Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 22-01-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3002	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
30077	Chester BS	Dickson Drive (Via Plas Newton)	51	First Potteries
40013	Dickson Drive	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. The #401's were mainly Cadets today, but our bus turned up the ultra-modern VDL 3002. A swift and fairly uneventful journey to Chester followed. With Northgate closed for gas works, the bus was divert via the ring road.


3002 in Chester bus station. (Mark)

Apart form some services not serving the bus station, there were no unusual sightings. There has been a new traffic island built in the bus station and presumably when the works are completed, there will be extra bus shelters built. The usual spot where we stand was a bit stinky today, so after a while we moved to a staircase a bit further towards the ring road. This provided quite a good vantage point for taking photographs of buses travelling in either direction.


Avon 307 approaches Chester bus station. (Matt)

A few pictures later, the first and only double decker of the day turned up 30077...


30077 approaches Chester bus station prior to working the #51 Plas Newton. (Matt)


40013 on Dickson Drive on the #51 to Chester. (Matt)


40013 after returning from Plas Newton. (Matt)

We to the bus station, met with mum and went back to the car for sausage rolls...

Trip to Abbey Hulton 17-01-2011

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Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T408 JUX	Wolstanton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z Carz
40751	Abbey Hulton	Hanley BS	5	First Potteries
40167	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	17	First Potteries
65034	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
40751	Hanley BS	Abbey Hulton	5	First Potteries
T408 JUX	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z Carz

Originally respite this day booked off so we could take Matthew further afield, but an appointment with a 40167 and the torrential rain put pay to this! We changed the plans to take Matthew out for dinner in ,the new cafe on it was 08:00 and the Jackson's Nursery, but by the time we were all ready M420 UEH.


M420 UEH at Wolstanton on the way to Jackson's Nursery (Matt)

T408 JUX A regular trip for Matthew, he wanted to record it on his blog. LDV minibus with a high roof 40136 is an Ex Chester Dennis Dart. A500 A52 Newhouse Road. 40179 Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart. Mercedes 814D Scraggs 57 31 Werrington - Newcastle. GN53 EZT Blackfriars minibus
Coach today. PUI 5556 Mercedes minibus 56 Scraggs also on a #31.


Scraggs blue Buses Mercedes minibus PUI 5556 Hanley (Mark)

40751 was on a #5 Abbey Hulton to Hanley. 40167 was on a #17 Hanley - Newcastle via Wolstanton. 65034 was on it's usual #101 Stafford - Hanley service. 40751 was still working #5 Abbey hulton services later in the day. Copelands Tours MIB 104 MIB 236 MIB 246 MIB 279 MIB 293 MIB 864 are some of his favorite coaches.

T408 JUX A regular trip for Matthew, he wanted to record it on his blog. LDV minibus with a high roof ...Mark

Trip to Bury 08-01-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34260	Bury BS	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	524	First Manchester
60213	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	Bury BS	524	First Manchester
34263	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Castlebrook High School	137	First Manchester
66880	Unsworth, Hollins Lane/Parr Lane	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40342	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40355	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

This trip was organised to replace the canceled coach trip that Matthew was meant to be on today. We set off at around 11:30, and the journey was uneventful. On the way into town we past double decker 34260 on a service 472 Ramsbottom circular. On arrival, we parked in front of the library, and as always first thing to do is to get something to eat. We ate in a cafe on the corner of Haymarket Street and Broad street. Matthew had Chips, Cheese and beans on a barm. Whilst waiting for the food, Matthew used the facilities. As often is the case he photographed the sink manufacturer.


Shires sink (Matt)

It was a huge portion of chips and he was not able to finishes it! After dinner, we went to the bus station to see what was working. As we arrived, 34260 came back in after its run out. So we went to stand next to this bus thinking it would work the circular again.



34260 in Bury bus station (Matt)

Drivers appeared, sat in the drivers seat and then disappeared again. I think the driver or even a controller decided that the bus would be better on a different route. A driver appeared and jumped in and then drove off! About 2 or 3 minutes later it re-appeared and went onto a different stand, the display was set to 524, a service which we had done before, so we decided that we would do the same move as we did last time to Radcliffe. We eventually got on and were able to get the front seats upstairs. A few minutes later we alighted in Radcliffe.


34260 disappears towards Bolton on a service #524 bus in Radcliffe (Matt)

Last time we did this move we had to wait a considerable time to catch a bus back. This time I think the service was running closer to time. A few minutes later long single decker 60213 appeared in the distance.


60213 approaches on the #524 to Bury (Matt)

We quickly sat down, and realised that the seats on these buses are just a uncomfortable as the Mercedes single decker we rode on on out last visit to Bury! luckily it was only a 10-15 minute journey. On arrival back, we didn't have to wait very long for another 'First' double decker. This time it was 34263 on a 137 Manchester service. Another move we have done before, we decided to catch this double decker to Unsworth


Inside the top deck of 34263 (Matt)


34263 departs South from Unsworth (Matt)

On arrival at Unsworth, we basically had to run across the road so we could catch the next bus straight back. The bus was modern single decker 66880, from the same batch of buses that were transfered to Newcastle to work on the Keele services.


66880 in Unsworth (Matt)

On arrival back we stood at the end of the bus station so Matthew could take some pictures. I had checked the timetable to see if there was a 510 due, which tended to be short Bolton based single deckers. I worked out there was one due in 5 minutes, and almost as soon as we stood at the end of the bus station, Dennis dart 40342 appeared from round the corner.


40342 approaches Bury bus station from Bolton (Matt)

We walked down to the stop and boarded to bus. After a quick journey of about 10 minutes we alighted at Walshaw.


40342 disappears into the sunset in Walshaw (Matt)

Another short wait later, we literally crossed the road and waited for 2 minutes before the return bus appeared, Dennis Dart 40355.


40355 arrives in Walshaw from Bolton (Matt)

As often is the case, Matthew wanted to photograph the interior. I told him to wait until we arrived in Bury and then he could photograph the bus empty.


Back at Bury bus station, Matt takes a picture of the empty 40355 (Matt)

Matthew was then able to take a few more picture before we departed for home. We Decided to have a quick drink in the Knowsley pub and a toilet stop before went left. after that we went back to the car for sausage rolls and sandwiches. Just as we were setting off, we were passed by the interesting Almin Travel minibus L402 BBC. We followed the bus back to the junction of the M66, I believe it was heading for Heywood. As mention before, I would love to know what service this was on as I believe Matthew would love to ride on this bus. All in all a good trip, with the only downside being that we forgot to remind Matthew to set his camera to take 'big' pictures...(Mark)

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 29-12-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2447	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
40181	Chester BS	Gorse Stacks	53	First Potteries

Originally, Matthew had planned to go out on the 27th, but having seen that it was going to be a Sunday service we persuaded him to go on the 29th instead. After finishing work we set off towards Ellesmere Port. We weren't sure if the market was going to be open, but lucky it was! After dinner we went to the bus station and waited for the 401. Whilst waiting he took a few pictures...


GHA YJ09 OTN in Ellesmere Port bus station (Matt)

When the 401 does turn up, it's cadet 2447.


2447 in Ellesmere Port bus station (Matt)

We then spent around an hour taking picture in Chester bus station. Unusually the 27 was worked by S760 RNE instead of the usual Optare Solo.


Arrowebrook S760 RNE Chester Bus Station (Matt)

Today the 401 was mainly cadets another example being 2441.


2441 Chester Bus Station (Matt)

Eventually when mum turns up by car from Ellesmere Port, we do a bus but just as far as Gorse Stacks


First PMT 40181 loads passengers in Gorse Stacks (Mark)

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

Trip to Southport 04-12-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2144	Esplanade Park & Ride	Southport, Monument	PR1	Arriva NW&W
2287	Southport, Monument	Ainsdale, Ainsdale Village	49A	Arriva NW&W
2288	Ainsdale, Fairfield Road	Lord Street, Stop B	49A	Arriva NW&W
3044	Lord Street, Stop B	Birkdale, Birkdale Station	49A	Arriva NW&W
7656	Birkdale, Birkdale Station	Southport, Monument	49A	Arriva NW&W
2144	Southport, Monument	Esplanade Park & Ride	PR1	Arriva NW&W

Despite the bad weather, Matthew had not been out on a trip for 3 weeks and we knew it would be at least another 2 weeks before he could go out again if we did not go out today! Snow and ice lay all around in these parts, but we hoped that the coastal towns would be milder and hopefully free from ice and snow. Matthew had indicated to us before that he wanted to go to Southport, but previous plans to travel here were always changed and he ended up somewhere different. Research for this trip consisted of printing out the Arriva network map for Southport, plus the Southport area map from the Mersey Travel site. From the Sefton local government site, we also learnt that Southport had no bus station as such and was all on street bus stops. The weather was checked the night before, and it said there would be heavy rain all afternoon! We discussed on whether we should divert to Chester because of the predicted weather. On the day of the trip, we checked the weather. The situation had now improved to fog and drizzle! we asked Matthew again if he want to go to Chester or Southport and he was adamant we were going to Southport. We departed at around midday. As we left Staffordshire most of the ground was covered in ice and snow. Travelling North along the M6 and then onto M58, by the time we reached the A570 there was virtually no snow anywhere, just fog and light drizzle. Our route took us through Ormskirk, where we saw a taste of thing to come passing a Comfybus Optare Solo and an Arriva double decker. On entering the town centre, it looked fairly busy and I could not spot anywhere obvious to park, so I decided to drive through town and follow the signs for the park and ride. Just the other side of town was the Esplanade park and ride site. on arrival we ate some of our packed lunch and toiled before getting on a bus. First arrival was Arriva Enviro 200 2144, which we promptly did back into town.


Arriva North West & Wales 2144 on P&R service PR1 by the Monument in Lord Street (Matt)

The usual thing for us to do on arrival in any new town is to stand and watch the buses for a short while whilst we try and learn what kind of services run and what type of buses work on them.
The first bus that we saw was a wrinkly dart 2287 on service #49A to Woodvale, which pulled up right behind us and had a driver change. Whilst this was going on I looked at the map and decided that this would be a good bus to start riding on, and also it was freezing cold and damp outside! I checked with the driver what the service frequency was to which he replied "15 minutes". Tickets purchased, We decided to go to Ainsdale which was just before the loop end of this service.


2287 on a service #49A to Wood Vale (Matt)

On arrival at Ainsdale, we crossed the road and waited for the return journey into Southport. At this point we weren't sure if we would get the same bus back, or a different one. A few minutes later, a wrinkly Dart appeared from around the corner. Expecting it to be the same bus, we were most surprised when it turned out to be 2288!


Arriva North West & Wales 2288 on service 49A to Crossens seen here at Ainsdale (Matt)

So on we went back to Southport. When we in town, we had previously neglected to check out the local landmarks so we could tell if we were back at the same stop. When we got off in Lord Street this time we were a stop further down, and we were opposite a bandstand instead of the monument. On the previous journey we had passed a couple of different Marshall bodied darts, which we knew Matthew would welcome travelling on, so plan the was to go back in the same direction, but this time we were only going to travel as far as Birkdale. The next #49a to turn up was 3044. A bit on the new side, but we decided to it anyway because there was a good chance of something interesting coming back. As wet got off, Matthew photographed the bus as it disappeared around the corner...


Arriva North West & Wales 3044 on the service 49A to Woodvale departs from Birkdale (Matt)

Crossing the road, we had about a 10 minute wait for the bus back. Matthew was kept amused by the scrolling advertising in both of the town bus stops. As expected Marshall bodied Dennis Dart rounded the corner,


Inside a busy 7656 (Matt)

We did the short journey back to town. During the journey we contacted mum so that she could get some food and we could meet up. She explained she would be about 5 minutes and then she would get some hot food to take back to the car. This time we went to the monument bus stop in Lord Street. Matthew photographed the bus as we left.


7656 in Lord Street on a service #49A to Crossens (Matt)

So whilst we waited, Matthew and I were able to take a few more photographs in the fading light of an early December evening. By this time, the rain had all but stopped so we had barely gotten a drop of rain on ourselves during this dismal afternoon. Most photographs at this time were taken of still buses, leaning against street furniture to steady the camera
.

Arriva North West & Wales 2287 seen on a 49A to Woodvale (Mark)

After letting 2 very full P&R service go waiting for mum, she turned up with chips which we sealed up in our rucksack. after a short wait, 2144 turned up and was once again or transport back to the park and ride site. On arrival, we went around the outside of the building and took a distant photograph of the bus and terminal, steadied on a metal fence post.


Arriva North West & Wales 2144 at the Esplanade Park & Ride site (Mark)

Back to the car, we ate chips before an uneventful journey home. Despite only minimal planning and bad weather, this turned out to be a good trip and we will definitely return here again in the future... (Mark)

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)