Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 23-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3131	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
2629	Chester BS	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	10	Arriva NW&W
2635	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4486	Chester BS	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2629	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we were going to Ellesmere Port and Chester. The day before it started to snow and snow and snow. It eased off during the day. Matthew didn't go to college as it had been closed for the day. We checked the weather for Saturday and it was going to continue to snow albeit lightly. The night before mum ad been out wit her friend from Barlaston and I dropped her off there. Blurton Road in Wedgwood was quite bad as snow had drifted off the nearby fields and snow was 2 feet deep in places. In the early hours of the morning I dropped off her friend again and the drifts were 3-4 feet deep now and we only just got there. Needless to say we came back the other way over the railway line! Mums friend was coming with us again today so after breakfast we set off just after 11:00 towards Barlaston the roads had cleared a little since the night before so we decided to go along Blurton Road again. Half way along we came across the Wardle Transport support vehicle and we could see a Wardle bus stopped in the distance. Another driver in front of me had turned in the road and come back passed me. I decided to get out and have a look. ardle Transport 2224 was stuck and it was being dug out. I got a picture whilst stood in a 2 foot snowdrift but it wasn't a very good one.

Wardle Transport 2224 on Blurton Road

Even tough the bus was nearly free at this point we decided to turn in the road and go around as it was cutting into Matthew's bus traveling time. We turned and went back onto the A5035 and then along Barlaston Old Road. and then across the level crossing at Wedgwood. We picked up mums friend and then headed back North. Barlaston Old Road, A5035, Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. It was now around 12:00. We stopped at Longport off the A500 to top up with LPG and then carried on North. The motorway was quiet. In Cheshire there didn't appear to be any snow! We passed Knutsford services and we saw City Buses and Coaches TJI 3131 from Fenton parked up there but I don't know where it was going to. When we reached the M56 we headed west and the snow appeared on the ground again. We headed North when we reached the M53 and came into Ellesmere Port along the A5032. We parked up at the markets and we had dinner there around 13:30. After a visit to the toilet Matthew ate a breakfast and drank Coke and had a chocolate cake for afters. We then walked to the bus station to wait for a bus to Chester. First bus that we saw was GHA ALX bodied bus SB46 on a #36 to Runcorn.

GHA SB46 in Ellesmere Port bus station

It was around 14:00 and there was a #2 service due at 14:08. band on time, required Arriva NW&W 3131 appeared.

Arriva NW&W 3131 in Ellesmere Port bus station

After getting a picture we trotted down to the stop and booked some Deeside Daysaver tickets. We sat down near the back on the bus which was relatively empty for a Saturday. The bus didn't pick many people up and we made good time down to Chester. I heard a rattling coming from behind me and i thought this vehicle was too new to have such a noise. Further investigation revealed an an empty can of carling had been wedged between the seat and the window cause the the rattle! We passed Stagecoach trainer 52172 which was on a MBC tour and then we passed the depot with stagecoach Dart 34604 at the front. We got to Chester bus station and Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture of the inside of 3131.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3131

We walked into the bus station to see that half of the bus station was closed for refurbishment. Most of the local Stagecoach service were operating from Gorse Stacks with only the Blacon Pointers and Saughall uses and the longer services such as the 1,2,10,11 and 22 operating from the bus station. It was very cold and so we decided to get on a bus as quick as possible. The first #10 to come in was dud Arriva NW&W 2629.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Chester bus station

We decided to do this anyway as it was far to cold to hang around. We first did this bus back in December 2012. We got on and sat near the back. Once again the bus was a lot quieter than you would usually expect on a Saturday. We decided to do this bus to the Welsh border arnd get another #10 back. we got off in snowy Sealand and Matthew got another picture of 2629.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Sealand

We hadn't passed another #10 which is quite unusual. We crossed over to see that there was one due any minute at 15:00. Oncee again bang on time required Arriva 2635 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 2635 in Sealand

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty but that is quite common on a inbound bus at this time of day on a Saturday. Once again the journey was quick and we were back in Chester in just over 10 minutes. We walked over to our usual perch and waited for a bus we could catch. Matthew didn't fancy going back out on 2635 and there wasn't a #11 until 15:30. Whilst we waited we took a few picture. One such picture was of Stagecoach Merseyside 21249 which was First Manchester 66701.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21249 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W Dart 2348 made an appearance on the #10.

Arriva NW&W 2348 in Chester bus station

We got up go and catch this and then required Arriva 4486 came into the bus station on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4486 in Chester bus station

I thought it was best to do the Dart but Matthew wanted to do the 4486. After waiting a short while for the driver to re-appear We got on and went upstairs. There were a few people on this bus compared to some of the loadings we had seen today. The journey was quite pleasant and on the edge of Chester there was a diversion off the A5104. we turned back onto the Chester Road from Sandy Lane by the steel footbridge. As we carried on the snow was deeper on the ground. Hawarden looked like a scene from a Christamas card with snow covered trees and houses. We then headed into Queensferry passing dud 4484 at the stop opposite Asda. We got off at the next stop. Matthew wanted to stay on that side on the road and it soon became apparent why. We crossed over and sat in the stop opposite. We then saw Arriva 2348 on the opposite heading out to Connah's Quay. Matthew must have seen it in the distance as we passed the end of Chester Road East. There was a Chester bound bus due anyway and when it came we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2629 again!

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Queensferry

Not the bested planned move we ave ever done, but when it is this cold you just want to keep on traveling. In Garden City we passed required bus 2641. Back in Chester, Matthew photographed the inside of 2629.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2629

We got back to around 16:20 and the plan was to go toilet and then perhaps catch another bus or two. Matthew however wanted to go on a bit of a wander. We walked out of the bus station onto Northgate. We visited a shop and got Lottery tickets and Matthew had a can of Coke and a Milky Way. we then walked along the bottom of the wall to the Ring Road and back to the bus station. In the bus station we saw Avon 139 on a #22 to West Kirby. We also saw required dart 2352 on a #10. Matthew visited the toilet and when he came out required Arriva NW&W Dart 2341 was on the #10 too.

Arriva NW&W 2341 in Chester bus station

We went back to the car and had sausage rolls and Matthew ad his can of coke. We headed out of town around the ring road and then up the A56. We got onto the northbound M53 and then turned onto the Eastbound M56. Along here we saw Arriva ALX200 2303. Matthew was a little grumpy probably because we missed out on going on the required Darts. At the M6 we headed South and then came off at the A500. We got on the A50 and then we came off and dropped mums friend off near the Britannia Stadium before heading to Longton to go passed Z carz. It was still Light and there was snow on the ground. First in the row was on of the taxi fleet Renault YE52 UZX.

Z carz YE52 UZX in Longton

we then saw coach V690 EBC which still had its contract destination in the window 279.

Z carz V690 EBC in Longton

Next was Iveco minibus HX51 HRU with 'Blackfriars' in the window.

Z carz HX51 HRU in Longton

Next was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Then it was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z carz M420 UEH in Longton

Finally was minicoach W344 WNS.

Z carz W344 WNS in Longton

We then headed down Longton Hall Road stopping at the shop on Naishe Drive. Matthew had a can of Coke and we picked up a Chocolate Gateau for later. When we got home Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash and this was followed later by a slice of the gateau with whipped cream. He then chilled out and used his computer up until bedtime around 23:30...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 02-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3010	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2354	Chester BS	Sealand, Western Avenue (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
7533	Blacon, Western Avenue (cnr)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2572	Chester BS	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	10	Arriva NW&W
2354	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4488	Chester BS	Queensferry, Solar Services (N-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
4484	Queensferry, Solar Services (S-bound)	Chester BS	11	Arriva NW&W
2948	Chester BS	Hoole, opp Pipers Lane‎	X30	Arriva NW&W
VN52 KXM	Hoole, Pipers Lane (cnr)‎	Chester BS	21	Widnes Commercial Motors

Todays was the first day of a 3 day holiday to Chester! The weather today was overcast but dry. We set off around 12:00 today and as usual we headed towards Ellesmere Port. After stopping for LPG in Longport, we set off northwards up the A500. As we approached the M6, we could see that the Northbound traffic was running slow. The motorway all the way up junction 19 was very slow, but we stuck with it and eventually we reached the M56. We hit traffic again just before the Daresbury junction and this time I decided to come off. We came off at junction 11 and went round in what seemed like a big circle and then got back on the M56 at junction 12. We then carried on on our usual route of M56, M53 and then the A5032 into Ellesmere Port. We are in town just before 14:00. We ate in the market as we almost always do. There seemed to be a few less tables than usual and so we had to wait for a few minutes. When we did order to food came very quickly. After dinner we went to the bus station. we got there around 14;20 which was just too late for the chester service. as such we had a bit of time to take a few pictures. The GHA crew bus was Dennis Dart N725 KGF as can be seen here.

GHA N725 KGF in Ellesmere Port bus station

Also between turn was Helms B6 P710 BTA in all over white livery.

Helms P710 BTA in Ellesmere Port bus station

After we had taken these pictures we went to the top corner of the bus station the view all the buses coming in and out. Arriva NW&W 2436 was on a Liverpool bound #401 and First Manchester 60054 was also out on #1's too. After a short wait we could see a Pulsar 2 in the distance. As we have only been on 3 of the Birkenhead example there was always going to be a good chance of it being a required one. When it got closer Matthew got a picture of what turned out to be required Arriva NW&W 3010.

Arriva NW&W 3010 approaching Ellesmere Port bus station

The journey down was swift but uneventful. We reached chester just before 15:00. Matthew waited for the bus to empty so he could get a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside 3010

We sat down in our usual spot for a few minutes to see what was out. We saw dud First Manchester 34260, now sporting a all over advert. There was one of the new Arriva double decker on the 11, and then Arriva 2354 was seen on a #10 to connah's Quay. We looked up to see if this bus was required and it was. we asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he did.

Arriva NW&W 2354 in Chester bus station

We decided to do this to the border of Wales so we didn't have to buy Matthew a Deeside rover at this point. The journey was quick and it had now gone slightly overcast again. When we got off we crossed over the busy Sealand Road to wait for the bus back. We had just missed Arriva NW&W 2359 which was required but as it was a V reg it's a fairly safe bet we would come across this again. We waited around 15 minutes by the side of the busy road and eventually we culd see a bus a mile or so in the distance. before it got to us we saw another unrefurbished bus heading out of Chester which Matthew went to photograph. As he was taking a picture of that bus we could see our bus was was also an unrefurbished example. As it got closer we saw it was required beast Arriva NW&W 7533. I had heard that this bus was still in service in Chester but this was the first time we had seen it and it was dropped on the bus by accident. The bus itself was running fine although the interior was starting to show it's age a little. A really nice touch was the Arriva turquoise coloured seat frames with I think made it look quite smart. When we reached Chester Matthew waited for an empty bus to photograph this soon to be scrapped bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7533

We also got a good picture of the outside of the bus too.

7533 in Chester bus station

We decided to let 7533 go whilst we had a quick toilet stop and I got some sausage rolls for later. Whilst i was getting the sausage roll Matthew was able to get a picture of First Manchester 34260 which we had seen earlier.

First Manchester 34260 in Chester bus station

Also seen and photographed was First Manchester 34228.

First Manchester 34228 in Chester bus station

We waited for the next #10 which was required Arriva NW&W 2572. We leapt off our seat and went across to the stop do catch this bus. We decided to go one stop shorter this time so that we weren't in such a dangerous position at the side of the road. When we got off Matthew got a good picture of Arriva NW&W 2572.

Arriva NW&W 2572 on Sealand Road

We crossed the road to wait for the return service. Whilst we were waiting we also saw First Manchester 69486 on a #31 park and ride service, and Town Lynx MX09 AOL on a #6 to Chester. When the bus turned up it was Arriva 2354, which was not even required for the day!

Arriva NW&W 2354 on Sealand Road

We got back and at least Matthew was able to get a picture of the inside of this unrefurnished beast.

Inside 2354

At this time we were picked up by mum who had booked us in to our B&B for the next 3 nights, Laburnum House in St Anne's Street. We drove back to the B&B and had some sausage rolls and a bit of a chill out before we decide on what we were going to do this evening. For tea we had some small fish and a portion of chips between the 4 of us. we set off a little after 18:00 to see what we could do on the 10/11 corridor, we also thought about how we could do the interesting service #21 operated by Widnes Commercial Motors. When we arrived there was a brand new double decker on the 11 service, As we have never been on any of the new batch of double deckers it was bound to be required. Closer inspection revealed it was Arriva NW&W 4488

Arriva NW&W 4488 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and as we were going to going into wales now we brought Matthew a Deeside rover too. We decided to do the bus to Queensferry Asda, then at least if we miss the return 11 we could do a #10 instead. There was a time for the bus towards Chester at Queensferry but not for the Holywell bound service, so we had to guess if it was going to make it. It was now damp and trying to rain. We set off and the journey was quite quick. On route we passed Rhyl based Dennis Dart MPD 844. We arrived in Queensferry with about 3 minutes to spare, but the Chester bound bus was already at the stop! We had a quick look around to see where we had to go, and due to limited pedestrian access we had to go about 200 yds to get to the other stop. We ran as fast as we could and luckily we made it. it was required Arriva NW&W 4484. We got on and went upstairs. The journey back was unevetful and when we got back to Chester Matthew got a good picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 4484 in Chester bus station

We now had a short wait for the 19:30 X30 Runcorn service. The plan was to do this bus towards Frodsham, and depending on how far the Deeside rover was valid, or how much 2 adult singles cost, we would do this accordingly. The bus came in and it was required Arriva NW&W 2948.

Arriva NW&W 2948 in Chester bus station

After a short time we got on the bus and asked the relevant questions. The Deeside rover was only valid on Hoole Road and the singles would be about £3 each, so we decided to go just to the end of Hoole Road. When we got off Matthew got another picture of this bus.

2948 on Hoole Road

because we had gotten off still in Chester, we had around 45 minutes to wait for the Widnes Commercial Motors run #21 service. We decided to use the time to have a quick wander around. We set off along the Hoole Road towards chester, and we had thought we could cut through to Kingsway to visit the Co-op, a shop we had visited before. Part way down i decided to use my map function on my phone to find where we were and then to find Kingsway. It turned out we had just passed manning lane South which joins onto Kingsway. So we went back a few yards and went across an old railway bridge to reach Kingsway. We passed the old turning point of the #53 service which we remember being used when we first visited Chester back in 2008. After a quick shop in the Co-op, we head back to the Hoole Road. We saw First Manchester 40182 on the last Firstbus run service of the day. Matthew decided he wanted to visit the toilet so we end up having to direct him down onto the old disused railway line and to use the bushes! We got back to the stop on Hoole Road at 20:15, 10 minutes before the #21 was due. At this point we had an impromptu picnic at the bus stop. the Coca Cola we had purchased a few minutes early must have been shaken up a little on the journey back as when he opened the bottle it exploded up his arm! We polished off the bottle and within a few minutes we could see a white minibus coming around the A41 roundabout. as we have never been on one of the Widnes vehicles, unless we were very unlucky it was going to be required. Closer inspection revealed required VN52 KXM.

WCM VN52 KXM on Hoole Road

We got onto this unusual vehicle and sat down. as far as I am aware, we have never been on one of these unusual Rohill bodied minibuses before. The bus only had 15 seats on it, all with seatbelt plus apace for a wheelchair. It also had what seemed like a disproportional destination display on the front. It was a very nippy vehicle to say the least. When we got to Chester, we were able to take pictures of this bus, now displaying #53 Kingsway for it's next journey.

VN52 KXM in Chester bus station

We then walked back to the B&B to retire for the night. I uploaded my pictures to Flickr and we started to write up the blog before going to bed...Mark.