Trp to Rochdale / Middleton 04-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33680	Rochdale BS	Oldham BS	409	First Manchester
40365	Oldham BS	Middleton BS	415	First Manchester
37373	Middleton BS	Rochdale BS	17	First Manchester
60257	Rochdale BS	Stansfield, opp School Barnes Meadow/Calderbrook Terrace	457	First Manchester
60827	Stansfield, Todmorden Rd/Stansfield Primary Sch (S-bound)	Rochdale BS	589	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Rochdale. Matthew had found a picture of First Manchester 40371 in Rochdale bus station on Flickr and so we decided to re-visit this North Eastern Manchester town. Research for this trip consisted of seeing if the new bus station had been completed (short answer no) and asking about First Oldham's Dart workings on the Dennis Dart Forum. We also checked the weather for the day and it was to be mild with sunny intervals (11'). Matthew got up around 10:30 today and had his breakfast of toast and orange juice. We set off around 12:00 today went past the Hem Heath pub. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and headed North. We joined the A50 passing Hamleys G97 RGG and then we headed north on the A500. We headed North on the M6 passing Z Carz T131 SGA going South. We then Joined the Eastbound M62 where we passed Parkside Taxis of Cramlington YX04 AWU. We did the M62 up to the A627(M). At the north end of the A627 we headed West to Castleton and then parked up out side the Mighty Bite. Matthew had a breakfast and a can of Cherry Coke to wash it down with. Whilst we ate we saw a few First Manchester buses on the #17 service 37284/288/290/301/369/375/384 were seen in or around the cafe whilst in the Castleton area. After eating We drove back into Rochdale. There were a lot of roadwork taking place due to the building of the tram line into Smith Street and the building of the new transport interchange. We got into town and parked up around 14:20. Walking into the bus station was quite a task. We walked through narrow fenced in walkways in a twisty maze and and eventually we got into the bus station. We noticed that the walkway around the bus station was still open so we decided to walk up the bus station taking a few pictures. One such bus we saw was Rossendale Easyride 141.

Rossendale Easyride 141 in Rochdale

On our previous visit to Rochdale last March, we had covered the #6 Kirkholt circulars on which we had 40407 and 34295. Today we saw required Wright bodied Dart 40419 arrive in off the #6.

First Manchester 40419 in Rochdale

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said no today. Required 60224 was on the #6 that was about to leave on the next #6. Matthew decided he wanted to visit the toilet so we went to the toilet next to the booking office. after he had visited the toilet we walked back up through the bus station. We saw required First Manchester 34093 stabled up at the side of the bus station.

First Manchester 34093 in Rochdale

Behind that was former PMT Solo First Manchester 40013.

First Manchester 40013 in Rochdale

We the saw required First Manchester 34094 arrive ans stable up in the bus station. We saw one of the new First Manchester Enviro400's arrive on a #409 to Ashton, and I asked Matthew if he wanted to do that and he said yes. Whichever one it was was going to be required as we have never been on one of these before. It appeared on stand and it was required First Manchester 33680.

First Manchester 33680 in Rochdale

We got on and booked our system one bus tickets and then went upstairs. The bus was empty behind us and so Matthew took a picture of the rear of the top deck of 33680.

Inside First Manchester 33680

Seeing as we were heading to Oldham, I thought that we could do a little circular tour of North Eastern Manchester. I thought we could do this to Oldham for a #415 to Middleton and then do a #17 back to Rochdale. We set off out of town passing first Manchester 69420 on another #6 turn. We headed up the A671 through Royton and Long Sight. About 30 minutes later we arrived in Oldham for the first time. The bus station was large and spacious not dissimilar to the one that they are building in Rochdale. We decided that on the side of the bus station we arrived it was sunny and a good place to take pictures. One such bus was First Manchester 37444.

First Manchester 37444 in Oldham

Matthew decided he wanted to visit the toilet and when we came out we noticed there was another part to the bus station. We had a quick walk around this section where we saw Stagecoach Manchester double decker 19513 arrive on a #76 service. We walked back up to the top so we could check out the next #415 service. As we walked up we took a few more pictures. one such picture was First Manchester 37549 on a #59 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37549 in Oldham

Behind that was required First Manchester 40365 on the next #415.

First Manchester 40365 in Oldham

We had to wait for a few minutes before it was ready for service. Eventually to doors opened and we got on and sat down near the back. The bus loaded up and we set off Westwards. on route we passed 40372 and 40364 on Oldham bound #415's. One road in Alkrington was about a mile long and had speed bumps from start to finish making for a very interesting journey. We pulled in to Middleton bus station and waited for the bus to empty so Matthew could photograph the inside of 40365.

Inside First Manchester 40365

Matthew visited the toilet here to, and then we decided to stand by the shopping centre and take bus pictures until the next #17 to Rochdale appeared. We also visited the shop where matthew had a can of coke and a Galaxy Caramel. After eating the caramel we took up position outside the bus station. Fist bus that we got a picture of was First Manchester hybrid 59010 on a #419 service.

First Manchester 59010 in Middleton

Another sighting was First Manchester 40369 on a #12 service. We then saw JPT double decker 532 on a #156 Manchester service.

JPT 532 in Middleton

We then saw JPT 154 on a #112 to Manchester.

JPT 154 in Middleton bus station

First Manchester 37373 appeared on a #17 service so we crossed over the road into the bus station and whilst I got the tickets out of the bag Matthew took a picture of this bus.

First Manchester 37373 in Middleton bus station

We traveled north out of Middleton passing 40415 on a #415 to Middleton. it didn't take long before we passed under the M62 and then we were in the familiar territory of Castleton. Here we passed First Manchester 37378 on a Southbound 17. We carried on north joining the Bury road, passing the new Tesco and then heading into town through the roadworks. When we got to Rochdale Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside of First Manchester 37373.

Inside First Manchester 37373

We knew we need to do a quick out and back move if we wanted to get another couple of buses before we left. After taking a few pictures we spotted required First Mnnchester Citaro 60257 on a #457 to Stansfield. It was underneath the bus station so we couldnt get a picture of it as we got on. We flashed our tickets and sat near the back of the bus. As the bus went east out of town towards Littleborough the bus emptied out and Matthew was able to get a picture of the bus from the seats near the back.

Inside First Manchester 60257

We turned onto the Todmorden road and then we decided to get off just after the bus left the main road. Matthew got a picture of 60257 which was shaded by the steep hill to the West of us.

First Manchester 60257 in Stansfield

We crossed the road and checked the timetable. There wasn't anything due for 20 minutes, and that would probably be 60257 returning. We decided to walk down the path onto the main road to check when the next bus was due from there. As we went down to the road we could see a bus approaching down the valley. We crossed the road and waited. It looked like it might be an interesting bus, perhaps even an ex PMT Scania? As it approached we could see it was required First West Yorkshire Volvo 60827.

First West Yorkshire 60827 in Stansfield

We got on the bus and sat near the back. The journey was swift and the bus emptied as we headed into Rochdale. we followed a Centrebus down the A58 on a #528 from Halifax. When we got to Rochdale the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside First West Yorkshire 60827

We took a few pictures and one was First Manchester 37375 on a #17 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37375 in Rochdale

We walked down the outside of the bus station taking pictures. Rossendale Easyride 148 was on a #464 to Accrington.

Rossendale Easyride 148 in Rochdale

We also managed to get a picture of the Centrebus we followed down from Littleborough. It was Centrebus 774.

Centrebus 774 in Rochdale

Just before we left the bus station, Matthew took one more picture before we left. It was First Manchester 66833 on a #181 to Manchester.

First Manchester 66833 in Rochdale

We walked though the roadworks and met up with mum. Matthew used the tardis style toilet before we walked back to the car around 18:00. When we got there we ate some greggs sausage rolls and Matthew drank Ben Shaws dandelion and burdock. this was followed by a gingerbread man. We headed out of town and back onto the A627(M). Back on the M62 we made good time, reaching the M6 by 18:30. we headed south and we passed Z Carz DL03 HHU presumably on an Airport run and Croft Coach Travel PYV 277. We headed down the A500 and onto the A50 to Longton. We had to stop for petrol. At the petrol station was City Cabs 2000 FY02 RTV. we then went to the Z Carz depot. There was only one bus parked up on the spare ground. This was minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We drove to the willow row compound where we saw LDV minibus YN03 HJC and new minibus W221 CDN

Z Carz YN03 HJC & W221 CDN in Longton

We then headed back down Longton Hall Road and home. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers an mash followed by Cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark