Trip to Sutton Colfield / Great Barr 13-06-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3805	Sutton Coldfield, Stop SD	Erdington, Stop EH	110	Arriva Midlands
1788	Erdington, Stop EG	Great Barr, Stop GD	28	NX West Midlands
1826	Great Barr, Stop GD	Erdington, Stop EQ	28	NX West Midlands
E298	Erdington, Stop EQ	Sutton Coldfield, Stop SJ	X3	NX West Midlands

Today was the first full day of our weekend away. The plan was to go on a short bus trip and then to go to a party later on. Reaearch for the trip consisted of looking up places to park in Sutton Coldfield and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew was alredy awake by 08:00 and he had his medication. Matthew got dressed and we headed to the bar to get fed. Matthew had a full English breakfast. After we had finisehd eating we returned to the room to get ready to go out. Around 09:30 we set off out of the hotel car park onto the B5404. We ram Westwards to Mile Oak and we turned left onto the Southbound A453. We ran though Bangley and past the HS2 building site. We crossed over the A38 at Bassett's Pole roundabout and we ran into Sutton Coldfield. We turned left onto the A5127 and we ran to the edge of town. We turned left into the car park and we parked up. Once out of the car, we said goodbye to mum and we headed down Mill Street where we saw National Express West Midlands E179 on a X3 to Lichfield.

NX West Midlands E179 in Sutton Coldfield

We continued left onto Victoria Road. We crossed over the road and we went around the corner onto Lower Parade. We saw an Arriva bus at the far end of the street. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3805 on a #110 to Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 3805 in Sutton Coldfield

We got on the bus and we purchased a nBus family day ticket at £9.20 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off dowm Lower Parade and we continued onto South Parade. We turned right onto the A5127 and we ran past Aldi. We followed the road to the left and we headed Southwards. We continued through Wylde Green and into Erdington where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3805 as it continued towards Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 3805 in Erdington

We decided to catch a #28 next, as we had seen on Bustimes that there were quite a few old Scania on the service, A quick look at the bus stop and we saw there was a bus due in 5 minutes. Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 1816 on a #66 to Birmingham. Almost immediately behind this bus was our bus. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 1788 on a #28 to Great Barr.

NX West Midlands 1788 in Erdington

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus family day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A5127 and we turned right onto Summer Road. We veered right onto Graelly Lane and we turned left onto Station Road. We turned rigth onto Short Heath Road and we headed Westwards. We ran through Perry Common and continued onto Perry Common Road. We crossed over the A453 and we ran forwards onto Hawtorn Road. We crossed over the B4138 and we ran forwards onto Dyas Road. We turned left onto Aldridge Road and right onto Beeches Road. We turned left onto Hassop Road and we went under the M6. We turned right onto Thornbridge Avenue and we turned left onto Beeches Road. We turned right onto the A34. We headed Nortwards and just short of the A4041 we did a u-turn and stopped at the terminus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 1788 before it worked the next #28 to Alum Rock.

NX West Midlands 1788 in Great Barr

We set off up the A34 and we stopped at Poundland to buy some drinks for later on. After buying the drinks we crossed over the A34 and we headed into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went into the lounge and we had drinks. Matthew had a small glass of Coke. When we had finishd our drinks we went outside and we met up with uncle Dave. We battled over the difficult to cross A34 and back to th same bus stop. There was alredy a bus at the stop. As we got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 1826 on a #28 to Alum Rock.

NX West Midlands 1826 in Great Barr

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus family day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A34 and we turned left onto Beeches Road. We turned right onto Thornbridge Road and we turned left onto Hassop Road. We went under the M6 and we re-joined Beeches Road. We turned left onto Aldridge Road and right onto Dyas Road. We crossed the B413 and we ran forwards onto Hawthorn Road. We crossed the A453 and we ran forwards onto Perry Common Road. We ran into Perry Common and we went forwards onto Short Heath Road. We turned left onto Station Road and right onto We turned right onto Gravelly Lane and we ran forwards onto Summer Road. We turned sharp left onto the A5127 and we ran to the North End of Erdington and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus, we waited for a bus to Stton Coldfield. Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 805 on a #77A to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 805 in Erdington

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands E298 on a X3 to Lichfield.

NX West Midlands E298 in Erdington

We got on the bus and we placed flashed the nBus group ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus off Northwards up Sutton New Road. We ran through Wylde Green and into Sutton Coldfield. We followed the A5127 to the right past Aldi and we turned left onto South Parade. We turned right onto Lower Parade and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands E298 as it continued towards Lichfield.

NX West Midlands E298 in Sutton Colfield

Once off the bus we took a few more pictures before we went to find mum. We saw National Express West Midlands 4748 on a #5 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 4748 in Sutton Colfield

We walked into the town cente and we spotted mum in Boots. As we walked back towards the car we spotted National Express West Midlands 2237 on a #5 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 2237 in Sutton Colfield

We continued up Lower Parade onto Mill Street and we returned to the car in the car park. We got in the car and we set off up Mill Street. We headed North up the A5127 and we turned right onto the A453. We headed out of town and over the A38 at Bassetts Pole roundabout. We continued past Bangley and into Mile Oak. We turned right onto the B5404 and we ran to Fazeley. We stopped at the petrol station and we topped up with petrol before going into the hotel car park. We headed into the rooms and we got ready for the party. Around 14:30 we set off for the party. We got in the car and we turned right onto the B5404. We turned right onto the A4091 and we headed Southwards. I stopped in a layby to get my satnav up and it appeared I missed the turning. We headed back up the A4091 and we turned right onto Bodymoor Heath Road. We turned right onto Dog Lane and we parked up at the pub. In the pub car park we saw grey minibus YJ15 ENM.

YJ15 ENM in Bodymoor Heath

At the party there was a band and a barberque. Matthew had some chicken, ribs, burger and sausage. Matthew also had a couple of glasses of Coke. We had a quick walk along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and we went into the pub to go to the toilet. After the barberque had been taken away there was a rodeo bull and Matthew had a go! After the party we went to a Co-op to get some afters. We set off onto Dog Lane and we turned right onto Bodymoor Heath Road. We turned left onto the A4097 and at the next roundabout we turned left onto the A51. We ran Northwars into Kingsbury and we stopped at the co-op. We bought some cakes and a big bottle of orange fanta to share. We got back in the car and we continued Northwards. We turned left onto the B5404 and we ran into Fazeley. We stopped at the hotel and we returned to the rooms. Matthew had a luncheon meat sandwich and a piece of cake. He had a cup of Fanta and a Crunchie. We did the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to the MTT Easter running day 31-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1788	Seacombe Ferry	King's Parade, New Brighton	14	MPTE
1365	King's Parade, New Brighton	Seacombe Ferry	1A	MPTE
1	Seacombe Ferry	Grove Road station (opp)	2A	Wallasey Corporation
1	Grove Road station (opp)	Seacombe Ferry	2A	Wallasey Corporation
1236	Seacombe Ferry	New Brighton, adj Warren Drive	16	MPTE
1032	Wallasey, opp Lyndhurst Road	Seacombe Ferry	2	MPTE

Today we decided to do a spontaneous trip up the Seacombe to attend the Merseyside Transport trust's Easter running day in Seacombe. We had seen information on the Internet about this event, stating it was taking place between 10:00 and 15:00. It looked like it was going to be nice day if a little cool, so we woke up Matthew around 09:30 to ask him if he wanted to go out and he said yes. He got up and had a crumpet (which he didn't particularly like) followed by toast and some orange juice. We set off around 10:30 and as we loaded the car for the trip we saw Wardle Transport 2534 whizz by on the #22 to Newcastle. We set off towards heron Cross passing FD53 UNX at the LIghting house, and then we stopped to pick uncle Dave up. We carried on and joined onto the Nothbound A500 and then up to the M6. The motorway seemed busy but it was fast moving due to there being very few lorries on the road. It took 20 minutes to get up to the M56 and another 18 minutes to reach the M53. We did the M53 up to junction 3 and then we headed into town. As we passed through Prenton we spotted a cafe open and so we decided stop here for dinner. Te cafe was called Changez. Te food was very nice but it was a little more expensive than the establishment we usually stop at (£3.50 for a sausage sandwich). As we ate we checked out the #423 service to see how long it would take. it was around 12:00 and there was a bus due then. Journey time from Prenton was just under an hour. After we had eaten we decided te best course of action was for me to drive up to Seacombe and then mum would drive back to Birkenhead to go shopping and then come back for us later. We carried on along the A552 and then cut across the the A553 via Woodchurch Road Oxton road and Exmouth Street. We then went along Conway Street before turn right past Birkenhead Park station and Happy Als bus garage the same route as the #411 bus. We then turned right by the railway wagons and on to the Seacombe ferry terminal. As we turned the corner we saw Birkenhead single decker 93. Mum dropped us off and then said goodbye. We went over to the buses parked up and then got a few pictures. Single decker Merseyside PTE 1054 and seemed to be the 'control bus'. There were 2 other double deckers that were in service. Wallasey Corporation 1788 was the first vehicle.

Wallasey Corporation 1788 in Seacombe

This was followed by Merseyside PTE 1365 in a nice blue and cream livery.

Merseyside PTE 1365 in Seacombe

At this point the only information we had we courtesy of a temporary bus stop with departure times. There was a 12:45 departure for New Brighton. As we required all of the buses present we decided to do the first service to depart! At a little after 12:45 Wallasey Corporation 1788 move onto stand and we got on it. I asked about a programme and the driver said we could get one from the trade stand inside the ferry terminal. That could wait until we got back, as there were only just over 2 hours before the end of the event or so I thought at the time. We went upstairs an sat down near the front of the bus. The seat we a dark red vinyl. I had forgotten as to how slippy these seat were until we sat down on them. We set of toward Liscard and then along the route of the New Brighton service bus we have done previously. We stopped outside a cemetery for a photo opportunity where te driver got out and then we continued on to King's Parade in New Brighton. We were considering whether to get off and take a picture until we saw another bus in front of us. We got a picture and then decided that we were transferring onto the other bus.

Wallasey Corporation 1788 in New Brighton

We got a picture of that too and then we got on it.

Merseyside PTE 1365 in New Brigton

We sat down upstairs opposite Morissons. We considered going back there later for a cake bu then we realised it was shut for Easter Sunday! Whilst there we saw one of the new hybrid buses on a Liverpool service. Mum called to say Birkenhead was shut ans she had returned to Seacombe ferry. We then set of back to New Brighton along past the funfair then back west past the railway station. We wound our way through back street before stopping on Steele Avenue for a booked connection onto the #27 circular service (something we would have known about if we had got the programme). We got back into Seacombe a little after 13:30 and Matthew went to the toilet. We met up with mum and we brought the programme along with a few other books from the 2 stalls. We worked out the next required bus was Wallasey corporation 1 on the 1405 to Grove Road. Whilst we waited Matthew got a picture of A2B Travel MX12 JXA on a #125 Wallsaey circular.

A2B Travel MX12 JXA in Seacombe

We also saw Wirral Peninsula 1070, bus we have seen before in the Potteries.

Wirral Pennsula 1070 in Seacombe

Then we saw Eazibus Dart X602 AHE arrive in the terminial.

Eazibus X602 AHE in Seacombe

Around 14:05 Wallsaey Corporation #1 pulled up on stand and we got on it and sat upstairs near the front. The bus went through Liscard and then on a windy tour of Wallasey, going past a strange walled cutting around Hilary Brow and then before circling Grove Road station and pulling up outside. We stopped for a photo stop and we also worked out there was a connection onto the #27 which was Merseyside PTE 2160. We got off and got a picture of Wallasey Corporation 1.

Wallasey Corporation 1 opposite Grove Road station

We asked the driver of #1 about the #27 service but it was a fair walk away from where we were so we decided to stay on the bus and go back to Seacombe. When we got got back to Seacombe Matthew waited for the bus to empty before get a photograph inside.

Inside Wallasey Corporation 1

We then had a choice of buses. We could do Birkenhead 93 to Conway Park or we could do one double decker for another to Grove Road. We got a better picture of Mersayside PTE 1054 which had moved forward from it's earlier position.

Merseyside PTE 1054 in Seacombe

We called mum who had walked half way to New Brighton and told her we were going to be back around 16:15. The move was going to be Merseyside PTE 1236 to Grove Road on a #16 for Merseyside PTE 1032 on a #2 back from Grove Road. 1032 was going first and so we let that bus go. We then got a picture of 1236 before boarding the bus to Grove Road.

Merseyside PTE 1236 in Seacombe

The bus was nearly empty an so he got a picture of upstairs too.

Inside Merseyside PTE 1236

We set off and the journey to Grove Road was swift. I spoke to another enthusiast about our plans and he let me know when we had reached the destination. I need not have worried as our bus did a 180' around a roundabout and then stopped. we got off and got another picture of 1236.

Merseyside PTE 1236 on Grove Road

We walked down the road to get on 1032 and Merseyside 2160 made a slightly unexpected appearance (I had forgotten about this other service.)

Merseyside PTE 2160 on Grove Road

A couple of minutes later 1032 made an appearance and we got a picture before getting on it.

Merseyside PTE 1032 on Grove Road

We got on and sat upstairs near the back. The journey was over all too soon and when we got back around 16:10 Matthew photographed the inside of 1032.

Inside Merseyside PTE 1032

We thought we would take a few pictures before we returned to car. We saw Arriva NW&W 3128 0n a #423 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3128 in Seacombe

We also took another picture of Merseyside PTE 1032.

Merseyside PTE 1032 in Seacombe

We got back to the car and Matthew had a flapjack and a small sausage roll. We drove back to Birkenhead along a more direct route that mum had discovered a more direct route back to Birkenhead along Tower Road. We then carried straight on to Prenton and back on the M53 at junction 3. We headed south and then onto the M56. part way along the M56 we ran out of LPG and so we decided to stop at the moto2000 services on the M56. We the toillet and then visited Greegs for sausage roll and a cake. We visited WH Smiths for the latest Buses magazine. We got back to the car and he photographed his cake.

Greggs split doughnut...Mmmm

The Total garage was a total waste of time as the LPG pump wasn't working. so we had to stop at Knutsford services on the M6. this did have LPG, so we carried on down to the A500. We went to Stoke before dropping uncle Dave at home. We then went through heron Cross and were back home by 18:15. He had a bath and For supper Matthew had chicken popcorn and oven chips followed by chocolate gateau. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark