Trip to West Midlands Safari Park 21-11-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	John St, Hanley	West Midlands safari Park	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	West Midlands safari Park	John St, Hanley	Charter	Aiming High

Matthew was originally supposed to go to Knowsley, but someone called to say that the trip had been re-arranged and was now going to West Midlands Safari park. Matthew was due to be in respite this weekend so we arranged with respite to take him to Hanley so that he did not miss out on this trip. Usually we take the camera off Matthew after he has photographed his bus, but on this occasion he took it with him and was able photograph some of the animals he saw on this trip. As always Matthew enjoyed himself...

Having done the Aiming High minibus to the Safari Park, The following five pictures below were either taken through the window as they were driven around, or in the walk through sections like the reptile house.


Some kind of Deer (Matt) Suggestions please...


A female Lion (Matt)


Bactrian (two hump) Camel (Matt)


A Seal playing...(Matt)


Rattlesnake!!! (Matt)

After he Van hool took his pictures he was returned to John Street in Hanley. Before he left Hanley he took a couple of coach pictures of coaches that were parked up.


Cresta Coaches YN57 OUS in John Street Hanley (Matt)


Turbostyle WA07KXT in John Street Hanley (Matt)

Afterwards, someone from his respite met him to take him back to the respite house.(Mark)

Trip to Bury 13-11-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 246	Longton Hall Road, Blurton	Moss Street, Bury	Charter	Copelands Tours
40359	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40350	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester
34058	Bury BS	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	524	First Manchester
MX06 BSY	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	Bury BS	513	Maytree Travel
60227	Bury BS	Rowlands Road, Walmersley	472	First Manchester
34028	Rowlands Road, Walmersley	Bury BS	474	First Manchester
60273	Bury BS	Parr Lane, Unsworth	137	First Manchester
34023	Parr Lane, Unsworth	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
MIB 246	Moss Street, Bury	Longton Hall Road, Blurton	Charter	Copelands Tours

As this was a shorter journey than most, we decided to do this coach from Blurton. We booked the back seat for a change, to see if Matthew would enjoy it. A few days before departure we got a call to say that the seat numbers had changed, we were now in seats 54-57 meaning that this would a different to coach to the ones we had previously had, and therefore Matthew would be travelling a different vehicle. Planning for the trip consisted of looking at which bus tickets we could purchase and printing up section of the GMPTE transport map of Bury. Initial plans were to travel away from Manchester into areas that we knew a little about. So I printed information on buses in the Heywood and Ramsbottom direction.

On the day of the trip we drove to Longton Hall Lane and parked up. Matthew was anticipating travelling on a different copelands Tours coach. Sure enough MIB 246 appeared around the corner and Matthew was extremely happy. We then had an hour travelling around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle picking up passengers. The driver decided we needed a short stop (10 Minutes), so we pulled into Knutsford services for a quick toilet and fag break. It also gave Matthew to opportunity to take a picture.


MIB 246 rests at Knutsford services (Mark)

After a short break we continued on to Bury. As always, first priority is to get something to eat so we went into a cafe for food. Afterwards, we stood at the bus station and observed for a short while to see which buses came in. As buses were coming in, I was visiting the travel office for relevant time tables. The first buses that Matthew decided was a must have was a wrinkly dart 40359. a quick dash to the kiosk for a service #510 timetable revealed that we could do this bus to Walshaw for another #510 back. So we purchased our 'System One' off peak day tickets and off we went. When we arrived at Walshaw, Matthew photographed the bus as it left before we crossed the road for the return journey.


40359 in Walshaw on a service #510 to Bolton (Matt)

Sure enough after a brief wait, another Bolton allocated wrinkly dart 40350 appeared from around the corner for our journey back to Bury. On arrival Matthew photographed the interior of the bus with its smart brown chequered moquette.


Inside of 40350 in Bury, shortly after arrival from Bolton (Matt)

Whilst considering whether to wait for the next bus on the #510 to turn up, 34028 pulled into the bus station and parked up, and then 34058 turned up on a service #524 to Bolton. Another quick visit to the kiosk for a timetable, we worked out that we could do this bus to Radcliffe for a short wait and a #524 back. So after Matthew took a picture, we did this bus to Radcliffe.


34058 depart south from Radcliffe (Matt)

We alighted at Radcliffe adjacent to the tram station and Matthew took another picture of the departing bus. I had calculated that we only had around 10 minutes to wait. After about 15 minutes, we looked to see what other service were due. We noted that the #513 to Bury also stopped here, and that was the next bus to arrive, so we decided to do this rather than wait any longer for a #524. The bus arrived and Matthew got the shot whilst I flagged the bus down.


MX06 BSY in Radcliffe on service #513 to Bury (Matt)

By the time came to do the third trip Matthew was becoming a bit excitable, we had seen 34028 depart on a #474 Ramsbottom circular, but we weren't quick enough to catch it.


34028 on a service #474 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

The plan was to catch the next #472 and to meet 34028 somewhere around Ramsbottom, but Matthew couldn't decide what he wanted to do. We eventually got on the next #472, and we worked out we could travel to walmersley to meet the double decker coming the other way. The next #472 that turned up was a Mercedes single decker 60227. We did this to Walmesley and Matthew took a picture as it departed Northwards.


60227 departs North from Walmersley on a #472 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

After a few minutes wait 34028 appeared over the horizon. After Matthew's excitable antics on the last visit to Bury we decide to call mum, meet up for a snack to give Matthew a few minutes to calm down! Matthew got off the bus and took a few more pictures.


Also seen, 34029 in Bury bus station (Matt)

In the cafe on the town side of the bus station, we bought Matthew a portion of chips, and mum had a Derby scone which Matthew also pinched. During the day and during our snack it had been noted that service #137 seemed to have a few double deckers working. We missed 34291 as we finished our meal so we waited for the next #137. this turned out to be another of the Mercedes single decker buses 60273. A moved was worked out to Unsworth. As we journeyed South we saw rows of coaches parked up including our own. We also saw all the fans streaming out ofa pub on their way to watch the local derby between Bury and Stockport. We then passed a double decker. After we got of we waited for a #137. we had about a maximum of 40 minutes we could wait without missing the coach home. The first bus was a single decker which we decided to flag. Whilst we were waiting a double decker went south just before 34023 appeared.


34023 in unsworth heading towards Bury on service #137 (Matt)

We got on the bus and did the short journey back into town and met up with mum. We took a few pictures at the top end of the bus station whilst waiting for our coach to appear. The most interesting bus was an Almin travel minibus.


Almin Travel L402 BBC in Bury. If anyone knows what service this bus was working please get in touch! (Matt)

On the way back we went non stop back to Stoke, after all the other drop off's the journey took around 2 hours. A good little trip that we are sure to do again some time. (Mark)

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 06-11-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2446	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
30077	Chester BS	Plas Newton	51	First Potteries
30077	Plas Newton	Chester BS	51	First Potteries

Set off just before 12:00 today. The roads were fairly clear, and we arrived in Ellesmere Port around 13:00. Had our dinner in the market as usual and then had around 10 minutes in the bus station. We then took a picture of the GHA crew mess today N3 GHA.


GHA bus N3 GHA is the crew mess for today (Matt)

After a short wait Arriva NW&W cadet 2446 turned up on the #401, which was not required! matthew too a picture before we boarded, not dissimilar to the one ho too last time we caught this bus.


2446 in Ellesmere Port bus station about to work the 14:17 service #401 to Chester (Matt)

When we got to chester we had around an hour taking pictures in the bus station. Of note was 30069 which had previously been allocated to Crewe.


Recently transferred from Crewe, 30069 works a #9 to Pipers Ash (Matt)

Also seen in the bus station was a GHA DeeBee liveried bus. This type of bus is usually restricted to working services that start in Delamere Street.


GHA bus DeeBee liveried YJ59 GFX unusually working the 82 Northwich (Matt)

As there was very little about, we decided to ride on 30077 today. We have seen this bus many time before but we have never caught it! We had seen it work a #53 earlier so we knew it would be on a #51 later. As we walked up to the bus Matthew got a shot before we went over to board it.


30077 arrives in Chester bus station about to work a #51 Plas Newton service (Matt)

We booked to the shops in Plas Newton. when we approached the shops we booked again to take us back to Chester. By the time we got back to chester mum had driven up from Ellesmere Port. As it was starting to go dark, we took one last picture before returning to the car.


