Trip to Blackburn 18-10-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
212	Blackburn temporary BS	Waterloo (Blackburn), by Livesey Branch Road	24	Transdev Lancashire United
202	Waterloo (Blackburn), by Livesey Branch Road	Blackburn temporary BS	24	Transdev Lancashire United
YJ51 XST	Blackburn temporary BS	Blackburn (Blackburn), adj St Marys College	D10	Darwen Coach Services
18	Blackburn (Blackburn), opp St Marys College	Intack, by Hamer Avenue	5A	Transdev Lancashire United
2757	Intack, by Accrington Road	Blackburn temporary BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to re-visit Blackburn. The weather had been forecast for mainly dry weather with an occasion shower. We gave Matthew a list of destination from the North West and Midlands and out of these Matthew chose Blackburn. We didn't do any research for this trip, other than to check the weather, and with hindsight perhaps we should have done. The evening before we had spotted we had a headlight out, so we order one for collection from Euro Car Parts in Etruria. Matthew got up around 10:30 today, and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 today, to give us extra time to get the headlight bulb. We went onto the A5035 and along Stanley Matthews Way. We saw D&G 171 on the Blurton Plumline. We joined the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. After coming off the A500 at Wolstatnton to pick up the bulbs, we got back on the Northbound A500. We saw ABC Supreme FJ53 FBU. We carried on North up to the M6. Traffic on the Northbound M6 wasn't too bad today and we made up some of the time from the stop we made earlier. As we travelled through Cheshire we caught up with Hollinshead NIB 8318 which we think was going to Preston with away fans from Port Vale. We went past the coach and then Matthew took a picture of it as it overtook us.

Hollinshead NIB 8318 on the M6

Further up the M6, North of the M62 we caught up with another Hollinshead Coach. This time it was short Mercedes coach WA08 GPZ.

Hollinshead WA08 GPZ on the M6

We carried on up the M6 until we got to the M65, then we went East. As we were going to Morrisons to park and eat, we went past Blackburn and came of the M65 at junction 6 to head back into town from the other side. On the way into town we missed the turning for Morrison so we wasted a few minutes trying to turn around to head back towards Morrisons. We parked on the top storey in the long stay spaces, and we headed down into the shop in the lift. After using the toilet, we went to the cafe in Morrisons were Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke. This was followed by a slice of Cake. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked to the end of the supermarket and came out by the bus station. Construction of the new bus station on the site adjacent to the temporary one is now well and truly under way... As time was getting on we decided to catch a bus as quickly as we could. When we got to the bus station there were 3 of the former Norwich park and ride buses abou to work, 2 of which were required buses. Transdev Lancashire United 205 was about to work to Bolton on a #1, Transdev Lancashire United 212 was about to do a #24 to Chorley..

Lancashire United 212 in Blackburn bus station

Transdev Lancashire United 211 was on a #7 to Accrington. We decided to do required Transdev Lancashire United 212 so we got on the bus and booked Blackburn Day tickets at £4.20 each. We got on and Matthew took a picture of the empty back of the bus. We were going to go to Feniscowles, which was the limit of the ticket. It was also conveniently a good place to catch a bus going back the other way with a mere 9 minute wait. We set off out of town crossing the railway at wainwright bridge. We went down the A666 towards Ewood Park, and we turned onto Livesey Branch Road. As we started to climb the hill towards Feniscowles. An alarm sounded on the bus. The driver pulled over at a stop and shut the bus down to try and clear the alarm. He restarted the bus several times and the alarm wouldn't clear. The driver then got on the phone to the depot to request a fitter. The bus had been declared a failure! Everybody decided to get off and wait for the following service. As such Matthew was able to get another picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 212 as it was now completely empty.

Inside Lancashire United 212

As we were going to catch the next bus back, we decided to cross the road and wait for it. Matthew took a another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 212 before we walked down to the bus stop opposite.

Lancashire United 212 in Waterloo

Whilst we waited for the next Blackburn bound #24, we saw Transdev Lancashire United 2702 on a #4 to Leyburn Road.

Lancashire United 2702 in Waterloo

This was followed by dud Transdev Lancashire United 17 on the #5C. A few minutes later we saw another single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 202.

Lancashire United 202 in Waterloo

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets before sitting down near to the back of the bus. So all three required former Norwich park and ride buses were out in service today... The bus carried on down Livesey Branch Road and we headed into town. The route through town seemed very confusing as we seemed to passed close by to the same spot near to the railway station before seemingly taking around 5 minutes to go around town and travel a mere 50 yds! We waited at a set off temporary lights as there was considerable building work taking place on the site of the old bus interchange. We passed by the site of the new bus station before pulling into the temporary site. We waited for the bus to empty before Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 202.

Inside Lancashire United 202

We watch the driver change the destination to #22 Clitheroe. We assume that the #24 is booked to inter-work with the #22. Across the way Transdev Lancashire United 205 was about to work a #1 to Bolton.

Lancashire United 205 in Blackburn bus station

Across the other side of the bus station there were a couple of Solos. One was Holmeswood YJ08 PGE about to work the #15 to Mellor Brook. Behind that was Darwen Coach Services YJ51 XST on service D10.

Darwen Coach Services YJ51 XST in Blackburn bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do this bus so we talked to the driver on where we could do the bus. He told us that the #5A/C share the route in Lammack so we could go to there. We purchased the tickets and honked the horn on the bus! Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Darwen Coach Services YJ51 XST

The bus set off out of town Westward through tight terraced streets. Eventually we reached a more leafy area and we turned North East and then started to turn back towards town. The driver told us where we should get off on Shear Brow and we watch the bus carry on back towards town. We had a bit of time before the #5A was due so we visited the shop and brought a can of Cherry Coke and some choclate. WE had a little picnic at the side of the road and we had a quick walk around the area. As we weren't sure which direction the bus was approaching from we decided to walk back to the original stop. Due a few minutes before the #5A was the Holmeswood Coaches service #25 to Clitheroe. This was being worked by Holmeswood Coaches YJ08 PGE.

Holmeswood YJ08 PGE in Blackburn

Almost as soon as the Solo had gone we saw a Transdev double decker turn right onto Shear Brow. AS it got closer we saw it was dud Transdev Lancashire United 18.

Lancashire United 18 in Blackburn

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and it was empty so Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus before sitting down.

Inside Lancashire United 18

We have not yet managed to do a complete run on the #5A/C as it take an hour to do the full circle. The bus set off up Shear Brow before we turned to go anti-clockwise around the town. We passed Transdev Lancashire United 17 and we carried on around town passed Mill Hill railway station. We went along Livesey Branch Road and then we headed though Ewood. We then went though the housing estates to the South of the town and into the hospital. We then went through Shadworth before crossing the A679. We got off the bus in Intack and we took another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 18.

Lancashire United 18 in Intack

We had considered doing a bus towards Accrington but it was close to 17:00 now. We looked at the timetable towards Accrington and the next bus wasn't until 17:13. As we looked at the bus times we saw required Transdev Lancashire United 211 going towards Blackburn on the #6A service.

Lancashire United 211 in Intack

As there was a gap in the service we decided to cross the road to see when the next bus towards Blackburn was due. There was a X41 due at 17:07. We decided to call it a day and do this bus back into town. Matthew had a chocolate bar as we waited. We saw a double decker approaching in the distance. As the bus got closer we saw it was dud Transdev Lancashire United 2757.

Lancashire United 2757 in Intack

We flashed the ticket for the final time and we went upstairs. We sat down and the bus carried on along the A679. We carried on down the A678 and onto the ring road. We entered the bus station from the Penny Street. We waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 2757.

Inside Lancashire United 2757

Before mum came to meet us, we had a quick wander around the bus station taking pictures. We saw Transdev Lancashire United 1306 on a #1 to Bolton.

Lancashire United 1306 in Blackburn bus station

We also saw Transdev Lancashire United 1088 on a #7A to Accrington.

Lancashire United 1088 in Blackburn bus station

We started to walk back towards Morrisons along Penny Street and we saw Darwen Coach Service N354 AVV parked up between services.

Darwen Coach Services N354 AVV in Blackburn

We headed back through Morrisons and Matthew used the toilet before we went up to the long stay car park. Matthew tucked into a sausage roll and drank his Irn Bru whilst i changed the light bulb. WE set off out of the car park and we headed onto the A678. We stopped at Tesco to get some diesel before carrying onto the M65. We caught up with Elite Gold AG53 ZYT. WE followed the coach onto the M6 and South before it turned at the M58. Just south of the M56 we caught up with Stagecoach Glasgow 54204 working service M11 to London.

Stagecoach Glasgow 54204 on the M6

We carried on South until we got to the A500. On the A500 we saw Bakers Coaches BIG 5013 parked up on a layby North of the A34. We carried on South and then onto the Westbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There was only one minibus on the spare ground. This was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Long Term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX was on the back of a low loader so that was probably on its way to the scrapyard. Also in the compound were Mercedes minibuses W221 CDN & S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned in the road to head back onto the A50. In the time it took us to turn we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP appear.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and and then we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We passed Lightning Travel T2 DLT which was parked at the lightning house, and we carried on through Blurton. In Blurton we passed First Potteries 42894 on the last #22 of the day towards Longton. We got home at 19:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by lemon meringue pie. Matthew then chilled on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Clitheroe / Whalley 15-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
PX10 ABZ	Clitheroe Interchange	The Beeches, B6243 (failed)	25	Holmeswood
1834	Whalley BS	Clitheroe Interchange	26	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
MX05 OUC	Clitheroe Interchange	Whalley BS	5	Holmeswood
1834	Whalley BS	Read, opp Campbell Street	27	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1853	Read, o/s Constitutional Club	Whalley BS	26	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1101	Whalley BS	Blackburn temporary BS	22	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to visit Clitheroe. We didn't decided where we were going until Friday as we want to see how the car was going to be after having some repairs. We gave Matthew a list of destination and Matthew chose Clitheroe. Research for the trip consisted of finding and reading the 'Ribble valley Ranger' leaflet, and checking the weather which was for cloud and sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we went onto the A5035. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and there were quite a few coaches parked up in the South car park which we could not identify. We went onto the A50 and then the Northbound A500 which we did to Shelton New Road where we went to pick up some LPG. After filling up we went Weast on the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. As we headed North we passed D&G 135 heading South running out of service. As we joined the Northbound M6 we went behind Solus coach W50 LUS. There were a few different routes that we could take and we decided to go North to the M65. We headed East along the M65 skirting the Southern edge of Blackburn before coming off at Junction 7. We found ourselves on a familiar road in Clayton-le-Moors. We passed an unidentified Lancashire United double decker on the #152 to Blackburn as we turned onto the A680. We joined the A671 and continued North. The A671 blended with the A59 for a short while and we spotted a sign for a Cafe at a place called Pendle View fishery. Matthew used the outdoor toilet block before we headed into the cafe/fishing bait shop. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished we had to Head South as we were on a dual carriage way and then we did a 180' turn at the next roundabout. We then turned left onto the A671 to do the last couple of miles into Clitheroe. We parked in a car park behind the railway station on Chester Avenue which was cheap (£1.20 for 4 hours). After we had parked up we walked under a narrow road under the railway to the transport interchange. There were 4 buses parked up between duties. Three of these were small buses belonging to Holmeswood, two Solos and and a Primo. The other bus was Pilkington Bus S278 AOX which was waiting for tine before doing the #231 service to Accrington.

Pilkington Bus S278 AOX in Clitheroe Interchange

One of the Holmeswood Solos left the layover area and ran around town onto stand 3. It was holmeswood YJ56 AUM on the #7A service to Nelson.

Holmeswood YJ56 AUM in Clitheroe Interchange

There was a #25 service to Blackburn in a few minutes, and whilst we were waiting another Holmeswood bus appeared in the lay over area. It was Holmeswood Optare Solo YN53 SVY.

Holmeswood YN53 SVY in Clitheroe Interchange

We saw the Plaxton Primo getting ready to do the service #25 to Blackburn and then it disappeared whilst it ran around the town's one way system. A few minutes later it reappeared from around the corner and Matthew got a picture of Holmeswood PX10 ABZ as it pulled onto it's stand.

Holmeswood PX10 ABZ in Clitheroe Interchange

We got on the bus and book out Ribble Valley Ranger day ticket. We were surprised to find it was still £6.50. I had thought it had gone up in price. As the bus was empty and we were the first people on Matthew got a picture inside PX10 ABZ immediately.

Inside Holmeswood PX10 ABZ

We sat down near the back and the bus took on a few more passengers before our departure time of 14:37. Dud Transdev Lancashire United 205 pulled up behind us on the #22 service from Blackburn. The bus set off and went through town. the bus did a circle and we passed the railway station 100yds down the road from where the bus departed. We then went West out of town over the railway line and over the river Ribble. The bus sounded a little noisey for a 10 reg we thought and a mile or so down the road the driver pulled over in front of a couple of farms on the B6243. He stopped the engine and walked around the back and lifted the engine cover. He came back and report the fan belt had gone and the bus was overheating so we had to wait for a fitter to come and attend. This was only the second time we had ever been on a bus that had broken down! Previously we had been on a Pye Green circular in Cannock back in November 2012 when Arriva Midlands 2328 failed. I texted mum to say tell her the bus had broken down and she rang back asking if we wanted to be picked up. As we had limited time and we didn't know how long we would be we accepted the offer. I texted our location to her and she set off to fetch us. One of the local farmers came out to have a look to see what was going on and around 15 minutes later mum appeared and we got in the car. Mum wasn't too impressed with the selection of shops in Clitheroe so she gave us a lift to Whalley and then continued on to Blackburn. We decided we would catch a bus back to Clitheroe so that we could do a few more buses before meeting mum in Blackburn later. Matthew visited the toilet on the bus station side of the road before we crossed over to the Northbound stop. There was a short gap in the service towards Clitheroe, so we visited the local shop and bought a can of Coke and some chocolate. Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited. On the other side of the road Holmeswood Solo YJ55 BGO went South on the #25 with some familiar looking passengers on board.

Holmeswood YJ55 BGO in Whalley

If we had stayed with the bus we would have only had to wait another 15 minutes or so. Before long a 'Mainline' liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle bus came around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was required Trandev Burnley & Pendle 1834.

'Mainline' 1834 in Whalley

We got on the bus and flashed the ranger tickets. As the bus was empty at the rear he took a picture inside 1834 as we got on.

Inside 'Mainline' 1834

We sat down near the back and the bus set off North. The #26 service takes a more direct route the the #25 service, along Whalley Road until joining the A671 for the last couple of miles. We passed a #22 being worked by required Transdev Lancashire United 1302. When we got into Clitheroe we got off the bus and we got another picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834.

'Mainline' 1834 in Clitheroe Interchange

Parked up in the layover area was required Holmeswood Optare Solo MX05 OUC. The next bus south to Whalley was MX05 OUC on the #5 service to Chipping.

Holmeswood MX05 OUC in Clitheroe Interchange

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets. It was empty when we got on so Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Holmeswood MX05 OUC

The bus headed South down the same road as the #26 we had done going North earlier. It didn't take long to get to Whalley and when we got off Matthew took another picture of Holmeswood MX05 OUC. We knew Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834 was due back South towards Burnley so we decided to do this service. We didn't have to wait too long before Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834 reappeared.

'Mainline' 1834 in Whalley

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. It was a little fuller going South than when we had done it going North earlier. We had decided to do this bus again rather than do the #22 service as we thought there would be more chance of getting a required bus. With the aid of the Ribble valley Ranger leaflet only we worked that the #27 traveled via Sabden and Read whilst the #26 when directly along the A671 from Read to Whalley. As we had passed required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1857 on a #27 service just out of Whalley so we knew the next bus would be a #26 and we would have to go to at least Read to pick it up. The bus climbed into the picturesque village of Sabden before heading back into the valley to Read. Once we had gotten on the main road I decided to get off hoping that we would make the bus. I we stood up we saw the #26 in the distance. I explained to the driver of 1834 what we were tring to do and I got off and put my hand out hoping the bus would stop. The driver told us that he thought it had stop on the other side of the road so we ran across the road. Luckily the bus driver did spot us and had stopped. Matthew got a picture as i got on the bus. It was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1853.

'Mainline' 1853 in Read

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. It was nearly empty and Matthew took a picture of the seats behind us.

Inside 'Mainline' 1853

The bus headed North straight along the A671. It took considerably less time than the #27 and we got into Whalley in no time. When we got there Matthew got another picture of this bus before it carried on North to clitheroe.

'Mainline' 1853 in Whalley

After a quick check of the timetable, Matthew had time for a visit to the toilet whilst we waited for the #22 to Blackburn. On the opposite side of the road we saw Transdev Lancashire United 1303 going North to Clitheroe on a #22. We didn't have to wait long before required Transdev Lancashire United 1101 appeared in the bus station.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Whalley

We got on and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus was quite well filled and we set of South out of town though Billington before we joined the A666. We headed south through Langho and Wilpshire to Brown hill. We headed South East on the A6119 before cutting back onto the A666 and traveling into Blackburn. When we got to Blackburn we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 1101.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1101

We had called mum to say we would be in Blackburn, but we had arrived a little early. We decided to have a walk around and take a a few pictures. We saw Transdev Lancashire United 2753 on the #152 to Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 2753 in Blackburn

We also got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1101.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Blackburn

On layover just inside the bus station was required Transdev Lancashire United 439.

Transdev Lancashire United 439 in Blackburn

Behind this was required Transdev Lancashire United 272.

Transdev Lancashire United 272 in Blackburn

On the opposite #152 working toward Preston was required Transdev Lancashire United 2756.

Transdev Lancashire United 2756 in Blackburn

On the #1 to Bolton was dud Transdev Lancashire United 1306.

Transdev Lancashire United 1306 in Blackburn

We had done this bus from Great Harwood to Accrington when we had visited Accrington two weeks earlier. We then went for a walk around the outside of the bus station. On layover here we saw Darwen Coach Services Mercedes minibus N354 AVV.

Darwen Coach Services N354 AVV in Blackburn

Mum couldn't find a way through to us by road and had ended up in a multi-storey car park. Whilst we waited for her we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 on a #59 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 in Blackburn

We had been on this bus back in October 2013 when we did it from Lea to Preston on the #61. Next we saw dud Transdev Lancashire United 1101 continue on it's journey on the #22 to Shadworth.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Blackburn

At this point mum said she was leaving a multi-storey car park. She called and tol us to look upand sure enough we could see her arm waving over the top of the down ramp in the car park that overlooked the bus station. We walked to the corner of the road to meet her. On the way we saw another bus arrive in the layover area. It was darwen Coach services Solo YJ51 XST.

Darwen Coach Services YJ51 XST in Blackburn

We met mum on the corner and she was waiting with sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and I drove towards Accrington through Church as I knew the roads. As we passed the edge of town I still managed to take the wrong turn towards Burnley. We turned in a side street and headed back onto the A680 so that we could go South through Baxenden and onto the A56. we saw Tetley coaches YSV 563 presumably heading back to Leeds with football fans who had attended the away match at Burnley. It was going dark now and we joined the Southbound M66 before going onto the anti-clockwise M60. We watched YSV 563 turn onto the Eastbound M62 as waited for the light to change on the M60 roundabout. We carried on West from the M60 onto the M62 and when we reached the M6 we went South. We drove through the roadworks on the Thelwall Viaduct and then carried on South to the A500. We did this down to the A50 which we did to Longton to see what was at Z Carz. There wasn't much there today. CNZ 3828 was moving into position having just arrived at the depot. First in the row was new arrival Mercedes minibus UK52 BUS.

Z Carz UK52 BUS in Longton

Coach M534 RSO was behind a row of parked cars. Z Carz CNZ 3828 moved into position and Matthew got a picture of it.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

At the back of the land was LDV minibus M420 UEH. We turned into Willow Row and the only bus there was the usual LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. Minibus T2 DLT was parked up at the lightning house as we headed through Blurton and onto the A5035. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by cake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark