Trip to Preston / Tanterton 31-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42556	Preston BS	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	8	Rotala Preston Bus
42556	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	Preston BS	8	Rotala Preston Bus
40619	Preston BS	Tanterton, by Threefields	35	Rotala Preston Bus
42562	Tanterton, by Threefields	Preston BS	35	Rotala Preston Bus
42552	Preston BS	Ribbleton, by Cromwell Road	8	Rotala Preston Bus
42552	Ribbleton, opp Cromwell Road	Preston BS	8	Rotala Preston Bus
40607	Preston BS	Fulwood, by Booths	23	Rotala Preston Bus
42551	Fulwood, opp Booths	Preston BS	23	Rotala Preston Bus

Today we decided to visit Preston for the Preston Bus Olympian running day. We found out about the event just over a week ago on Facebook so we planned to travel to Preston today. Research consisted of downloading the running boards as provided by Preston Bus on their Facebook page and checking the weather, which was for an unseasonably warm and cloudy day. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we ran down onto the A5035. We turned right into Stanley Matthews Way and we passed D&G Bus 32 on the #14 to Stafford. We ran down to the A50 and we went west towards Sideway. At the roundabout we turned we turned right and we got onto the Northbound A500. We ran up to Shelton and we came off the onto Shelton New Road. We ran to through Etruria past the old Twyfords factory and we went to the gas garage where we filled up with LPG. Once we had done we set onto the A53 and we rejoined the Northbound A500. As we didn't have much Petrol and the LPG had switched in we decided to stop for petrol too, so at the A34 roundabout we came off the A500 we stopped at the Texaco garage. AFter a quick stop we joined the A500 and we ran up to M6. We got on the motorway and we made good progress. Going North we saw taxi minibus DU14 EAA, Eavesway Travel YJ15 EVC / YJ15 EVB, Albatross taxis SH12 XZV & AC Travel X22 ACT. We came off the M6 at Junction 31 and we travelled West along the A59. We hit traffic and it took around 20 minutes to get into town just a couple of miles. Once we got into town we joined the A6 and we turned left onto Percy Street and we entered the bus station car park. After parking up we walked down to the bus station as the lift was out of order. The funny thing is it took us a while to figure it out as we ready the message one character at a time in a single character LED display! Once in the bus station we used the alternative toilets as the usual one were being upgraded. We came back to the cafe and we had dinner. The cafe was the busiest that we had ever seen it as we were in a bit of a hurry... For dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum raced off to the bottom of the bus station to try and catch the 14:10 to Tanterton, but we missed it seconds! It was Rotala Preston Bus 42556... Never mind we would hopefully catch up with it later. Missing the bus gave us a chance to have a walk around the bus station and take a few pictures. On the way out we saw Megabus 50291 on a M11 service to London.

Megabus 50291 in Preston bus station

There was one of the Olympian parked up on layover so we left the bus station to go and have a look at it. On closer inspection we saw it was Rotala Preston Bus 42552.

Rotala Preston Bus 42552 in Preston bus station

We carried on around the outside of the bus station up Tithebarn Street an we a took a few more bus pictures. We found the was another entrance at the North end so we didn't have to walk back the way we came. We returned to the bus station and waited for the next Olympian service which was due to be the 14:30 #8 to Moor Nook. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw Rotala Preston Bus 33007 on a #280 to Skipton.

Rotala Preston Bus 33007 in Preston bus station

The bus we were waiting for was a bit late, It was making it unlikely we could do the #8 and still get back for the 15:10 Tanterton service. Whilst we were waiting we saw the 4th Olypmian, which was required Rotala Preston Bus 42551. A minute or so later the pulled came into the bus station and it was required Rotala Preston Bus 42556.

Rotala Preston Bus 42556 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Easiday family Day ticket at £5.50... bargain! The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556

We went upstairs and the top deck was empty too so Matthew took another picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556 before we sat down.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556

We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and forwards onto Church Row. We turned left onto Church Street. We crossed the A59 and we ran onto Ribbleton Lane. We ran North-Eastwards out of town through Ribbleton and across the A5085. We carried on for a further 1/2 mile and we turned right into Ribbleton Hall Drive. We turned right into Pope Drive and we ran anti-clockwise around the estate Grizedale Crescent. After doing the 1/2 circle we re-joined Pope Lane and we turned right onto Ribbleton Hall Drive. We returned back into town along Ribbleton Avenue and forwards onto Ribbleton Lane. We turned right onto the A59 and left onto Percy Street. We ran into the bus station and we entered the bus station from the Stagecoach side. We passed Megabus 50292 which was on layover from the M11 and we ran around to the other side and onto stand. We got up and got off the bus and then we saw Rotala Preston Bus 32303 which was on a #280 to Skipton.

Rotala Preston Bus 32303 in Preston bus station

We decided that we would have comfort break, but before we went to the toilet we saw Parks of Hamilton national Express liveried coach LSK 845 on a #570 to London.

Parks of Hamilton LSK 845 in Preston bus station

We went to the toilet and then we visited the newsagent shop around the corner. Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of bars of chocolate. As we had missed the 15:10 we decided to ride up to Tanterton on an #35 before we catch Rotala Preston Bus 42556. There were a couple of #35's on stand... We saw Rotala Preston Bus 40606 & Rotala Preston Bus 40619.

Rotala Preston Bus 40619 in Preston bus station

neither bus seemed ready to depart so we had a look around the bus station. On an adjacent stand we saw required Rotala Preston Bus 40586 on a #8 to Moor Nook.

Rotala Preston Bus 40586 in Preston bus station

We also saw Rotala Preston Bus 40584 on a #16 to Farringdon Park.

Rotala Preston Bus 40584 in Preston bus station

A drover appeared for one of the #35 and it was for Rotala Preston Bus 40619. When the bus was ready for service we got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday family ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619

We went upstairs and we saw that the top deck was empty too, so Matthew took another picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619

We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and we turned right into Lord Street. We turned right into Lancaster Street and we ran up to the A59. We headed past the UCLAN and the 'Ships and Giggles' pub and onto the A583. We ran under the West Coast Main Line and we continued straight onto the B6241, parallel to the Blackpool line. We turned right onto Tulketh Brow and we crossed the A5085. We continued onto Woodplumpton Road and we passed the Cosgrove's Tours where we saw coaches CC51 OCT & CC55 OCT as well as a third unidentified coach. We continued up the road into Ingol and then we turned right into Tanterton Hall Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then another picture of Rotala Preston Bus 40619 as it returned back to Preston.

Rotala Preston Bus 40619 in Tanterton

We now had a 20 minute wait before Rotala Preston Bus 42562 due, so we had to let one of the bus go before the one we want was due to turn up. We went for a short walk and we saw Rotala Preston Bus 40606 appear on the following #35 which we had seen at the bus station. We came back to the bus station and Matthew had a Galaxy Caramel whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was as expected Rotala Preston Bus 42562.

Rotala Preston Bus 42562 in Tanterton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42562.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42562

We set off along Tanterton Hall Road to the end and at the roundabout we turned left into Tag Lane. We returned back into through Ingol and in town past the Cosgrove's tours depot. We joined the A583 and we ran into ran back into town along Friargate. We turned left onto the A59 and we turned right into Tithebarn Street and into the bus station. As we entered the bus station we noticed that the spare Olympian had moved from where it was parked earlier. The plan had been to get off the bus and wait for the 17:00 #23 service. We got off the bus a we noticed that Rotala Preston Bus 42552 was now on the #8 to Moor Nook. We took a quick picture before we jumped on it.

Rotala Preston Bus 42552 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. With this unexpected bonus bus we now had to change our plans. It was 16:30 and we needed to get back to the bus station for 17:00 to the remaining Olympian in before service stopped around 18:00. We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and forwards onto Church Row. We turned left onto Church Street. We crossed the A59 and we ran onto Ribbleton Lane. We ran North-Eastwards out of town through Ribbleton and across the A5085. We had just passed a #8 so we though if we got off now and catch the next bus back that maybe we could get back before 17:00. We got off the bus an we crossed the road and looked for the inbound stop. The bus pulled up at the stop and we had a little run but we weren't able to catch it. Whilst we were at the stop we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15580 & 18366 on #1 services, 47923 on a #1A service and Rotala Preston Bus 32302 on a #8 to Moor Nook. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was Rotala Preston Bus 42552 again.

Rotala Preston Bus 42552 in Ribbleton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We had just missed the bus before by second and we know weren't due to get into Preston bus station until just after 17:00. As it was likely that we would make it for the 17:00 we would have to catch the following #23 service and get off on route to intercept the last required Olympian. We returned back into town along Ribbleton Avenue and forwards onto Ribbleton Lane. We turned right onto the A59 and left onto Percy Street. We ran into the bus station and we entered the bus station from the Stagecoach side. We ran around to the other side and onto stand. We got up and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42552 before we got off the bus.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42552

Once of the bus we spotted Parks of Hamilton National Expressed liveried coach HSK 653 on a #328 to Blackpool.

Parks of Hamilton HSK 653 in Preston bus station

We visited the toilet and then we returned to the stop to catch the next #23, which was going to be Rotala Preston Bus 40607.

Rotala Preston Bus 40607 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and we turned right into Lord Street. We turned right into Lancaster Street and we ran up to the A59. We headed past the UCLAN along Adelphi Street. We passed along a narrow terraced street which was mainly fast food shops as this is was clearly a student populated part of town. We continued onto Plungington Street and we got to a roundabout Where the road opened right out. We continued forwards onto Black Bull Lane. The bus emptied out a little so Matthew took a picture behind him in Rotala Preston Bus 40607.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 40607

We crossed over the A6 and when we passed the hospital we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Preston Bus 40607 as it carried on towards Asda.

Rotala Preston Bus 40607 in Fulwood

We crossed the road and we only had to wait a short while before required Rotala Preston Bus 42551 appeared as expected.

Rotala Preston Bus 42551 in Fulwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs. The bus set off along Sharoe Green Lane and we crossed the A6 onto Black Bull Lane. We crossed the roundabout onto Plungington Road and we went do the straight narrow street past the UCLan and into the town centre down Friargate. We turned left onto the A59 and we turned right into Tithebarn Street. We arrived in the bus station on what was alomost certain to be our journey on a Leyland Olympian on a public bus service. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42551.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42551

We got off the bus and there was we saw Rotala Preston Bus 20792 which was about to work a #31 to Savick.

Rotala Preston Bus 20792 in Preston bus station

We walked up the stairs and we met up with mum who was waiting with sausage rolls and Irn Bru. we set off of the bus station car park onto Percy Street. We headed back to the A50 via church Row and church Street and we ran out of town down to the M6. We travelled South in almost complete darkness and we saw very little. The road was very quiet as it was New Years Eve. We got onto the Southbound A500 and we came off at Sideway onto the Eastbound A50. We came of the A50 at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. On the spare ground we saw Z Carz minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz airport transport minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Next to that was one of the new arrivals, Z Carz minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

The nearest vehicle in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. To our surprise was a new arrival, Z Carz minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

In Willow Row itself we spotted another new arrival, Z Carz minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

As it was getting late we decided to get a take away instead of our usual tea. We turned left onto Edensor Road and then Left again onto Spring Garden Road. We though we might struggle to get a takeaway but we were surprised just how difficult it was! We drove up to Lightwood along Lightwood Road to see that the Pisces Fish bar was closed. We drove back to Dresden along Belgrave Road and we turned left onto Carlisle Street where we saw Elim Church Longton minibus VX08 KOA. We also saw that Dresden Fisheries was also shut. We turned right into Queens Park Avenue and we crossed over the A5035 onto Drubbery Lane. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we ran down the hill to see the St Mary's Fish bar was also closed. We decided to go back home and order food online. We ran back up Blurton Road and we ran forwards onto Church Road. At the end we turned right onto the A5035 and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had food delivered and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime in early 2017... Mark

Trip to Preston 26-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
21108	Preston BS	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
21107	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	Preston BS	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
15906	Preston BS	Red Scar, opp Roman Way	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
19041	Red Scar, by Roman Way	Preston BS	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
1102	Preston BS	Walton-le-Dale, by Higher Walton Road	152	Transdev Lancashire United
15571	Walton-le-Dale, by Sir Robert Peel	Preston BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
18359	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
15913	Lea, opp Police Station	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to go to Preston. We didn't do much research for the trip today as we didn't decided where we were going until quite late. We checked the weather which was for cloudy with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 today, heading onto Stanley Matthews Way and then onto the A50. We then went North on the A500 to Shelton where we diverted off the road to get LPG. We got on the Westbound A53 and then back onto the A500. We then get onto the Northbound M6. The road was very busy and it took a while to get up to junction 18. North of Junction 18 we were passed by Hawkes Setra coach BF03 HOF on a day trip.

Hawkes BF03 HOF on the M6

We carried on up the M6 Northbound and the traffic thinned out as we headed North. We did the M6 up to Junction and then turned onto the Westbound A59 to do the last 2 miles or so into central Preston. We then parked in the bus station car park. We headed down to the toilets and then we went into the cafe for dinner. Present in the bus station was Transdev Lancashire United 1101 on the #152 to Burnley. Matthew had a breakfast for dinner washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we ate we went around the bus station to see what we could catch. We picked up some Stagecoach timetables and a map of local services. We saw required Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on a #9 to Moor Nook and we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and booked a day ticket. The driver issued us with a Citi group ticket at £5.50 which weren't aware of until today. We sat down near the back and the bus set off. We traveled out of the centre of Preston and then onto the A59 towards the M6. Part way along we turned at a roundabout and then turned right to go though cemeteries on both sides of the road otherwise know as the 'dead centre of town!'. The bus emptied out on Grizledale Crescent and we decided to get off on a quiet part of the estate before the bus turned to head back towards Preston. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the bus as we stood up to get off.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21108

As the bus went off into the distance, Matthew got another picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Moor Nook

According to the map, we only had around 10 minutes to wait for the next bus back. We also spotted a #8 was on the stop flag, and whilst we waited for the next #9, Rotala Preston Bus 30916 appeared on the #8 service.

Preston Bus 30916 in Moor Nook

A few minutes later we heard a noise around the corner and then we saw the bus approach. It was dud Stagecoach Lanacashire 21107. We got on and sat down near the back. We had done this bus on our first visit to Preston on a #68 to Lea back in August this year. We turned onto Pope Lane and then headed back towards Preston via the A59. Unlike last time, Matthew was able to get a decent picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107

As we pulled into the bus station we spotted Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 on the next #1 to Longridge. We got off 21107 and then got a picture of 15906 before walking over to get on it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 in Preston bus station

We went upstairs, and as it was nearly empty upstairs Matthew got a picture inside the bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15906

We sat down and I checked the 'buses I have travelled on' page and was surprised to find that this bus was required. I thought we had been on this last time we visited Preston and this turned out not to be the case. The bus set off out of the town centre and then we headed out of town along Longridge Road. The ticket we had was only valid up to Red Scar, which was just East of the M6 motorway. When we crossed the motorway we got up and got off 15906. We crossed the road and waited at the stop. As we had just passed a bus when we got off, we had time for Matthew to have a quick bus stop picnic. This consisted of a bottle of Irn Bru and a Bakewell Slice that we had brought at the bus station cafe earlier. Just as Matthew had finished eating we saw an Enviro400 approaching. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 19041.

Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 in Red Scar

We got on the bus and went upstairs. We sat down near the back for the journey back to Preston. The bus was nearly empty upstairs. We carried on down Longridge Road back into Preston and then into the bus station. When the bus emptied, Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041

Matthew went to the toilet and then he decided he wanted a break from doing Stagecoach buses. Transdev Lancashire United 1102 was on stand and matthew wanted to do it. I asked the driver if it went along any of the Stagecoach routes, and with the help of the map we worked out we could pay to do the bus to Walton-le-Dale and come back on either a #150 or a #125 service. The adult fare to Walton-le-Dale was £1.70 each. We got on the bus which was quite full and we sat near the back. I advised Matthew to take a picture of the empty seats behind us as the bus might fill up as we left town.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1102

The bus left the centre of town and then came up alongside the Homebase store, we turned right onto London road and we followed a #125 service down to Walton-le-Dale alongside the Ribble. When the #125 in front of us turned right at a roundabout and we turned left we knew it was time to get off. Matthew jogged past the bus stop to get a good picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1102 before it departed towards Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 1102 in Walton-le-Dale

We crossed the road and walked back to stop that served both route outside a pub. Matthew made friends with a bloke who had just come out of the pub who was a little worst for wear! Whilst we waited for the next Stagecoach bus back we saw Transdev Lancashire united 1098 on the #152 to Preston.

Transdev Lancashire United 1098 in Walton-le-Dale

A couple of minutes later we saw an Enviro400 round the corner and we saw it was stagecoach Lancashire 15571.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15571 in Walton-le-Dale

We got on and sat upstairs. This was another bus that we thought was dud but turned out to be required. The bus headed back into Preston along the A6 and then we headed into the bus station. When the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture inside stagecoach 15571 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15571

We then had a bit of a break from the buses. We went tot the shop and brought a can of Coke and some chocolate, plus a toffee flavoured flapjack. We sat down near the high numbered stands and Matthew ate the flapjack. There were a couple of required buses on the #1 to Longridge include Stagecoach Lancashire 15823. Matthew had taken a fancy to doing dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 which was on stand but not got its display turned on. Dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 was on the next #61 to Blackpool and dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18364 was on what we thought was the next #68 to Blackpool. We had a bit of a walk around the bus station and we took some pictures from the west side before retuning to the Stagecoach stands. Just as we thought we were going to be doing something else, a driver appeared for Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 and the display was set for #68 to Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 in Preston bus station

We booked to Lea as we done before the last time we did Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 on the #68 service. We went upstairs and sat down. The buses headed out of town past the outdoor market. The bus was quite full to I advised Matthew to get a picture of the insied of the bus before it filled up any more!

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18359

We headed out of town along the A583 and under the west coast main line. The #61 and #68 take similar routes and we kept seeing Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 in front of us as headed West. As we went into Lea we were right behind Stagecoach Lancashire 15908. We got up and got off outside the police station and the 2 buses were at the stop at the same time. We then crossed the road to wait for the next bus back to Preston. At the stop we saw there was a #61 due around 2 minutes ago and we hadn't seen one go past. A minute or so later we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 approaching which we knew was a required one.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 in Lea

We got on and went upstairs. We then headed back into Preston along a slightly more Northerly route into town the the #68. We crossed over the Blackpool line and then swept down hill into town. After going into town under the west coast main line along the A583, we went down an underpass to cross the A59 Ringway and then we appeared near the Northern corner of the bus station. We then loop around to the south end of the bus station and the bus dropped us off near the high numbered stands. As the bus emptied Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913

We got off the bus and mum was waiting for us. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go home, he a sweep around the bus station taking a few pictures. We first saw Trandev Lancashire United 1840 on a #280 to clitheroe

Transdev Lancashire United 1840 in Preston bus station

Next to this was Cumfybus MX09 MJK on a #80 to Fleetwood.

Cumfybus MX09 MJK in Preston bus station

Towards the Southern end of the bus station was Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on the #9 service.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

Matthew then visited the toilet and then took a picture inside the bus station over the exit subway.

View inside Preston bus station

After a few more picture we headed up the the car park were there were sausage rolls and drinks waiting for us. We left the car park and we headed out of town along the A59.We then joined the southbound M6. It was now going dark and it had started to rain. It was the last Saturday before British Summer Time ends, and it would now be dark on every return journey home until next spring. We got to the A500 which we did down to the A50. We then headed into Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were only 3 buses parked up at the front of the spare ground. Firstly we saw VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to this was there newest coach, M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Lastly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We went along willow Row to see if there was anything we could photograph in the Willow Row compound (there wasn't), and then we headed home along Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries 40150 on the #22 to Longton. We got home a little after 19:00 and Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by chessecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark