Trip to Stafford 11-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
181	Blurton, Selby Walk (adj)	Stoke Station	350	Bakerbus
218	Stoke Station	Barlaston, Orchard Place (adj)	X1	Bakerbus
181	Barlaston, Whitethorn Avenue (adj)	Walton, Ambulance Station (opp)‎	350	Bakerbus
24	Granville Square, Stone	Chell Road, Stafford	X1	D&G

Today we decided to stay fairly local and cover the #350's. This is a service which is almost always worked by step entranced buses, and Matthew had only been on 3 of their collection of Mercedes minibuses that usually work this service. I went out at 10;30 onto the A5035 to try and view 2 of the 3 buses, only I didn't go out quite early enough and only saw 1; 182 was working the 10:10 Hanley - Stone. This bus works past every hour even hours towards Stone and Odd hour towards Hanley. At 11;30 I saw both buses... 183 working towards Newport and 182 working towards Hanley. Originally, we had planned to do the 12:10 off Hanley towards Stone, but we now knew that 182 was going to be on this service (not required). The only unknown bus on the 350's at this point was the 11:20 Newport - Hanley. We decided to go North on the #350 and then to return South on the X1. Apart from printing out various timetables, we packed emergency rations of Shandy, Tizer and sausage rolls. We planned on getting to Stafford just after 15:00, so we arranged to meet up with mum then. Just before time we walked across to the stop on the A5035 near Newstead. After a short wait Bakerbus 181 turned up which was very much required!


Bakerbus 181 on the #350 to Hanley (Matt)

We worked out that if we got off at the station we would have around 5 minutes to wait for the X1 to Stone. So that's exactly what we did.


Bakerbus 181 Outside Stoke Station on the #350 to Hanley (Matt)

We crossed the road and waited the 5 minutes. In the Interim 40383 was working a 23 to Blurton, 66842 was on a 25 to Keele and D&G 132 was on a #41 to Clayton. We were expecting a big silver route branded bus, which we haven’t been on before. Instead we got Volvo B6 218 which we also required.


Bakerbus 218 on the X1 to Stone (Matt)

I contemplated whether to do this bus to stone or get off at Barlaston and get another run on Bakerbus 181. We decided to get off in Barlaston. The reasoning behind this is that we might be able to get chips here, it's would be quiet and we would get more step entranced miles. A few minutes later we alighted in Barlaston.


Bakerbus 218 in Barlaston (Matt)

When we got off, It had started to rain so we went straight to the bus stop for the Stone bound #350. When Matthew and Uncle Dave settle in the bus stop, i went for a short walk to try and find a chippy. It turns out that there isn't a chippy in that part of Barlaston, so I went to a shop and picked up a few Kit Kats. Whilst I was away Matthew photographed the Northbound #350 with 182 in charge.


Bakerbus 182 in Barlaston (Matt)

We worked out that we could have done 182 North probably as far as Newstead to catch the bus we were waiting for. Either that or meet up with the next X1 at stoke station. The plan when we got on 181 again was to do the bus just south of Stone and catch the 13:20 Newport back into Stone. After about a 30 minute wait, Bakerbus 181 appeared.


Bakerbus 181 on the #350 to Newport (Matt)

The bus headed south and then joined up with the A34. When we eached Stone, we saw another couple of D&G bus duties. D&G 95 was working a #3 stone town circular service, and D&G 90 was on a 352 Stone - Yarnfield shuttle. The bus was running due to a road closure at Cold Meece and the diversion of the 490 Stone - Stafford. Just South of Stone town centre there appeared to be some kind of carnival. traffic was at a near standstill and it looked unlikely we would catch the #350 going North with Bakerbus 183. just as we turned into the Walton Road, the other 350 went in front of us. Bowled out!


Bakerbus 181 in Walton on the 350 to Newport (Matt)

We walked back up into Crown Street fighting our way through the crowds. just as we reached the Crown Street stop Bakerbus 183 appeared at the stop. We had to decide whether to do this for one stop around the corner. In the end we decided not to, at least this leaves us at lest one bus to come out on the #350's for in the future. We used the facilities in Crown Street and then set off towards Granville Square. As we turned the corner towards the square, the X1 from Hanley appeared with Bakerbus solo 200


Bakerbus 200 on the X1 (Matt)

Seconds after that, we saw a non-Scania Omnicity on a Northbound 101 service, ex Chester 61554.


First Potteries 61554 working a #101 to Hanley (Matt)

When we got to Granville square, Bakerbus Optare Solo 200 was awaiting time before returning to Hanley. You can still see where the 77 sunset strip vinyl’s used to be.


Bakerbus 200 in Granville Square on the X1 to Hanley (Matt)

We had about 15 minutes to wait before the D&G X1 Stafford service, so we sat under the tree and ate sausage rolls. I t had now stopped raining but it seemed to be wetter under the tree than outside it. I was expecting a Dart or maybe even a Mercedes minibus. I was surprised when a full length single decker DAF appeared!


D&G in Granville Square, Stone about to work the X1 to Stafford (Matt)

As we boarded the bus another D&G appeared on a service 249. It was probably either 106 or 107 as it had a turquoise seat moquette. Matthew also photographed the empty DAF.


Inside D&G 24 (Matt)

The journey to Stafford was quite speedy, with the only thing that made the journey longer was the direction of travel. heading off towards Rugeley before heading back into Stafford via the university and hospital. at around 15:18 we arrived in Chell Road Stafford.


D&G 24 in Chell Road, Stafford on the X1 (Matt)

As we came into stafford from the South East, we past a few buses on the stops around the corner from Chell Road. 2 of the buses there were out of Matthew's favourite Arriva Midlands batch P--- FEA Plaxton bodied Darts, First to follow us around the corner was Arriva Midlands 2306


Arriva Midlands 2306 in Chell Road Stafford (Matt)

After we crossed the road to Sainsbury's, 2307 made an appearance.


Arriva Midlands 2307 in Chell Road Stafford (Matt)

After sighting for around 25 minutes we met up with mum and got in the car to go home. On the way back we stopped just North of Stafford for a few chips to share between the four of us. After we set off north we passed 61554 coming into Stafford on the #101 service. We also saw D&G 39 on a #432 service. We got home around 16:30... Mark

Trip to the Britannia Stadium 09-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BS51 ZJT	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
GN53 EZT	Abbey Hulton	Newcastle	Charter	Z carz
GN53 EZT	Newcastle	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
BS51 ZJT	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40028	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Heron Street, Heron cross	23	First Potteries
2961	Britannia Stadium	Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew hadn't been out for a few days and it was a clear night, so I asked him if he fancied a ride on the 500. This is a service we have been to photograph at this time of year in the past, but there are only a bout 4 weeks of the year when it is light enough to get a good picture at the hem Heath end. Previous viewing of this service have seen an X reg step entranced bus a couple of years ago and more recently Optare Solo's. In order to get to ride on the bus, i worked out you could catch a bus to Heron Cross, walk to the Britannia Stadium and then cath the bus to the end of Stanley Matthews Way. We made the long walk to Ladybank Grove and waited for the 20:52 from Newstead. Whilst we ere waiting we saw the bus go in the opposite direction. It was Optare Solo 40028 which we have not previously travelled on.


40028 heading towards Newstead (Matt)

After around 6 or 7 minutes, the bus returned on the Hanley bound service.


40028 on a #23 to Hanley (Matt)

After the short journey to Heron Cross, Matthew photographed the bus as it left towards Hanley.


40028 departs Heron Cross for Hanley (Matt)

After we got off, we walked the long walk to the Britannia Stadium. when we arrived at the stop we had around 25 minutes to wait. Eventually, we saw the bus go up the ramp and we could see it was a Versa! We did the quick journey along Stanley Matthews Way and just before we got off Matthew photographed the empty inside.


Inside Wardle Transport 2961 (Matt)

It was just too dark to get a good picture of the bus, but he did manage to get a picture.


2961 turning on the roundabout, about to form the #500 to Norton (Matt)

After we watched the bus go, we walked home the rest of the way... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 05-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
9	Hoole, Dene Hotel (nr)	Chester BS	31	Halton Transport
40156	Gorse Stacks, Chester	Newton Lane	53	First Manchester
42	Trentham Road, Magdalen Road	Longton Transport Interchange	22	Scraggs

Started this day in the hotel, didn't sleep too well due to Matthew staying awake for a while, and when Matthew eventually fell asleep, a stage party arrived back and kept us awake beyond 03:00. The day started quite grey and there were showers. We had already seen that the only buses on Sunday on this part of Hoole road was an Hourly Frodsham to Chester service operated by Halton Transport, an operator that Matthew has never been on. The bus South was time at 53 minutes past the hour. We missed the first bus, or so we thought as we weren't out of breakfast until slightly after 10:00. We went out to see the Northbound bus whilst we were getting pack ready to leave. A few minutes before the Northbound bus was due, the 09:53 went South! The Northbound bus went past about 10 late, both being worked by Halton Transport 9. We made an arrangement to meet mum in Chester, and we were only going to do a couple of buses here today due to the poor weather. We walked to a stop with a shelter, thinking we might have to wait up to ten minutes after booked departure time. the stop had no information and no sign and was only about 10 yards away from a junction protection bollard which seemed at little odd. We were a bit worried that the stop was disused, but it did have a raised kerb. Eventual halton transport 9 did turn up and it did stop.


Halton Transport 9 on service #31 to Chester (Matt)

The bus was clean and bright inside and lightly loaded. We passed 40156 away from it's usual station shuttle duties working a 51 Plas Newton in Gorse stacks. When we reached Chester bus station, Matthew took a picture of the inside of Halton 9.


Inside Halton Transport 9 (Matt)

At the bus station we were unsure of what buses went from where on a Sunday. It appeared that the #51 and #53 service run from gorse Stacks on a Sunday. After a few minutes of watching buses in the bus station, we walked down to Gorse Stacks via George Street. On the way we saw a DeeBee Solo and the driver gave Matt a thumbs up as took his picture.


A GHA Dee Bee in George Street Chester (Matt)

We found the timetables for the #53 and we arranged with mm to follow us up the A56 so she could pick us up after we had ridden on the bus. After a short while 40156 appears for the #53 service. we didn't know if it was required but we knew there was a 50/50 chance having been on one of the station shuttle solos before.


40156 in Gorse Stacks, Chester (Matt)

We did the service as far as the turning for Kingsway of the A56. As it went into the distance Matthew got another picture.


40156 departs along Newton Lane on a #53 Kingsway (Matt)

We the drove home and it was a relatively uneventful trip back. Once home I decided to check out what was on the Scraggs Blue Buses #22 service 22. I went out to view the bus and it was Scraggs 42 which was required. I arranged with mum to pick us up after doing the bus to Longton, but first we had to walk out to the stop to meet the bus. we went out to cover the 16:30 departure from Newcastle to Longton, so we set off for the Trentham road stop shortly after 16:30. after about a 10 minute wait the bus appeared and Matthew got the shot.


Scraggs 42 working the 16;30 Newcastle - Longton #22 service in the Hem Heath area (Matt)

We got on the bus and there a few people on it. The journey was quite smooth and this Mercedes minibus seem to be a smoother ride than the one we had been on the week before. in Longton Matthew decided to get a photograph of the inside of the empty bus.


Inside Scraggs 42 (Matt)

We had agreed to have a takeaway for tea tonight, and so mum was a few minutes late picking us up from Longton picking up the food. Whilst we were waiting a drunk carrying pint glass around the bus station had tried to start some trouble on us but we just ignored him and he eventually went away. Mum turned up and i was really glad to get into the car. we then went home for our take away tea and to settle down for the evening...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 04-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2409	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2130	Chester BS	Golftyn, Boathouse Inn (NW) (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2360	Golftyn, Boathouse Inn (SE) (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2530	Hoole Road / Newton Lane	Chester BS	X30	Arriva NW&W
2351	Chester BS	Shotton, Ash Grove (NW) (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2570	Shotton, Ash Grove (SE) (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2523	Chester BS	Hoole Road / Dene Hotel	X30	Arriva NW&W

We planned this weekend a few weeks ago. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go for his birthday weekend and he chose Chester. Mum booked an hotel for the Saturday night and we set off at little early than usual at around 11:00. Heading North along the A500 there was a slight delay around Wolstanton due to broken down vehicles. We filled up with LPG in Longport, and we carried on North at around 11;40. The journey was relatively uneventful, although traffic was slow in several places. We passed First Manchester 41068 heading east along the M56. At the junction of the M56 and M53 there had been a serious motorbike accident and there seemed to be a large party of catholic priests in attendance. We arrived in Ellesmere port around 13:00 and we ate in the market food court as per usual. 2 breakfasts, a sausage sandwich, 2 teacakes and 3 drink cost us £11 from café Bellamy. After dinner we had about 15 minutes in Ellesmere Port bus station before dud 2409 appeared on 401 to Chester. This bus came in from the opposite direction presumably due to the road works on the end of Civic Way.

2409 in Ellesmere Port (Matt)

When we got to Chester Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.


Inside 2409 (Matt)

Today Matthew had quite a long stay in Chester bus station and took loads of pictures. First seemed to be short of running midi buses, with the only Marshals seen out being 41069/71/72. 41068 was seeing heading East earlier. 40014 is current in Birkenhead as can be seen here. This resulted in 3 double decker working in service plus another one making a passing appearance. First to appear was 34228 on 5's and 21's, then 34224 appeared and then went out empty. 30077 made an appearance on the 53's and 51's and then 30069 appeared on 5's and 21's aswell.


30077 on a 53 to Kingsway (matt)


30069 on a 21 Hunts Cross (Matt)


34228 on 5 to huntington (Matt)

After around an hour of observing buses in the bus station, I persuaded Matthew to do a 10 to Shotton. The next 10 was required 2130. It was a hot day and perhaps doing this service was a mistake. The bus was quite full and the heaters were on to stop the bus from overheating. It did cool slightly when we were travelling at speed through Sealands, but it was still quite uncomfortable. Matthew got a shot of the bus as it powered away into the distance.


2130 heads towards Connnah's Quay

After we bailed, we crossed the road and we didn't ave to wait long for a #10 returning to Chester. The first one to turn up was 2360. Unbeknown to us we has been on this bus last time we did the #10 buses.


2360 in Shotton (Matt)

As is often the case, Matthew photographed the inside of the bus on arrival at Chester.


Inside 2360 (Matt)

When we arrived back in Chester, it had gone 1600 and mum had driven down from Ellesmere Port. We decided to have a sausage roll break, and to drive to the hotel on Hoole Road and book in for the evening. We had a quick toilet stop and then decided to catch a bus back into chester to have a quick ride around aod a few more buses. The next bus south was at 17:22 and was a x30 from Runcorn. After a short wait 2530 turned up to take us to Chester bus station.


2530 heading South West along Hoole Road (Matt)

This bus has been refurbished inside but does not carry the interurban livery. The refurbished inside can be seen here.


Inside 2530 (Matt)

When we arrived in Chester I ran to get lottery tickets and Matthew sat and took bus pictures. We decided to do a 10 or an X11 to Shotton, so we looked what was out. The 17:55 10 was which was not required, the 18:00 X11 was 2351 which was required.


2351 in Chester bus station (Matt)

We did this to the stop just before Shotton railway station. as we waited the bus we let go came past 'not in service' running back empty to the depot. there was also a 12 due just before our bus that only went as far as the depot. this was one of the usual Solo's. Eventually our bus turned up and it was dud 2570! It was quite pleasant in this bus in the early evening belting along Sealands with a cooling breeze coming through the windows.


2570 in Chester bus station (Matt)

When we returned to chester we had about 30minutes ti kill before the 19:35 X30. We generally hung out and took more pictures. One interesting bus was the WCM minibus on the 21 to Runcorn.


WCM minibus T734 WPA leaves for Runcorn on the #21 service (Mark)

Eventually time passed and 2523 arrived to work the 19:35


2523 arrives in Chester bus station (Matt)

The bus took us back along the Hoole Road, and Matthew took a picture as it headed North.


2523 departs North towards Runcorn (Matt)

After we got back to the hotel, we had chips and sausage for supper from the chip shop in Kingsway, Afterwards Matthew used his net book to upload pictures to Flickr... Mark

Trip to Stoke 30-05-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
64	Trentham Road, Magdalen Road	Longton Transport Interchange	22	Scraggs
61237	Longton Transport Interchange	Duke Street, Fenton	6B	First Potteries
60004	Duke Street, Fenton	Church Street, Stoke	26	First Potteries

Matthew returned home from respite care at dinner time, and I knew he would be interested in going out on the #22 service. The bank holiday and Sunday service has been taken over by Scraggs Blue Buses, and this had started the day before. Yesterday I went out to get a photograph of the first running, and today I went out to see what had worked on the second run. both days had produced Scraggs Blue Buses 64 which Matthew had not been on before. It had been raining all day and was forecast to stop around teatime. I took him out as planned, with the intention of catching the bus to Longton and then returning straight away. We walked the short distance to the Trentham road stop and waited for the bus to turn up. After a few minutes,we saw the Blue step entranced minibus appear in the distance. I hindsight we should have gone to the next stop as the bus emerged out of the sun and made it difficult for Matthew to get a good photograph.


Scraggs Blue Buses 64 on a Newcastle to Longton Service (Matt)

We boarded the bus which was half full. Shortly after boarding we followed 40138 through Blurton as it headed towards Hanley on a #23 service. People were talking about the service, and I think it can be said that everyone is willing that the new 'trial' service is a commercial success and that Scraggs continue to run it. When we got to Longton, Matthew photographed the empty inside of the bus.


Inside Scraggs 64, showing it's ex Arriva Interior (Matt)

When we got off, I was hoping that Matthew would get straight back on but he had different ideas,
He did get a much better shot of the bus as it left Longton Transport interchange though.


Scraggs Blue Buses 64 Departs for Newcastle (Matt)

OK..so we got to plan B... I thought we could catch a bus to Fenton and then catch one back. We could then catch the return Scraggs bus back homewards. The next bus in was a 6B to Hanley and Matthew indicated that he wanted to catch it.


61237 pulls into Longton Transport Interchange on the #6B to Hanley (Matt)

On the way towards Fenton we passed 61143 coming the other way, we also passed 61160. After this short run we got off. The timetable indicted a 20 frequency towards Hanley, which I thought was good for a Sunday evening. There was also an hourly 26 to Stoke. We then decided that perhaps the best thing to do was to go to Stoke and then maybe catch a bus to Blurton from Stoke. According to the timetable board, the 26 Newcastle and the 6B Hanley were due at the same time. First bus to turn up was the 6B which was 60057.


60057 on the following 6B Hanley (Matt)

It then occurred to me that maybe the board hadn't been changed. I looked at the date at the bottom and it said from February 2011... That was the last change! We then saw 61237 across the road returning from Hanley.


61237 heading back towards Longton on a #6B (Matt)

I texted the 84268 service to see when the next bus was due, the service retuned a load of 6B's and nothing else... Oh...perhaps the bus doesn't run the late... I was just considering crossing the road and waitng for 60057 to go back to Longton, when a 26 Newcastle turned up about 7 late. I now know the bus does still run and wasn't affected by the timetable change...The bus turns up and it'ts 60004, now the lowest numbered single decker in the First Fleet that is still running. We did this bus to Church Street, Stoke.


60004 on arrival in Stoke on a #26 to Newcastle (Matt)

We we got to Stoke Matthew decided he was staying put for a short while. I tried to give him alternatives for going home, he could either catch a 21 or a 23. but he just wanted to stay put. At that point mum called to see if we were OK. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go home in the car or bus and he chose car??!! So mum set off and we had around 15 minutes in Stoke watching buses. Amongst others 40138 turned up on a #23 Blurton - Hanley


40138 on a 23 to Hanley (Matt)

Eventually mum turned up and we returned home via Trent Vale and Trentham. Matthew insisted we called at the One Stop Shop on the Lea and he purchased some biscuits. As we travelled along Trentham Road we passed Scraggs 64 on a Newcastle bound 22. Had we gone back to Longton and caught the 22 bus, we wouldn't have got home much earlier.... Mark