30077 on return to Chester bus station about to work a #53 Kingsway(Matt)

When mum turned up it was back to the car for sausage rolls. There followed a fairly uneventful journey home other than hearing that Stoke had lost to Sunderland away...Mark

Trip to Blackpool 31-10-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 270	Brunswick St, Newcastle	Pleasure beach CP, Blackpool	Charter	Copelands
327	Waterloo RD, Blackpool	Central Pier, Blackpool	1	Blackpool Transport
1805	Market St, Blackpool	LTT Works	Charter	Ex Ribble (Pres)
1805	LTT Works	Market St, Blackpool	Charter	Ex Ribble (Pres)
329	Market St, Blackpool	Tesco, Mereside	14	Blackpool Transport
303	Tesco, Mereside	Queenstown, Devonshire Road	14	Blackpool Transport
339	Queenstown, Devonshire Road Hospital	Market St, Blackpool	14	Blackpool Transport
331	Central Pier, Blackpool	South Shore, South Pier	1	Blackpool Transport
MIB 270	Pleasure beach CP, Blackpool	Brunswick St, Newcastle	Charter	Copelands

when we booked this trip, we decided to do this coach from Newcastle. Being a Sunday trip we were able to park in Brunswick Street. We parked up and then waited patiently and required MIB 270 appeared from around the corner. The journey North was relatively uneventfully, except passing a group of Stagecoach single decker osn the M6 also heading north. Shortly after that we passed a preserved double decker heading North. The driver decided we needed a short stop (10 Minutes), so we pulled into Charnock services for a quick toilet and fag break. It also gave Matthew to opportunity to take a picture.


MIB 270 in Charnock Richard service station (Matt)

A few minutes after we arrived in the service station, the preserved double decker arrived along side us. It was former Blackburn Leyland Atlantean 8 (OCW 8X). There were quite a few people on the bus so when one disembarked I asked him where the bus was going. he said it was the buses first out since preservation and that it was on it's way to a Lancashire Transport Trust open day in Blackpool. He told me there were shuttle buses running from the town centre. We decided that we would try and find the buses and travel to the open day. A few minutes later we were on our way and we arrived in the coach park on the South shore half an hour or so later. When we arrived the first thing we did was to find a cafe. The was one a couple of blocks North of the coach park. As far as i can remember we ate a breakfast, and I seem to remember Matthew entertaining the staff in the cafe as he often does wherever he goes. After we ate, We walked onto the prom and started walking Northwards. Mum was getting a bit tired so we decided to all catch a bus along the prom. The next #1 service to appear was worked by Blackpool Transport 327.


327 travels North along the Promenade on a service #1 (matt)

With the exception of mum, we all had Blackpool Transport day rover tickets. We did this bus to Central Pier, as it powered away Matthew took another shot.


327 travels North along the Promenade on a service #1 (Matt)

When we got off we started to walk North along the Prom. We didn't know where to catch the shuttle from, but we had seen a Bristol bus turn by Coral Island. We took a guess as to where the shuttle was running from. We waited outside the tower, but another bus appeared and then went sailing past. So we head further North to try and find out where the bus was going from. After much walking up and down and then asking, we found out that the bus was going from Market Street. We waited for about 10 minutes on the corner of Market Street and then preserved Ribble 1805 appeared to work the shuttle bus. After watching everyone get off we jumped on the bus and sat downstairs near the front. After a short wait, the bus departed for the LTT works, which is near to the Mereside area of Blackpool. When we arrived we got off outside the works. there were a few visiting buses standing outside the works, these were taking turns to work the shuttle service. We went into the works paying a small entrance fee and wandered around the exhibitions. Most of the buses in the works were cordoned off, and there were a dozen or so stalls selling thing to support various preservation projects in the works. Matthew brought a few second hand book and magazines and then we took photographs of the buses that we could get to. After about 15 minutes and a quick toilet stop we had covered the works! We waited for the next shuttle back which was unfortunately Ribble 1805 again. we did the bus because we couldn't really afford to waste any time if we were to go travel on some more buses. When we arrived back at Market Street there was a Mereside bound #14 bus worked by Blackpool Transport 329. We jumped on this and said goodbye to mum who was off to do some shopping. We did this service, which took the route of the old #6 service. I took a picture of uncle Dave's favourite funeral directors 'Box brothers' out of the front window of the bus as we traveled East. When we arrived Matthew got a picture of this bus and we waited for the next #14.


