Trip to Wigan / Platt Bridge 24-01-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
19518	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop B)	32	Stagecoach Manchester
19089	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop A)	Wigan BS	598	Stagecoach Manchester
22242	Wigan BS	Pemberton (Wigan), nr Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street	628	Stagecoach Manchester
2982	Pemberton (Wigan), nr Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street	Wigan BS	395	Arriva NW&W
W669 TNV	Wigan BS	Platt Bridge, Millers Lane (SW-bound)	630	Wigan Buses
W669 TNV	Platt Bridge, Millers Lane (SW-bound)	Platt Bridge, Platt Street/Queens Arms (Stop A)	630	Wigan Buses
2419	Platt Bridge, before Warrington Road/Millers Lane	Wigan BS	320	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. The weather had been poor again and we had thought that we were going to have to travel South again. A quick check of the weather on Saturday morning said that it would be OK going North today as long as we didn't go too far. Matthew got up at around 10:15 and we gave him a choice of destination both North and South. From the destinations that we gave him, Matthew chose Wigan. For breakfast Matthew had toast and orange juice. We set off at around 12:05 today. We drove down to the A5035 and we caught up with D&G 171 on the Plumline service. We headed North up Stanley Matthews Way and then we went West on the A50. We joined the Northbound A500 and we headed up to the M6. The roads were fairs quiet today and we came of the M6 at the A49 just after 13:00. Unfortunately I hadn't checked the football fixtures and it took us a further 30 minutes to get into town and park up in Crawford Street. Once we had parked up we walked towards the courtyard cafe just off the bus station. On the way we stopped to see South Lancs Travel 31 on a #635 to Appley Bridge.

South Lancs Travel 31 in Wigan bus station

We walked up to the cafe and Matthew went upstairs to use the toilet. When he got back down we ordered Matthew a breakfast and can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed back into the bus station. It was just after 14:00 and we had a quick look around to see what was working. On a #362 to Chorley was required Arriva NW&W 2677.

Arriva NW&W 2677 in Wigan bus station

We spotted a double decker in the middle row of the bus station so we went over to have a look. It was required Stagecoach Manchester 19518 on a #32 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 19518 in Wigan bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. Whilst we were waiting for the buses to be readied for service we photographed dud 'Sapphire' Arriva NW&W 2683 on a #575 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2683 in Wigan bus station

This was a bus that we had back in August 2012 on a #362 from Standish to Wigan. Once Stagecoach Manchester 19518 was ready for service, we got on and booked System One bus only tickets at £5.20 each. The bus set off into town towards Wigan Wallgate railway station. We turned left into Wallgate and then right into Library Street. We turned Left onto Millgate and we crossed over the A49 before turning left onto Warrington Lane. We passed Lidl and we turned left onto Darlington Street East. We headed through Ince and we carried on into Hindley. We paused at the main stop for a minute or so before we turned Left onto Market Street. The bus behind us emptied out so Matthew took a picture of the rear of Stagecoach Manchester 19518.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19518

We headed up into Castle Hill and we turned into the estate before weaving our way down to Atherton Road. We went past Aldi and before we got to the junction of Leigh Road we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 19518 before it carried on towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 19518 in Hindley Green

We crossed the road to the stop outside the church. We had around 5 minutes to wait for the next #598 to Wigan. We were expecting to perhaps pick up a required MAN on the bus, so we were surprised to see a double decker turn the corner. As it got closer we saw it was required Stagecoach Manchester 19089.

Stagecoach Manchester 19089 in Hindley Green

We got on the bus and flashed our System One tickets before going upstairs. It was nearly empty upstairs so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 19089 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19089

We sat down and the bus went West along Atherton Road and through Hindley. We turned right onto Makerfield Way and we passed South Lancs Travel Dart 14 on the #634 Belle Green circular service. We headed South onto manchester Road and we headed into town along Darlington Street East. We went around the outside of town in a cloackwise direction coming into the bus station off New Market Street. We got off the bus and we crossed over the crossing. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 19089 before we carried on to the toilets.

Stagecoach Manchester 19089 in Wigan bus station

After Matthew had used the facilities we walked back over to the other side of the bus station. There was an older MAN on the #628 Kitt Green circular, Stagecoach Manchester 22242. We decided to do this bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 22242 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and flashed our system One tickets before we sat down near to the back of the bus. As it had brown and orange seats I thought it was a required bus... It turned out that it wasn't. We had been on Stagecoach Manchester 22242 from Leigh to Wigan on the #598 back in September 2014. We set off down towards Wallgate and we turned right and we went under the West Coast main line. We followed the A49 passed Wigan Pier and onto the big roundabout. There had been a change to the route since our last visit to Wigan. Instead of going along Scot Lane the bus went along Robin Park Road. we carried on around Kitt Green and we came onto the top Ormskirk Road where we got off. We had around a 6 minute wait for the next bus, which was booked to be a #395 from Ormskirk to Wigan. Whilst we waited we saw a few buses going the other way including local taxi minibus Bluestar Taxis SH06 WEF.

Bluestar Taxis SH06 WEF in Pemberton

A few minutes after we saw a Pulsar II approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2982.

Arriva NW&W 2982 in Pemberton

We got on the bus and flashed the System One tickets before sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off down Ormskirk Road and we joined the A49 for the run past Wigan Pier. We entered Wallgate and we turned left passed the railway station before we entered the bus station via Dorning Street. When we got in the bus station we waited for the bus to empty, and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2982.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2982

In the bus station at the same time was South Lancs Travel 30 on a #635 to Appley Bridge.

South Lancs Travel 30 in Wigan bus station

We decided to go and visit the shop. On the way we saw Wigan Buses SN56 AXA on a #607 service to Ashton Heath.

Wigan Buses SN56 AXA in Wigan bus station

We visited the shop and Matthew had some Milky Ways and a can of Coke. We had spotted a white Dart on the way into the shop so we decided to go and check it out. On closer inspection we saw it was required Wigan Buses W669 TNV.

Wigan Buses W669 TNV in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus. There was no driver at the moment so we waited for him to reappear. In the meantime Matthew had a Snack bar and a can of Irn Bru. We also saw required Stagecoach Manchester 22235 which was on a #658 to to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 22235 in Wigan bus station

When the driver was ready we got on the bus and flashed the System One tickets. We sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out off the bus station and down towards Wallgate. We headed down Library Street and across the A49 and onto Scholes. We got onto the manchester Road. At a crossroads we turned right onto Ince Green Lane. Near to the railway we turned onto small estate and we did a lap before crossing over the railway line at Ince railway station. We carried on South through Lower Ince and we went for a spin around an estate in Spring View. As the bus had emptied out in front of us, Matthew took a picture inside Wigan Buses W669 TNV.

Inside Wigan Buses W669 TNV

When we got to the top end of Platt Bridge we turned right onto Sherwood Crescent and we went for a spin around a modern estate before returning to the top end of Platt Bridge. As it didn't go where I thought it would we decided to get off. We then took another picture of Wigan Buses W669 TNV before it carried on back to Wigan.

Wigan Buses W669 TNV in Platt Bridge

We walked South a stop to the main stop onto Warrington Road and we missed Arriva NW&W 2422 on a #360 to Wigan. We got to the stop and we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 36780 on a #658 to Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36780 in Platt Bridge

We decided to turn it down and wait for something better. There was a #320 due in less than 10 minutes.In the distance we could see a yard where there were buses parked up. Some of these buses are apparently ex First Potteries. We didn't have time to go and investigate as the bus turned up and it was required Arriva NW&W Cadet 2419.

Arriva NW&W 2419 in Platt Bridge

We carried on North up the direct route into town through Spring View and Ince-in-Makerfield When the bus emptied out in front of us Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2419.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2419

We carried on into town and we came into the bus station from the New Market Street end. We got off the bus and we headed across to the toilet where we met mum. We decided to take a few bus picture before we left and mum headed back to the car. Parked up between duties was required Arriva NW&W 2685.

Arriva NW&W 2685 in Wigan bus station

We walked around Hallgate and Richmond Street and mum came to meet us in the car. We ate our sausage rolls which come from Greggs. Last time we came there hadn't been a Greggs in town. We headed back onto the A49 via Frog Lane, Prescott Street and Haig Street. We headed South on the A49 and we had a bit of bother circumnavigating the big roundabout. It had been a while since we had done this run and it was dark. After doing a lap of the roundabout we carried on South onto the A49. We stopped at a BP garage to take on diesel before carrying on down to the M6. We went South over Thelwall viaduct and as Corinne was driving I had a nap. I woke up to see Keele services. She had missed Junction 16 and had decided to go via Junction 15 instead. We got onto the Northbound A500 and we then turned right onto the A50. We saw Bagnalls orange coach BAG 537S going East onto the A50 ahead of us. We went up to Longton and we came of the A50 to see what was at Z Carz. There was a single bus parked up on the spare ground tonight. It was Z carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and there were 2 buses in the compound. Z carz Mercedes minibuses S952 VMY & M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We headed back along the A50 and we saw a double decker on the #22. It was First Potteries 32057. We followed the bus onto Longton Hall Lane. We tried to get ahead of the bus by going through the estate via Naishe Drive but the bus beat us to the end. We followed the bus into Beaconsfield Drive and we decided to go down Finstock Avenue to head it off at the bottom of Beaconsfield Drive. We did make it around to the bottom of Beaconsfield Drive but the bus stopped in the wrong place and Matthew didn't get a good picture! We got home around 18:40. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to St Helens / Earlestown 19-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2729	St Helens BS	New Boston, opp Vista Road	320	Arriva NW&W
2254	New Boston, adj Vista Road	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
2693	St Helens BS	Clock Face, Gartons Lane (NW-bound)	32	Arriva NW&W
712	Clock Face, adj Jersey Street	St Helens BS	33	Arriva NW&W
2261	St Helens BS	Earlestown BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2238	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit st Helens. We didn't do much research other than to check the weather. The weather was for cloudy with sunny interval and showers. We hadn't checked the Arriva St Helens allocations recently and were surprised that there was only one Marshall Dart left there 7634. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had bacon and oatcakes for breakfast. We set off at 12:00 and went onto the A5035. We headed north up Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. We then got on the Northbound A500 where we passed Rigby's minibus SUI 8773 and Ausden Clarke BIG 9834. We got onto the Northbound M6 and it was quite busy. We decided to eat in Earlestown as we knew where there was a cafe, and then drive into St Helens. We got onto the westbound M62 and then drove into Earletown via Newton le Willows. As we parked up around 13:10 we saw required Arriva NW&W 2346 on a #34 service. As we walked to the cafe we saw required Arriva NW&W 2261 on a #34A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2261 in Earlestown

We had dinner at Crumpets again, Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After dinner we walked back to the car. On the way back we photographed South Lancs Travel 23 on a #603 service.

South Lancs Travel 23 in Earlestown

We got back in the car and we drove into St Helens along the A572 and onto the A58 and passed the Co-op. We went behind the bus bus museum and then we parked up near the town hall. We walked to the travel centre and purchased our Saveaway tickets. We scratched off the date and went to look for a bus to catch. We let required Arriva NW&W 2254 go on the #20 and we had a walk around to see what we could catch. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2729 on a #320 to Wigan and we decided to do it.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was empty looking forwards so Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2729

The bus filled up a little and then we set off. We decided to do the bus to the far end of Haydock just before the #20 turns off towards Earlestown so we had a few choice of bus back. As we set off out of town we passed Arriva NW&W 2238 on the #20. This was followed by Arriva NW&W 2701 on the #320 and Arriva 2712 on the following #20. When we got to Penny Lane we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2729 as it went off into the distance.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in Haydock

Across the road was Arriva NW&W 2422 on a St Helens bound #620, but we couldn't get across the road quickly enough. We checked the timetable a the bus stop and the next bus due was a #20 next in around 7 minutes. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Rice Crispy squares. The bus turned up and it was Arriva NW&W 2254. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. I had thought it was dud, but a quick check of the page revealed that it was in fact a required bus! The bus set off back towards town through Haydock and passed the Tesco store. As we traveled back into town in addition to the buses that we passed heading inbound earlier, we also saw Arriva NW&W 3025 on a #320 and 2242 on a #34A. When we got to St Helens Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2254.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2254

As he hadn't been successful get a picture of the outside of Arriva NW&W 2254, he had another successful go here.

Arriva NW&W 2254 in St Helens bus station

We then had a break from buses for around 30 minutes. matthew wanted the toilet and the tardis toilet in the bus station was out of action again. We took him around the outside of the shopping centre to use the disable toilet by the entrance of the shopping centre. when we walked back we took a few bus pictures. One vehicle type that we didn't tkae many pictures of were the electric shuttle buses. Here is Selwyns Travel 193 on the E11 to Ravenhead retail park.

Selwyns Travel 193 in St Helens bus station

We carried out another circle of the bus station and we took some more pictures. Here is former D&G buses 30 which is now there sister company South Lancs Travel.

South Lancs Travel 30 in St Helens bus station

Another vhicle which took us by surprise was Arriva NW&W 3047 which is now painted in a gold livery.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in St Helens bus station

Time was moving on and we need to catch another bus quickly. Of all the thing in the bus station at that moment, Matthew decided we should do required Arriva NW&W 2693 on a #32 to four Acre Lane.

Arriva NW&W 2693 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and sat down. As we left the bus station the sky started to look very dark indeed... We also noted an unidentified ALX200 Dart behind us on a #33 service. We passed the hospital and headed South out of town. I seemed to remember us doing a Dart on a #32 and doing a #33 back from the same stop. It was Arriva NW&W 2102, and it was our first trip to St Helens back in January 2012. The bus emptied out a little in the Clockface area, and Matthew took a picture of empty rear of Arriva NW&W 2693.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2693

We were going along a road and I noticed the Dream in the distance on the left so I thought it was time to get off. We saw two stops opposite each other with shelters (essential with the inevitable rain) and got up to get off the bus. Just before we reached the stops, the bus turned left and stopped at a stop with no shelter! We quickly got off the bus and walked around the corner to the other stops. The view looked familiar, from the time we had gone after and caught up with Arriva NW&W Pointer Dart 7570 back in July 2012. The rain started to fall and fall it did... We all huddled under the shelter as the rain lashed down. Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru and we put the empty bottle in the bag as no one wanted to venture out of the shelter to the bin. Disappointingly we saw an Arriva NW&W Solo SR approaching. The only consolation was it was going to be required as we had yet to sample on of these buses. As you can see from the photo the light was very poor as required Arriva NW&W 712 approached the bus stop.

Arriva NW&W 712 in Clockface

We waited for the bus stop and the door to open before we ran onto the bus. We got on and Matthew insisted on honking the horn. Luckily we had a very nice obliging driver...We sat down near the back and enjoyed the journey. The rain was so heavy that every time we turned left water washed down the right hand side of the bus and vice versa. By the time we had reached the A569 and the run past the park we were running through a few inches of water and waves of spray were being sent up on either side of the bus. Some of the cars were struggling a little with the flash flooding but the bus went though these roads with no problem. We got to the bus station as the a was easing off and Matthew waited for the bus to empty so he could take a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 712

We had another quick wander around and Matthew took us down to the railway station to say hello to someone. We let required Arriva 2238 go on the #20 and then we told Matthew he had to catch another bus quickly. He decided to do required Arriva NW&W 2261 which we had seen a few times today. he got another picture of it through the glass of the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2261 in St Helens bus station

We got on and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus was quite full so he was able to get picture inside at this point. We set off out off town towards Parr and then we turned onto the road to Earlestown at The Horseshoe pub. We carried on along the A572 and into Earlestown. The people behind us were getting off at Earlestown so Matthew took a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2238 as we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2261

We got off and we got a another picture of the outside of this bus too.

Arriva NW&W 2261 in Earlestown bus station

We had a few minutes to wait for either the next #34 or the next #20. We worked out that the next #20 would probably be required Arriva NW&W 2238. We saw required Arriva NW&W Cadet 2495 on the #34 but we decided to wait for the Dart. A few minutes later Arriva NW&W 2238 appeared as expected.

Arriva NW&W 2238 in Earlestown bus station

We got on and the bus was empty and so he got his empty bus picture first.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2238

We sat down near the back and the bus set off. As the bus set off North towards Haydock there was a bright rainbow in the sky. the bus turned right into Penny Lane and we headed into town. We got off and had a quick walk around the bus station taking pictures. Immediately we saw required arriva 2271 on the #329 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2271 in St Helens bus station

Matthew decided h want to go to the toilet so we walked through the shopping centre and went to the disabled toilet at the other end. We walked back around the outside and as we walked back towards the car we finally caught up with the ALX200 Dart on the #33 to Widnes which was Arriva NW&W 2269.

Arriva NW&W 2269 in St Helens bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2346 Which was on the #34 to Leigh. We waked back to the car where there were sausage rolls and Tizer waiting. We drove off and headed out of town on the A58. We joined onto the A580 and we passed an accident were two cars had collided. We then got onto the Southbound M6 and then onto the A500. We then got onto the A50 and we went into Longton to view the Z Carz depot. There were 2 coaches at the front of the depot. First was Z Carz M534 RSO with its purple decals.

Z carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z carz D104 XAN in Longton

Behind these was the minibus OV05 WSW which was too far back to get a good picture in the dark. We turned the corner into Willow Row where we saw T408 JUX parked up at the back of the Z Carz compound. We went down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Wigan 20-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
19521	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop B)	32	Stagecoach Manchester
22406	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop A)	Wigan BS	598	Stagecoach Manchester
29	Wigan BS	Hullet Close, Appley Bridge	635	South Lancs Travel
55	Woodhook Road, Appley Bridge	Wigan BS	635	South Lancs Travel
4064	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	385	Arriva NW&W
3048	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	395	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Wigan. We left the decision until quite late in the week this time and we hd given him a choice of going to Oswestry to ride on the Tanat Valley Leyland Tiger Cub YRC 194 at the Cambrian Railways Heritage & Classic vehicle extravaganza. or going to wigan, but Matthew chose Wigan today. no research was done for today's trip other then to check the weather (sunny 14'...positively tropical!) and to see where Wigan were playing football (away at West Ham). Matthew got up just before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we st off around 11:30 to get LPG from Etruria. We went along the A5035 and turned into Stanley Matthew Way past the Hem Heath pub. We joined the Westbound A50 and then the Northbound A500 coming off at Shelton New Road to get the LPG. There was a bit of a wait here as a Winnebago had turned up and blocked the yard. Whilst we waited we saw 3 buses on the #34/34A service. First we saw First Potteries Scania 65730 which is normal a allocation for this service, then we saw Dart 40145 which is little rarer. This was followed by required aging Olympian 30031! Asked Matthew if he still wanted to go to Wigan and he said yes. We got onto the Westbound A53 and then onto the Northbound A500. The motorway was fairly clear, and we got up to the A49 just after 13:00. There was some traffic on the A49, and we parked up around 13:20. We walked to the cafe passed the bus station, where we saw Tyrers X582 USC on football duties.

Tyrers X582 USC in Wigan bus station

After taking the picture we carried on walking to the Courtyard Cafe. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with Coke, and afterwards he had chocolate fudge cake with custard.

Chocolate fudge cake in custard...

We finished our food just before 14:00, and we walked to the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw Arriva NW&W Dart 7644 in the distance on a #360 to Warrington. and then we spotted Stagecoach Manchester 19521 on a #32 service. We decided to do this so Matthew took a picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 19521 in Wigan bus station

We crossed the crossing and got on the bus. We booked our system was bus tickets and then went upstairs. It was virtually empty so Matthew took his empty bus picture.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19521

We set off towards Ince-in-Makerfield and then towards Hindley. We got chatting to a lady at the front of the bus and she thought Matthew was lovely. I think if she could have taken him home she would have done! We went around the estates in Castle Hill and then we headed into Hindley Green. We decided to get off here as we had done before and to wait for the next #32 or #598 to Wigan. We crossed the road and walked back to the stop. We just missed a #598 so we sat down at the stop to wait for the next bus. Whilst we waited Matthew drank a can of Coke.There was a #594 to Leigh due first though. The bus turned up and it was Jim Stones Enviro 200 BUS 1N.

Jim Stones BUS 1N in Hindley Green

There was a #598 due a couple of minutes later and sure enough Stagecoach Manchester 22406 appeared from around the corner.

Stagecoach Manchester 22406 in Hindley Green

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was quite well filled, but it seem to empty out as we headed into Wigan. The bus took a more direct route into Wigan avoiding the estates. We passed Stagecoach Manchester 22145 on a Leigh bound #598. As we traveled back mum text us the devastating new that Greggs in Wigan had closed! When we got to wigan the last few people got off the bus and Matthew took his empty bus picture.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22406

We got off and we saw Arriva 4101 arrive into the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 4101 in Wigan bus station

Arriva NW&W is a bus we have been on before. We did did up to Pemberton on the Last day of First in December 2012. We decided to go to the toilet at this point, and as we walked back through the bus station, Matthew we spotted former D&G Scania 29 on the #635 to Appley Bridge. We got on the bus and asked the driver which direction the bus was going in. He couldn't really tell me but he said that the ticket was valid throughout so we got on and sat down near the back. I looked in my bag to find a Wigan bus map but I think I must have left it on Stagecoach Manchester 19521. I asked some lads which direction we were going and I was able to work out we were going just over the M6 north of Orrell! They also told us there was a 15 minute frequency, so we decided to stay on until the end. We went through a place called Shevington which is appropriate seeing as the bus was once based in Crewe. We crossed the M6 and then a few minutes later the driver informed us we had arrived at the end. We got up and Matthew took a picture inside this unusual vehicle.

Inside South Lancs Travel 29

We got off and he took a picture of the outside too.

South Lancs Travel 29 in Appley Bridge

We decided to go do a bit of shopping whilst we were here. We walled down to the Spar shop and Matthew had a Galaxy Caramel and a can of Coke and some small bottles of pop too. We came out of the shop and we saw A South Lancs Travel bus approaching. It was required South Lancs travel 55.

South Lancs Travel 55 in Appley Bridge

We got onto the empty bus and Matthew immediately got a picture of the inside of this bus, with it unusual Grey and Yellow seating.

Inside South Lancs Travel 55

We sat down and started to head back into Wigan. We passed Holmeswood YJ56 AUF on a #3A service which looked familiar. Further research revealed that we had passed through Appley Bridge before on that same service and the same bus back in August 2012! We carried on back into town passing South Lancs Travel 30 which was the third bus on #635's. We got back into Wigan and we went to the bottom of the bus station to take bus pictures. One of the first buses we saw was required Arriva NW&W 2705 on a #320 service.

Arriva NW&W 2705 leaves Wigan bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Manchester 22157 on a #540 service.

Stagecoach Manchester 22157 in Wigan bus station

A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W 4064 appeared on #385 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4064 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this up to Pemberton. We headed past Wigan North Western railway station ad down the A49. We then turned on to Ormskirk Road. Just past the half way house and before the traffic lights, we got of the bus. The bus pulled of quickly, but it stopped at the lights and Matthew got a picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 4064 in Pemberton

We crossed the road and waited at the inbound stop. I asked Matthew if he wanted to catch Arriva or Stagecoach and he chose Arriva. Luckily it was an Arriva bus that was due next. It was a #395 from Ormskirk. We saw Arriva NW&W 3026 was on the #395 to Ormskirk. We didn't have to wait too long before our bus appeared and it was required Arriva NW&W 3048.

Arriva NW&W 3048 in Pemberton

The was reasonably well loaded and we sat down near the back. We headed back down Ormskirk Road and then into Wigan on the A49. When we got back the bus emptied and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3048

When we got off we saw required Arriva NW&W 7640 arrive and then it disappeared again! We met up with mum and then we walked back the long way to the car so that we could photograph some of the buses. We walked passed the row of stabled buses in the bus station and Arriva Solo SR 710 was parked up here.

Arriva NW&W 710 in Wigan bus station

We carried on around taking pictures. Today they were mainly stagecoach vehicles and then we walked up Dorning Street. Whilst we were there we saw Wigan Buses SN56 AXD departing on a #630 to Platt Bridge. We got back to the car and mum had managed to source sausage rolls from an alternative shop. Matthew seemed to enjoy then, so it seems that we may now be switching to Pound Bakery for our pastry needs. It had a meat and potato pasty and it was very nice. We added a touch of oil to the car engine and we set off home. We went down Frog Lane passed the Wigan Coachways depot where we saw Volvo N213 TDU. We then headed around Wigan Pier and then onto the Southbound A49. We then headed onto the Southbound M6. It took us a while today before we picked up the signal for Radio Stoke, but when we did we heard that Stoke had beaten QPR away by two goals to nil. It also seems that Port Vale are all but promoted to the First division unless they ship loads of goals. The matrix sign were saying that the M6 was closed between junction 15 and 14. We had wondered if this would cause the motorway to back up beyond junction 16, but it did not have that much of an effect. We came off onto the Southbound A500 and then we did the A50 to Longton so we could check out Z Carz. We didn't see any coaches today but there were plenty of the taxi fleet. At the rear we could see T131 SGA, HX51 HRU and YN03 HJC. The first one of the taxi fleet at the front was X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Next was BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

This was followed by PN06 DNN.

Z Carz PN06 DNN in Longton

Last of the taxi fleet was YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

We were then surprised to seen a new minibus in the fleet. It was W221 CDN complete with some nice purple Z Carz decals.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see if there was anything by the actual depot. We were pleased to find another new arrival, UK04 BUS which had been running with Clowes Coaches fairly recently.

Z Carz UK04 BUS in Longton

We then headed down Longton Hall Road. We saw 40143 on a Newcastle bound #22. At the bottom of the road was First Potteries 53830 on the evening #23 service followed by 41492 which was finishing for the evening. Just before we got home we saw 40137 on the Longton bound #22. We got in the house at 18:30. We looked at our pictures from today and then we had a late tea of bangers and mash. Later he had a slice of toffee cheesecake and he chilled out on his computer before bedtime at just after 00:00...Mark