Trip to Biddulph 18-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2244	Newstead, adj Crowcrofts Road	Smallthorne, opp Preston Street	500	Wardle Transport
65729	Burslem, Swan Bank (Stop D)	Hanley BS	20A	First Potteries
199	Hanley BS	High street, Biddulph	9	Bakerbus
210	Biddulph BS	Northwood, adj Providence Square	9	Bakerbus

Today we were just going to go for dinner, but mum was unwell so we decided to do things a little different from planned. Te weather forecast had been for rain, so we ad planned to have dinner at captain Kooks and then either go for a drive or a walk depending on weather. Matthew had a lie in today and got up around 11:45. He had some toast and orange juice for a late breakfast. We were getting ready to go out just before 14:00 but mum was feeling little unwell so we decided to do things a little different. We decided to cover the afternoon #500 service which runs in the same pat as the Plumline, but visits the Sainsbury's distribution centre and then carries on past Hanley to Norton. We left the house a little before 14:00 and we saw the #500 head into Blurton. It was required Wardle Transport 2244. We carried on to the A5035 and as we got there we saw First Potteries 40151 on a Longton bound #22 service.

First Potteries 40151 in Blurton

We got to the stop and we didn't have to wait long before Wardle Transport 2244 made it re-appearance.

Wardle Transport 2244 in Blurton

After getting a SmartDay ticket, we sat down near the back and the bus set off. We turned into Stanley Matthews Way and then joined the Westbound A50. We went to the distribution centre then went along Campbell road into Stoke town centre. We headed along Eleanora Street and Glebe Street and passed the railway station. There we saw Wardle Transport 2409 on a #41 service. We went up college road and across the ring road and into the new bus station. Here we saw Bakerbus 215 parked up and 227 on a X1 service. After around a 5 minute wait we headed into marsh Street and up onto Stafford Street. We passed under the potteries shopping centre walkway and headed out of town on Town Road. As the bus headed North it emptied out in font of us so Matthew took a picture.

Inside Wardle Transport 2244

Just short of Smallthorne roundabouts we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of 2244.

Wardle Transport 2244 in Smallthorne

After taking a picture of the bus, we walked to the first of the famous Smallthorne roundabouts and turn left down Sneyd Hill. part way down we saw a yard on the left and we were surprised to see D&G DAF Cadet 25 under repair in a engineering yard. We carried on down to sandbach Road and then we stopped at captain Kooks for dinner. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. For afters he had toffee sponge pudding with custard. After we had paid we visited the toilet before carrying on. We decided to walk to Burslem along the route of the old potteries loop line, so we scaled the embankment and turned right towards Burslem. Having not done this walk for a while we came up early and onto Lingard Street. having discovered we had surfaced a street to soon we headed back onto the loop an came off on Moorland Road. We turned left and headed into the town centre. I asked matthew which way he wanted to travel and he chose to go South towards Hanley, So we turned left and walked to the Swan Bank stop. We only had to wait for a couple of minutes and we saw a new liveried Scania approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required First Potteries 65729.

First Potteries 65729 in Burslem

We got on and sat near the back. Te driver looked vaguely familiar, and turned out he was Matthew grandmothers friend who had given Matthew the bag we take out on trips amongst other things. So when we got off we went to say hello. Matthew also photographed the inside of this bus.

Inside First Potteries 65729

As we arrived we saw Bakerbus 227 heading north on a #9 service. Matthew visited the disabled toilet and then he had a milky way. We also took a picture of Wardle Transport 1501 outside the bus station which was on driver shuttle duties. He couldn't decided for a while where he wanted to go. We eventually decided to do required Bakerbus 199 on a #9 service.

Bakerbus 199 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and whilst we waited we saw required Bakerbus 194 on the X1 service. The bus set off North up to Smallthorne, and then went down Smallthorne bank before turning left through Chell. When we reached Fegg Hayes we turned right towards Knypersley, passing Plants minibus P16 NTS on the way. We turned left into brown Lees and then crossed over the A527. We went through the Biddulph housing estate before going onto the high Street. As we got off the bus Matthew photographed the empty Bakerbus 199.

Inside Bakerbus 199

We walked down to the 'bus station' and matthew used the toilet. Required Bakerbus 210 was about to do a Hanley bound #9 so we decided to do this.

Bakerbus 210 in Biddulph bus station

The bus was empty as we got on so he got a picture inside this unusual bus.

Inside Bakerbus 210

We got on and sat near the back. I texted mum to see if she was feeling any better, and as she was we arranged to meet on the edge of Hanley by Providence Square. We headed through the housing estate and back down towards Hanley. We passed bakerbus 194 around Knypersley and we passed Bakerbus 227 running out of service by Hanley Forest Park. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Bakerbus 210.

Bakerbus 210 in Hanley

We walked to the nearby Northwood store where Matthew bought a can of Coke, a milky way and a rice crispy squares bar. We walked back to the square and Matthew decided to eat the Milky Way and save the Squares and the can of Coke. Whilst we waited for mum we took some bus pictures. Here is First Potteries 61531 on a #7 service.

First Potteries 61531 in Hanley

Mum called to say she was nearby so we met her on the corner of Town Road ad Dundas Street. We drove around hanley and onto Victoria road. We then did the A50 link road and onto the A50. At longton we went passed the Z carz depot where there were only 2 vehicles present today. The first was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The other vehicle was his old college bus, LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

We carried on down Longton Hall Road and then onto the A5035. As we had not got any sausage rolls today, we called at the chip shop next to Aldi and we had a portion of chips to share. We then went home around 19:00 we ate the chips (Matthew had a sausage too), and looked at our pictures. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with a coupe of butterfly cakes for afters. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Middleton / Ashton 11-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
59016	Middleton BS	Ashton BS	419	First Manchester
31929	Ashton BS	Hey Farm Terminus	350	First Manchester
37412	Hey Farm Terminus	Oldham BS	350	First Manchester
40431	Oldham BS	Middleton BS	415	First Manchester

Today we decided to re visit this area after last weeks trip. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go and he chose Middleton. He also showed me a picture of a hybrid on a #419 to Ashton so I knew he wanted to visit this location too. Research consisted of looking at which service go between Middleton and Ashton (as far as I could find only 1), so at looked at service on the map that had a common connection between the 2 locations such as Oldham and the nearby Littlemoss (168,169) and Woodhouses (159) just in case the other option wasn't convenient. We also checked the weather which didn't look to good for this trip. The forecast was for rain which was breaking up as it headed East during the afternoon. Matthew got up around 08:30 as he had got a cookery class at Heathfield. He had some toast for breakfast washed down by orange juice. We set off around 09:30 going onto the A5035 and then passed the Hem Heath pub. We Headed down Stanley Matthews Way and onto the Westbound A50. We then did the Northbound A500 up to the A527 Tunstall by-pass. We went across the by-pass to High Lane and then we headed down to Heathfield School. Matthew cooked a tuna pasta bake which he ate. We picked him up at 12:30 and he went to the toilet before we went out. We headed back onto high Lane and then did the A527 back down to the A500. We then headed North up to the M6. We did this up the The M62 and then we went Eastwards. We went onto the M60 and then we drove around to the junction with the A576 for Middleton. We drove the last few miles into Town and then parked up next to the Middleton Archer pub. As we walked down through the bus station e took a few pictures 40431 was seen on the #415 service and we saw First Manchester 40322 on the #12 Middleton circular.

First Manchester 40322 in Middleton bus station

We had decided we were going to eat at the trailer opposite the bus station, Roberto's. We had Burgers and mum had cheese on toast. The food was very nice and mum's cheese on toast had been seasoned with pepper and herbs. Whilst we ate we listened to Italian music. Apart from the awful weather we could have been eating in a pavement cafe in Rome! Whilst we at in our sheltered location a rain shower came and went. After eating mum and Matthew visited the toilet and then a #419 service appeared. We walked down to it and Matthew took a picture.

First Manchester 59016 in Middleton bus station

We jumped on and booked our system one tickets and then sat near the back. We got on so we quickly that we had to check the ticket to see which bus we were on. As we have not done any hybrd Solo SR's before we new it would be required. It turned out to be First Manchester 59016. The #419 service heads almost into Oldham before heading down the same route into Aston as the #409 service. When we arrived into Ashton around 40 minutes later Matthew waited for the bus to empty out before getting a picture.

Inside First Manchester 59016

We stepped into this bus station for this first time. It is a bus station similar to Bolton and Wigan, with a small bus layover area next to the main road. First thing we did was try and use the toilets. There were 2 silver tardis style toilets and both of them seemed not to be working. So we asked a bus driver where we could find toilets. We were directed to the local Betfred bookies! After using the toilet we visited the travel office to pick up a coupe of maps and timetables, and then walked up towards the bus layover area and we immediately saw First Manchester 31929 arriving on a #350 service.

First Manchester 31929 in Ashton bus station

We got on and then went upstairs. There were a few people on the top deck but they were at the front. So Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus from the mid point of the bus next to the stairs.

Inside First Manchester 31929

We sat down on the bus and I got the map out to see where we were going. From the map I could see the #350 was a Ashton - Oldham service via Mossley and Saddleworth. We started to leave and we noticed that First Manchester 40380 had arrived in the layover off a #346 service. As we headed towards the hospital we passed First Manchester 40406 on an inbound service. We headed into and passed the Hospital and over the hill and down into Mossley. We then climbed up the hill towards Saddleworth. We had worked out by this point we were traveling on a short service to Hey Farm and not a full #350 to Oldham. When we got to the Hey Farm terminus we got off and got another picture of this fine beast, one of only 3 left in the First Manchester fleet.

First Manchester 31929 at the Hey Farm terminus

We decided to go forward to Oldham, we could then do another Dart from Oldham to Middleton on the #415 service (I'm thinking this service should be branded the Alkrington Rollercoaster). The next bus on the #350 was also a Hey Farm Short, which was worked by First Manchester 37433. Whilst we waited he had a bottle of limeade and a Kit Kat. We then had approximately 9 minutes to wait for the #350 to Oldham. When it turned up it was required First Manchester 37412. Matthews camera didn't fire when the us arrived so he didn't get a picture before we got on. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty, so he got a picture of the top deck of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 37412

One thing I hadn't done was to check the journey time. It takes nearly an hour to travel from Hey Farm to Oldham. We headed up through Saddleworth where there was a co-op and also up and back through Delph which also has a co-op store. We then had a climb up to an old closed down pub at a summit called the Star Inn. We then had the run down into Oldham we went past the depot and then headed into the bus station. We got off the bus and headed to the toilets. Whilst there we saw First Manchester 62217 on a #64 service.

First Manchester 62217 in Oldham bus station

We stopped on a bench and had a bottle of Limeade and a Millionaires Shortbread. We also saw First Manchester 33747 on a #409 service.

First Manchester 33747 in Oldham bus station

We then walked around to the other side to take a few picture whilst we waited for the next #415. First Manchester 37412 made an appearance again, we thought it had gone when it must have been on layover.

First Manchester 37412 in Oldham bus station

We then saw 40431 parked up before working the next #415.

First Manchester 40431 in Oldham bus station

Also seen was this Ex PMT and Chester Solo First Manchester 40181.

First Manchester 40181 in Oldham bus station

We then vsited the shop to get a can of coke and a Galaxy caramel bar and a pack of rice crispy squares. We walked to stand B to wait for 40431. It pulled on to stand a couple of minutes. We boarded the bus and sat down near the back over the back axle. Thee suspension on 40431 was a little loose making it quite bouncy over any potholes. Going into Alkrington it was very bouncy along Kingsway and Kirkway. When we got to Middleton Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus which still has quite a few of the 'diced carrot' seating.

Inside First Manchester 40431

We got off and walked around the outside and got a picture of 40431.

First Manchester 40431 in Middleton bus station

We stopped and took a couple of pictures. We saw JPT Volvo B6 182 and then JPT Enviro 300 number 455. 300

JPT 455 in Middleton bus station

We then walked back to the car so we could have our Greggs sausage rolls and matthew had a chocolate cake. We left the car park around 18:00 and we went down the A576 passing JPT 184 heading into Middleton. We then got onto the M60. We did this Anti clockwise to the M62 and onto the Southbound M6. We did this down to the A500 and onto the A50 to Longton. When we got to Longton we saw that the ground was virtually empty. In the distance was Z Carz Mercedes T131 SGA.

Z Carz T131 SGA in Longton

Also here was DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We turned to go passed the Willow Row compound and there was only one bus there too. It was his old college bus LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Willow Row

We headed down Longton all Road and into Blurton. We were home for 19:15. After looking at our pictures, for a late tea we had bangers and mash followed by Chocolate cake for afters. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trp to Rochdale / Middleton 04-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33680	Rochdale BS	Oldham BS	409	First Manchester
40365	Oldham BS	Middleton BS	415	First Manchester
37373	Middleton BS	Rochdale BS	17	First Manchester
60257	Rochdale BS	Stansfield, opp School Barnes Meadow/Calderbrook Terrace	457	First Manchester
60827	Stansfield, Todmorden Rd/Stansfield Primary Sch (S-bound)	Rochdale BS	589	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Rochdale. Matthew had found a picture of First Manchester 40371 in Rochdale bus station on Flickr and so we decided to re-visit this North Eastern Manchester town. Research for this trip consisted of seeing if the new bus station had been completed (short answer no) and asking about First Oldham's Dart workings on the Dennis Dart Forum. We also checked the weather for the day and it was to be mild with sunny intervals (11'). Matthew got up around 10:30 today and had his breakfast of toast and orange juice. We set off around 12:00 today went past the Hem Heath pub. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and headed North. We joined the A50 passing Hamleys G97 RGG and then we headed north on the A500. We headed North on the M6 passing Z Carz T131 SGA going South. We then Joined the Eastbound M62 where we passed Parkside Taxis of Cramlington YX04 AWU. We did the M62 up to the A627(M). At the north end of the A627 we headed West to Castleton and then parked up out side the Mighty Bite. Matthew had a breakfast and a can of Cherry Coke to wash it down with. Whilst we ate we saw a few First Manchester buses on the #17 service 37284/288/290/301/369/375/384 were seen in or around the cafe whilst in the Castleton area. After eating We drove back into Rochdale. There were a lot of roadwork taking place due to the building of the tram line into Smith Street and the building of the new transport interchange. We got into town and parked up around 14:20. Walking into the bus station was quite a task. We walked through narrow fenced in walkways in a twisty maze and and eventually we got into the bus station. We noticed that the walkway around the bus station was still open so we decided to walk up the bus station taking a few pictures. One such bus we saw was Rossendale Easyride 141.

Rossendale Easyride 141 in Rochdale

On our previous visit to Rochdale last March, we had covered the #6 Kirkholt circulars on which we had 40407 and 34295. Today we saw required Wright bodied Dart 40419 arrive in off the #6.

First Manchester 40419 in Rochdale

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said no today. Required 60224 was on the #6 that was about to leave on the next #6. Matthew decided he wanted to visit the toilet so we went to the toilet next to the booking office. after he had visited the toilet we walked back up through the bus station. We saw required First Manchester 34093 stabled up at the side of the bus station.

First Manchester 34093 in Rochdale

Behind that was former PMT Solo First Manchester 40013.

First Manchester 40013 in Rochdale

We the saw required First Manchester 34094 arrive ans stable up in the bus station. We saw one of the new First Manchester Enviro400's arrive on a #409 to Ashton, and I asked Matthew if he wanted to do that and he said yes. Whichever one it was was going to be required as we have never been on one of these before. It appeared on stand and it was required First Manchester 33680.

First Manchester 33680 in Rochdale

We got on and booked our system one bus tickets and then went upstairs. The bus was empty behind us and so Matthew took a picture of the rear of the top deck of 33680.

Inside First Manchester 33680

Seeing as we were heading to Oldham, I thought that we could do a little circular tour of North Eastern Manchester. I thought we could do this to Oldham for a #415 to Middleton and then do a #17 back to Rochdale. We set off out of town passing first Manchester 69420 on another #6 turn. We headed up the A671 through Royton and Long Sight. About 30 minutes later we arrived in Oldham for the first time. The bus station was large and spacious not dissimilar to the one that they are building in Rochdale. We decided that on the side of the bus station we arrived it was sunny and a good place to take pictures. One such bus was First Manchester 37444.

First Manchester 37444 in Oldham

Matthew decided he wanted to visit the toilet and when we came out we noticed there was another part to the bus station. We had a quick walk around this section where we saw Stagecoach Manchester double decker 19513 arrive on a #76 service. We walked back up to the top so we could check out the next #415 service. As we walked up we took a few more pictures. one such picture was First Manchester 37549 on a #59 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37549 in Oldham

Behind that was required First Manchester 40365 on the next #415.

First Manchester 40365 in Oldham

We had to wait for a few minutes before it was ready for service. Eventually to doors opened and we got on and sat down near the back. The bus loaded up and we set off Westwards. on route we passed 40372 and 40364 on Oldham bound #415's. One road in Alkrington was about a mile long and had speed bumps from start to finish making for a very interesting journey. We pulled in to Middleton bus station and waited for the bus to empty so Matthew could photograph the inside of 40365.

Inside First Manchester 40365

Matthew visited the toilet here to, and then we decided to stand by the shopping centre and take bus pictures until the next #17 to Rochdale appeared. We also visited the shop where matthew had a can of coke and a Galaxy Caramel. After eating the caramel we took up position outside the bus station. Fist bus that we got a picture of was First Manchester hybrid 59010 on a #419 service.

First Manchester 59010 in Middleton

Another sighting was First Manchester 40369 on a #12 service. We then saw JPT double decker 532 on a #156 Manchester service.

JPT 532 in Middleton

We then saw JPT 154 on a #112 to Manchester.

JPT 154 in Middleton bus station

First Manchester 37373 appeared on a #17 service so we crossed over the road into the bus station and whilst I got the tickets out of the bag Matthew took a picture of this bus.

First Manchester 37373 in Middleton bus station

We traveled north out of Middleton passing 40415 on a #415 to Middleton. it didn't take long before we passed under the M62 and then we were in the familiar territory of Castleton. Here we passed First Manchester 37378 on a Southbound 17. We carried on north joining the Bury road, passing the new Tesco and then heading into town through the roadworks. When we got to Rochdale Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside of First Manchester 37373.

Inside First Manchester 37373

We knew we need to do a quick out and back move if we wanted to get another couple of buses before we left. After taking a few pictures we spotted required First Mnnchester Citaro 60257 on a #457 to Stansfield. It was underneath the bus station so we couldnt get a picture of it as we got on. We flashed our tickets and sat near the back of the bus. As the bus went east out of town towards Littleborough the bus emptied out and Matthew was able to get a picture of the bus from the seats near the back.

Inside First Manchester 60257

We turned onto the Todmorden road and then we decided to get off just after the bus left the main road. Matthew got a picture of 60257 which was shaded by the steep hill to the West of us.

First Manchester 60257 in Stansfield

We crossed the road and checked the timetable. There wasn't anything due for 20 minutes, and that would probably be 60257 returning. We decided to walk down the path onto the main road to check when the next bus was due from there. As we went down to the road we could see a bus approaching down the valley. We crossed the road and waited. It looked like it might be an interesting bus, perhaps even an ex PMT Scania? As it approached we could see it was required First West Yorkshire Volvo 60827.

First West Yorkshire 60827 in Stansfield

We got on the bus and sat near the back. The journey was swift and the bus emptied as we headed into Rochdale. we followed a Centrebus down the A58 on a #528 from Halifax. When we got to Rochdale the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 60827

We took a few pictures and one was First Manchester 37375 on a #17 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37375 in Rochdale

We walked down the outside of the bus station taking pictures. Rossendale Easyride 148 was on a #464 to Accrington.

Rossendale Easyride 148 in Rochdale

We also managed to get a picture of the Centrebus we followed down from Littleborough. It was Centrebus 774.

Centrebus 774 in Rochdale

Just before we left the bus station, Matthew took one more picture before we left. It was First Manchester 66833 on a #181 to Manchester.

First Manchester 66833 in Rochdale

We walked though the roadworks and met up with mum. Matthew used the tardis style toilet before we walked back to the car around 18:00. When we got there we ate some greggs sausage rolls and Matthew drank Ben Shaws dandelion and burdock. this was followed by a gingerbread man. We headed out of town and back onto the A627(M). Back on the M62 we made good time, reaching the M6 by 18:30. we headed south and we passed Z Carz DL03 HHU presumably on an Airport run and Croft Coach Travel PYV 277. We headed down the A500 and onto the A50 to Longton. We had to stop for petrol. At the petrol station was City Cabs 2000 FY02 RTV. we then went to the Z Carz depot. There was only one bus parked up on the spare ground. This was minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We drove to the willow row compound where we saw LDV minibus YN03 HJC and new minibus W221 CDN

Z Carz YN03 HJC & W221 CDN in Longton

We then headed back down Longton Hall Road and home. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers an mash followed by Cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Abbey Hulton 02-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1321	Blurton	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Wardle Transport
MIB 246	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Adventure Playground	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 246	Adventure Playground	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Copeland's Tours
1321	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport

Today Matthew was at college. Today it was sunny. He got up around 07:30 and had some orange juice. The bus arrived around 08:10 and it was his usual bus Wardle Transport 1321.

Wardle Transport 1321 in Blurton

The bus set off through Blurton to Heron Cross. After a quick stop in the Hollybush estate they carried on through heron cross to Fenton. The bus went along Manor Street and onto Victoria Road. The bus then went to Leek Road and then turned right towards Bucknall. The bus then went onto Newhouse Road and then to college. After registration they went to the adventure playground. the coach that turned up today was Copeland's Tours MIB 246. The bus set off towards the a52 passing Z carz W591 YBN on the way. the coach then went up to and around Hanley on the ring road past Tesco. They then headed to Newcastle down the A53 through Etruria. They they went into the adventure plyground. After a hectic session they headed back to college. They got back onto copeland's tours MIB 246 and off they went. having headed into and through Newcastle They headed up the A34 passed the First garage. First Volvo Citybus 38125 was near he front of the depot. They then went up the A34 to Talke and back into kidsgrove. they then headed out to Packmoor and onto High Lane. They did this back to Hanley and the around the ring Road to Bucknall New Road. They went down limekiln bank and onto the A52. hey then turned at Newhouse Road and back into college. For dinner matthew had Chips and beans with cake for afters. After having swimming in the afternoon Matthew went out to get his bus home and it was Wardle transport 1321. The bus set off to Abbey hulton and then onto Leek Road. At Joiner Square the bus turned right on Vitcoria Road. The bus then went along Manor Street. The bus headed through Fenton and over the railway to Heron Cross. They went into the Hollybush estate again and then headed back home. When Matthew got home he had some toast and some cheesecake. just after that we saw Z carz BV51 BNO. Matthew went over to investigate. He persuaded the driver to let him on the bus and then he took a picture of the inside of the minibus.

Inside Z Carz BV51 BNO

After saying thank you to the driver we watched the bus turn around and he got a picture of it before it returned to the depot.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Blurton

The tea Matthew had chicken popcorn and fries. For afters he had chocolate fudge cake. Later he chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 23:00...Mark