Trip to Hanley / Tunstall 31-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40003	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
3415	Hanley BS	Endon, adj The Plough Hotel	118	Wardle Transport
40155	Endon, opp The Plough Hotel	Hanley BS	18	First Potteries
4687	Hanley BS	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	61	Wardle Transport
60004	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	Hanley BS	29	First Potteries
4687	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj stop M	61	Wardle Transport
40020	Tunstall, adj stop M	Longport, adj Longport Road	99A	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip. We had had heard on the Stafforshire and Merseyside bus group that Wardle Transport Scania 3415 had been doing the #118 Hanley - Buxton service. We thought that if we were lucky then the bus would work again today. We checked the weather for today and it was for rain. Matthew got up around 11:15 and he had an oatcake and some orange juice for breakfast. we set off just after 12:00 and we walked to the distance over to the Ladybank Grove stop. We saw a Plaxton bus approaching as we walked to the stop and we decided to run for it. As we got to the stop we turned to see it was dud first Potteries 40003.

First Potteries 40003 'Dinky Donut' #23 favourite!

We got on the bus and booked a Smartday ticket. We sat down near the back of the bus and it was nearly empty. The bus filled up as we headed through Blurton and Heron Cross. At Heron Cross we passed Lightning Travel NX03 JYJ parked up. In Stoke we saw First Potteries 32632 on a Hanley bound #25. We then headed up past the railway station and up College Road. We reached Hanley a little before 13:00 and when we got there we went onto the balcony. I went to fetch some chips and Matthew and Uncle Dave stood on the balcony. Whilst I was getting chips required Wardle Transport 4896 made an appearance on the #30 to Bradwell.

Wardle Transport 4896 at Hanley bus station on a #30

At the same time Wardle Transport 2038 appeared to work the #190 service to Cranberry.

Wardle Transport 2038 at Hanley bus station on a #190

As I walked up with the chips to the balcony, Wardle Transport 3415 made an appearance and it was on the inbound 118 service. So unless it swapped it was going to work the 13:45 to Buxton. We ate our chips and we spent 30 or so minutes taking picture from the Balcony. We saw required Wardle Transport 4652 on the 13:00 #61 to Tunstall. We also saw Wardle Transport 4687 on the 13:30 #61 to Tunstall too. So we had seen 2 of the 3 Wardle double deckers buses that Matthew requires working in a few minutes. Just before 13:45 we decided to walk down to stand W to wait for the #118 service. Matthew got a picture of the bus whilst it waited on the opposite side.

Wardle Transport 3415 at Hanley bus station

Just before time it pulled of the waiting area and did a lap of the bus station and pulled onto the stand. Inside the bus it had been configured for schools work, with 57 seats arranged in a 2 + 3 arrangement, fitted with seatbelts too.

Inside Wardle Transport 3415

With this arrangement its chances of working a service bus are somewhat limited. We deicede to do this bus up to Endon which is the limit of our Smartday ticket. As we pulled off we also saw Wardle Transport 2300 was also parked up by the bus station between duties. As we passed Meigh Street we saw Wardle Transport 4692 on the other #61 turn. This meant that all 3 of Matthew required wardle deckers were working today. The bus sounded really good and hopefully it will have a few more years work left in it. As we approached Endon we shouted to let the driver know we wanted to get off. There appears to be only one bell one this bus and it is at he front. You don't really need bells on a School bus as they generally only have one destination! After we got of we crossed the road to wait for the return service to Hanley. We had around 10 minutes w saw a bus in the distance. A couple of minutes dud First Potteries 40155 appeared.

First Potteries 40155 in Endon

We sat down near the back and then relaxed as we did the 20 odd minute journey into town. We got off and went onto the balcony. We decided to do the next #61 as 2 of the 3 buses out were required ones. Unfortunately for us, the next one out at 15:00 was worked by the one bus we had been on before, Wardle Transport 4687.

Wardle Transport 4687 in Hanley bus station

We got on and sat upstairs. Matthew took a picture of the bus which had been re-upholstered since we last did this.

Inside Wardle Transport 4687

We decided to do this to Bradley, hopefully getting one of the other required buses back. We did the bus up to Bradeley but we didn't pass any of the other buses whilst we were out. If I had checked I would have seen the the 15:00 off Hanley only goes to Chell and then comes back. We got and got a picture.

Wardle Transport 4687 in Bradeley

We then crossed the road to wait for the return. I had the idea of catch the #29 back instead of doing the #61. We could always do the #61 back out. The #29 approached and it was dud First Potteries 60004.

First Potteries 60004 in Bradeley

The bus was empty so he got his empty bus picture there and then.

Inside First Potteries 60004

We got back in Hanley around 15:50ish and then a few minutes later Wardle Transport 4687 re-appeared! We thought it was going to be one of the other 2 buses. Matthew want to go to the toilet, but as we tried to go to the tardis at the end it was busy with someone else waiting to use it too. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do 4687 to Tunstall so he could use a toilet there instead and he said yes. So we got back on Wardle 4687 to go to Tunstall. it was now starting to go dark and it rained quite hard for most of the journey up. When we got to Tunstall High Street it was fully dark and raining hard. We got off the bus and jogged down to the toilets. I then arrange with mum to meet us at Longport. We ran back up to the stop and there was an Optare Solo at the stop on a #99A. It was required First Potteries 40020.

First Potteries 40020 in Tunstall

Matthew beeped the horn as he got on and we sat down. It was nearly empty but a couple more people got on before we set off. We went down the road towards Trubshaw Cross, past the potential site of a new Morrisons. We picked up a couple more on the trip down and then we got off at Longport. Mum wasn't waiting for us so we decided to nip to the local off license. Matthew got a big bottle of Coke and a galaxy Caramel. We went back to the stop to shelter from the rain. A few minutes later mum appeared to rescue us from the rain. We headed back down the A500 to stoke where came off on Wheildon Road to drop Uncle dave off home. We then went up to heron Cross and then home. We got home around 17:30. For tea matthew had a fish finger sandwich with a chocolate cake and cream for afters. He then chilled out before welcoming in the New Year...Mark