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

Trip to Halifax 03-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
30865	Halifax BS	Sowerby, adj Bates Avenue Whiteley Ave‎	579	First West Yorkshire
30952	Sowerby, adj Bates Avenue Whiteley Ave‎	Sowerby, Rooley Heights (NE-bound)	579	First West Yorkshire
TJ15	Sowerby, Rooley Heights (NE-bound)	Halifax Town Centre, Waterhouse Street (Stop 17)‎	300	TJ Walsh
32539	Halifax BS	Elland, Southgate (Stop C)	503	First West Yorkshire
30848	Elland, Southgate (Stop B)	Halifax BS	537	First West Yorkshire
TJ25	Halifax Town Centre, Market Street (Stop 16)	Illingworth, adj Keighley Rd Natty Lane	700	TJ Walsh
60818	Illingworth, adj Keighley Rd Natty Lane	Halifax Town Centre, Broad Street (Stop 30)‎	522	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to venture into West Yorkshire for the first time. Matthew chose to go to Halifax and so we did some research. We checked the Metro site and down loaded a map. We also found out about the Multi-operator ticket called simply Metro Day. We checked the weather which was for mainly dry and sunny with a few odd showers. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and juice for breakfast. We managed to get ready for around 11:45, and we set off onto the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we headed North on the A500. The M6 motorway was busy and it was quite slow progress up the the M56, from that point on the traffic eased a little we headed onto the Eastbound M62. We carried on around the M60 and back onto the M62 where we made the Climb over Saddleworth Moor and then down the other side. At the A629 we came off the M62 and we had the scenic journey into Halifax down into the Calder Valley and up the other side into town. We took a short while to find the parking we wanted to use and we ended up driving through Sainsbury's to get back in the right direction! We parked at the back of the library in a car park off Wade Street which was right next to the bus station. We parked up just before 14:00 and we went to go find somewhere to eat. The cafe in the bus station appeared to be closed so after we used the bus station toilets, we walked onto market Street to find somewhere. cafe Zone didn't appear to do much in the way of food and the sandwich shop was closing and didn't have any hot food. We ended up eating at a chip shop/cafe called Ivanhoe's. As we went towards it was saw a maroon coloured minibus which was TJ Walsh B11 TJW with a fleet number of 11.

TJ walsh TJ11 in Halifax

Matthew had chips, sausage and gravy with a drink if Pepsi to wash it down. He also had bap (known locally as a teacake) and he made a chip sandwich out of it. It was a great place to eat and watch the buses go by. We saw numerous high floor minibuses go passed on services 600 & 700 with the occasional Plaxton Primo. When we ad finished eating we walked back to the bus station and sad goodbye to mum. We visited the travel shop and picked up a map (its easier to read an actual map than look at a pdf on a phone), and we also picked up a few timetables we thought might be useful. On stand as we got into the bus station, was required double decker First West Yorkshire 30865 on a #579 service.

First West Yorkshire 30865 in Halifax bus station

After Matthew had taken a picture we got on the bus and booked our Metro Day tickets. We sat upstairs at the front and I got out a timetable I picked up when we got to the bus station. The journey time was only a little over 20 minutes for the full run so we decided to go to the end. As we left the bus station we followed First West Yorkshire Dart 41316 out along the street. The bus headed out of town and down into the Valley. Looking at the map the bus headed roughly Westward and then dipped into the valley into a town called Sowerby Bridge. Having gone through town we climbed out of the valley towards Sowerby. This might possibly be the steepest climb we've ever done on a bus and the bus went up the bottom of the hill at almost walking pace! We got to a point that we though might be the end of the run and so we got up. Matthew photographed the empty top deck as we got off.

Inside First West Yorkshire 30865

It turned out that we weren't quite at the end, but whilst we looked we noticed that TJ walsh service #300 went to the same stop as the end of the #579 run. We decided to wait for the next Sowerby bound bus and then wait for a #300 back into town. Whilst we waited we saw 30865 return towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 30865 in Sowerby

Almost immediately we saw another ALX400 bus round the corner. It was required First West Yorkshire 30952.

First West Yorkshire 30952 in Sowerby

We got on the bus and went upstairs. It was empty so Matthew took his empty bus picture straight away.

Inside First West Yorkshire 30952

We were only on the bus for a few minutes. We got off at the end of the run (the correct place this time) and we let 30952 head back to Halifax. A few minutes later, step entranced minibus TJ Walsh B15 TJW arrived at the stop and Matthew took a picture.

TJ walsh 15 in Sowerby

The bus wasn't ready to return and we saw required First West Yorkshire 30855 come and go whilst we waited. When the bus was ready we got on and Matthew photographed the inside of this rather nice Mercedes minibus.

Inside TJ walsh 15

We sat down near the back and settle down for the journey back into town. The journey back was downhill to start and the driver handled the bus down the steep gradients superbly. We passed the Sowerby Bridge Tesco store and then we started to climb back up into Halifax. when we got into town the bus stopped on Waterhouse Street and we go off. We walked back to the bus station and we had a quick walk around past the layover area and we walked back up to the top end. As we headed up to the top we saw First West Yorkshire 32539 move onto stand to work a #503 towards Huddersfield.

First West Yorkshire 32539 in Halifax bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. So we crossed over to correct stand and then we got on it. I looked at the information by the stop for service #503 and decided to ask for Elland. We went upstairs and Matthew photographed the empty rear of the top deck.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32539

We sat down and we worked out where Elland was and how long it took approximately. We set off down the A629 so some of the route was familiar from the drive in. What we had noticed when we drove in was the bus garage! There was a North Counties Olympian at the front of the depot but it was just too far away to see which one it was. We carried o to the bottom of the hill and ten we came off the A629 and through West Vale into Elland. When we thought we were coming into the centre of town we decided to get off. On this occasion we guessed correctly! We got off and Matthew got a picture of the bus as it went away southwards.

First West Yorkshire 32539 in Elland

We saw there was a #400 service from here operated by TJ Walsh and it was due in 10 minutes. In the mean time we saw First West Yorkshire 30848 on a #537 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 30848 in Elland

Matthew decided he wanted to do it so we got on and went upstairs. We sat down and the bus set off along a different route into Halifax. The bus crossed over Elland Bridge before joining onto the A629. Some locals where chatting on the bus and they described Elland a rough place discussing somebody getting stabbed. In their own word they said it was 'Worse than Donny...'! We carried on into town and when we reached the bus station Matthew photographed the empty 30848.

Inside First West Yorkshire 30848

We got off and we met up with mum briefly. We then went to the shop and brought a Galaxy Caramel and a can of Coke. Matthew ate the caramel with a little help from me and uncle Dave and he also drank a can of Irn Bru that we already had in the bag. We had another walk around the bus station and we saw First West Yorkshire 41282 to Mixenden.

First West Yorkshire 41282 in Halifax bus station

We decided to leave the bus station and go and catch another TJ Walsh bus from Market Street. As we got to the stop we saw required TJ Walsh 25 on a #700 service to Illingworth.

TJ walsh 25 in Halifax

We sat down and the bus headed out of town. We followed First West Yorkshire 60818 out of town which was on a #522 to Illingworth. The bus headed through Ovenden and into Illingworth. We reached what appeared to be the terminus (there was another #700 there being worked by a Primo), and we got off after Matthew photographed the inside of this bus.

Inside TJ walsh 25

We got off and we let the Primo go. We were hoping First West Yorkshire 60818 would appear and sure enough it did!

First West Yorkshire 60818 in Illingworth

We got on and sat down unusually for Matthew near the front of the bus. We set off back down to Halifax taking a similar route to the #700. We passed the gigantic Dean Clough Mill and then headed into town vi the North Bridge. The bus terminated around the corner of the bus station, and Matthew photographed the inside of this bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 60818

He also got another picture of the outside of 60818 too.

First West Yorkshire 60818 in Halifax

We walked back down to the bus station to meet up with mum. We decided to take a few picture of buses before going back to the car. First West Yorkshire 30947 was heading into the bus station after working a #537 service.

First West Yorkshire 30947 in Halifax

We decided to stand near the top of the bus station we saw Centrebus 228 and take a few pictures. we saw First West Yorkshire 60816 on a #560 service to Commons.

First West Yorkshire 60816 in Halifax bus station

We also saw Arriva Yorkshire 1058 on a #278 service to Wakefield via Elland and Brighouse.

Arriva Yorkshire 1058 in Halifax bus station

We then walked back to the car where we had sausage rolls (there is a Greggs in Halifax) and Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru too. We headed back down the A629 and back onto the Westbound M62. We did the M62 through to the M6 and then South to the A500. On the M6 we passed a few coaches. One of these coaches was Den Casey DEN 69D.

Den Casey DEN 69D on the M6

At the North end of the a500 we passed Z Carz M372 NWN going the other way. We turned off the A500 and onto the A50 to go and check out what was at the Z Carz depot. On the spare ground were a few of the usual buses. Minibus YN03 HJC was there.

Z Carz YN03 HJC in Longton

We also saw mini coach W344 WNS and LDV minibus R920 WNT.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

Behind this was mini coach W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

We turned into towards the willow row compound where we were surprised to see a new addition to the Z Carz fleet. This was coach ALZ 8539.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

We headed back into Blurton along the A5035 today. We got back around 19:20. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash and then cheesecake for afters. he then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark.