Trip to Newcastle (Newcastle 80) 15-04-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2405	Blurton, opp Ladybank Grove	Newcastle BS	22	Wardle Transport
66843	Newcastle BS	Newcastle BS	Charter	First Potteries
RML 2518	Newcastle BS	Newcastle BS	Charter	Ex London Transport
66843	Newcastle BS	Newcastle BS	Charter	First Potteries
66843	Newcastle BS	Newcastle BS	Charter	First Potteries

Today was the 80th year celebration for the Newcastle depot. We has know about this event for over a month but it took a while to get firm details this event. Advertised as having a 'shuttle service to the depot' and also a 'free vintage bus service' we thought this day was going to be really good. The main emphasis of the day was that the proceeds from the shuttle service were going to help a young girl go to America to have an operation to help her walk. Matthew was up at an unheard of time of 08:30 today, and we planned on getting to Newcastle on the Wardle Transport #22 service which is 10:32 from Blurton on a Sunday. The weather was fine but a little chilly. We got ready for around 10:00 and we went to fetch Uncle Dave. We missed the #22 going towards Longton so we did not know what it was going to be. The usual bus for this turn is a short Optare Solo. We got back to Blurton around 10:25 and then we waled over to the stop to wait for the bus. After a could of minutes we could see it in the distance and we saw it was for the first time a Dennis Dart. As it got closer we saw it was 2405.

Wardle Transport 2405 in Blurton

A quick check of the page revealed it was required so that was a good start to the day. On the bus was John Lovatt, a bus and railway enthusiast for many years and know to most people locally. We chatted for a while whilst we traveled over to Newcastle. This was the first time we had done this service in this direction and it seemed very strange when the bus drove into Trentham Gardens! After doubling back and traveling through Trentham and Hanford, we headed into Newcastle via the hospital. When we got to Newcastle Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a shot of the inside of 2405.

Inside 2405

Early signs were good, Preserved PMT 198 was on the stand next to 2405, and a Routemaster was stabled in the middle of the bus station along with 60069 and 40180. Matthew jumped on 198 and we were told we could sit on the bus but it wasn't going anywhere today and that it was a static display. There was a box of goody bags with a commemorative pamphlet with information about the Depot. Matthew wanted to help himself but I told him he had to wait until he was on the shuttle bus to get one. Someone told us that the depot shuttle was going from stand 7 and it would be about 10 minutes and so we decided to go to the bench at the bottom of the bus station to wait and to take a few pictures. 66843 rounded the corner an we got a picture of it.

First Potteries 66843 in Newcastle bus station

Surprisingly it pulled onto stand 7 and we saw a crow gathering so we knew it was going to be the shuttle. A quick check of the check of the page we could see that it wasn't a required one. The bus loaded up and we set off up to the depot. As we traveled a gentle acted as conductor and we paid for our 3 tickets. We pulled in through the gates and stopped at the edge of the shed. The manager of the depot got onto the bus and then proceeded to give a talk about the depot. Inside the depot there were a number of buses in the main shed receiving attention. 61144 was having its floor rebuilt. 34311 was having new seats for the new school term. 40015 was having it monthly inspection. 40145 was having a gearbox and engine change. 30034 was having a new alternator fitted. 65733 was there with a broken window. There was a also an ex PMT Leyland National 279 which was parked in front of 34311. Outside the depot at the front Were Scania's 60013 & 60015, and the two Ex Chester Dennis Darts with Plaxton bodywork were also there, 40136 & 40137. A few minutes later we left the depot and return to Newcastle bus station. When the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside 66843

As we were getting off we heard the conductor say, "Shall we go with the double decker on the next trip?". So we decided to go again. As it was a rear entranced bus the bus loaded up in Stubbs Street instead of Stand 7. Whilst we waited we bumped into an old railway friend Steve Cotton. The Routemaster came around and it was required RML 2518. We got on and we went upstairs. We waited for the conductor and we paid our money again. and off we went to the depot again. The manager got on and we had a similar talk to the last trip before returning back to Newcastle bus station. We waited patiently for the top deck to empty and Matthew got a picture of the empty bus.

Inside RML 2518

We then walked around the bus to get a good picture of the outside of the bus.

RML 2518 in Newcastle bus station

When we got back we decided to have a walk down to the Ironmarket to have a look at the other buses on static display. We had a walk around, took pictures and even sat on some of the buses. One of the vehicle parked up was 'Gold Service' vehicle 65026.

First Potteries 65026 in the Ironmarket

After a while we walked back to the bus station via Wrights Pies where we picked up a couple of sausage rolls and some drinks. We walked back to the bus station and sat on the bottom bench whilst eating our food. We also took a few pictures such as 65706 traveling down Stubbs Street.

First Potteries 65706 in Newcastle bus station

After we had eaten, I asked Matthew what he want to do and chose to do another tour. The next tour was 66843 so we got on and did another lap of the depot. When we got back i was expecting Matthew to choose to do another bus, but he wanted to go have a look at the static vehicles on the Ironmarket again. He went and sat on all the buses and coaches on which he could including sitting in the driving seat of a couple of the vehicles. We then returned to the bus station, to try and do another bus out to somewhere. Wardle Transport 2203 was working the #94A to Audley and Wardle Transport 2260 was working the #41 to Clayton. We thought Matthew was going to do 2203 so we called mum to ask her to come out and meet us. Matthew was holding on in the bus station hoping something else would work. We sat on PMT 198 for a while, and we saw RML 2518 arrive back from the depot and then stable up. The conductor said that it had finished for the day. Matthew was holding on and holding on hoping something else was going to work. Just before 13:45 the driver of 66843 asked us if we wanted to go again, and with this probably being the last trip Matthew decided he wanted to do it. He took one last picture as we left the depot of the vehicles at the front and then we headed back to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60013 & 60015 in Newcastle bus garage

We got off 66843 just before 14:00 and we sat at the bottom of the bus station again. Mum called to say she was parked up on the A34 and to ask where she wanted us to meet her. As Matthew could decided what to do we decided to get picked up from the bus station. Within a few minutes mum appeared and we got into the car. We went home via the Chemist in Shelton,Uncle daves house to drop him home, and then Costcutters in Blurton where Matthew stock up with drinks. We got back home around 14:30. I went out around 15:08 to get a picture of 2405 as it was the first Dart on the service #22. As we had had a very busy weekend we decided to call for a take away tea. I spent most of the evening writing the Blog before Bedtime...Mark.