329 at Tesco Mereside (Matt)

After we a while Green Liveried Blackpool Transport 303 appeared to work then next #14. We looked at the timing and we decided to do this to the stop just after the old hospital on Devonshire Road.


303 departs North from Queenstown with a #14 to Fleetwood (Matt)

Whilst we were crossing the busy junction, the townward bound #14 went passed. When we got to the stop we had a bit of a wait for the next bus. Matthew was able to take pictures as we waited. One such picture was Blackpool Tranport 309 on a #9 to Cleveleys.


309 departs North from Queenstown with a #9 to Cleverleys (Matt)

eventually the next Blackpool bound bus was worked by orange liveried 339.


339 on a Southbound #14 in Queenstown (Matt)

We alighted in Market Street again, and Matthew took a few picture whilst we waited a few minutes to meet up with mum. we decided to walk onto the front and walk to the central Pier to catch a #1 to the South shore to catch the coach home. As we walked from market street past the back of the tower, Matthew decided to run into HMV because he wanted to buy a CD! We arrived just south of Central Pier, and it was a fair walk. we didn't realise how far it was! We didn't have to wait long and then Blackpool Transport 331 appeared on the #1 service. We grabbed a few chips and then we walked to the coach park with around 30 minutes to spare. This gave Matthew time to get some pictures, but at this point the light was starting to fade.


MIB 270 in Blackpool Pleasure Beach coach park just before departure (Mark)

The journey home was uneventful. We stopped at Charnock Richard services and we saw a poster "I ♥ coaches" which we photographed. As the driver was talking on the PA coming into Newcastle he hit a pot hole and swore much to everyone's amusement! After we left the coach we got in the car and drove home...Mark

Trip to Uttoxeter 27-10-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2038	Uttoxeter BS	Three Tuns	4	Arriva Midlands
2038	Three Tuns	Uttoxeter BS	4	Arriva Midlands
2319	Uttoxeter BS	Sudbury, Portway Head	1A	Arriva Midlands
2243	Sudbury, Portway Head	Uttoxeter BS	1A	Arriva Midlands
65002	Uttoxeter BS	Werrington PO	32A	First Potteries

First thing to do was to have a late dinner, as he had only had two rounds of toast for a late breakfast. So we went to the Cafe across the road from the one stop shop. We managed to get a window seat and Matthew watched buses go by as he ate his dinner...

We tried to persuade Matthew to catch a to, but we just missed one coming out of the cafe. When we got to the stop, Matthew dragged us past and into. He considered catching the, but this pulled off before we could get to it. Right behind it was Arriva 2200 on the service, an interesting double doored Dennis Dart SLF and a long time target ride of Matthews. As I didn't know the route precisely. we arranged that mum would ride on the bus and I would meet them. We quickly tried to tell each other where we would meet but we misunderstood the answers to each others questions and this lead to a bizarre misunderstanding


Arriva Midlands 2038 on the #4 Town service today just before we ventured out of town... (Matt)


Arriva Midlands 2038 on the #4 Town service today (Mark)


Paragon Travel R572 ABA on service 402 to Burton (Mark)


Paragon Travel M197 UAN on service 428 to Lichfield (Matt)


2319 in Uttoxeter bus station about to work service #1A to Burton (Matt)


Arriva Midlands 2243 in Uttoxeter bus station shortly after arrival from Burton (Mark)


65002 in Uttoxeter bus station (Mark)


65002 arrives in Werrington after an hour journey from Uttoxeter via Alton Towers (Mark)

Back to the car for sausage rolls and then home... (mark)

Trip to Bath 16-10-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 268	Longton Hall Road, Blurton	Bath Coach Park	Charter	Copelands Tours
46218	Bath BS	Eastfield Avenue	14	First Somerset & Avon
42901	Eastfield Avenue	Royal United Hospital	14	First Somerset & Avon
42967	Royal United Hospital	Bath BS	14	First Somerset & Avon
46237	Bath BS	Bear Flat	267	First Somerset & Avon
40542	Bear Flat	Bath BS	13	First Somerset & Avon
MIB 268	Bath Coach Park	Longton Hall Road, Blurton	Charter	Copelands Tours

Matthew had spotted this trip on the Copelands Tours brochure, and after a bit of persuasion he got mum to book the trip for us. I didn't do as much research as perhaps I should have done, but on the morning of the coach trip I printed out the Bath City zone 1 map, the Bath network map and the Bath Area Bus services map from the First website. I also downloaded the service 178/84 service timetable and the list of low floor services (so I could work out which buses aren't low floor). We set off at around 07:30 to Longton hall Road so we made the 07:55 pick up in good time. MIB 268 was the transport for today. I think Matthew was hoping for a different coach, but he was just glad to be going on such an epic trip. After getting on the coach then came an epic journey around town picking up other passengers. last pick up was Newcastle at 08:50! As per usual the driver called in to say he had picked up all the passengers then we set off. Newcastle, A519, M6, M5.


Mileage machine Copelands Tours MIB 268 in the M5 / M50 Services Southbound(Matt)

After a short break in the M5 / M50 services, we continued south M5 M4
and then into Bath. At the coach park there was a small cafe which we had dinner before moving to the bus station. when at the bus station we decided to stand and watch for a short while to see where the buses were going and to work out what buses were doing what. One the buses we saw was step entranced dart 46225.


46225 enters Bath bus station (Mark)

I left Matthew there for a short while with uncle Dave whilst I picked up some timetables from the office. When I returned we decided to walk up to by the railway station. as we walked up we were able to take further bus and coach pictures. One of the reason I wanted to got to the railway station was to get a photograph from the car park overlooking the bus station. A few weeks before there had been a picture in 'Buses' magazine with the exact same view. here's my best effort...


Bath bus station...Photo inspired by the one that appeared in 'Buses' magazine a month or so ago... (Mark)

We then returned back to the bus station. Matthew spotted 46218 on a local service and we decided to go for it and start riding on the local buses. it was a number #14 service which we saw on the map as a service going to the hospital and with a circular end. we did the bus passed the hospital and we got off in the estate and then waited for the next bus.


46218 disappearing off into the distance along Eastfield Avenue, Weston on service #14 (Matt)

After a short wait 42901 appeared on the following bus. The next stopped appeared to be the terminus as we waited there for a few minutes! We decided to do this bus to the hospital and get off so we could get another different bus.


42901 at the Royal United Hospital, Bath (Matt)

After another wait where we saw a Wessex connect minibus, 42967 turned up and we did this bus.


42967 at the Royal United Hospital, Bath (Matt)

back at the bus station we didn't have loads of time so we decide to try and do another short trip out. Matthew had spotted 46237 on a Frome service so I looked it up on the map and there seemed to be a place where a lot of service diverged call 'Bear Flat'. I thought if we did the bus to here then we would have a few choices of bus back. Matthew got a picture and then we walked around and got on the bus.


46237 in Bath bus station about to work the 1528 service #267 to Frome (Matt)

the bus was very full and we were luck to get a seat at all. Bear Flat is about a mile out of town o the other side of the river and at the top of a very steep hill. as the bus turned and leveled off, we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture.


46237 powers away into the distance away from Bear Flat on service #267 to Frome (Matt)

We then crossed the road and waited for a bus back. We then phoned mum and arranged to meet up back at the bus station. There were a couple of choices and we decided to wait for the number 13 bus. When it eventually appeared it was an ex South Yorkshire bus 40542. we did this back to the bus station where I got a picture.


Ex Doncaster 40542 in Dorchester Street Bath (Mark)

After we arrived back in Dorchester Street, We took Matthew to the exit corner of the bus station and then I went to find where mum was sitting. We all met up together in the corner of the bus station and then made our way back towards the coach park stopping a few times to take pictures.


52554 in Dorchester Street on service #1 (Matt)


46235 in Bath bus station between duties (Matt)

We walked back via, Broad Quay, Ambury and Corn Street to the coach park...


First Somerset & Avon hybrid bus 39000 enters Bath bus station (Matt)


Forget the usual sights of Bath... No trip to here is complete without seeing one of their orange bendy Buses! 10176 in Corn Street (Matt)

We had about 30 minutes at the coach park, where we all used the facilities and Matthew took a few pictures of the coaches parked up. We set of back at 17:00 making 1 stop at the Northbound M5 / M50 services.


MIB 268 in the M5 / M50 Services Northbound(Mark)

We reached the outskirts of Stoke at 20:00 and after dropping off most of the other passengers we eventually reached Longton Hall Road at around 20:50.