Trip to Potteries Apedale Running day 10-05-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
SL805	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle BS	Special	PMT
766	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
MMM120	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle BS	Special	PMT
SL805	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
801	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle BS	Special	PMT
801	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT

Today Matthew was going to the Potteries Apedale Running Day. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we went to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off around 10:45. We set off through Blurton onto Finstock Avenue, right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we went through the road works and up the hill to Heron Cross. We crossed over the A50 and we turned left at the traffic lights onto Grove Road. We continued onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Afterwards we set off down Wheildon Road and forwards onto the A500. We turned left onto Church Street and we ran around the one-way system. We turned right onto Campbell Place and left onto Hartshill Road. We ran to the edge of Newcastle and we ran down George Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road and right onto the Northbound A34 to Chesterton. We turned left onto London Road and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road. We ran to the end of Loomer Road and into Apedale Country park. We parked up near to the visitors centre. We loaded the reip bag with some snacks from the boot and we walked down to the bottom field to have a look at the bus. We saw Wirral Pennsula 1070 parked up with it's sales stand.

Wirral Pennsula 1070 in Apedale Light Railway

We carried on to the other side of the field and we saw the main row of buses and coaches. In this row we saw Chase 2 parked up between runs.

Chase 2 in Apedale Light Railway

Further up the row there were 3 buses fron D&G present. The first was recent arrival, Adderley Greemn based D&G Bus 5025.

D&G Bus 5025 in Apedale Light Railway

Also present were Crewe allocated D&G Bus 56 and 31 both looking really clean. The was also a First bus on site. We saw First Potteries 67180.

First Potteries 67180 in Apedale Light Railway

We walked up to the top and we waited for the next departure. A short time later we saw the bus come around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was PMT SL805 on a special to Newcastle.

PMT SL805 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road pat a site which now sells cabins. We turned right onto Holditch Road and left onto Bymbo Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of PMT SL805.

PMT SL805 in Newcastle bus station

We walked down to the bottom end of the bus station and Matthew had a can of Dr Pepper. Whilst we waited for the next bus we saw First Potteries 63178 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63178 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the top end of the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. A short time later we saw the next bus approaching. It turned the corner and we saw it was PMT L9766 on a special to Apeldale.

PMT L9766 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the sat down towards the back of the bus. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. One off the bus Matthew took another picture of PMT L9766 before it ran down to the bottom field.

PMT L9766 in Apedale Light Railway

We sat down on the bench and Matthew ate some cocktail sausages and a scotch egg. We went down to the bottom field and we saw that the minilink was getting ready to come up the hill. We walked back up to the entrance and we saw the bus turn the corner. it was, as expected PMT MMM120 on a special to Newcastle.

PMT MMM120 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the old bus garage. We continued to the East of Newcastle town centre and we turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned left onto Hassall Street and onto Stubbs Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of PMT MMM120 before it ran down to the bottom field.

PMT MMM120 in Newcastle bus station

Once off the bus we walked up Castle Walk and we went into the Costa coffee. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a millionaires Shortbread and a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we headed back down Castle Walk to the bus station. We waited for another shuttle to Apedale. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63173 on a #38 to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 63173 in Newcastle bus station

A short time later we saw the bus come up Barracks Road. As it got closer we saw it was PMT SL805 again!

PMT SL805 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. We set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked to the edge of the site. Matthew and uncle Dave waited by the gate and I went eating we went to get the sandwiches from the car. When I came back Matthew had a bacon, chicken and cheese sandwich. When we had finished back to the stop to waited for the next bus to Newcastle. It came around the corner and we saw it was PMT 801 on a special to Newcastle.

PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

We asked the driver if he was going to Newcastle and he said he was going one way only, so we would have to come back on one of the other buses. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We got a picture of PMT 801 and we got back on the bus.

PMT 801 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we sat downstairs. We set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside of PMT 801.

Inside PMT 801

We went down to the bottom field and we took some more pictures before we left. We got another picture of Western Welsh ABO 145B now that the sun was in a better position!

Western Welsh ABO 145B in Apedale Light Railway

We walked back to the stalls and Matthew bought a bus book for £2. We continued to the the car and Matthew had a sausage roll and a bottle of Coke. We turned around and we set off onto Loomer Road. We turned right onto London Road and we ran past the site of a new Lidl. We turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto Barracks Road. We joined the Southbound A34 and we turned left onto The Avenue. We ran to the end and we turned right onto Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. We turned right onto Elenora Street and we followed the road around onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road past the old Board Products factory which is being converted into a new soft play place. After dropping off uncle Dave we ran back up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. At Heron Cross we turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street and we turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog. For tea Matthew had pizza and a can of Cherry Rubicon. After tea matthew watched some YouTube and we continued writing the Blog. He had a bath and afterwards gad cheesecake for supper. We went to bedtime at 23:48... Mark.

Trip to the POPS rally 18-05-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
30033	Britannia Stadium	Stone	Special	First PMT
356	Stone	Britannia Stadium	Special	Trent
952	Britannia Stadium	Hanley Museum	Special	United Counties
279	Hanley Museum	Britannia Stadium	Special	PMT
6225	Britannia Stadium	Stone	Special	WM
6225	Stone	Britannia Stadium	Special	WM
MMM120	Britannia Stadium	Newcastle BS	Special	First PMT
MMM120	Newcastle BS	Britannia Stadium	Special	First PMT

Today was the highlight of Matthew's social calender! We checked the weather forecast the day before and was for sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. We set off to pick up uncle Dave around 11:00. We had planned on getting some food from the sandwich shop on Blurton Road but, it was closed despite what the sign said in the window about being open Sundays. After picking up Uncle Dave we drove through Heron Cross and onto the A50 and turned onto Stanley Matthew Way. We were directed onto the car park in front of the West Stand and we parked up. As we walked up to the area where the buses were parked we saw PMT 604 about to depart on a trip out.

PMT 604 at the Britannia Stadium

The first thing we did was to go shopping! Matthew went to Dave Spencer and spent nearly £100. He didn't take long to chose the DVD's that he wanted. I suspect that he had already researched exactly what he wanted online during the past year! Whilst mum carried on chatting to Dave and Mandy, uncle Dave and I took Matthew around the buses to take few photos. As we went down the first row Matthew got a picture of Chester City Transport 99.

Chester City Transport 99 at the Britannia Stadium

Further down the row was one of the newer vehicles in the newly formed Stantons of Stoke fleet, Mercedes minibus KN61 EYG.

Stantons of Stoke KN61 EYG at the Britannia Stadium

Further still down the row was former Brighton & Hove Optare bodied Dennis Lance N408 MPN.

Stanways N408 MPN at the Britannia Stadium

We also got a look at a fully decaled First Potteries branded bus for the revamped Keele to Hanley service.

First Potteries 66307 at the Britannia Stadium

After we had finished looking at the first row of buses we moved to the area behind the Boothen End. Stanways had brought along their rare Wadham Stringer bodied Dennis Dart N983 BHE.

Stanways N983 BHE at the Britannia Stadium

Looking very similar to a Bassetts coach was Jackson's AEC coach TEC 599N.

Jackson's TEC 599N at the Britannia Stadium

This year there was a second Turners liveried vehicle. We did not notice at first... This newest vehicle on the scene was Turners 8.

Turners 8 at the Britannia Stadium

We then walked down to the back row of vehicles. These were new vehicles and recently preserved buses. On the end of the row was a rather nice Leyland Lynx formerly with Halton Transport, 35.

Halton Transport 35 at the Britannia Stadium

After we had done a quick lap of the site we bought a program and a North Staffs fleetbook and sat down in front of the West stand to plan our next move. As we though about what we would do we saw recently preserved First Potteries Leyland double decker 30033 move up to the stop. We decided to get a run on this. We got on the bus and sat down upstairs. A minute or so later required Trent 356 pulled up behind us. It was OK as this was the second bus going to Stone and we could get it on the way back. The bus left the Britannia Stadium and we headed South down Stanley Matthews Way. We then turned right onto the A5035 which we did to Trentham. At Trentham we turned left onto the A34. Once on the A34 put in a great turn of speed as we went past Tittensor and onto the 60mph section of road. We carried on along the Fillybrooks and we came into Stone from the South end. Once we crossed the canal we turned onto the one way system and stopped on Crown Street. Matthew went to use the toilet and once he had been he came out and got a picture of First Potteries 30033.

First Potteries 30033 in Stone

A couple of minutes later the slower and older Trent 356 made an appearance. Matthew then got a picture of this dual door Bristol RE.

Trent 356 in Stone

Whilst we had taken this trip down to Stone mum had bumped into Grandma and they had checked out the price of the food at the Britannia Stadium and decided we would get better value eating elsewhere. Unfortunately Grandma had to leave before we got back. The bus left Stone up Newcastle Street and we rejoined the A34 North of Stone. We then had a spirited run up to the A34 but nowhere near as quick as First Potteries which was at least a 1/2 a mile in front of us. We came back into the Britannia Stadium via the A5035 and Stanley Matthews Way and when the bus had finished emptying out Matthew got a picture inside Trent 356.

Inside Trent 356

We met up with mum and we drove off site to go eat at our favourite cafe Go Eat! Situated on the A5035 just outside Longton we went via Stanley Matthews Way and the A5035 and we got there in no time. After visiting their toilet Matthew sat down to a breakfast with oatcakes and toast and a drink of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye and we decided to return to the bus rally via Longton and the site Z Carz. At the site today there were three more buses than last night. The first bus we saw was GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Beside this was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Next to this was Volkswagon OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Finally was the newest arrival, Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we drove down to Stanley Matthews Way and into the Britannia Stadium. We knew the 13:50 departure to Hanley Museum was booked to be required United Counties 952. As we turned the corner we saw the bus at the stop. Mum dropped us off and we got a picture of this fine Bristol VR as we waled up to the stop.

United Counties 952 at the Britannia Stadium

We jumped on the bus and we went upstairs. It was quite well filled and Matthew wasn't able to get a picture inside. The bus set off out of the Britannia Stadium and onto the Westbound A50. We took the A500 to Stoke before joining the A52 to head towards the railway station. After a quick stop we turned up college road and then into Hanley past the bus station. We crossed over the ring road and past the bottom of the new bus station before stopping outside the museum. We got off and took a picture of the bus before getting back on it.

United Counties 952 outside Hanley museum

A duplicate service should have been running with required PMT Leyland National 279. Whilst we waited for 952 to depart we saw Aimee's ex Cardiff Dart T147 DAX on the #16 to Leek.As we hadn't seen it we assumed it hadn't run when we saw PMT in the distance coming down Bethesda Street. We jumped off United Counties 952 and we got a picture of required PMT 279. We jumped on and sat down just in front of the glass screen by the rear raised section of the bus. I forgot about the glass screen in these buses were you used to be able to smoke! The bus set off and turned into Broad Street before turning into college Road. We had a quick stop at the railways station before carrying along the A52 to city Road. We then followed part of the old #46 route that the national used to be quite common on back in the day. We went up City Road and we turned right into the buses only section of Christchurch Street. We then turned into station Road before going across Heron Cross. We turned right onto the A50 and we turned into Stanley Matthews Way and then into the Britannia Stadium. We went passed the west Stand and we turned behind the Boothen End to the point where the buses were setting down. We then got another picture of PMT 279.

PMT 279 at the Britannia Stadium

We had a short break off the buses and we sat down by the Boothen End. I had planned on doing Coventry 244 but I had misread the timetable which is easy to do with the look up charts and flicking backwards and forwards in the book. The bus turned out to be West Midlands double decker 6225 which we decided to do instead.

WM 6225 at the Britannia Stadium

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off onto Stanley Matthews Way and we turned right at the end onto the A5035. We turned onto the Southbound A34 and we headed South of Stone as we had done on First Potteries 30033. We turned back into town and stopped on Crown Street. First PMT minibus MMM120 had already beaten us to the stop. We got off and took a picture of the minibus.

PMT MMM120 in Stone

Matthew used the toilet and we decided to go back on the double decker rather than to transfer onto the minibus. We sat back the top deck of WM 6225 and the bus set off North. This time the bus went back up the A520 through Outon. At rough Close we turned onto Lightwood Road and we headed towards Longton. We turned onto Belgrave Road and then onto the A5035. We then went along to Stanley Matthews Way and then back into the Britannia Stadium. When we got back to the stadium we waited for the bus to empty out and Matthew got a picture inside of WM 6225.

Inside WM 6225

We were going to do Lynx 860 but we had a bit of time to kill so we had a walk around whilst we waited. We came across the former British Airways triple door Leyland National with Matthew like the look of.

British Airways B361 LOY at the Britannia Stadium

There was somebody with the bus so we asked if we could go on it and have a look around. Matthew then took a picture inside B361 LOY.

Inside British Airways B361 LOY

We also had a look on the new liveried First Potteries Volvo 66307.

Inside First Potteries 66307

The bus we hoped to catch later former PMT Lynx 860, was parked up between duties.

PMT 860 at the Britannia Stadium

It looked like Stanways Dart N983 BHE wasn't going to work today afterall. The was no-one with the bus so Matthew had to settle for taking a picture through the front window.

Inside Stanways N983 BHE

The Brisol RE that we rode on earlier, Trent 356 was parked up in a nice sunny location.

Trent 356 at the Britannia Stadium

We walked over to the newer buses and Matthew got a picture of one of D&G's latest acquisition, Enviro 200 109.

D&G 109 at the Britannia Stadium

The bus was open and unattended so Matthew went on and took a picture inside this bus.

Inside D&G 109

At this point we were epecting PMT 860 to work but we didn't see it. Matthew decided to look at the stalls again and by a few photographs. There were only a few departures left now, and only one full round trip as far as we could see. This was going to be dud First PMT MMM120. We decided to do this bus anyway because we hadn't been on it for a long time. The bus pulled up at the stop and we got a picture of the Mercedes minibus.

PMT MMM120 at the Britannia Stadium

The last time we had this bus was back in August 2010. We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus was doing a round trip to Newcastle. he bus set off onto Stanley Matthew Way and we joined the Westbound A50 and then the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton New Road and we headed up to the border of Newcastle. We dropped down into Newcastle along George Street and into Newcastle bus station. We asked the driver if there was time to take a quick picture and after he said yes we jumped off and got a nice shot of MMM120 in the sunshine.

PMT MMM120 in Newcastle bus station

We got back on and the bus set off out of town. We did the A53 through Basford and onto the A500. We then went back up the A500 until we met the A50 and back into Stanley Matthew Way and the Britannia Stadium. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew got another picture inside First PMT MMM120.

Inside PMT MMM120

Mum was waiting for us and we decided to get a few more pictures as we walked back to the car. Former Big Green Bus E989 VUK was now in clear view.

E989 VUK at the Britannia Stadium

As we walked back Chester City Transport 99 set of back to it's home.

Chester City Transport 99 at the Britannia Stadium

Outside the West stand Midland Red 674 set off on it's journey home.

Midland Red 674 at the Britannia Stadium

We jumped into the car and we went to drop Uncle Dave off at home. We then came back through Heron cross into Blurton getting home just after after 17:00. For tea Matthew had chicken popcorn and fries. He then chilled out watching his new DVD's and using his computer and having a bath until bedtime around 23:00...Mark