Trip to Burton / Stepenhill 09-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2717	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Horninglow, adj Hospital main entrance	3	Arriva Midlands
2959	Horninglow, Adj Mona Road	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	3	Arriva Midlands
2711	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Stepenhill, opp Maple Grove	2A	Arriva Midlands
2960	Stepenhill, opp Sycamore Road	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	2	Arriva Midlands
4798	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Stepenhill, opp Maple Grove	2A	Arriva Midlands
4798	Stepenhill, opp Maple Grove	Eton Park, Adj Chaucer Close	2A	Arriva Midlands
3712	Horninglow, opp The Navigation	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	1	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Burton upon Trent. After finding out the Arriva Midlands are transfer the majority of their Burton Upon Trent depot routes to Midland Classic (#9 and the X38 excepted), We thought it would be a good idea to visit Burton again.Have checked the weather it appeared that the weather in Burton would be better than locally or to the North. We gave Matthew a list of Midlands destination and from the list Matthew chose Burton. Apart from checking the weather, research consisted of making a spreadsheet of of the buses that are allocated to Burton and highlight the ones we have been on so that we know which ones to go for at a glance. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had a crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we joined the Eastbound A5035. We got onto the Eastbound A50 near to Longton and we saw Copeland's Tours Orange Coaches MIB 116 & MIB 118 parked up in the depot in Meir. At Blythe Bridge we followed the A50 to the right and we ran fast up to Uttoxeter. After running near to the town we followed the A50 to the left and we ran up the hill for a few miles until we got to the A511 turning. We crossed over the A50 and we ran south for a couple of mile to Hatton and we stopped at the Salt Box cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Glovers minicoach AIG 7450 going towards Tutbury and Trent Barton 450 & 664 on V1 Villager services. Once we had finished eating we got back into the car and we set off along the A511 over the level crossing and we followed the road to the left up the hill through Beam Hill. We ran down into Burton under the A38 and over the railway line. After we passed the brewery museum we turned right into Guild Street. We crossed through the crossroad and onto Union Street Street. Coming into town we saw Arriva Midlands 2711 on the #2 which was one of the buses on the hit list. We parked up in the surface park in front of the Coopers Square shopping centre and we said goodbye to mum and walked along the walkway to New Street and we saw Swann's Travel coach YT65 BYR facing West.

Swann's Travel YT65 BYR in Burton upon Trent

As we walked up New Street whilst we worked out what to catch we saw Midland Classic double decker 46 on the #19A to the Queens Hospital.

Midland Classic 46 in Burton upon Trent

We then saw required Arriva Midlands 2717 on a #3 to the Queens Hospital, which was another bus on the hitlist.

Arriva Midlands 2717 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed over the road and went back down New Street and we walked down to the stand where Arriva Midlands 2717 was. We got on the bus and we purchased an Arriva Burton Day Saver ticket at £4.20 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down New Street and we turned right into Union Street. We turned left Station Street and we passed required Arriva Midlands 4798 on the #2A service, the bus that we wanted to get the most! We continued onto Borough Road and we crossed over the railway line. We went forwards onto St Edwards Place and we went around St aul's Sqaure and forwards onto St Pauls Street West. We turned right onto Shobnall Street and as we ran Northwards we saw required Arriva Midlands 3706 on a #3 to Winhill. At the end of Shobnall Street we turned left onto Dallow Street. We crossed over the Trent & Mersey Canal and we went under the A38 onto Belvedere Road. At the roundabout we left Belvedere Road and we ran through the hospital grounds. As we started to emerge out of the hospital back onto Belvedere Road we though we were at the end of the run so we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2717 before it ran about 100 yards around the corner to a turning circle.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2717

The next Arriva Midlands back through the hospital was not for another 30 minutes, but if we walked a short distance South of the round about on Belvedere Road we could pick up another #3 service. We walked down the road we crossed over the hospital entrance and the main road and we waited at the stop. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew ate a packet of Milky Stars. We saw the bus go North around the estate first, and it was required Arriva Midlands 2959. A few minutes later it came back Southwards as expected required Arriva Midlands 2959.

Arriva Midlands 2959 in Horninglow

We got on the bus and we flashed the riva Burton Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran back into town down Belvedere Road and we went under the A38 and over the canal. We went forwards into Dallow Street before we turned right into Shobnall Street. We entered town and went around the one-way system before crossing over the railway line on Borough Road. We continued onto station Street before turning right into Union Street. We turned left into New street and the bus emptied out before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2959.

inside Arriva Midlands 2959

We got off the bus and we decided to use the toilet. On the way up we saw Arriva Midlands 4798 having a driver change on Lichfield Street. On the way up we saw Midland Classic 47 on a #19 to the Queens Hospital.

Midland Classic 47 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Midland Classic 51 on a #21 to Swadlincote.

Midland Classic 51 in Burton upon Trent

We went up to the market hall and Matthew used the toilet. We came back out and through the arcade onto High Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 4798 turned the corner out of New Street onto Lichfield street whilst working a #2A to Stepenhill. We walked down to New Street to see what was on the next #2 to Horninglow, but it was dud Arriva Midlands 2716. Whilst there we saw Trent Barton 745 on a X38 service to Derby.

Trent Barton 745 in Burton upon Trent

We walked back up to the top of New Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 3774 on a #9A to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3774 in Burton upon Trent

Plus we also wanted to get a ride on double decker Arriva Midlands 4798! Back down New Street we saw Trent Barton 659 on a V4 villager service to the Centrum Business Park.

Trent Barton 659 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed over the road and a few minutes later we saw required Arriva Midlands 2711 on a #2 to Stepenhill.

Arriva Midlands 2711 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Burton Day saver ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up New Street and we turned right into Lichfield Street. At the bottom of Lichfield Street we turned left onto the A5189 and we crossed over the floodplain, passing required Arriva Midlands 4798. On the other side of the plain we turned right at the roundabout onto Main Street. We turned right into Hill Street and then right on Heath Road. We turned left onto Short Street and at the mini roundabout we continued onto Somerset Road We turned left onto Cumberland Road and at the top of the road we crossed over Rosliston and onto Sycamore Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2711 as carried on back towards Burton and Horninglow.

Arriva Midlands 2711 in Stepenhill

Once off the bus we had around 15 minutes. We formulated a plan to finally catch up with double decker. We would return to New Street in Burton where in theory the double decker would be on the opposite side of the road, returning to Stepenhill on the #2A. In the meanwhile Matthew had a Milky Way and a can of Vimto. We got up the Arriva App on the phone and on the map we could see the bus approaching on Watersided Road. As we had a few minutes we decided to walk across Rosliston Road onto Cumberland Road about 40 yards away to get extra distance on the bus, which we expected to be required Arriva Midlands 2960. As the bus got onto the wider section of the road it came into view and we saw that it was indeed Arriva Midlands Versa 2960.

Arriva Midlands 2960 in Stepenhill

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Burton Day saver ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Sycamore Road and we traveled up to Brackenwood Road. We went to the end and we turned right onto Rosliston Road. We continued North onto Main Street and at the roundabout we joined the A5189 to travel across the floodplain, where we passed dud Arriva Midlands 2716 on the #2 to Stepenhill. On the other side of the Trent we turned right onto LIchfield Street and at the end we turned left onto New Street. As we went towards the stop we passed Arriva Midlands 4798 going the other way up towards the stop. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2960.

Arriva Midlands 2960 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed the road and we briskly walked up to Arriva Midlands 4798 on the #2A service to Stepenhill, which was still loading up. Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 4798 before we jumped on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 4798 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Burton Day saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. As the top deck was nearly empty Matthew took a photo inside Arriva Midlands 4798.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4798

We set off up New Street and right onto Lichfield Street as we had done on Arriva Midlands 2711 earlier. We followed the exact same route along the A5189, Main Street, Hill Street & Heath Street. Unlike on the #2 service we went straight across and on to Waterside Road, which as the name suggest run alongside the river Trent. We turned left onto Bedford Road and right onto Norfolk Road. St the roundabout we re-joined the route of the #2. I went down to the driver to show the ticket as we were returning North on the bus to Horninglow. We ran up Cumberland Road and we ran back towards the A5189 via Sycamore Road, Brackenwood Road, Rosliston Road and Main Street as we had done earlier. This time we passed Arriva Midlands 2711 on the A5189. We crossed over the Trent and we ran into town up Lichfield Street before we stopped in New Street for a few minutes. and we saw Midland Classic 53 go by. After the bus had waited time we ran down to the junction and we turned right onto Union Street before turning left onto Station Street. We went forwards onto Borough Road and we crossed over the railway line before we went onto the on way system onto Waterloo Street. We went North up the road and straight onto Victoria Crescent. We turned left onto the A511 and we ran a few hundred yards up to Shakespeare Road. We went to get off the bus but the bell didn't work so we went a stop further up the road than we had planned. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4798 before it carried on back towards Burton.

Arriva Midlands 4798 in Eton Park

We walked back onto the A511 and we check the timetable for the return bus. We had 15 minutes so we decided to take Matthew to the shop on the opposite side of the road. We crossed at the crossing and we went into the Nisa shop. Matthew had a couple of cans of Coke and some chocolate. Once we had paid for the stuff we left the shop and we walked back over to the bus stop. At the bus stop Matthew had a Flake whilst we waited for the bus. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching from under the A38. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3712.

Arriva Midlands 3712 in Horninglow

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Burton Day saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A511 and we ran into town over the railway line. We passed the brewery museum and we ran around the one way system and onto the High Street. The bus stopped outside the market and we got up and got off the bus. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3712.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3712

The bus that we had just got off Arriva Midlands 3712 had now become a #8 to Swadlincote. Across the road we saw Arriva Midlands 3773 on a X38 to Derby.

Arriva Midlands 3773 in Burton upon Trent

We went to the market and Matthew used the toilet before we returned onto New Street. On the way back to the car we saw Trent Barton 660 on a V4 to the Centrum Business Park.

Trent Barton 660 in Burton upon Trent

We walked back to the car park and mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. Washed washed his down with a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Union Street and at the end we went straight onto . We turned left onto the A511 and we ran under the A38 and out of town. When we got to Hatton we caught up with Arriva Midlands 2987 which was on the #1 to Uttoxeter. We joined the Westbound A50 and we ran fast towards Uttoxeter. coming the other way we passed Several Ausden Clark coach which included BIG 9829 & BIG 9834 as well as an unidentified Paul S Winson coach. We carried on along the A50 to Longton and we came off to check out what was at Z Carz today. In the first row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Next in the row was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz airport division MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned around and we also saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 past the T K Maxx construction site and then we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:00. For tea for a change we had sausage chips an gravy from the chip shop followed by a cornflake cakes. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark