Trip to Clitheroe / Whalley 15-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
PX10 ABZ	Clitheroe Interchange	The Beeches, B6243 (failed)	25	Holmeswood
1834	Whalley BS	Clitheroe Interchange	26	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
MX05 OUC	Clitheroe Interchange	Whalley BS	5	Holmeswood
1834	Whalley BS	Read, opp Campbell Street	27	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1853	Read, o/s Constitutional Club	Whalley BS	26	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1101	Whalley BS	Blackburn temporary BS	22	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to visit Clitheroe. We didn't decided where we were going until Friday as we want to see how the car was going to be after having some repairs. We gave Matthew a list of destination and Matthew chose Clitheroe. Research for the trip consisted of finding and reading the 'Ribble valley Ranger' leaflet, and checking the weather which was for cloud and sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we went onto the A5035. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and there were quite a few coaches parked up in the South car park which we could not identify. We went onto the A50 and then the Northbound A500 which we did to Shelton New Road where we went to pick up some LPG. After filling up we went Weast on the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. As we headed North we passed D&G 135 heading South running out of service. As we joined the Northbound M6 we went behind Solus coach W50 LUS. There were a few different routes that we could take and we decided to go North to the M65. We headed East along the M65 skirting the Southern edge of Blackburn before coming off at Junction 7. We found ourselves on a familiar road in Clayton-le-Moors. We passed an unidentified Lancashire United double decker on the #152 to Blackburn as we turned onto the A680. We joined the A671 and continued North. The A671 blended with the A59 for a short while and we spotted a sign for a Cafe at a place called Pendle View fishery. Matthew used the outdoor toilet block before we headed into the cafe/fishing bait shop. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished we had to Head South as we were on a dual carriage way and then we did a 180' turn at the next roundabout. We then turned left onto the A671 to do the last couple of miles into Clitheroe. We parked in a car park behind the railway station on Chester Avenue which was cheap (£1.20 for 4 hours). After we had parked up we walked under a narrow road under the railway to the transport interchange. There were 4 buses parked up between duties. Three of these were small buses belonging to Holmeswood, two Solos and and a Primo. The other bus was Pilkington Bus S278 AOX which was waiting for tine before doing the #231 service to Accrington.

Pilkington Bus S278 AOX in Clitheroe Interchange

One of the Holmeswood Solos left the layover area and ran around town onto stand 3. It was holmeswood YJ56 AUM on the #7A service to Nelson.

Holmeswood YJ56 AUM in Clitheroe Interchange

There was a #25 service to Blackburn in a few minutes, and whilst we were waiting another Holmeswood bus appeared in the lay over area. It was Holmeswood Optare Solo YN53 SVY.

Holmeswood YN53 SVY in Clitheroe Interchange

We saw the Plaxton Primo getting ready to do the service #25 to Blackburn and then it disappeared whilst it ran around the town's one way system. A few minutes later it reappeared from around the corner and Matthew got a picture of Holmeswood PX10 ABZ as it pulled onto it's stand.

Holmeswood PX10 ABZ in Clitheroe Interchange

We got on the bus and book out Ribble Valley Ranger day ticket. We were surprised to find it was still £6.50. I had thought it had gone up in price. As the bus was empty and we were the first people on Matthew got a picture inside PX10 ABZ immediately.

Inside Holmeswood PX10 ABZ

We sat down near the back and the bus took on a few more passengers before our departure time of 14:37. Dud Transdev Lancashire United 205 pulled up behind us on the #22 service from Blackburn. The bus set off and went through town. the bus did a circle and we passed the railway station 100yds down the road from where the bus departed. We then went West out of town over the railway line and over the river Ribble. The bus sounded a little noisey for a 10 reg we thought and a mile or so down the road the driver pulled over in front of a couple of farms on the B6243. He stopped the engine and walked around the back and lifted the engine cover. He came back and report the fan belt had gone and the bus was overheating so we had to wait for a fitter to come and attend. This was only the second time we had ever been on a bus that had broken down! Previously we had been on a Pye Green circular in Cannock back in November 2012 when Arriva Midlands 2328 failed. I texted mum to say tell her the bus had broken down and she rang back asking if we wanted to be picked up. As we had limited time and we didn't know how long we would be we accepted the offer. I texted our location to her and she set off to fetch us. One of the local farmers came out to have a look to see what was going on and around 15 minutes later mum appeared and we got in the car. Mum wasn't too impressed with the selection of shops in Clitheroe so she gave us a lift to Whalley and then continued on to Blackburn. We decided we would catch a bus back to Clitheroe so that we could do a few more buses before meeting mum in Blackburn later. Matthew visited the toilet on the bus station side of the road before we crossed over to the Northbound stop. There was a short gap in the service towards Clitheroe, so we visited the local shop and bought a can of Coke and some chocolate. Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited. On the other side of the road Holmeswood Solo YJ55 BGO went South on the #25 with some familiar looking passengers on board.

Holmeswood YJ55 BGO in Whalley

If we had stayed with the bus we would have only had to wait another 15 minutes or so. Before long a 'Mainline' liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle bus came around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was required Trandev Burnley & Pendle 1834.

'Mainline' 1834 in Whalley

We got on the bus and flashed the ranger tickets. As the bus was empty at the rear he took a picture inside 1834 as we got on.

Inside 'Mainline' 1834

We sat down near the back and the bus set off North. The #26 service takes a more direct route the the #25 service, along Whalley Road until joining the A671 for the last couple of miles. We passed a #22 being worked by required Transdev Lancashire United 1302. When we got into Clitheroe we got off the bus and we got another picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834.

'Mainline' 1834 in Clitheroe Interchange

Parked up in the layover area was required Holmeswood Optare Solo MX05 OUC. The next bus south to Whalley was MX05 OUC on the #5 service to Chipping.

Holmeswood MX05 OUC in Clitheroe Interchange

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets. It was empty when we got on so Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Holmeswood MX05 OUC

The bus headed South down the same road as the #26 we had done going North earlier. It didn't take long to get to Whalley and when we got off Matthew took another picture of Holmeswood MX05 OUC. We knew Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834 was due back South towards Burnley so we decided to do this service. We didn't have to wait too long before Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1834 reappeared.

'Mainline' 1834 in Whalley

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. It was a little fuller going South than when we had done it going North earlier. We had decided to do this bus again rather than do the #22 service as we thought there would be more chance of getting a required bus. With the aid of the Ribble valley Ranger leaflet only we worked that the #27 traveled via Sabden and Read whilst the #26 when directly along the A671 from Read to Whalley. As we had passed required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1857 on a #27 service just out of Whalley so we knew the next bus would be a #26 and we would have to go to at least Read to pick it up. The bus climbed into the picturesque village of Sabden before heading back into the valley to Read. Once we had gotten on the main road I decided to get off hoping that we would make the bus. I we stood up we saw the #26 in the distance. I explained to the driver of 1834 what we were tring to do and I got off and put my hand out hoping the bus would stop. The driver told us that he thought it had stop on the other side of the road so we ran across the road. Luckily the bus driver did spot us and had stopped. Matthew got a picture as i got on the bus. It was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1853.

'Mainline' 1853 in Read

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. It was nearly empty and Matthew took a picture of the seats behind us.

Inside 'Mainline' 1853

The bus headed North straight along the A671. It took considerably less time than the #27 and we got into Whalley in no time. When we got there Matthew got another picture of this bus before it carried on North to clitheroe.

'Mainline' 1853 in Whalley

After a quick check of the timetable, Matthew had time for a visit to the toilet whilst we waited for the #22 to Blackburn. On the opposite side of the road we saw Transdev Lancashire United 1303 going North to Clitheroe on a #22. We didn't have to wait long before required Transdev Lancashire United 1101 appeared in the bus station.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Whalley

We got on and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus was quite well filled and we set of South out of town though Billington before we joined the A666. We headed south through Langho and Wilpshire to Brown hill. We headed South East on the A6119 before cutting back onto the A666 and traveling into Blackburn. When we got to Blackburn we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 1101.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1101

We had called mum to say we would be in Blackburn, but we had arrived a little early. We decided to have a walk around and take a a few pictures. We saw Transdev Lancashire United 2753 on the #152 to Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 2753 in Blackburn

We also got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1101.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Blackburn

On layover just inside the bus station was required Transdev Lancashire United 439.

Transdev Lancashire United 439 in Blackburn

Behind this was required Transdev Lancashire United 272.

Transdev Lancashire United 272 in Blackburn

On the opposite #152 working toward Preston was required Transdev Lancashire United 2756.

Transdev Lancashire United 2756 in Blackburn

On the #1 to Bolton was dud Transdev Lancashire United 1306.

Transdev Lancashire United 1306 in Blackburn

We had done this bus from Great Harwood to Accrington when we had visited Accrington two weeks earlier. We then went for a walk around the outside of the bus station. On layover here we saw Darwen Coach Services Mercedes minibus N354 AVV.

Darwen Coach Services N354 AVV in Blackburn

Mum couldn't find a way through to us by road and had ended up in a multi-storey car park. Whilst we waited for her we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 on a #59 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 in Blackburn

We had been on this bus back in October 2013 when we did it from Lea to Preston on the #61. Next we saw dud Transdev Lancashire United 1101 continue on it's journey on the #22 to Shadworth.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Blackburn

At this point mum said she was leaving a multi-storey car park. She called and tol us to look upand sure enough we could see her arm waving over the top of the down ramp in the car park that overlooked the bus station. We walked to the corner of the road to meet her. On the way we saw another bus arrive in the layover area. It was darwen Coach services Solo YJ51 XST.

Darwen Coach Services YJ51 XST in Blackburn

We met mum on the corner and she was waiting with sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and I drove towards Accrington through Church as I knew the roads. As we passed the edge of town I still managed to take the wrong turn towards Burnley. We turned in a side street and headed back onto the A680 so that we could go South through Baxenden and onto the A56. we saw Tetley coaches YSV 563 presumably heading back to Leeds with football fans who had attended the away match at Burnley. It was going dark now and we joined the Southbound M66 before going onto the anti-clockwise M60. We watched YSV 563 turn onto the Eastbound M62 as waited for the light to change on the M60 roundabout. We carried on West from the M60 onto the M62 and when we reached the M6 we went South. We drove through the roadworks on the Thelwall Viaduct and then carried on South to the A500. We did this down to the A50 which we did to Longton to see what was at Z Carz. There wasn't much there today. CNZ 3828 was moving into position having just arrived at the depot. First in the row was new arrival Mercedes minibus UK52 BUS.

Z Carz UK52 BUS in Longton

Coach M534 RSO was behind a row of parked cars. Z Carz CNZ 3828 moved into position and Matthew got a picture of it.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

At the back of the land was LDV minibus M420 UEH. We turned into Willow Row and the only bus there was the usual LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. Minibus T2 DLT was parked up at the lightning house as we headed through Blurton and onto the A5035. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by cake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Preston 26-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
21108	Preston BS	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
21107	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	Preston BS	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
15906	Preston BS	Red Scar, opp Roman Way	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
19041	Red Scar, by Roman Way	Preston BS	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
1102	Preston BS	Walton-le-Dale, by Higher Walton Road	152	Transdev Lancashire United
15571	Walton-le-Dale, by Sir Robert Peel	Preston BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
18359	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
15913	Lea, opp Police Station	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to go to Preston. We didn't do much research for the trip today as we didn't decided where we were going until quite late. We checked the weather which was for cloudy with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 today, heading onto Stanley Matthews Way and then onto the A50. We then went North on the A500 to Shelton where we diverted off the road to get LPG. We got on the Westbound A53 and then back onto the A500. We then get onto the Northbound M6. The road was very busy and it took a while to get up to junction 18. North of Junction 18 we were passed by Hawkes Setra coach BF03 HOF on a day trip.

Hawkes BF03 HOF on the M6

We carried on up the M6 Northbound and the traffic thinned out as we headed North. We did the M6 up to Junction and then turned onto the Westbound A59 to do the last 2 miles or so into central Preston. We then parked in the bus station car park. We headed down to the toilets and then we went into the cafe for dinner. Present in the bus station was Transdev Lancashire United 1101 on the #152 to Burnley. Matthew had a breakfast for dinner washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we ate we went around the bus station to see what we could catch. We picked up some Stagecoach timetables and a map of local services. We saw required Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on a #9 to Moor Nook and we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and booked a day ticket. The driver issued us with a Citi group ticket at £5.50 which weren't aware of until today. We sat down near the back and the bus set off. We traveled out of the centre of Preston and then onto the A59 towards the M6. Part way along we turned at a roundabout and then turned right to go though cemeteries on both sides of the road otherwise know as the 'dead centre of town!'. The bus emptied out on Grizledale Crescent and we decided to get off on a quiet part of the estate before the bus turned to head back towards Preston. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the bus as we stood up to get off.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21108

As the bus went off into the distance, Matthew got another picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Moor Nook

According to the map, we only had around 10 minutes to wait for the next bus back. We also spotted a #8 was on the stop flag, and whilst we waited for the next #9, Rotala Preston Bus 30916 appeared on the #8 service.

Preston Bus 30916 in Moor Nook

A few minutes later we heard a noise around the corner and then we saw the bus approach. It was dud Stagecoach Lanacashire 21107. We got on and sat down near the back. We had done this bus on our first visit to Preston on a #68 to Lea back in August this year. We turned onto Pope Lane and then headed back towards Preston via the A59. Unlike last time, Matthew was able to get a decent picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107

As we pulled into the bus station we spotted Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 on the next #1 to Longridge. We got off 21107 and then got a picture of 15906 before walking over to get on it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 in Preston bus station

We went upstairs, and as it was nearly empty upstairs Matthew got a picture inside the bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15906

We sat down and I checked the 'buses I have travelled on' page and was surprised to find that this bus was required. I thought we had been on this last time we visited Preston and this turned out not to be the case. The bus set off out of the town centre and then we headed out of town along Longridge Road. The ticket we had was only valid up to Red Scar, which was just East of the M6 motorway. When we crossed the motorway we got up and got off 15906. We crossed the road and waited at the stop. As we had just passed a bus when we got off, we had time for Matthew to have a quick bus stop picnic. This consisted of a bottle of Irn Bru and a Bakewell Slice that we had brought at the bus station cafe earlier. Just as Matthew had finished eating we saw an Enviro400 approaching. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 19041.

Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 in Red Scar

We got on the bus and went upstairs. We sat down near the back for the journey back to Preston. The bus was nearly empty upstairs. We carried on down Longridge Road back into Preston and then into the bus station. When the bus emptied, Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041

Matthew went to the toilet and then he decided he wanted a break from doing Stagecoach buses. Transdev Lancashire United 1102 was on stand and matthew wanted to do it. I asked the driver if it went along any of the Stagecoach routes, and with the help of the map we worked out we could pay to do the bus to Walton-le-Dale and come back on either a #150 or a #125 service. The adult fare to Walton-le-Dale was £1.70 each. We got on the bus which was quite full and we sat near the back. I advised Matthew to take a picture of the empty seats behind us as the bus might fill up as we left town.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1102

The bus left the centre of town and then came up alongside the Homebase store, we turned right onto London road and we followed a #125 service down to Walton-le-Dale alongside the Ribble. When the #125 in front of us turned right at a roundabout and we turned left we knew it was time to get off. Matthew jogged past the bus stop to get a good picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1102 before it departed towards Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 1102 in Walton-le-Dale

We crossed the road and walked back to stop that served both route outside a pub. Matthew made friends with a bloke who had just come out of the pub who was a little worst for wear! Whilst we waited for the next Stagecoach bus back we saw Transdev Lancashire united 1098 on the #152 to Preston.

Transdev Lancashire United 1098 in Walton-le-Dale

A couple of minutes later we saw an Enviro400 round the corner and we saw it was stagecoach Lancashire 15571.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15571 in Walton-le-Dale

We got on and sat upstairs. This was another bus that we thought was dud but turned out to be required. The bus headed back into Preston along the A6 and then we headed into the bus station. When the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture inside stagecoach 15571 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15571

We then had a bit of a break from the buses. We went tot the shop and brought a can of Coke and some chocolate, plus a toffee flavoured flapjack. We sat down near the high numbered stands and Matthew ate the flapjack. There were a couple of required buses on the #1 to Longridge include Stagecoach Lancashire 15823. Matthew had taken a fancy to doing dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 which was on stand but not got its display turned on. Dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 was on the next #61 to Blackpool and dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18364 was on what we thought was the next #68 to Blackpool. We had a bit of a walk around the bus station and we took some pictures from the west side before retuning to the Stagecoach stands. Just as we thought we were going to be doing something else, a driver appeared for Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 and the display was set for #68 to Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 in Preston bus station

We booked to Lea as we done before the last time we did Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 on the #68 service. We went upstairs and sat down. The buses headed out of town past the outdoor market. The bus was quite full to I advised Matthew to get a picture of the insied of the bus before it filled up any more!

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18359

We headed out of town along the A583 and under the west coast main line. The #61 and #68 take similar routes and we kept seeing Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 in front of us as headed West. As we went into Lea we were right behind Stagecoach Lancashire 15908. We got up and got off outside the police station and the 2 buses were at the stop at the same time. We then crossed the road to wait for the next bus back to Preston. At the stop we saw there was a #61 due around 2 minutes ago and we hadn't seen one go past. A minute or so later we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 approaching which we knew was a required one.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 in Lea

We got on and went upstairs. We then headed back into Preston along a slightly more Northerly route into town the the #68. We crossed over the Blackpool line and then swept down hill into town. After going into town under the west coast main line along the A583, we went down an underpass to cross the A59 Ringway and then we appeared near the Northern corner of the bus station. We then loop around to the south end of the bus station and the bus dropped us off near the high numbered stands. As the bus emptied Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913

We got off the bus and mum was waiting for us. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go home, he a sweep around the bus station taking a few pictures. We first saw Trandev Lancashire United 1840 on a #280 to clitheroe

Transdev Lancashire United 1840 in Preston bus station

Next to this was Cumfybus MX09 MJK on a #80 to Fleetwood.

Cumfybus MX09 MJK in Preston bus station

Towards the Southern end of the bus station was Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on the #9 service.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

Matthew then visited the toilet and then took a picture inside the bus station over the exit subway.

View inside Preston bus station

After a few more picture we headed up the the car park were there were sausage rolls and drinks waiting for us. We left the car park and we headed out of town along the A59.We then joined the southbound M6. It was now going dark and it had started to rain. It was the last Saturday before British Summer Time ends, and it would now be dark on every return journey home until next spring. We got to the A500 which we did down to the A50. We then headed into Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were only 3 buses parked up at the front of the spare ground. Firstly we saw VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to this was there newest coach, M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Lastly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We went along willow Row to see if there was anything we could photograph in the Willow Row compound (there wasn't), and then we headed home along Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries 40150 on the #22 to Longton. We got home a little after 19:00 and Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by chessecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark