Trip to Warrington 07-04-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2721	Warrington Interchange	Penketh, opp Heath Road	6	Arriva NW&W
2716	Penketh, opp Heath Road	Warrington Interchange	6	Arriva NW&W
2556	Warrington Interchange	Winwick, o/s B&Q	360	Arriva NW&W
2209	Winwick, opp B&Q	Warrington Interchange	329	Arriva NW&W
2209	Warrington Interchange	Winwick, o/s B&Q	329	Arriva NW&W
2213	Winwick, opp B&Q	Warrington Interchange	329	Arriva NW&W

Today we were going to Warrington. Matthew requested a trip to Warrington a few weeks ago and this was the first weekend we could fit it in. Research consisted of asking questions in the Dennis Dart Forum and then down loading timetables from Arriva and Network Warrington. We set of today around 12:30 due to a slight technical problem with uncle Dave's trousers, picking up mum's friend on the way. We passed Lightning Travel V100 OJW and then we topped up with LPG at Longport on the way before heading Northwards on the A500. The weather today was cool (around 10') and cloudy, typical of the time of year. Th motorway was very busy heading northwards, and there were a few times brakes had to be applied sharply due to drivers in front driving to closely and switching lanes. So we decided to leave the motorway at the A50/M56 junction rather than going further North on the M6. We eventually parked up just before 14:00. We parked in the multi-storey car park adjacent to the bus station. The first thing we usually do on arriving in a town is to get something to eat and use the facilities. We walked around for about 20 minutes looking for a cafe or chip shop in the region around Warrington Central station but the few shops there were were closed. We called in a Warrington Central station to sue the toilets and then we decided to just do a bus and hope to find somewhere to get something to eat out of town. we got into the bus station and saw required Arriva NW&W 2721 on stand and about to work the 14:35 to Liverpool. We had already asked Matthew if he wanted to do Arriva or Network Warrington before we set off and he had chosen Arriva. Whilst we waited for time, Matthew ate a milky way from the emergency rationals pack. The driver appeared and we then boarded the bus, getting Arriva day rovers as we got on. As we left the bus station we saw Arriva 2209 and a marshall bodied Dart which I think was on a #110. As we traveled out we noticed the bus stops had #110 on them so we knew there were other Arriva buses we could get. We passed a 110 as traveled out and it was a Wright pulsar 2. We got off on the edge of Penketh where there were some shops and stops on both sides of the Road. As we got off Matthew got a picture of 2721.

Arriva NW&W 2721 in Penketh

As we got off we noticed there was no open place place in this group of shops. There was a Tesco Express by the bus stop and I went in to try and get something that Matthew would eat whilst Matthew stayed with uncle Dave at the bus stop. The only thing I spotted that he might eat was an iced doughnut, and I brought some Coke for us to drink. Matthew attempted the doughnut but didn't really have more than a bite. He didn't want the coke at that time either, and decided to have a small bottle of Tizer from the emergency rations pack. After eating we crossed the road to wait for the return #6 from Liverpool. Just before the #6 was due, a Network Warrington #30 service was also due. The bus appeared and it was NW 204. As the bus left the stop we could see our bus in the distance down the road. As we had never had any Green Lane vehicle until today it was going to be required. As it got closer we could see it was Arriva NW&W 2716.

Arriva NW&W 2716 in Penketh

We did consider getting off and traveling back towards Penketh and beyond on a #110, but we passed one pretty much as soon as we got on the bus ruling out that as a possibility. So we went all the way back to Warrington, and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus before we got off.

Inside 2716

As we got off we spotted required Arriva NW&W 2556 on the #360 to Wigan, and so we decided to do this. We were going to go to newton for another #360 back, but i noticed that like the #6/#110, the the route of the #360 was also common to the route of the #329 from St Helens at least as far a Winwick B&Q. So I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and he said yes. He then got a shot of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2556 outside Winwick B&Q

We got off and then we crossed the road. Crossing the road here is quite difficult as it is a very busy dual carriageway just off the M62. It takes a good 2-3 minutes to get across on the pelican crossings. When we got to the other side it was just after 15:43 and we noticed that the 15:42 to Warrington #329 hadn't gone passed yet.As soon as we realised this fact we looked up to see a Dennis Dart approaching. It was required 2209 which we had seen in Warrington earlier that day.

Arriva NW&W 2209 outside Winwick B&Q

When we got back to Warrington Matthew became a little unsettled. First he got on the next #360 Wigan but he didn't wan to actually do it. Then he got on a saw Network Warrington 18 on a #22 Vulcan service even though we hadn't got a Network Warrington ticket! He asked for something to eat and the only thing in the bus station shop he wanted was a Milky way and a can of Coke. We had a sit down for a few minutes whilst he ate the Milky Way and drank the Coke, and we decided to go back out on 2209 so we could be in a less hectic environment than Warrington bus station. As we left we noticed Ex PMT Mercedes minibus P420 MEH parked up between duties. We did 2209 out to Winwick again and Matthew got a better picture with the sun behind him this time.

2209 outside Winwick B&Q heading Northwards

We decided to have a bit of time here to watch buses and to have something to eat! I went to the local Burger King and I brought us all some fries. Burger King isn't our first choice of eatery but we were pretty desperate by now. We ate a small fries each and we took as few bus picture. We also saw Arriva NW&W 2454 on a southbound #360 on the other side of the carriageway.

Arriva NW&W 2545 at Winwick

Then we saw Arriva 2464 on a Northbound #360 followed by Network Warrington Marshall Dennis Dart 12 on a #19 service. We then crossed the road and waited for the 16:49 departure which was another #329. It turned up a couple of minutes early and it was required Arriva 2213.

Arriva NW&W 2213 outside Winwick B&Q

As we crossed the M62 we saw Arriva 2211 on a Northbound #329 which had passed us going the other way earlier. When we got back to Warrington Matthew photographed the inside of 2213.

Inside 2213.

When then headed back to the car, but we decided to walk around the outside of the bus station so we could get a few photographs on the way. On of the best vehicles parked u was this Marshall bodied Network Warrington Dennis Dart 13.

Network Warrington 13 stabled at the Interchange

We carried on right around the outside and after we crossed over the tunneled exit to the bus station we found a way into the shopping centre. We walked up the steps and had a short walk through the shopping centre to the lifts. As we left the lift Matthew scare a lady by going to say hello and then we returned to the car. As expected Matthew tucked in to sausage rolls and some cornflake cakes as we left. I took a bit of a wrong turning as I left the car park and we ended going to the edge of Penketh before returning back through the town and back onto the A50. I didn't know there was a late kick-off in the Stoke game and so we were able to listen to first half of the match as we traveled home. The M6 was relatively clear and idiot free as we traveled home, this time via junction 15 as to avoid the football. We dropped mum friend off somewhere in Blurton before returning home around 18:30...Mark

Trip to Altrincham / South Manchester 25-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
17624	Altrincham TI	Northenden, Britannia Hotel/Stop E	370	Stagecoach Manchester
19405	Northenden, Palatine Rd/Northenden Health Ctr (Stop F)	Altrincham TI	41	Stagecoach Manchester
P420 MEH	Altrincham TI	Lymm, opp Lymm Cross	38	Warrington Coachways
46	Lymm, o/s Lymm Cross	Altrincham TI	5	Network Warrington
2242	Altrincham TI	Sale, Cross Street/Dane Road (N-bound)	263	Arriva NW&W

Last week whilst we had been covering the #130 Macclesfield - Manchester service, Matthew had expressed a wish to go on to Manchester. With the centre of Manchester being very busy we decided to go to Altrincham so we could cover the buses Matthew is interested in. Research consisted of downloading all the Manchester area Arriva Timetables, and asking on the Dennis Dart Forum which service were most likely to be Dennis Darts. We set off just after 12:00 and it was a fine sunny day and quite mild for the time of year. We pulled up in Victoria Street in Atrincham and stopped for a snack. After we had eaten mum headed off to the Trafford Centre where we were going to meet up with mum later. We walked down to the transport interchange and Matthew used the facilities before we stood next to the interchange to decide what bus to do next. A Stagecoach Manchester AlX400 pulled in on a service #370 and surprisingly Matthew decided he wanted to do this. Matthew had never done a Stagecoach bus before and therefore it was required. Before we boarded, Matthew got a picture.

Stagecoach Manchester 17624 in Altrincham

On the bus Matthew went onto the top deck and took a picture of the empty upstairs.

Inside 17624

As we didn't know what route the #370 took I had to download the timetable and have a look where we were going. As we Headed Eastwards we passed through Timperley village, There is a stenciled picture of Frank Sidebottom on a shop as you enter the village on your right hand side. We worked out the buses past just East of Northenden so we decided to get off at the Britannia Hotel stop. We got off and Matthew was able to get another picture of this bus.

17624 outside the Britannia Hotel, Northenden

We crossed the road and waited for the return service. We crossed the road and waited for the return bus. An empty bus pulled up just before another bus appeared and there was a driver change. It was on a #41 to Altrincham via Sale. We decided to do this service and as it was only our second stagecoach bus this was also required. We got on and sat at the front of the upper saloon. As we arrived in the bus station Matthew got a picture of the top deck of this bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19405

As we were getting off Matthew spotted a Plaxton bodied Mercedes minibus in the distance. I think Matthew realised what it was straight away as he was pointing to it as we got off the Stagecoach double decker As we got closer it became apparent to me it was an Ex First PMT/Potteries minibus (50077) now running for another operator and it was required. I knew Matthew would want to ride on this so I asked the driver where the bus was going and how far could we do it on our system one tickets. We sorted out the tickets and we got on. The bus still had First Purple and green seating and pink doors. With the aid of a gentleman on the bus we got off at Lymm to wait for a return bus and Matthew got a picture.

Warrington Coachways P420 MEH in Lymm

I checked the timetable on the stop and as we had about 20 minutes to wait we visited the Sainbury's local shop for snacks and lottery tickets. We then waited for the bus sitting on a big rock in the town centre. The return Network Warrington bus was a few minutes late and when it turned up it was required 46. Matthew got a picture before we boarded.

Network Warrington 46 in Lymm

Whilst we traveled back, worked out that if we were going to meet mum that we had to be on either the 16:15 #247 or te 16:25 #18 service. I wasn't sure if we would make the 16:15 with us being a bit late so i was relieved when we arrived in Atrincham around 16:12. Matthew got a picture of network Warrington 46 as we got off the bus.

Network Warrington 46 in Altrincham

Matthew used the facilities as we proceeded to wait for the 16:15. The bus appeared to be a little late so we were able to take a few pictures whilst we waited. one such picture was 19479 returning from when we had it earlier in the day.

Stagecoach Manchester 19479 between duties

A little concerned I asked a passenger at stand A if he was waiting for the #247, to which he replied 'yes'. Then an announcement came over the tannoy say that the 15:45 departure 247 for Eccles hadn't arrived and neither had the 16:15. The announcement said that there had been 'an incident a Davyhulme and a bus was being dispatched from the depot to work the next service in 5-10 minutes time'. With the information at hand and the fact that Arriva Dennis Dart 2242 had just come in on a #263 we decided to abandon our original plan and do the #263 just of sale to meet a different service to the Trafford Centre. The was no driver in 2242 so whilst we waited Matthew got a picture.

Arriva NW&W 2242 in Altrincham

The driver appeared and we jumped on the bus. After a swift journey up the A56 and North through Sale, we got of the bus on Cross Street. Matthew got a picture as we got off this bus.

2242 just North of Sale

We then met up with mum as arranged. We head anticlockwise around he M60and then got on to the westbound M56. Traveling Via the A556,M6 and A500 we arrived home at a little after 18:20...Mark