town. When we got back into the bus station Matthew took a picture of the empty ALX200 bus.

Inside 40675

As we were getting off I was sure I saw a NC double decker in the gloom of the middle stands. Matthew however spotted a Wright bodied Dart, and as it was on a #6 and I planned on covering this service I thought it was an excellent idea. No photographs of this from the bus station as we just leapt straight onto it. we set off and as we left Rochdale we passed another vehicle from this batch in the shape of 40411. The sun had gone in again and it was now quite grey overhead. As we went around the bus emptied out as you would expect. The bus didn't completely empty, but as this was a circular and there were few passengers on the bus I suggested that he took a picture of the inside of the bus at that point.

Inside First Manchester Dart 40407

We carried on a little further, and I saw a point on the route that was a nice open space so we decided to get off there. As we got off Matthew was able to get a good picture of the bus.

40407 on Balderstone Road Kirkholt

With a 10 minute frequency we knew there would be a bus quite soon, the 10 minutes passed quickly and we were both surprised and pleased to see a NC double decker coming towards us down the bank. As we had only ever been on Bury based examples of these it was bound to be required and we weren't disappointed. 34295 rolled down the back towards before coming to a stop where Matthew got his picture.

Nice surprise! First Manchester 34295

Apart from a couple of people at the front of the bus, the top deck was empty and so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the top deck.

Inside 34295

The journey back was quite bouncy as we returned through an estate with plenty of potholes and speed humps. We passed 40426 on another #6 circular as we headed back into town. When we got back we wondered if we could get one of the 2 NC double decker we had seen on the #17 operated by JPT and First Manchester. The First buses were low floor with some of the buses been hybrid's too. Whilst we waited for a JPT bus. Matthew got a bit hyper running up and down from stand to stand in the middle section of the bus station. We had to sit him down for a bit and we had a quick drink whilst he calmed a little. Then a JPT NC double decker bus appeared and it was JPT 511. We had to wait a few minutes before it cam on stand as it appeared to have been blocked out by on of the competing First Manchester buses. After a lap of the bus station and a bit of horn honking 511 eventually pulled up on stand C. We got on and went upstairs where Matthew got a shot of the then empty top deck.

Inside JPT 511

We did the bus to castle as we had seen them here earlier in the day and we knew the route and layout of this area of town. Just after the Co-op store we got off and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

JPT 511 in Castleton

It had now gone 17:00 and we knew that the next bus would be the last ride of the day. We had passed a JPT single decker before we got to Castle ton and so we knew the next bus was most likely to be First Manchester example. With both hybids and buses in the new First livery seen working this service, we saw that our bus was in standard livery. Having only been on Bury examples of these we knew it would also be required. It came closer and matthew got a picture of required 37287.

First Manchester 37287 in Castleton

As the route of the bus was going slightly closer to the car than the bus station was to the car, we decided to get off at the bottom of the hill as we got to the centre of the town. As we walked back to the car an interesting coach came to a stop across the road and Matthew got a picture of this coach.

Interesting sighting...Healings G25 WNF in Rochdale

We had a quick toilet stop before we set off home around 17:40. The sun had forced it's way out again and we had a very pleasant journey home. We saw the Almin Travel garage through the trees as we passed the Heywood area on the M62 and then we returned back via the same route as we had come. On the A500 we stopped for LPG in Longport an surprisingly the forecourt was empty. The panic buying of fuel must have slowed for the time being. Having dropped off mum's friend again, we got home a little after 19:00...Mark.