Trip to Wolverhampton / Walsall 18-03-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4152	Wolverhampton BS	Bilston, War Memorial (Stop BB)	79	NX West Midlands
2706	Bilston Interchange	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BA)	326	Arriva Midlands
2118	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	Walsall St Pauls BS	302	NX West Midlands
4540	Walsall St Pauls BS	Wolverhampton BS	69	NX West Midlands
3748	Wolverhampton BS	Compton, Martham Drive (W Bound)	9	Arriva Midlands
4797	Compton, Compton Square	Wolverhampton BS	10A	Arriva Midlands
5402	Wolverhampton BS	Wednesfield, Church Street(nwmjpawp)	59	NX West Midlands
4133	Wednesfield, Church Street(nwmjpawt)	Wolverhampton BS	59	NX West Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Wolverhampton. It was going to be the last trip that we did with Matthew for nearly 2 weeks so we wanted to make it a special one. We showed Matthew the map of the Midlands and North West area and on the map Matthew chose Wolverhampton. We checked the weather for the area and it was for mainly dry weather with some sunshine and showers. Research for the trip consisted of going on the Network West Midlands website and downloading Wolverhampton area map. I think Matthew wanted to ride on a few more of the national Express West Midlands Y reg Dennis Trident double deckers. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we ran down to the A5035. We headed into Trentham and when we got to Trentham Gardens we turned right onto the A34. At the next set off lights we went left onto Whitmore Road and we ran up the hill to the A519. We turned right onto the A519 and then left at the roundabout onto the Southbound M6. As we ran South we passed a number of vehicles. We saw 4 unidentified Birmingham International coaches, an unidentified Aston Manor coach, an unidentified Wheelers coach as well as Park's of Hamilton (National Express) LSK 519 (#570) & an unidentified white Renault minibus. We came off the M6 at junction 12 and we went Eastwards to the Truckers Rest on the south side of the A5 just before Cannock, where we stopped for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast which he washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we got back in the car and we went West along the A5. At the lights we turned left onto Vicarage Road. We ran through the village of Four Ashes and then we turned left onto the A449. We ran South down the A449 for around 5 miles until we got to the edge of Wolverhampton and then we went onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We ran past the bus and railway stations and then we turned left onto Bilston Street. We turned right onto Pipers Row and then left into Castle Street where we stopped to get out of the car. We said goodbye to mum and we walked to the bus station whilst mum went to park the car somewhere. The first thing we saw when we entered the bus station was required National Express West Midlands Dennis Trident double decker 4152 about to work the next #79 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 4152 in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided to do this bus so we waited for the crew to change over and the driver to ready the bus for service. We got on and we booked nBus day tickets at £4.30 each before we went upstairs. As we waited for the bus to depart I checked the football fixtures to see where West Brom were playing. West Brom were at home and in the early kick off against Arsenal so going to west Brom on the bus today was perhaps not the best option! We set off out of the bus station and onto Pipers Row. We stopped at the roundabout and we spotted that the bus in front of us was empty so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4152.

Inside NX West Midlands 4152

We ran onto the A41 and we ran South Eastwards for a mile or so. Before the road and the tram line separated we saw an old petrol station on the left which now appeared to be a a garage for a minibus company. In the yard we saw maroon minibuses RJ04 WNT & P238 OEV. We also saw an unidentified Thandi Coaches maroon coloured double decker tri-axle coach go across the road in front of us. The road and the tram line separated and we continued for around another mile or so into Bilston town centre. When we got to the stop by the war memorial we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4152 before it continued south to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 4152 in Bilston

Once off the bus bus we crossed over Lichfield Street and we walked Northwards towards the roundabout. We then walked along Hall Street towards the Interchange. We stopped at the bridge so Matthew could take a picture of the Birmingham bound tram below us. Once in the interchange we had a look around to see what we could catch. We saw required Arriva Midlands 2156 on layover and we also saw dud National Express West Midlands 4136 arrive on a #82 to Dudley. We also saw required Banga Travel V261 DRB on a #530 to Rocket Pool.

Banga Travel V261 DRB in Bilston interchange

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva Midlands bus come into the Interchange. It was dud Arriva Midlands 2706 which was about to work a #326 service to Bloxwich.

Arriva Midlands 2706 in Bilston interchange

We decided to do the bus so after the driver had readied it for service, we got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the Interchange and we turned left onto Hall Street and then turned left onto the A41. We turned right onto Mount Pleasant and right onto Beckett Street. We turned left onto Lunt Road which runs parallel to the Black Country Route for a short while and we swept North along Vulcan Road and Lunt Road on Darlston Lane. We Crossed Willenhall Road onto Moseley Road and we turned right onto Beccles Drive. We continued onto Dilloways Lane and we crossed the A454 before we entered Willenhall from the West. We decided to get off in Willenhall. We came into the town and we turned left onto Cheapside. We left Willenhall along Lower Lichfield Street and we ran North Eastwards onto Stringes Lane. We continued onto Charles Street and we turned left onto the A462. We travel through Shortheath and continued north up to New Invention. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A4124 and we ran under the M6 and travelled East for around a mile. We turned right onto Sneyd Hall Road and we ran around the housing estate along central Drive. We turned left onto the B4210 and at the traffic light we turned right onto the A4124 again. We continued to the A34 and we headed South into Bloxwich. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2706.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2706

Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2706 before it returned to Bilston on the next #326 service.

Arriva Midlands 2706 in Bloxwich

We walked down the High Street and we crossed over the road and visited the Martin's newsagents. Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Barr cola as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had paid for the stuff we came out of the shop and i asked if Matthew want to walk onto Wolverhampton Road to catch a #89 or cross over to wait for something going towards Walsall. Matthew chose to go towards Walsall so we crossed back over the High Street and we walked towards the stop. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3308 on a #2 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3308 in Bloxwich

We stood at the stop and we waited for the next Walsall bound bus. A few minutes later we saw a National Express West Midlands single decker bus in the distance. As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 2118 on a #302 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 2118 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the High Street and we turned slight left onto the B4210 and we headed the 2 miles or so into Walsall. Coming the other way we passed Rotala Diamond 30854 on a #301 to Mossley and iGo KX08 OLB on a #25 service to Kingstanding. We crossed the ring road and we headed into the bus station down St Pauls Street. The bus pulled up on the end of one of the adjacent stands and we let the bus empty out before Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 2118.

Inside NX West Midlands 2118

Once we got off the bus we headed to the toilet and Matthew used the facilities. We then had a wander around to see what buses were about. We walked through the bus station and onto Hatherton Road where we saw Arriva Midlands 2704 on layover in between workings on the #35A to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 2704 in Walsall

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3307 whcih was about to work a #2 to Cannock. We walked back into the bus station and we spotted National Express West Midlands 4540 which was about to work a #69 service to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4540 in Walsall bus station

We decided to do this bus so we crossed over to the stand and we waited for the bus to be readied for service. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out off the bus station and we ran along St Pauls Street. At the roundabout we ran onto Green Lane and we crossed over the ring road. We ran North for around a 1/2 mile and then we turned left onto Stephenson Avenue. We entered the Reedswood retail Park and we stopped outside Sainsbury's before we returned back onto the main road. We ran North along Stephenson Avenue and around the Beechdale housing estate where we passed National Express West Midlands 4164 on a #70A to Walsall. We turned left onto Stephenson Square and we ran do to Eddison Road. At the end we turned right onto Cavendish Road and we ran past a pub where there were around 5 ABC Supreme minibuses parked up! We ran forwards onto Bentley lane and we crossed over the M6. We then ran through a woodland area and past Willenhall Cemetery before we entered Shortheath. We briefly joined the A462 before we turned right onto Bloxwich Road North. We ran North up to Pooles Lane and we turned left onto A4124. We passed through New invention and at the next roundabout we turned right onto the A462. We turned right onto Coppice Farm Way and we ran back Southwards towards the A4124. We noticed the bus in front of us was empty so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4540.

Inside NX West Midlands 4540

We continued West along the A4124 and then we turned right onto peacock Avenue up towards Ashmore. We turned left onto Grifiths Drive and we ran Southwards to a big roundabout. We turned right onto Linthouse lane and we went Westwards for another 1/2 mile. We crossed over a roundabout onto Lower Prestwood Road and forwards onto Prestwood Road West. After around another 1/2 mile we turned left into New Cross hospital and we ran through the grounds, turning right onto Wolverhampton Road. We were now back in familiar territory just to the West of Wednesfield town centre. We headed West and we turned right onto the A4124. We ran back into town along the dual carriageway and we crossed under the railway line. We crossed the ring road and we ran along the contraflow lane adjacent to the ring road that took us straight to the entrance of the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We considered what bus to do next. We walked up the centre of the bus station and at the top was Travel Express Dart Y864 TGH which was about to set off on a #32 service to Northwood park.

Travel Express Y864 TGH in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided not to do this bus and Matthew then wanted to use the toilet. Matthew used the facilities and then we spotted Arriva Midlands 3748 come into the bus station on a #9 service to Telford via Bridgenorth.

Arriva Midlands 3748 in Wolverhampton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do this bus so we walked down the Eastern side of the bus station to the stand on which it was stood. As we waited to get on I quickly whipped out my Wolverhampton bus map and looked which direct the bus went out of town. I saw it went through Compton and I had a vague recollection of catching a bus to their just before Christmas. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver, stating we were going as far as Compton. We then sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road we came back inside the town along Broad Street and we turned right into princes square and left into Lichfield Street. We ran out of town stopping on Lichfield street and Darlington Street and we crossed the ring road onto Chapel Ash. We continued West along the A454 and road very quickly became rural. About 2 miles West of the ring road we came into village of Compton. At the main junction we turned left onto Bridgenorth Road. We decided to get up at this point which was lucky as we had gone to far to be of use. Once of the bus we walked the 200 or so yards back into the centre of the village and we crossed over the road to the stop. At this point there were 4 buses an hour, and there was one due in a few minutes. The bus came barrelling around the corner off the Holloway, and it was an Arriva Midlands double decker! As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 4797 on the #10A service to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 4797 in Compton

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We ran back into town down the A454 and passed the Harley Davidson Shop on Chapel Ash. We crossed the ring road onto Salop Street and we ran forwards onto Cleveland Street. We turned left onto Garrick Street and we then turned right onto Bilston Street. We ran past the police station and onto the ring road and then enter the bus station. We let the bus empty and then Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of Arriva Midlands 4797.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4797

The plan was now to do a very quick out and back service that would only take 30-45 minutes. There wre a fewoptions around that we let go for one reason or another, that left us with a run up to Wednesfield with National Express West Midlands 5402.

NX West Midlands 5402 in Wolverhampton bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw National Express West Midlands 6785 on a #126 to Birmingham via Dudley.

NX West Midlands 6785 in Wolverhampton bus station

Once the driver was ready we boarded National Express West Midlands 5402 and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 5402.

Inside NX West Midlands 5402

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Pipers Row. We turned left into Tower street and right into Market Street before turning right again into Queen Street and back onto Pipers Row. We went past the Slade Rooms where we saw Crosslands coach NNZ 9019, tour bus of the LA Guns. We then joined the Northbound ring road for a few yards. We double back on ourselves before turning left into Wednesfield Way and going under the railway line. We carried on along a dual carriageway and we passed New Testement Church of God minibus V372 NGD & KY59 KXH. After about a 1000 yard we turned left onto Wolverhampton Road. We went past New Cross Hospital and forwards onto Rookery Street. Near to the Guru Nanak temple and Sainsbury's we veered left onto Wednesfield High Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 5402 as it carried on towards Ashmore Park.

NX West Midlands 5402 in Wednesfield

We crossed the road and we sat on the bench by the bus stop opposite. Matthew then had a Crunchie and small bottle or barr cola whilst we waited for the next bus. with the #59 running every 8 minutes we knew we wouldn't have to wait too long. Sure enough within a few minutes another bus appeared and it was another Dennis Trident! As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 4133 on a #59 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4133 in Wednesfield

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4133.

Inside NX West Midlands 4133

We ran out of the High Street and forwards onto Rookery Street. We ran forwards onto Wolverhampton Road past New Cross hospital. We headed West and we turned right onto the A4124. We ran back into town along the dual carriageway and we crossed under the railway line. We crossed the ring road and we ran along the contraflow lane adjacent to the ring road that took us straight to the entrance of the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Mum had called to say she had moved the car onto Queen Street. Outside the bus station we saw Fastline Travel VDL coach YD14 GCK stopped on Pipers Row.

Fastline Travel YD14 GCK in Wolverhampton bus station

We spotted the car and we headed up towards it...Uncle Dave managed to walk into a post on the edge of the pavement and bang up his knee and jar his back! We got back to the car and mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off along Queen Street and onto Pipers Row. We got onto the anti-clockwise ring road and we ran North to the A449. As we turned onto the A449 we saw Marshalls of Sutton coaches PM17 JAM & PM16 JAM. We then travelled North for around 5 miles up to the A5 where we turned right. As we ran East to the motorway we saw Travelmaster M400 STR. We joined the Northbound M6 and we ran up to junction 15. As we travelled North we passed an unidentified white VDL coach and Solus Travel W50 LUS. We got onto the Northbound A500 and we ran up to Sideway. At the A50 we went East to Longton where we came off and went to the Tesco petrol station. We topped up with diesel and then we crossed over the A50 to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. On the first row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen was Z Carz Ford minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

Closest bus in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

On the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

We turned into Willow row to see what was parked up in the compound. In the yard we saw Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We turned around and we headed back onto the A50. We went Westwards. At Heron Cross we came off the A50 before going onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and right onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:00... Mark