Trip to Crewe 09-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2500	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL17	Nantwich BS	Nantwich, Millfields Marsh Lane	53	GHA
SL17	Nantwich, Millfields Marsh Lane	Nantwich BS	53	GHA
138	Nantwich BS	Crewe, opp The Brunswick	44A	D&G
4489	Crewe, Crewe Arms Hotel (NE-bound)	Sandbach o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
3330	Sandbach o/s Common	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to do a fairly local trip as we have been out a few days this week. Matthew chose to go to Crewe. Today was overcast but dry and fairly cool for the time of year. We set off around 12:00, going North along the A500. We had planned on stopping at the food trailer at the top of the A500 but it wasn't there! So we decided to carry on and see if there was a burger van in the B&Q car park in Crewe. We parked up by the road so Matthew could see if any useful buses went past on the #37 or #38 whilst we waited and ate. Whilst I was getting the food an unidentified Olympian went past towards Crewe. After we ate we drove into Crewe town centre. We passed the Olympian going out on the #37 and it was 3330. After parking up we walked into the bus station. The first bus we saw was GHA SB55 parked up between duties.

GHA SB55 in Crewe bus station

We now had to choose what we were going to do. Arriva NW&W 2499 was on the #31, 2500 was on the #84 to Chester and 4491 arrived in on the #38. Matthew chose to do the one bus he had already been on Arriva NW&W 2500 on the #84. We booked to Nantwich and got on the bus. As we were leaving Crewe bus station we saw First Potteries ALX200 40144 on a #20. These don't work to Crewe very often. The journey down was quite quick and pleasant and we passed several Plaxton Centros on other #84 services. When we arrived in Nantwich, Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus which was nearly empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2500

He also got a good shot of the outside of the bus.

2500 in Nantwich bus station

We decided to go use the facilities in Nantwich market. On the way back we called at the sweet store and picked up some Taveners mint chews. Back at the bus station we now had around 15 minutes to wait for a bus back to Crewe. Matthew was eying up GHA step entranced minibus MB29 which we presumed was being used as the crew mess bus. When the next #84 turned up it was a Centro and Matthew refused to do it! After it had left had dragged me over to MB29 and I told it again it wasn't working. I even asked the driver on the bus and he confirmed it to be the case. Whilst we were there GHA SL17 turned up on one of the town circular. Matthew wanted to do this respite having been on it before so we did a circle around the town on this.

GHA SL17 in Nantwich bus station

After doing the spin around time Matthew photographed the bus empty back at the bus station.

Inside SL17

There was a Crewe bus in the bus station, bus it pulled away before we got off SL17. Behind it was a D&G bus bound for Crewe so we decided to get on this as it wasn't a Centro. It was unrequired D&G 138

D&G 138 in Nantwich bus station

We did this bus back and as it was travelling along Gresty Road I though about getting off to intercept the #37 to Northwich. As we got up Matthew photographed on of the seats on this unusual Marshall bodied Dennis Dart

Inside 138

We got off at the end and Matthew got a picture of the bus.

138 in Crewe

We then crossed over Nantwich Road to wait for the #37. The bus stop looked like a normal bus stop and as we waited for the #37 we saw First Potteries 60194 go past on a #20 and D&G 21 on a #85. As the #37 approached we stuck out our hand to be picked up. The bus driver shook his head and waved and went past. We thought that the bus didn't look full so we guessed that the bus stop must be disused. Later research found that this stop is alight only despite there being no clue to this on the actual stop. We decided to walk to the stop by the railway station to wait for the #38. We had already seen it going towards Crewe and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4489. After around a 15 minute wait we saw 4489 approaching.

Arriva NW&W 4489 near Crewe railway station

We got on and climbed onto the top deck. The journey was swift and when we got off matthe got another picture of this bus.

4489 on Sandbach Common

We used the facilities at Sandbach Market and then went back to the Common. Required Arriva NW&W 2617 was on a Northwich short but Matthew turned it down again. As we had time to kill before the next bus we visited McColls for drinks and lottery tickets. When we got back we had around 15 minutes to wait for the #37 to Crewe, which was the Olympian we seen earlier 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 on Sandbach Common

We sat on the front seats. Matthew photographed the empty top deck.

Inside 3330

Matthew had wanted to sit on the seat behind but appeared to be broken. The journey back was swift, we had the top deck virtually to ourselves as we travelled back to Crewe bus station. Back at Crewe we saw 4040 on a #31A pull off as we arrived. We walked around the bus station where matthew said hello to a couple of people before we head back to the car. Not before getting a picture of First Potteries 60015 on a Hanley service.

First Potteries 60015 in Crewe bus station

Back at the car we had sausage rolls and drink before setting off back towards Stoke-on-Trent. We had a quick trip past Longton bus station where we saw First Potteries red and yellow 60171 on a #26 service. We also saw some vehicle parked up at the Z carz site before retuning home a little before 18:00...Mark.