Trip to Soutport 06-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
7639	Kew P&R	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	PR2	Arriva NW&W
3312	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	Ainsdale, adj Vale Crescent	49	Arriva NW&W
15468	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	Crossens, on Preston New Road	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
3312	Crossens, on Rufford Road	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
3088	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	Southport, Hill Street (Stop FB)	49	Arriva NW&W
3044	Southport, Bold Street (Stop FA)	Crossens, on Preston New Road	44	Arriva NW&W
15468	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
7639	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	Kew P&R Southport	PR2	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Southport. Last year we had gone to Southport on the Grand National weekend, as we had found out on the Dennis Dart Forum that some of Southport's newer buses had gone to the races to help out with racing shuttle buses. This year we found out the the buses had been sourced from other depots, but there had been some interesting working during the week so we decided to go there anyway. Other than checking the forum, we checked the weather out for today. It was forecast for sunny cool weather, 7'. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We had found out before we had even set off that Arriva NW&W Olympian 3312 was working on the #49 service and 7639 was on the PR2 service. We set off around 11:40 and drove down Stanley Matthews Way. We then joined the A50 and then went onto the Northbound A500 passing City Buses & Coaches LV02 ODL North of Etruria. On the M6 traffic was slow due to an accident. After we passed the accident north of the A54 the traffic eased up and we carried on North. We came of the M6 at the M58 and then we headed North West along the A570. We decided to stop at the Omskirk Morrisons for dinner as we have before. We went to the toilet and then Matthew had a breakfast followed by lemon meringue all washed down with a Coke. After dinner we we carried on along the A570 to the edge of Southport before we turned into the Kew Park and ride site where 7639 was waiting to work. We quickly got a ticket and then Matthew took a picture of this required Marshall Dart.

Arriva NW&W 7639 in Kew

It was empty at this point so Matthew got a picture inside of the bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7639

We set off North through the quieter streets of southhort following 7656 on a #43 service. it didn't take long to get into town. We decided to get off at the London Street stop and walked to the railway station to buy Saveaway tickets. We walked onto lord Street and looked up and down to see if we could see a double decker on the #49. At that point we couldn't so we crossed over with the intention of heading the Crossens to see if we passed 3312. As we waited we spotted it in the distance heading South, so we quickly crossed over to catch it. We got to the stop with a few seconds to spare and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast!

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Southport

When we got on it was empty upstairs so Matthew got his empty us picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3312

As it was heading South we decided to do it to Woodvale. We had never been passed the Co-op in Ainsdale before so we were going to head into uncharted territory. We crossed over the railway at Ainsdale and then headed back inland along Kenilworth Road. We crossed the Liverpool Road and headed into the estate before turning back towards Liverpool Road on Woodvale Road. We decided to get off here and take a few pictures.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Woodvale

We then crossed over Liverpool Road to wait for a bus North. After watching 3312 head north, We check the timetable and we saw that an X2 service sound have been past. As we hadn't seen one we assumed it was running a few minutes late. Sure enough, a coupe of minutes later we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching from the South. It was required Stagecoach Ribble 15468.

Stagecoach Ribble 15468 in Woodvale

We got on and sat upstairs. We decided to do this to Crossens so we could use the toilet and check out buses on the #42/44 services too. As we headed north we passed required Arriva NW&W 7643 on a #44 service. As we went through Southport the bus emptied a little and he took a picture inside 15468.

Inside Stagecoach Ribble 15468

It was now just after 16:00. On Lord Street the bus started to fill up again and by the time we had reached the top of Lord Street there were quite a few people on the top deck. We carried on North and ten got off at the roundabout in Crossens. We crossed the road and then we saw Arriva Marshall Dart 7637 about to work a #42.

Arriva NW&W 7637 in Crossens

As it wasn't required Matthew went to the toilet and let this bus go. We also saw Cumfybus MX04 VME whizz by heading South.

Cumfybus MX04 VME in Crossens

We decided to look out for the next #49 and it was 3312 again, having caught up with us. We decided to do it again as it was such a great bus and took a picture and then got on.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Crossens

As it was the start of the service it was empty and we sat further back and he took a picture facing forward this time.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3312

We decided to do this just to High Park. We did 3312 the mile or so down to High Park and then got off and took another picture.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in High Park

We should have checked a timetable as there wasn't a bus due for another 20 minutes so we decided to go to the shop and catch required 3088 which we knew was on the following #49. In the shop Matthew brought some coke and a galaxy caramel bar. We walked back to the same stop and had a bus stop picnic. We also saw Arriva NW&W 3084 heading north on the next #49. After a few minutes required Arriva NW&W Pulsar2 3088 turned up.

Arriva NW&W 3088 in High Park

The bus was already reasonably loaded and we got off at the top of Lord Street. Matthew was feeling a little grumpy and didn't want to get straight onto a bus. First he visited and Italian restaurant to say hello to one of their customers and use their toilet, next he wanted to stop at an ice cream palour and sit outside and have a cone. When he had finished we walked 10 yards to the stop to wait for a bus. It was 17:00 and we knew we would only get one ore round trip in. First there was 3041 on a #47 which we turned down as it was quite full and wasn't required having been done last June. We decided to do the following #44 and we didn't require that one either which is quite unlucky considering how few of the Pulsar2's we have been on. We got a picture of 3044 and got on it.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Southport

We had previously been on 3044 on the Grand national weekend last year. We did the bus North which was also reasonably well filled and we got off at the end of the run in Crossens, Matthew photographed the bus empty before he got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3044

We crossed over the road and as the sun was in a good position he got a better picture of the outside of 3044.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Crossens

We went to the toilet and when he came out we spotted a Wrigt Renown on the #49 so we went up to investigate. It was required Arriva 2723. We went to the front to get a picture and then it pulled off.

Arriva NW&W 2723 in Crossens

We did try and catch the bus after it had rounded the roundabout but the stop is no longer in use. We went back onto the main road wait for a bus back and we saw there was a X2 due. Unluckily for us it was Stagecoach Ribble 15468 again! We got back into Southport and we met up with mum again. We walked back to the London Street stop and we waited for the PR2 service which was due at 18:12. Whist we waited we saw 7654 on a Carr Lane bound #43 service which we had back in July 2011.

Arriva NW&W 7654 in Southport

We also saw 7651 on a #44 to Formby a bus which we ad also prevously been on back in February 2011.

Arriva NW&W 7651 in Southport

Around 18:12 7639 appears on the PR2 service. We get on and Matthew takes a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7639

As we leave town we pass required Arriva 2343 on a #43 High Park service. We carry on down to the park and ride and Matthew uses the toilet before we get back in the car. We set off down the A570, through Ormskirk and onto the M58, We soon reached the M6 and traffic was light at this tie of the evening. As we headed south we passed a couple of coaches. bakerbus 202 was one coach and the other was Paul Watson Travel BXZ 8360 which he managed to get a good picture of out of the car window.

Paul Watson Travel BXZ 8360 on the M6

We joined the Southbound A500 and then we did the A50 to Longton to go view the Z Carz depot. Tonight it was all minibuses such as YE52 UZX from the taxi fleet.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

Also from the taxi fleet was Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

A bus that he once had to college for a few days was there, Volkswagon minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

His main school transport for a few years was also there too, LDV minibus W591 YBN.

Z Carz W591 YBN in Longton

We then drove down Longton Hall Road and home getting back around 20:00. For a late tea Matthew had sausage and mash followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime, going to bed just after 00:00...Mark