Trip to Bilston / West Bromwich 19-08-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
30886	Bilston Interchange	West Bromwich BS	43	Rotala Diamond
30302	West Bromwich BS	Wednesbury BS	40	Rotala Diamond
30211	Wednesbury BS	West Bromwich BS	40	Rotala Diamond
21015	West Bromwich BS	Tipton, Glebefields Road	42	Rotala Diamond
30887	Tipton, Glebefields Road	Bilston Interchange	43	Rotala Diamond
4314	Bilston, War Memorial (Stop BB)	Wednesbury BS	79	NX West Midlands
4310	Wednesbury BS	Bilston, War Memorial (Stop BA)	79	NX West Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Bilston. We had checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with some showers. The forecast seemed better for the midlands so we decided to try and steer Matthew towards that direction. We gave Matthew a list of places from the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose Bilston. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:30 we set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We ran past the BET365 stadium where preparation were taking place ready for Stoke City's first home game of the season later that evening. We joined the Westbound A50 and at Sideway we turned right onto the Northbound A500. As we joined the A500 we passed Silverdale coach YN17 OHR going onto the A50. We ran North to Shelton and we came off the A500 onto Shelton New Road. We headed up to Etruria to fill up with LPG and as we filled up we saw Paul's of Stoke coach W879 RKS on the A53 above us. Once we had filled up with gas we ran onto the A53 and we then joined the Southbound A500. As we ran between Stoke and Sideway we were passed by Bakers Coaches 238. We joined the M6 at hanchurch and we headed Southwards towards the west Midlands. As we ran Southwards we saw Cars AV12 DUJ, Edwards BU55 AFC, Elcock Reisen YN12 CSX, taxi minibus MT09 RVM, silver minibus TK07 EDB & Lucky Seven BV58 FZM. Wer came off the M6 at junction 10 and we ran Westwards along the A463 for around 4 miles. Just South of Bilston we turned right onto the A41 and we ran up towards the town centre. We turned left onto Church Street and all the spaces there were taken. As we turned right into Walsall Street we saw somebody getting into there cars so we waited for them to leave and we parked in their space. Once we had parked up we walked back down Walsall Street onto Church Street and we walked through the small green space that leads to the bus interchange. Before we got into interchange we saw National Express West Midlands 4556 on a #82 service.

NX West Midlands 4556 in Bilston interchange

We walked into the building and Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum went to the cafe to order the food. When we got to the table we joined mum and uncle Dave and we watched the buses go past whilst we waited for the food to be cooked. Matthew had a can of Coke and then the food arrived. Matthew had a breakfast as well as some of mum sausage and bean toastie! When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we brought a couple of small bottle of pop from the cafe to put in the tip bag. We had a walk around the interchange to see what we could catch first. On the Eastern side of the bus station we saw National Express West Midlands 4579 on a #82 to Dudley.

NX West Midlands 4579 in Bilston interchange

We also saw Banga Travel Solo V263 DRC run around the interchange heading for it's stand working a #530 to Rocket Pool.

Banga Travel V263 DRC in Bilston interchange

We also saw National Express West Midlands 4316 on a #82 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4316 in Bilston interchange

We were considering doing the Wolverhampton bus but there was quite a sizeable queue to get on it. Matthew lost interest and walked down to the Southern end of the bus station where we saw required Rotala Diamond 30886 on a #43 to West Bromwich.

Rotala Diamond 30886 in Bilston interchange

In the past we had promised Matthew that we would go to West Bromwich on a day that the football team weren't playing at home, so we decided to do it today. We got on the bus and we booked nBus day tickets at £4.30 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the interchange and we ran onto Hall Street. We joined the Southbound A41 and we crossed over the A463 heading towards Loxdale. At the junction we turned right onto Loxdale Street. Due to a road closure we continued forwards onto Highfields Road along the route of the #82 bus. We turned left onto Brierley lane and we turned right onto Batmans Hill Road, rejoined the proper #43 route. At the end we turned left onto the A4037 and then right onto Upper Church Lane. We turned left onto St Mark's Road and right onto Watts Road. We ran through the estate along Highfield Road and we turned right onto Cupfields Avenue. At the roundabout we turned right onto Powis Avenue and then left onto Bourne Avenue. We ran onto Toll End Road and we continued Southwards into Great Bridge. After crossing over the A461 we turned right onto Whitehall Road. We continued forwards onto Greets Green Road and Forwards again through various different roads and lanes until passed the National Express West Midlands depot on Oak Lane. We ran int the centre of West Bromwich before we turned left onto St Michael Street and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 30886.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30886

We got of the bus and we had a walk around the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and then we had a look around. We saw required Rotala Diamond 30302 which had just arrived on a #40 from Wednesbury.

Rotala Diamond 30302 in West Bromwich bus station

We continued around the bus station and we saw required National Express West Midlands 806 on a #42 to Tipton.

NX West Midlands 806 in West Bromwich bus station

We walked along the South-Western side of the bus station where we could see buses on layover. In the row was required Central Buses 303.

Central Buses 303 in West Bromwich bus station

We walked onto St Michaels Street and we watch buses arriving and departing the bus station. We saw required Rotala Diamond 30211 on a #40 from Wednesbury.

Rotala Diamond 30211 in West Bromwich bus station

We decided to go into the bus station and catch another bus quickly. We saw required Rotala Diamond 30302 on a #40 to Wednesbury.

Rotala Diamond 30302 in West Bromwich bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto St Michael Street passing dud National Express West Midlands 4264 on a #5 to West Bromwich. We headed into the centre of town and we continued onto News Street and forwards onto the Linkway. We crossed lover the A41 and we ran Northwards up All Saints Way past the hospital. We ran forwards onto Walsall Road and right onto Lyndhurst Road. We turned left onto Holyedge Road and we ran Northwards. We continued onto Bustleholme Lane and forwards onto Jervoise Lane. We cross Walsall Road and forwards onto Hall Green Road. We turned right onto Crankhall Lane and we veered right onto Manor Road. We turned left onto Freeman Road and we re-joined Crankhall Lane. We turned left onto Friar Street and forwards onto Elwell Street. We turned left onto Alma Street and we turned right onto Oxford Street. We turned right onto Hydes Road and we joined the Westbound A461. We turned left onto Dudley Street and we entered Wednesbury bus station from the southern end. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 30302.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30302

Once off the bus we had a quick wander around the bus station. The tardis toilet was out of order but we found a disabled toilet in the main building in the bus station. Once Matthew had used the facilities we walked around the bus station to take a few bus pictures. We saw iGo Plaxton Primo KX08 OLC on a #22 to Wolverhampton.

iGo KX08 OLC in Wednesbury bus station

A few minutes later we saw Rotala Diamond 30211 on a #40 to West Bromwich.

Rotala Diamond 30211 in Wednesbury bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Holyhead Road. We turned left onto Lower High Street and we turned right onto Market Place. We turned right onto Ridding Lane and left onto Corporation Street. At the end of the road we turned right onto Hydes Road. We turned left onto Paul Street and we continued forwards onto Oxford Street. We turned left onto Alma Street and right onto Elwell Street. At the end of Friar Street we turned right onto Crankhall Lane. We ran past St Francis church along Freeman Road and we turned right onto Manor Road. We re-joined Crankhall Lane and we crossed over the canal. At the roundabout we turned left onto Hall Green Road. We crossed over the A4031 onto Jervois Lane and we continued onto Bustleholme Lane. We continued onto Hollyhedge Road and we ran forwards onto the A4031. We ran along All Saints Way past the hospital and we crossed over the A41. We ran along the Linkway and forwards onto New Street. We ran forwards onto St Michaels Street and we turned left onto West Bromwich Ringway before entering the bus station. The bus pulled up and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw National Express West Midlands 754 on a #44 service to Harvils Hawthorne.

NX West Midlands 754 in West Bromwich bus station

As we got off the bus we spotted a former Hansonbus vehicle about to work to Tipton. It was Rotala Diamond 21015 on a #42 service. We decided to do this part way to Tipton along the route of the #43 and then to do the next #43 forwards to Bilston. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the West Bromwich Ringway and we ran forwards onto Izon Road. We continued North Westwards along Oxford Road and we continued onto Oak Lane and past the National Express Midlands West Bromwich garage. We ran forwards onto Wood Lane and onto Greet Green Road. We ran forwards onto the B4166 and we saw County Cars Y407 BOA on the right hand side as we approached Greta Bridge town centre. We turned left onto Great Bridge Street and we crossed over the A461. We ran along New Road and forwards onto Toll End Road. We turned left onto Bourne Avenue and then right onto Powis Avenue. At the roundabout we went left onto Cupfields Avenue. We turned left onto Highfield Road and right onto Watts Road. We turned left onto St Marks Road and when we got to the shops we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 21015 as it carried on towards the centre of Tipton.

Rotala Diamond 21015 in Tipton

Once the bus had disappeared into the distance we crossed the road to the Costcutters shop opposite. Matthew had a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had paid we crossed back over the road to the bus stop opposite to wait for the bus to Bilston. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was a blue Rotala Diamond Dart. As it got closer we saw it was required Rotala Diamond 30887 on a #43 to Bilston.

Rotala Diamond 30887 in Tipton

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 along St Marks Road and at the end we turned right onto Upper Church Lane. We turned right onto the A4037 and then we turned left onto Richards Road. At the roundabout we continued along Richards Road and at the end we turned right onto Batmans Hill Road. At the end we turned left onto Brierley Lane onto the diversionary route. At the roundabout we turned right onto Daisy Street and we ran Northwards onto Ash Street. We ran forwards onto Highfields Road and we re-joined the original bus route. We ran forwards onto Salops Street and forwards again onto Loxdale Street. At the end we turned left onto the A41 and we ran Northwards towards Bilston. We crossed the A463 and we saw National Express West Midlands 4141 on a #79 to West Bromwich. We turned left onto Hall Street and we entered the Interchange. We let the bus empty out and then Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 30887.

Inside Rotala Diamond 30887

Once we got off the bus we had a look around and we saw Rotala Diamond 21003 on a #57. This was followed by dud National Express West Midlands 4163 on a #82 to Wolverhampton. We also saw National Express West Midlands 4556 on a #82 to Dudley. We decided to do a short out and back run before returning to the car. We thought that the best bet of getting one of the older doulble decker we to walk down to the A41 and catch a #79 Southwards to Wednesbury. We set off along Hall Street and we crossed over a car park onto the A41. After we crossed the road we waited nearby the stop and waited for the the next Southbound #79. Whilst we waited we saw required Banga Travel Solo V262 DRC on a #530 to Wolverhampton.

Banga Travel V262 DRC in Bilston

A few minutes later we saw a National Express West Midlands ALX400 double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 4314 on a #79 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 4314 in Bilston

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus ticket to 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 4314 before we sat down.

Inside NX West Midlands 4314

We set off down the A41 and we crossed over the A463 Black Country Route. We travelled around a 1/2 mile to Moxley and then we crossed over the Walsall Canal and continued along the A4038. We ran a further 1/2 mile into Darlaston and we turned left onto St Lawrence Way past the Asda store. We did a u-turn at the roundabout and we went back South towards the A4038 stopping at the bus terminal outside the Asda store. We turned right onto the A4038 and then left onto Dangerfield Lane. As we approached the A41 we turned left onto Woden Road West. We ran East to the end of the road and then we turned right onto the Southbound A462. We continued Southwards to the A461 and then we turned right. At the next roundabout we went left and then we pulled into Wednesbury bus station. Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4314.

NX West Midlands 4314 in Wednesbury bus station

Once we got off the bus we walked around the other side of the bus station to the stand from which the Northbound #79 bus departs. Accordning to the display board there was a 20 minute gap in the service. We were taken by surprise when required National Express West Midlands 4310 appeared on a #79 service to Wolverhmpton.

NX West Midlands 4310 in Wednesbury bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver for the final time today before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4310.

Inside NX West Midlands 4310

The bus set off out of the bus station onto Holyhead Road and we turned right onto the the A461. We turned left onto Trouse Lane and we headed North. We continued up the A462 for around 1/4 of a mile and then we turned left onto Woden Road West. We turned right onto Dangerfield Lane and at the end we turned right onto the Eastbound A4038. We ran into Darlaston and we turned left onto St Lawrence Way. After doing a u-turn at the next roundabout we headed South and stopped at the bus terminus outside the Asda store. After a brief stopped we went south onto the A4038 and we ran Westwards over the Walsall canal onto the A41. We ran then last mile or so into Bilston and then we crossed over the A463. We got up and got off by the war memorial an Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4310 before it carried on towards Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4310 in Bilston

Once we had let the bus go we walked to where the car was via the bus station. We turned left into hall Street. We walked through the bus station and we saw Rotala Diamond Solo 20731 on a #23 to Wednesbury.

Rotala Diamond 20731 in Bilston interchange

Matthew used the toilet in the bus station and then we walked onto Church Street. We walked up an alley onto Greencroft where mum had moved the car to. We sat in the car and Matthew tucked into a Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off up Greencroft and at the end we turned right onto The Crescent. We turned right onto the A41 and headed Southwards. We turned left onto the A463 and we ran fast to the A454. When we reached the A454 we carried on over the flyover and a couple of mile later we were on the Northbound M6. We went North up to junction 15 and we came off onto A500 where we saw former Tourmaster coach M528 RSO. We ran North to the Sideway and then we went Eastwards along the A50 to Longton where we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. On the spare round there was only one minibus which was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked p in the compound this evening. On the road we saw Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

In the compound was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

It appears that Z Carz may have brought the field behind the shed and are extending the depot so they don't have to park the buses on the spare ground. We turned the car around and we saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMJ which was parked up on the road.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran fast up to Herpn Cross before going Southwards along Blurton Road through Blurton. At Blurton BP garage we saw Stanton's of Stoke GSU 344. We ran up the hill and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got back home around 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out at home and uploaded pictures and did some of the Blog. Matthew chilled out om the computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark