Trip to Burnley / Todmorden 28-06-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41283	Burnley BS	Mytholmroyd, at Burnley Road Midgley Rd	517	First West Yorkshire
66746	Mytholmroyd, opp The Dusty Miller PH	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69586	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
32525	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
32696	Todmorden BS	Eastwood, opp Halifax Rd Shaw Wood Road	592	First West Yorkshire
69585	Eastwood, Halifax Rd Shaw Wood Road (SW-bound)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69583	Todmorden BS	Burnley BS	592	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Burnley. We checked the weather and it appeared to be better to the north today. So we gave matthew a choice of a few Northern towns and he chose Burnley. Research consisted of looking at the price of and validity of First tickets on the off chance we got to Burnley in time to the #517 to Halifax and it was something worth catching. It turned out the First West Yorkshire tickets was only £4.60 and Transdev Silver ticket is £6. We also checked the times of the #517 service as this changed in April. Matthew got up at 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off just after 11:30. We headed onto the A5035 and then we turned into Stanley Matthew Way. We had a short trip along the A50 and we joined the Northbound A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so we could fill up with LPG. After we had finished filling up we took the A53 West following First Potteries 66307 on a #34A to Talke. We got back on the Northbound A500 and we headed up to the M6. We then went North and we saw ABC Supreme YN55 KXO going North too. We turned East at the M62 and we continued East on the M60. When we got to the M66 we went North past Bury and Ramsbottom. We overtook Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 on a X43 to Burnley and we then carried on up the A56 until we reached the M65. We went a couple of junctions further East before we came off the motorway for the last couple of miles into town. We parked near the bus station and we walked across the the Atlantis Cafe. Mathew went upstairs to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Apparently the owner of the cafe is from Stoke! Matthew had a breakfast and a large cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the end of the bus station to get a few pictures. Required First West Yorkshire 41283 was on the #517 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41283 in Burnley bus station

If we walked quickly around the bus station, hopefully we would be able to catch this bus. Also in the bus station was Mainline liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1857 on a #23 to Accrington.

'Mainline' 1857 in Burnley bus station

We the saw Tyrer Bus YJ05 WCE departing the bus station on a #65 service.

Tyrer Bus YJ05 WCE in Burnley bus station

We also saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle Dart 715 on a local service.

'Starship' 715 in Burnley bus station

The bus we had passed on the M66 was now in the bus station. 'Witch Way' branded Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 was about to work a X43 to Manchester.

'Witch Way' 2780 in Burnley bus station

Last in the row was another starship liveried bus. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle Optare Versa 260 on a #5 service.

'Starship' 260 in Burnley bus station

We quickly walked around the into the bus station and we got on First West Yorkshire 41283. We decided to get the cheaper First West Yorkshire Day ticket and venture East. We sat down at the back of the bus which was quite full. The bus left town along Harry Potts Way past Turf Moor and the gigantic picture of Tunstall born Martin Paterson. We went beyond Brunshaw, the furthest point which we had travelled on the #517 when we did First West Yorkshire 41316 back in January. Further along the road the houses gave way to open Moorland. We caught up with a tractor puling a trailer full of Hay and we followed it for a short while. We turned left onto The Long Causeway following the tractor! The tractor pulled over a little further up the road and we went past it and off into the wide open moors. We climbed higher and the views were spectacular... I recommend doing this Saturdays Only bus as a scenic tour if you ever find yourself in Burnley at a loose end. We carried on going up and passed a large bank of wind turbines before starting the decent back into civilization. We passed the village of Blackshaw Head. We saw TLC bus 90819 on a #596 to Blackshaw Head. We carried on down into the Calder Valley and through a village called Heptonstall. As we we approaching Hebden Bridge I asked the lady in front of us if there was a bus station. She mentioned a turning circle and stops on the High Street. She also asked me if we were coming next weekend for the cycle race. The bus emptied a little and Matthew took a picture of the seat opposite us.

Inside First West Yorkshire 41283

The bus joined onto the A646 from a steep road at a sharp angle. We carried on to the next stop which also had a turning circle so the bus could turn around to head into town. For a small town Hebden Bridge has an incredibly busy high street. It is full of independent (expensive) shops. Mum wouldn't like it... We decided to go past Hebden Bridge to Mytholmroyd, a town that we have visited before from the Halifax end back in September 2013. When we got to the centre of town we decided to get off. Matthew got another picture of this interesting old Dart before it continued up the A646 towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41283 in Mytholmroyd

We had a look a round to see what was there. There was a bus stop opposite with a toilet block behind it. There was also a paper shop. We decided to walk up to the crossing so we could visit the paper shop. As we walked up to the crossing we saw TLC 3097 on a Westbound local service.

TLC 3097 in Mytholmroyd

We crossed the road and we found that the paper shop was shut! We walked into town a little but we could not find a shop. As we got back to the bus stop we saw that their was a Sainsbury's local store almost exactly where we had got off the bus! At the same time we saw First West Yorkshire 69578 on a #590 to Todmorden.

First West Yorkshire 69578 in Mytholmroyd

We crossed back over to Sainsbury's and Matthew picked up a can of Coke and a twin pack of Milky Way. We crossed back over to the stop and we saw there was a bus to Todmorden every 10 minutes on service #590 from Halifax. At ten past the hour there was a through #590 service to Rochdale. There was also an hourly #592 through to Burnley at 20 to the hour. Matthew visited the toilet and when he came out we had a little picnic at the bus stop. We broke a can of Irn Bru out of rations, which he drank just before the bus turned up. The bus was required First West Yorkshire 66746.

First West Yorkshire 66746 in Mytholmroyd

We flashed our First Bus tickets and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back through Hebden Bridge and this time we were able to appreciate it more. All the shops were decorated with cycling related displays for the race next weekend. I could not believe it when I found out that the race is going to be part of the Tour de France! The bus carried on through the Calder Valley for a further 5 miles into Todmorden where we planned to get off. On the way we passed Leyland tiger CBM 13X parked up in a layby. The bus followed the A646 through town, turning right towards Burnley and into the bus station which is situated under the 7th arch of the railway viaduct which runs through the town overhead. We got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the bus station. We considered our next move... There was a second #517 from Burnley to Halifax at 17:05. The Burnley bound bus from Hebden Bridge would probably depart from around 16:00. Also the #592 to Burnley was due at 15:50 through Hebden Bridge too. If we could get back quick enough we should make one or the other of these buses. There was a #592 to Halifax in the bus station, required First West Yorkshire 69586.

First West Yorkshire 69586 in Todmorden bus station

We decided to do this bus to see what was happening back at Hebden Bridge. We got on and flashed our tickets to the driver. As the bus was empty at the back Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69586.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69586

We sat down and the bus waited for it due time at 15:40. The bus set off back onto the A646 and traveled back down the Calder Valley to Hebden Bridge past the parked up Leyland Tiger and into the Western edge of town. We got off and we saw the First West Yorkshire 69582 on the #592 going the other way... The next opportunity to get back towards Burnley was the #517. We looked at the board on the stop and the bus was due at 16:07 in around 15 minutes. There was a Co-op on the opposite corner so we decided to go for a quick shopping trip. Matthew picked up another can of Coke and I got him a drink he would actually drink whilst we were out,a bottle of Irn Bru. He picked up some more chocolate and we headed for the till. It was a sizable Co-op store, and as such was quite busy. The guy on the till was having trouble with a cooked chicken, and the manager gave him a jar of coffee to scan to put something of the same value through the till. By the time we got out we only had a couple of minutes to wait for the #517. 16:07 came and went but the bus hadn't turned up. We looked up at the electronic display and it said the bus was due, but not before the #590 to Todmorden. This must the the first time we have seen and noticed real-time bus information displayed at a stop. The #590 did turn first and it was a double decker. We decided we were going to do this instead. As it got closer we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 32525.

First West Yorkshire 32525 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and flashed our First Bus tickets. We went upstairs and Matthew said hello to the girl sitting at the front of the bus. The bus was empty behind us so Matthew took a picture of the bus there and then.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32525

We sat down as the bus set off back up the Calder valley and past the Leyland Tiger again. As we left town, I realised that we had been to the town that had given rise to Bogshed... Quite possibly the best band of the 1980's. We hadn't noticed a single piece of artwork, statue or even on the of those blue plaques to denote the houses of the band members! The journey to Todmorden was swift taking a little over 10 minutes to get to there and to turn into the bus station. We got off the bus and there was another TLC bus present so Matthew got a picture of it. It was TLC 90815 on a T1 Cross Lee service.

TLC 90815 in Todmorden bus station

We walked around the bus station and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 32525 before it headed off back to Halifax on the next #590 service.

First West Yorkshire 32525 in Todmorden bus station

We decided to go for a quick walk into town at this point. We thought we could still head off the #517 at Burnley if we caught 16:40 to #589 Burnley. Or we could go towards Hebden Bridge to intercept the 17:10 #592 from Todmorden. We walked through the market and across a square to the public toilets. After Matthew had used the toilet we walked around the market and back into the bus station. We though that double decker at the bus station looked different to the one we just had. It was a different bus... It was required First West Yorkshire 32696 on the #592 from Burnley to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32696 in Todmorden bus station

We walked around the bus station and we decided to catch the double decker instead of doing First West Yorkshire 69584 which was on the #589 to Burnley. We could then head of the next #592 just West of Hebden Bridge and catch that back to Burnley. We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the of the top deck of First West Yorkshire 32696 which was empty.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32696

The bus set off out of town and we went for around 5 minutes before we got up and got of the bus. We were in Eastwood (apparently)... Matthew got another picture of First West Yorkshire 32696 as it headed of East towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32696 in Eastwood

We crossed the road to wait for the #592 back to Burnley. We gave Matthew the bottle of Irn Bru and we looked at the timetable at the stop. As Matthew started to drink we realised we should have passed a #590 and that we hadn't. We looked up the road to see a bus approaching. It was required First West Yorkshire 69585.

First West Yorkshire 69585 in Eastwood

We flashed the tickets and got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. This would get an extra bus in and help to break up the journey back to Burnley. The bus charged up the A646 and we got into Todmorden bus station in no time. Before we got off Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69585.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69585

We walked around the bus station for one last time whilst we waited for the #592 to Burnley. On a #589 to Rochdale was required First West Yorkshire 69580.

First West Yorkshire 69580 in Todmorden bus station

First West Yorkshire 66746 reappeared after doing a round trip to Rochdale and back from when we caught the bus earlier.

First West Yorkshire 66746 in Todmorden bus station

The #592 to Burnley eventually turned up and it was required First West Yorkshire 69583.

First West Yorkshire 69583 in Todmorden bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets for a final time today. We sat down near the back and we had to wait a few minutes before it was time to depart. The bus went onto the A646, this time towards Burnley. As the road left town we were in a very steep sided valley. The houses had virtually no gardens behind them and the gardens there were there were on steep hills, or cut into the valley. We traveled through Cornholme and Portsmouth and then we crossed over the railway line as we got towards to top of the valley. The road opened out more here and we had a long run along the A646 before we turned off the road to serve the Walk Mill area. We climbed up Mill Lnae and joined Red Leese Road for the run into Burnley. We past the Long Causeway were the #517 turns, and we carried on as the road became Brunshaw Road. As we were going to back past Turf Moor I decided to try and get a picture of the picture of Martin Paterson outside Turf Moor. I did managed to take one, albeit a little blurry. The bus dropped down into town and turned into the bus station. We waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69583.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69583

We visited the shop and after a few more purchases we went out of the bus station and we saw Moving People Optare Solo YJ04 CCW.

Moving People YJ04 CCW in Burnley

As we were walking back around to the toilet in the bus station, Matthew spotted someone he wanted to say hello to and ran at them. Matthew used the toilet and we walked to the car. We walked past the girl he had run at previously, this time he was well behaved. In the car Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a large an of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and onto the A671. We did this up to the M65 and then went West. We traveled the short distance to the A56 and we went South. Here we climbed up an out of the valley before running down and around Haslingden and onto the M66. We had a short run down onto the M60 anti-clockwise where we spied Merseyside based minibus Hartley Travel J12 HTL. We turned onto the M62 and we got into a position where Matthew could take a picture of this minibus.

Hartley Travel J12 HTL on the M62

We carried on West towards the M6 and then Southwards into Cheshire. we overtook Maynes of Buckie KM14 YNE as we headed towards junction 16. We came off and down the A500 until we reached the A50 and then we went into Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz today. There were 4 minibuses on the spare ground this evening. Firstly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to this was Ford FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

This was followed by marooned coloured VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Finally we saw the airport transfers minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned into Willow row to see what was in the compound. Today there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX and MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We went through heron Cross where we saw Lightning Travel minibus T2 DLT. We got back home around 19:30 this evening. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by chocolate fudge cake. Mathew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Halifax 14-09-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
31775	Halifax BS	Mytholmroyd, opp Burnley Road White Lee Gdns‎	593	First West Yorkshire
66756	Mytholmroyd, adj Burnley Road White Lee Gdns	Halifax BS	591	First West Yorkshire
61288	Halifax Town Centre, George Street (Stop 24)‎	Sowerby, Rooley Heights (NE-bound)	579	First West Yorkshire
41281	Sowerby, Rooley Heights (NE-bound)	Pye Nest, adj Bolton Brow East Parade‎‎	579	First West Yorkshire
TJ25	Pye Nest, adj Bolton Brow East Parade‎	Halifax Town Centre, Crown Street‎	300	TJ Walsh
TJ11	Halifax Town Centre, Market Street (Stop 16)	Ovenden, Keighley Road Shay Ln (SE-bound)	600	TJ Walsh
66748	Ovenden, Keighley Road Shay Ln (SE-bound)	Halifax Town Centre, Broad Street (Stop 30)‎	522	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Halifax. It was a fairly late decision this week. We did no research as such, other than to check the weather (cloudy with sunny intervals) and to find and look at the Calderdale bus map. Matthew got up a little after 10:00 and had his usual toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and got onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthew Way. We went West on the A50 and then North on the A500. The M6 was very busy as we traveled North we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 104 and MIB 346 going the other way. We were also passed by AT Browns Bova coach K30 ATB. After junction 19 the traffic eased and we made better time from this pint onwards. We got onto the East bound M62 and then onto the clockwise ring road. We carried on along the M62 over Saddleworth Moor and we came off the M62 at junction 24. We drove into town up the A629 and then parked near the bus station off the long and Winding Road. We walked up to the bus station to use the toilets and then carried on to Ivanhoe's fish and chip shop. It was busy when we arrived and we struggled to find a seat. It did empty out a little by the tie the food was ready. Matthew had chips sausage and gravy with a hot dog bun and draught Vimto. Whilst we ate we saw something that we had not seen before on our previous visit. First West Yorkshire 31807 on a #512 Mixenden service. It was the first time we had seen a step entranced bus work here. After we had eaten I gave Matthew a choice of wait at the adjacent stop for a TJ Walsh minibus or going to the bus station. Matthew choice the bus station so we walked back to the bus station. As we arrived we saw another step entranced bus working. First West Yorkshire 30809 was leaving on a #592 to Burnley. It also looked like there was another step entranced bus on layover. We walked down and saw it was former Bury vehicle 30802.

First West Yorkshire 30802 in Halifax bus station

As we walked around the bus station another step entranced bus appeared. First West Yorkshire 31775 parked up in the bus station layover area. Where we were standing there was a list of bus services and departure stands. The display was blank as it sat for a few minutes. A driver appeared and set the destination as 593 Old Town. We looked it up on the board and it was from stand C2. As it moved off Matthew got a picture of it.

First West Yorkshire 31775 in Halifax bus station

The bus couldn't turn sharply enough to get onto C2 so it had to do a circle of the bus station. That was fortunate for us because we had to walk all the way up to the top of the bus station before we could cross over to the C stand! We just about beat the bus onto the stand and then we got on it. We brought our Metro Day tickets and then went upstairs. We looked at the map and we discovered Old Town was North of Hebden Bridge. We decided we would get off before then as we didn't want to spend all of our time on this bus when there were so many other buses to go after. We made a decision to get off at Mytholmroyd. The bus left town through Kings Cross where we saw First West Yorkshire Dart 41281 on a #579. We then turned onto the A646 Burnley Road. We passed through Luddenden and just before we got to Mytholmroyd we saw First West Yorkshire Dart 41316 on the elusive #517 service. The front of the top deck was empty so Matthew got a picture as we got off the bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 31775

We got off the bus and we got another picture of the bus as it disappeared Westward.

First West Yorkshire 31775 in Mytholmroyd

The was very busy for a short while, and as we waited to cross over we saw First West Yorkshire new liveried Volvo 66750 bound for Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 66750 in Mytholmroyd

Eventually we crossed the road to wait for a Halifax Bound bus. We didn't have to wait for long before 66756 appeared on a #591 to Halifax. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off at Kings Cross to cover the #579/#300's quicker and he said no. As we entered Kings Cross we did so behind TJ Walsh TJ19 on a #300 towards Halifax. on the other side of Kings Cross we saw First West Yorkshire 30844 on a #579 taking the step entranced deckers in service total up to 5. We headed town and when the bus got to the bus station and emptied out Matthew got a picture inside 66756.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66756

As he didn't get a very good picture of the bus in Mytholmroyd, he also took another picture of the bus in the bus station before in went on layover.

First West Yorkshire 66756 in Halifax bus station

We decided to go after a couple of minibuses so we set off towards George Street. On the way we saw 31807 again n the #512 service.

First West Yorkshire 31807 in Halifax

We carried n walking and went to the disabled toilet on George Street before walking up to stop 24. We had just missed a mini bus, but required First West Yorkshire 61288 was at the stop on a #579 to Sowerby, so we decided to do that up. Before we got on Matthew took a picture.

First West Yorkshire 61288 in Halifax

The bus was quite full and we sat near the back. The bus set off through Kings Cross ad we passed 30844 coming the other way. We passed through Sowerby Bridge and did the steep climb through the housing estate up to Sowerby. When we got to the end of the run we got up and we saw a TJ Walsh mini bus TJ26 leaving the stop. We got up and Matthew got a picture inside this fine bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 61288

We also got off and got another picture of the bus at Sowerby too.

First West Yorkshire 61288 in Sowerby

We let 61288 go as there wasn't long for the next bus. Matthew had a drink of Tizer and we decided to d the next bus. If it wasn't a minibus we would get of in Sowerby Bridge and wait for one. The next bus turned up and it was required First West Yorkshire 41281.

First West Yorkshire 41281 in Sowerby

We got on and Matthew took a picture inside this beast too.

Inside First West Yorkshire 41281

We sat down near the back and a couple of minutes later the bus set off. We headed back thrugh the housing estate and down into Sowerby Bridge. We decided to get off just the other side of town and we saw required TJ Walsh mini TJ19 going the other way. This was followed by a road train! We got off and got another picture of this nice example of a Marshall Dart.

First West Yorkshire 41281 in Sowerby Bridge

At the stop we didn't have to wait ore than 5 minutes before we saw minibus approaching. Unfortunately for us it was one of 2 we had done last time we visited Halifax, TJ Walsh TJ25.

TJ Walsh TJ25 in Sowerby Bridge

The bus was empty so he got a picture as soon as we got on.

Inside TJ Walsh TJ25

We headed up the hill to Kings Cross and then back into town. it isn't very often you hear music on the bus and for some reason Matthew was fascinated by the radio / mp3 player in the bus and took a picture of that. We got off and crossed the road to head back to George Street. We took another picture of TJ25 before we went.

TJ Walsh TJ25 in Halifax

We decided to visit a shop, where Matthew had 12 the contents of the drinks chiller and 2 bars f chocolate! The plan had been to wait on George street for one of the required TJ Walsh minibuses, but we saw required TJ11 on a #600 go passed us. We decided to 'head it off at the pass', or more accurately the stop by the chip shop. We walked down Russell Street and Matthew took a picture of Bon Marche! We just managed to beat the bus to the stop and Matthew got a picture.

TJ Walsh TJ11 in Halifax

We got on the bus and sat down at the back. The bus set out of town northwards passed the Dean Clough Mill and we climbed out of town. It takes the same route as the #700 along the A629 up to Ovenden Way, and then the bus returns to Halifax via Nursery Lane and back down the A629. As the bus turned onto Nursery Lane the bus emptied out. Further down the road the bus was about to start filling again so Matthew quickly took a picture before someone got on.

Inside TJ Walsh TJ11

The bus turned onto the A629 to head back into town and we got off. We didn't have to wait long before we saw a bus approaching. It was required First West Yorkshire 66748.

First West Yorkshire 66748 in Ovenden

We got on the empty bus and Matthew took a picture inside too.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66748

The bus carried on into town down the A629. Just before the edge of town we came off the A629 and went passed the Dean Clough mill. We got off the bus at a stop adjacent to the bus station (stop 30) and we decided to have a few minutes taking pictures before we went back to the car. One of the buses we saw was First West Yorkshire 61289 on the #560 service.

First West Yorkshire 61289 in Halifax bus station

We then saw Arriva Yorkshire 1108 on a #255 service.

Arriva Yorkshire 1108 in Halifax bus station

Before we left we decided to d one more lap of the bus station taking pictures. At the bottom of the bus station was First West Yorkshire 32692 on a #508 to Leeds.

First West Yorkshire 32692 in Halifax bus station

We headed back to the car via the toilet, and then we had our Greggs sausage rolls. We need to take on fuels so we had a slight diversion North onto Pellon Lane. As I had had very little sleep last night mum drove back home. It was now nearly 18:00. We headed down the A629 and onto the M62 Westbound. We went onto the anticlockwise M60 and then carried onto west along the M62. At the M6 we headed South. We followed down and then photographed former Procters (now with Global Travel) Van Hool coach HUI 6822 just North of Sandbach services.

Global Travel HUI 6822 on the M6

We then went South on the A500 and then East on the A50 to Longton. At Z Carz today there were 4 buses on the spare ground. There was a new coach to Z Carz, M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

At the back of the spare ground was coach ALZ 8539. Then there were also 2 LDV minibus. At the front we saw R920 WNT.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

Behind R920 WNT was a blue LDV minibus, probably YN03 HJC. In the Willow Row compound was LDV minibus T408 JUX Not For Service. We went back passed the coach so I could take a picture and then we returned home down Longton Hall Road. We got home around 19:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:30...Mark