Trip to the POPS rally 18-05-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
30033	Britannia Stadium	Stone	Special	First PMT
356	Stone	Britannia Stadium	Special	Trent
952	Britannia Stadium	Hanley Museum	Special	United Counties
279	Hanley Museum	Britannia Stadium	Special	PMT
6225	Britannia Stadium	Stone	Special	WM
6225	Stone	Britannia Stadium	Special	WM
MMM120	Britannia Stadium	Newcastle BS	Special	First PMT
MMM120	Newcastle BS	Britannia Stadium	Special	First PMT

Today was the highlight of Matthew's social calender! We checked the weather forecast the day before and was for sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. We set off to pick up uncle Dave around 11:00. We had planned on getting some food from the sandwich shop on Blurton Road but, it was closed despite what the sign said in the window about being open Sundays. After picking up Uncle Dave we drove through Heron Cross and onto the A50 and turned onto Stanley Matthew Way. We were directed onto the car park in front of the West Stand and we parked up. As we walked up to the area where the buses were parked we saw PMT 604 about to depart on a trip out.

PMT 604 at the Britannia Stadium

The first thing we did was to go shopping! Matthew went to Dave Spencer and spent nearly £100. He didn't take long to chose the DVD's that he wanted. I suspect that he had already researched exactly what he wanted online during the past year! Whilst mum carried on chatting to Dave and Mandy, uncle Dave and I took Matthew around the buses to take few photos. As we went down the first row Matthew got a picture of Chester City Transport 99.

Chester City Transport 99 at the Britannia Stadium

Further down the row was one of the newer vehicles in the newly formed Stantons of Stoke fleet, Mercedes minibus KN61 EYG.

Stantons of Stoke KN61 EYG at the Britannia Stadium

Further still down the row was former Brighton & Hove Optare bodied Dennis Lance N408 MPN.

Stanways N408 MPN at the Britannia Stadium

We also got a look at a fully decaled First Potteries branded bus for the revamped Keele to Hanley service.

First Potteries 66307 at the Britannia Stadium

After we had finished looking at the first row of buses we moved to the area behind the Boothen End. Stanways had brought along their rare Wadham Stringer bodied Dennis Dart N983 BHE.

Stanways N983 BHE at the Britannia Stadium

Looking very similar to a Bassetts coach was Jackson's AEC coach TEC 599N.

Jackson's TEC 599N at the Britannia Stadium

This year there was a second Turners liveried vehicle. We did not notice at first... This newest vehicle on the scene was Turners 8.

Turners 8 at the Britannia Stadium

We then walked down to the back row of vehicles. These were new vehicles and recently preserved buses. On the end of the row was a rather nice Leyland Lynx formerly with Halton Transport, 35.

Halton Transport 35 at the Britannia Stadium

After we had done a quick lap of the site we bought a program and a North Staffs fleetbook and sat down in front of the West stand to plan our next move. As we though about what we would do we saw recently preserved First Potteries Leyland double decker 30033 move up to the stop. We decided to get a run on this. We got on the bus and sat down upstairs. A minute or so later required Trent 356 pulled up behind us. It was OK as this was the second bus going to Stone and we could get it on the way back. The bus left the Britannia Stadium and we headed South down Stanley Matthews Way. We then turned right onto the A5035 which we did to Trentham. At Trentham we turned left onto the A34. Once on the A34 put in a great turn of speed as we went past Tittensor and onto the 60mph section of road. We carried on along the Fillybrooks and we came into Stone from the South end. Once we crossed the canal we turned onto the one way system and stopped on Crown Street. Matthew went to use the toilet and once he had been he came out and got a picture of First Potteries 30033.

First Potteries 30033 in Stone

A couple of minutes later the slower and older Trent 356 made an appearance. Matthew then got a picture of this dual door Bristol RE.

Trent 356 in Stone

Whilst we had taken this trip down to Stone mum had bumped into Grandma and they had checked out the price of the food at the Britannia Stadium and decided we would get better value eating elsewhere. Unfortunately Grandma had to leave before we got back. The bus left Stone up Newcastle Street and we rejoined the A34 North of Stone. We then had a spirited run up to the A34 but nowhere near as quick as First Potteries which was at least a 1/2 a mile in front of us. We came back into the Britannia Stadium via the A5035 and Stanley Matthews Way and when the bus had finished emptying out Matthew got a picture inside Trent 356.

Inside Trent 356

We met up with mum and we drove off site to go eat at our favourite cafe Go Eat! Situated on the A5035 just outside Longton we went via Stanley Matthews Way and the A5035 and we got there in no time. After visiting their toilet Matthew sat down to a breakfast with oatcakes and toast and a drink of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye and we decided to return to the bus rally via Longton and the site Z Carz. At the site today there were three more buses than last night. The first bus we saw was GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Beside this was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Next to this was Volkswagon OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Finally was the newest arrival, Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we drove down to Stanley Matthews Way and into the Britannia Stadium. We knew the 13:50 departure to Hanley Museum was booked to be required United Counties 952. As we turned the corner we saw the bus at the stop. Mum dropped us off and we got a picture of this fine Bristol VR as we waled up to the stop.

United Counties 952 at the Britannia Stadium

We jumped on the bus and we went upstairs. It was quite well filled and Matthew wasn't able to get a picture inside. The bus set off out of the Britannia Stadium and onto the Westbound A50. We took the A500 to Stoke before joining the A52 to head towards the railway station. After a quick stop we turned up college road and then into Hanley past the bus station. We crossed over the ring road and past the bottom of the new bus station before stopping outside the museum. We got off and took a picture of the bus before getting back on it.

United Counties 952 outside Hanley museum

A duplicate service should have been running with required PMT Leyland National 279. Whilst we waited for 952 to depart we saw Aimee's ex Cardiff Dart T147 DAX on the #16 to Leek.As we hadn't seen it we assumed it hadn't run when we saw PMT in the distance coming down Bethesda Street. We jumped off United Counties 952 and we got a picture of required PMT 279. We jumped on and sat down just in front of the glass screen by the rear raised section of the bus. I forgot about the glass screen in these buses were you used to be able to smoke! The bus set off and turned into Broad Street before turning into college Road. We had a quick stop at the railways station before carrying along the A52 to city Road. We then followed part of the old #46 route that the national used to be quite common on back in the day. We went up City Road and we turned right into the buses only section of Christchurch Street. We then turned into station Road before going across Heron Cross. We turned right onto the A50 and we turned into Stanley Matthews Way and then into the Britannia Stadium. We went passed the west Stand and we turned behind the Boothen End to the point where the buses were setting down. We then got another picture of PMT 279.

PMT 279 at the Britannia Stadium

We had a short break off the buses and we sat down by the Boothen End. I had planned on doing Coventry 244 but I had misread the timetable which is easy to do with the look up charts and flicking backwards and forwards in the book. The bus turned out to be West Midlands double decker 6225 which we decided to do instead.

WM 6225 at the Britannia Stadium

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off onto Stanley Matthews Way and we turned right at the end onto the A5035. We turned onto the Southbound A34 and we headed South of Stone as we had done on First Potteries 30033. We turned back into town and stopped on Crown Street. First PMT minibus MMM120 had already beaten us to the stop. We got off and took a picture of the minibus.

PMT MMM120 in Stone

Matthew used the toilet and we decided to go back on the double decker rather than to transfer onto the minibus. We sat back the top deck of WM 6225 and the bus set off North. This time the bus went back up the A520 through Outon. At rough Close we turned onto Lightwood Road and we headed towards Longton. We turned onto Belgrave Road and then onto the A5035. We then went along to Stanley Matthews Way and then back into the Britannia Stadium. When we got back to the stadium we waited for the bus to empty out and Matthew got a picture inside of WM 6225.

Inside WM 6225

We were going to do Lynx 860 but we had a bit of time to kill so we had a walk around whilst we waited. We came across the former British Airways triple door Leyland National with Matthew like the look of.

British Airways B361 LOY at the Britannia Stadium

There was somebody with the bus so we asked if we could go on it and have a look around. Matthew then took a picture inside B361 LOY.

Inside British Airways B361 LOY

We also had a look on the new liveried First Potteries Volvo 66307.

Inside First Potteries 66307

The bus we hoped to catch later former PMT Lynx 860, was parked up between duties.

PMT 860 at the Britannia Stadium

It looked like Stanways Dart N983 BHE wasn't going to work today afterall. The was no-one with the bus so Matthew had to settle for taking a picture through the front window.

Inside Stanways N983 BHE

The Brisol RE that we rode on earlier, Trent 356 was parked up in a nice sunny location.

Trent 356 at the Britannia Stadium

We walked over to the newer buses and Matthew got a picture of one of D&G's latest acquisition, Enviro 200 109.

D&G 109 at the Britannia Stadium

The bus was open and unattended so Matthew went on and took a picture inside this bus.

Inside D&G 109

At this point we were epecting PMT 860 to work but we didn't see it. Matthew decided to look at the stalls again and by a few photographs. There were only a few departures left now, and only one full round trip as far as we could see. This was going to be dud First PMT MMM120. We decided to do this bus anyway because we hadn't been on it for a long time. The bus pulled up at the stop and we got a picture of the Mercedes minibus.

PMT MMM120 at the Britannia Stadium

The last time we had this bus was back in August 2010. We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus was doing a round trip to Newcastle. he bus set off onto Stanley Matthew Way and we joined the Westbound A50 and then the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton New Road and we headed up to the border of Newcastle. We dropped down into Newcastle along George Street and into Newcastle bus station. We asked the driver if there was time to take a quick picture and after he said yes we jumped off and got a nice shot of MMM120 in the sunshine.

PMT MMM120 in Newcastle bus station

We got back on and the bus set off out of town. We did the A53 through Basford and onto the A500. We then went back up the A500 until we met the A50 and back into Stanley Matthew Way and the Britannia Stadium. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew got another picture inside First PMT MMM120.

Inside PMT MMM120

Mum was waiting for us and we decided to get a few more pictures as we walked back to the car. Former Big Green Bus E989 VUK was now in clear view.

E989 VUK at the Britannia Stadium

As we walked back Chester City Transport 99 set of back to it's home.

Chester City Transport 99 at the Britannia Stadium

Outside the West stand Midland Red 674 set off on it's journey home.

Midland Red 674 at the Britannia Stadium

We jumped into the car and we went to drop Uncle Dave off at home. We then came back through Heron cross into Blurton getting home just after after 17:00. For tea Matthew had chicken popcorn and fries. He then chilled out watching his new DVD's and using his computer and having a bath until bedtime around 23:00...Mark

Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 17-05-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
61143	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	22	First Potteries
60060	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
32054	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
3616	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop M	91	Wardle Transport
60205	Tunstall, adj stop B	Burslem, Swan Bank (Stop D)	20	First Potteries
65564	Burslem, Wedgwood Street (Stop A)	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	29	First Potteries
65561	Bradeley, abj Moorland View	Tunstall, adj stop B	29A	First Potteries
42894	Tunstall, adj stop B	Longport, adj Longport Road	99A	First Potteries
265	Longport, adj Longport Road	Newcastle BS	94	Bakerbus

Today we decided to have a local trip. No research was done for today other than to check the weather which was for warm sunshine. we planned to have dinner in Stoke and to go to Tunstall later for a cake. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we decided to go out to catch the 12:30 departures from Blurton towards Newcastle. I had checked out all 3 buses on the #22 and non of them were required ones today. Just before 12;30 we set off on foot to walk to the bus stop. As we waited for out bus we saw First Potteries 60202 on the Longton Bound #22. A few minutes later as predicted dud First Potteries 61143 made an appearance.

First Potteries 61143 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket. We sat down near the back and the bus puled off. As the back seat was empty Matthew took a picture of the rear of the bus as we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 61143

The last time we had been on this bus was back July 2011, when it was allocated to Adderley Green and was working on the #21 Trentham service. The bus turned onto the A5035 and we headed West toward Trentham. The bus turned into New Inn Lane and we passed required First Potteries 41514 on the #21A to Trentham. We carried on through Trentham and into Hanford. On Wilson Road we passed required First Potteries 60060 on the #21 to Trentham. We went down Church Lane and when we got to the bottom we rang the bell so that we could get off the bus. Just after getting off First Potteries 61143 we saw Bakerbus 254 on the X1 to Stone.

Bakerbus 254 in Hanford

We knew the third #22 turn was due towards Longton so we stood on the corner by the petrol station so that we could get a picture as it turned into Church Lane. A few minutes later as expected we saw First Potteries 60128 on the #22.

First Potteries 60128 in Hanford

We had already decided at this point to give First Potteries 41514 a miss and to wait for First Potteries 60060 on the following #21 towards Stoke. As waited for First Potteries 41514, an unexpected coach appeared. It was London based Westbus 150.

Westbus 150 in Hanford

We let First Potteries 41514 go past and we walked back to the stop to wait for the required Scania. As expected required First potteries 60060 came around the corner from Church Lane and we got on the bus. We flashed our tickets and sat down near to the back. There were people dotted around the bus so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside First Potteries 60060

The bus crossed the A34 and we turn towards Newcastle. After crossing the A500 we turned right onto London Road for the journey into Stoke. As we passed through the West end and we passed Scania 65004 on the #21! Until recently this would have been considered a very rare working. A little further on we passed Z carz OV05 WSW parked facing South. We came into Stoke and we rang the bell to get off. Once we were off, Matthew got a picture of First Potteries 60060.

First Potteries 60060 in Stoke

We set off on foot through the town. On Campbell Place we saw required First Potteries 61145 on the #21 to Trentham.

First Potteries 61145 in Stoke

We turned the corner and headed into the cafe. In the distance we could see a Wardle Transport Volvo B10 on the #41/2 to Hanley. In the cafe Matthew used the toilet and then we ordered him a breakfast and a can of Vimto. After we had finished eating we considered how we would get to Tunstall for dessert! There wasn't a #41/2 due at that time and we saw a crowd at the direct Newcastle stop. We walked towards it and we saw a Scania approaching. It turned out to be required First Potteries 61529.

First Potteries 61529 in Stoke

Matthew didn't fancy this today, so we decided to wait for either a #41/2 or a #25. We could see a double decker approaching in the distance. We could see it was an ALX400 so we knew it would be one of the latest batch of buses from Leicester. As it got closer we saw it was required First potteries 32054.

First Potteries 32054 in Stoke

We got on and flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and sat down. The #41 went past and it was required Wardle Transport dart 2361. The bus set off out of Stoke and up the hill through Hartshill. As we approached Newcastle bus station Matthew took a picture inside the bus.

Inside First Potteries 32054

As we pulled into the bus station we saw a Bakerbus double decker on a #94A Biddulph service. As we arrived into the bus station Bakerbus 266 pulled out. A quick check of the page revealed this to be a dud bus. Matthew stopped by a bus and a couple of drivers and we thought he was thinking about catching the bus. He was admiring one of the drivers Firstbus ties! On an adjacent stand was required Wardle Transport 3616 and it was about to work through Tunstall on a #91 Bradeley service.

Wardle Transport 3616 in Newcastle bus station

We lashed our ticket and surprising the bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew got a picture inside it straight away.

Inside Wardle Transport 3616

We sat down near the back and a few more people got on before departure time. The bus set off out of the bus station after a bit of a wait to get out of it... We went over the Jubilee roundabout and up the A527 through Wolstanton. As we left town we passed our last required 54 plate First Potteries Dart 42893 going towards Newcastle on a #99A service. We also passed required Wardle Transport 3614 on another of the #91 turns and also First Potteries 42894. We Went down Porthill Bank and up through Longport to Trubshaw Cross. We turned left up Newcastle Street and we climbed the hill towards Tunstall. When we reached the High Street we got up and got off the bus. We then got another picture of Wardle Transport 3616 before it carried on North.

Wardle Transport 3616 in Tunstall

It was time to get a cake so we went to the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went straight to the toilet. After he had finished we had a raspberry cheescake and a can of Coke. Matthew didn't like the raspberry bit so he had me help him remove the red swirls from the top of the cake. An gentleman named Pete at a table opposite from Newcastle was talking to us and he remember Matthew when he was a young lad and his grandma used to have a pub there. After we had finished eating we said goodbye and we left. Dud first Potteries 60013 was going North on a #20A to Kidsgrove, but across the road was required First Potteries 60205 on a #20 to Hanley.

First Potteries 60205 in Tunstall

The bus was quite full as there was a large family all traveling together on the bus. For once Matthew was one of the quietest people on the bus. Just as we pulled away required First Potteries 65561 went north on a #29 to Bradeley/Hanley. We traveled down Scotia Road and the bus emptied out a little as it went. There wasn't much chance to get a picture inside the bus so Matthew photographed the empty seat in front of him.

Inside First Potteries 60205

When we got Swan bank we got off the bus. We had a quick check to see when the next #98 to Newcastle was due and there wasn't one imminent. So Matthew had a rice crispys Square bar on a bench before we went to use the Lloyds bank cash machine. After we had used the cash machine we saw 2 buses approaching from Cobridge. We crossed the just before the 2 buses got to the stop. The first one was dud 60189 on a #20 to Crewe. The second bus was another ex Northampton Scania and therefore required. It was First Potteries 65564.

First Potteries 65564 in Burslem

We headed back into Tunstall and past the police station before going into the Mill Hill estate. We turned onto High Lane and went to Turnhurst before turning right towards Fegg Hayes. We tured right again and carried onto into Chell Heath. We passed Matthews old school for the first time since it's closure. The building was all boarded up. The school merged with Middlehurst school and they renamed it Watermill School. We carried on towards Bradeley and the bus had emptied out sufficiently for him to get a picture behind us.

Inside First Potteries 65564

As we swept down the hill to Bradeley we passed a third bus out of the batch of ex Northmapton Scania's, First Potteries 65562! We now knew we would have at least a 10 minute wait and it would probably be First Potteries 65561 returning. We got off the bus and it carried on off into the distance towards Smallthorne. We crossed the road to Moorland View and we waited at the stop. The 10 minutes passed quickly in the sunshine and we saw required First Potteries 65561 approaching from the direction of Smallthorne.

First Potteries 65561 in Bradeley

We sat on the bus and we saw Wardle Transport 4811 heading towards Hanley on a #19 service. The bus was nearly empty so he took a picture of the seats behind us.

Inside First Potteries 65561

The bus set off and we passed the third and final bus on the #91's. This was Wardle transport 3615. We carried on up to Chell Heath and back past Matthew old boarded up school. We went through Fegg Hayes and we climbed the hill to Turnhurst before turning onto High Lane. We turned into the Mill Hill estate and then we went passed Tunstall park before going into the town centre. We then got off and took another picture of First Potteries 65561.

First Potteries 65561 in Tunstall

When we got to Tunstall Matthew decided he wanted to do a bit of shopping. We went into Cool Trader on the High Street were Matthew brought a few cans (3 for £1), a couple of 2lt bottles of pop a small bottle of cherryade and a 6 pack of Toffee Crisps. At least the shopping came to less than it usually does when he goes into a paper shop, the downside being the weight of the stuff we had to carry... After saying hello to a couple of people we decided to head back towards Newcastle to end the day. standing in the High Street was dud First Potteries Dart 42894.

First Potteries 42894 in Tunstall

We flashed the pass and sat down near the back of the bus. There were a few people on the bus and Matthew decided not to take a picture inside, quite possibly because this was our third trip on this vehicle... We called mum to let her know we were going to be in Newcastle in around 30 minutes,but she was shopping for potatoes for tea at that point so she might be a little delayed. The bus set off down the High Street and onto Newcastle Street. We crossed over the roundabout at Trubshaw Cross and thinking about what mum had said I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and wait for the following bus and he said yes. We got to the bottom of Longport and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of this fine Dart before it departed towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42894 in Longtport

A quick consult of the nextbuses.mobi revealed there wasn't another bus for 10 minutes and then 3 would come along within the next 5... This gave us chance to have a quick bus stop picnic and to lighten the bag if only a small amount. The three of us had a Toffee Crisp each and Matthew had the small bottle of Cherryade. this enabled us to fit everything else in the trip bag. Just bus our bus was due Wardle Transport 3614 went past on the #91 to Bradeley. We then sighted a Bakerbus double decker in the distance. I had looked up which ones we had been on when we saw Bakerbus 266 earlier in the day. As it got closer we saw it was required Bakerbus 265. We flashed our tickets and got on the bus. We went upstairs and as the top deck was empty Matthew got his picture immediately.

Inside Bakerbus 265

The bus crossed the A500 and we started to climb Porthill Bank. Here we passed First Potteries 37157 on a Biddulph bound #99 service. We climbed to the top of the hill and turned left for the run through Wolstanton. Wardle Transport 3615 was ahead of us. It must have gone passed us whilst we were getting on the bus. When we got to Newcastle I had a glance over to the Ironmarket to see if mum had arrived yet. It appeared that she hadn't, so we would have time to take a few bus pictures in the bus station. We pulled into the bus station and we got of the bus. Matthew then got a picture of Bakerbus 265.

Bakerbus 265 in Newcastle bus station

To the left of us First Potteries Volvo 66310 was departing the bus station. It is still carrying branding from it previous allocation in Leicester.

First Potteries 66310 in Newcastle bus station

Also in the bus station was another one of the former Leicester ALX400 double deckers, First Potteries 32053.

First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew went to use the toilet and then we decided to stand on the corner of the bus station to take a few pictures. we saw First Potteries 40153 on a #72 to Clayton.

First Potteries 40153 in Newcastle

This was followed by Wardle Transport 2409 on a #41 to Hanley.

Wardle Transport 2409 in Newcastle

Another ALX400 double decker made an appearance on the #25. This was First Potteries 32056 was seen on a Keele bound service.

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle

One of the last few Scania Omnicities in the old livery, First Potteries 65039 came into the bus station on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65039 in Newcastle

We decided to start walking back to the Ironmarket even though mum hadn't called yet. Just as we set off the phone rang. she had arrived so we carried on walking at a quicker pace. When we got to the car mum was waiting with some Wright's Pie sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out off town down the A34 which we did down to Trentham. we then turned onto the A5035 which we did all the way into Longton. At Z Carz today there was only one single vehicle parked up on the spare ground. It was a new vehicle to them, Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and we saw long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. It appeared to have a side door removed for spares. We turned back onto the A50 which we did up to Heron Cross before traveling through Blurton. We got home around 17:30. For tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a couple of ring doughnuts. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 11:45...Mark