Trip to Wigan / Bolton 03-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2678	Wigan BS	Horwich, Chorley New Rd/The Crown (Stop D)	575	Arriva NW&W
15239	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop A)	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
2828	Wigan BS	Bolton, Selkirk Road/turning circle	534	Arriva NW&W
2828	Bolton, Selkirk Road/turning circle	Bolton, Blackburn Rd/Three Pigeons (Stop E)	534	Arriva NW&W
1873	Bolton, Blackburn Rd/Three Pigeons (Stop E)	Bolton BS	1	Transdev Lancashire United
19524	Bolton BS	Wigan BS	540	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. We gave Matthew a list of destinations in the North West and Midlands and from the list he chose Wigan. Research for the trip consisted only of checking the weather for today which was for a cold sunny day. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had a giant crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11;30 and we ran through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we went left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop briefly so mum could drop something off with a friend and then we continued up Blurton Road to Heron Cross. We turned left onto the Westbound A50 and at Sideway we went North up the A500. We decided to stop for gas so we came off the A500 at Shelton New Road where we saw First Potteries 65034 on a #101 to Stafford. We turned at the old Twyfords factory and we ran up to Eturia to stop for gas. Whilst I filled up we saw First Potteries 37156 on a #4A to Kidsgrove. Once we had filled up we got onto the WEstbound A53 and we re-joined the Northbound A500. Traffic was light and as we went North we passed Holmeswood PO12 EOA, S&S Travel M940 JBO & Lakeside YN56 ORY. We got onto the Northbound M6 and once again traffic was fairly light. As we travelled North we saw Diamond Coaches double decker N125 YRW and Hollinshead Coaches mini coach WA08 GPZ. We Passed the A54 junction and Red Rose Neoplan coach N60 PLN came onto the M6 behind us and then overtook us.

Red Rose N60 PLN on the M6

We also saw Ellisons coach YR16 UCN which we very slowly caught up with as we went through the roadworks section.

Ellisons YR16 UCN on the M6

We went over the Thelwall viaduct and beyond the M62 and passed quickly through a short section of roadworks around Winwick. A few miles further up the M6 we left the motorway and we ran into Wigan up the A49. As we went into town we saw Coachmaster Travel H10 RFL & dud Arriva NW&W 4577 on a #385 to Southport. Outside Wigan North Western railway station we saw Ogdens Travel coach S111 JDO on rail replacement work. We turned left into King Street west and we parked up on the corner of Crawford Street and Bishopgate. Today we decided to eat somewhere differently. we walked up Hallgate past Mr Chips and we turned left into Market Street. We decided to try out The New Chippery on Market Street which mum had seen before on previous visits, but we had never been in. When we got there we saw that it was busy but we were able to get a table. Matthew went to the toilet and then had sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked into the bus station via the alleyway from Market Street. One of the first things we noticed were a couple of brand new white Enviro200's... The first was Hatton's Travel SN66 WLB which was on a #607 to Ashton Heath.

Hatton's Travel SN66 WLB in Wigan bus station

The other bus was also Hatton's Travel... It was Hatton's Travel SN66 WLA on a #613 to New Springs.

Hatton's Travel SN66 WLA in Wigan bus station

We decided to carry on around the bus station looking for something interesting to catch. On layover in the North West corner of the bus station was required Stagecoach Manchester 36790 on a #625 Beech Hill circular service.

Stagecoach Manchester 36790 in Wigan bus station

We walked over to the middle stands and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2689 about to work a #320 service to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2689 in Wigan bus station

We walked up the middle stand and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2678 on a #575 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2678 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus so we waited in the queue before we got on it. We purchased System One bus only day tickets at £5.20 before we sat down towards the back of this well filled bus. The bus set off out of the bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Markert Street We ran around the town clockwise and we went via Greenhough Street onto Scholes. As we ran out of town Scholes became Whelley. They don't have have some strange street names in these here parts... We continued North Eastwards through New Springs and we went forwards onto Wigan Road. On the Eastern Edge of Aspull we turned left onto Holly Road and left again onto St David's Crescent. At the end we turned right onto the B5239 and we ran ran Southwards into the centre of Aspull. We turned left onto Scot lane and we ran Eastwards out of town. We came to T junction and we turned left onto the B5408. To the left of us we could see a large transmitter on top of a hill. A little research revealed it is Winter Hill, the main TV transmitter for the North West. We travelled North through the village of Blackrod, and then when we got to the other side of the village we went South down the A6. At the next big crossroads we turned left onto Station Road and we passed Blackrod railway station and then went under the M61. We climbed the hill into Horwich and when the bus turned right into Chorley New Road we decided to get up and get off the bus so that we could catch something different into Bolton. We saw the bus go South Eastwards towards Lostock and then we walked through the car park of The Crown pub onto Lee Lane. There was a bus due in a few minutes so we waited patiently at the stop. Whilst we were there we saw First Manchester 69172 on a #575 service. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching.. As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15239 on a #125 to Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15239 in Horwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. As the top deck was empty matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15239.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15239

We set off along Lee Lane and we went through the centre of Horwich. It was a little smaller than I thought it was and we went out of the other side into familiar territory. We passed the point from which we had previously travelled North from Bolton when we came to Horwich back in August 2013. We had now done the entire route from Bolton to Preston, albeit in sections and over several years... We continued Eastwards through Bottom O' Th' Moor and down the hill through Monserrat and Doffcocker. We crossed the ring road and continued along St George's Street and we turned right onto Knowsley Street going past the Market Place Shopping Centre. We turned right onto Deansgate and and we ran to the end where we turned left onto Moor Lane. We entered the bus station from the West end and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around on the way to the toilet. As we walked along the East side of the bus station we saw First Manchester 37547 waiting to work a #8 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37547 in Bolton bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W Plaxton President 4183 about to work a #534 to the Oldhams estate.

Arriva NW&W 4183 in Bolton bus station

As we carried on South along the bus station we saw required First Manchester 30948 on a #524 service to Bury.

First Manchester 30948 in Bolton bus station

We walked along the South end of the bus station to the South Western corner where the Tardis style toilet is located. Today it was actually working! Matthew used the facilities and then we walked around the bus station looking for something to catch next. On Black Horse Street we saw required First Manchester 69150 about to work a #575 to Horwich.

First Manchester 69150 in Bolton bus station

Along the North end of the bus station is an area where buses layover between local services. On one of the layover area we saw required Arriva NW&W 2828 which was in between workings on the #534 Oldhams estate service.

Arriva NW&W 2828 in Bolton bus station

We sat down by the stop for the #125 to Preston and when one came in Matthew decided he wasn't going to do that bus. whilst we made a decision on what to do we saw Rotala Diamond 40415 which was on the #300 to The Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 40415 in Bolton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do Arriva NW&W 2828 which was on the #534 to the Oldhams estate. I knew it was a quick out and back service, so we decided to do it. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Black Horse Street onto Great Moor Street past the new Bolton Bus station which is due to open in Spring 2017. We ran North up the A575 and we turned left into Deansgate. We turned right into Bridge Street and we ran out of town over the ring road. We continued North onto Blackburn Road and we went up to Astley Bridge. We turned left onto the A675 and then left again onto Broad O' Th' Lane. We went into the estate along MacKenzie Street and then left onto Athlone Avenue. We went North up Selkirk Road until we got to the turning circle. The bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2828.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2828

We decided to travel back to the main road and catch something else back into Bolton, as it looked like we would do too many more buses as it was starting to go dark! I went back up to the front and flashed the System one tickets to the driver and we set off back down Selkirk Road onto Athlone Avenue. We travelled back to the main road via MacKenzie Street, Broad O' Th' Lane and the A675. When we got back onto Blackburn Road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2828 before it carried on back to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2828 in Astley Bridge

We decided to nip into the local newsagent and buy a few things Matthew chose a can of Coke and a can of Tizer as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We checked the timetable at the stop and we saw there was a #1 to Bolton due in less than 5 minutes. Within the 5 minutes the bus turned up and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Transdev Lancashire United 1873.

Transdev Lancashire United 1873 in Astley Bridge

We got on the bus bus and we flashed the System One day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This was a bus that we first had from Bolton to Egerton back in August 2013. We set off down Blackburn Road and we travelled the mile or so into the town centre. We ran down Bridge Street and we turned right into St George's Road. We turned left into Knowsely Street and we passed the Market Place Shopping Centre before going into the bus station via Deansgate and Moor Lane. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 1873.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1873

Once we got off the bus, we had a quick wander around the bus station whilst we decided how were going to get back to Wigan. whilst we walked around we saw dud First Manchester 66880 on a #524 to Bury.

First Manchester 66880 in Bolton bus station

Matthew didn't want to do a #125 so we waked up to the stop from which the#540 departs. When we got there we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 21245. For some reason Matthew didn't want to do this bus. A few minutes later the following bus turned up and it was required Stagecoach Manchester 19524.

Stagecoach Manchester 19524 in Bolton bus station

It looked like Matthew wasn't going to get on this bus either. Whilst we tried to persuade Matthew that it was in his best interest to catch this bus, we saw Park's of Hamilton (National Express) HSK 652 go by on a #328 service to Blackpool. Eventually we got on the bus and we flashed the System One day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty at the rear so matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 19524 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19524

The bus set off put of the bus station onto Moor Lane and we went forwards onto Deane Road. We ran about 3 miles out of town and we crossed under the M61. Near to the Chequerbent roundabout we saw an unidentified Grayways coach parked up at the side of the road. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A6 and we saw a giant illuminated santa at the Mercury service station. We turned left onto Bolton Road and we ran down towards Westhoughton. We turned right onto Market Street and we passed through the town centre of Westhoughton. We turned left and we joined the Southbound A58. At the corner in the road we turned left into Southfield Drive and we worked our way across to the B5235. We went South past daisy Hill railway station and we turned right into Lower Leigh Road. We turned left onto Hindley Road and we ran through to Hindley via Swan Lane. We turned right onto Green Lane and we headed through the estate between Hindley Green and Hindley where we passed an unidentified Shearing Holidays coach going the other way. We joined the A58 and we ran down int Hindley centre where we turned right onto the A577. We crossed under the railway line and past Walmesley park and we continued into Ince. We followed the road to the left and we ran the last 1/2 mile to the eastern edge of Wigan town centre. We crossed the A49 onto King street and we ran into the town centre. We crossed Wallgate onto King Street West and we ran into the bus station up Dorning Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked around the bus station and we took a few pictures... Buses seen around the bus station were Stagecoach Manchester 19518, Stagecoach Manchester 36796 on a #621 Kit Green circular, Arriva NW&W 2688 on layover between runs on service #362 and Stagecoach Manchester 19524 outside the bus station on layover. We went back to the car where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew also had a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off around the one way system and we joined Frog lane before cutting across to the A49 via Prescott Street and Miry Lane. We went North past the pier and then we went around the other side going South Pottery Road. After we passed the big roundabout we travelled a couple of miles South before we joined the M6 at Junction 25. It was nor fully dark and we didn't see a great deal as we travelled South. What we did see was S&S Travel M940 JBO that we had seen on the A500 earlier. We came off the M6 at Junction 16 and we ran South down the A500 to Sideway. We went east on the A50 and we came off it again at Longton so we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row we saw Z Carz minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

Next in the row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next in the row was Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

Nearest in the the first row was Z Carz silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

nearest bus in the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. There appeared to another new minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran Westwards to Heron Cross where we came off onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurtona nd we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right again onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:45. For a let tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Bolton / Horwich 17-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1873	Bolton BS	Egerton, Blackburn Road/Egerton Post Office (NW-bound)	1	Transdev Lancashire United
1874	Egerton, Blackburn Road/The Globe (SE-bound)‎	Bolton BS	1	Transdev Lancashire United
15570	Bolton BS	Horwich, Church Street/Bridge Inn (W-bound)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15573	Horwich, Church Street/Leisure Centre (E-bound)‎‎	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15583	Bolton BS	Montserrat, o/s Hse 1126 Chorley Old Road/Montserrat Road‎	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15575	Montserrat, Chorley Old Rd/Montserrat Rd (SE-bound)‎‎	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to revisit Bolton. I wasn't sure why he wanted to go to Bolton this week, but given a list of places Matthew chose Bolton. I checked the football fixtures and they weren't playing at home today, they were away at Nottingham Forest. Other research for today consisted of studying the Bolton bus map and checking the weather which was for heavy rain! Matthew got up around 10:00 today. He had a slice of toast and some orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 today, going via Heron Cross and Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. we saw First Potteries 42726 on the #23A service. We got onto the A500 and we passed Ambassador Coach Travel FN52 HRG going the other way. We got onto the M6 and headed North. There was quite a bit of traffic on the road but it was moving well. We went east on the M62 and then onto the clockwise M60. We did this the short distance to the M61 and then onto the A666. At the edge of town we turned left and headed around to find a car parking space. We parked in a small car park off Deansgate within sight of the bus station. Right by the car park was one of the new buses for First Manchester 67406. It was being used for publicity on Black Horse Street, to demonstrate the quality new buses at First's Bolton depot. Matthew went on board to investigate and he was given a balloon and some stickers. I explained that we weren't local and Matthew like buses. I asked him if we were doing First or Arriva buses today and he said Arriva. That didn't go down too well! In the end as it will be seen he chose neither. I went to take the balloon back to the car and while I was unlocking the car the balloon escaped! Matthew just watched in amusement and said 'bye bye'...Matthew took an arty picture of First Manchester 67406.

First Manchester 67406 in Bolton

We saw 67403 work past on a #501 service and then we headed towards the market to get something to eat. Matthew used the temporary toilets by the market and then we went to eat at the place called the cosy cafe on the outside of the market. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. it was at this point that I realised that I did not have my phone! i had left it on charge at home. This meant no accurate time (I don't wear a watch), no electronic memo to record bus sightings and haulage on, no communication to tell mum when we were done and no checking on which buses we had been on. Mum purchased a notebook and we had a pen and a watch off her. We agreed to meet in the bus station by the news stand at 17:00 unless I called her from a phonebox. We said goodbye and we set off through the bus station. The first ting we saw was Arriva NW&W 4058 was parked up in the bus station. As Matthew had recently done a Transdev bus or two in Blackburn I thought he may want to do one today. So I had looked up how far the bs could be done on a System One ticket, which was Egerton. We saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1873 on a #1 service and I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. He got a picture of it before we got on.

Transdev Lancashire United 1873 in Bolton

As I got on I thought that they might not sell System One tickets with them only visiting Greater Manchester on this service. Luckily they did, so we booked our tickets and sat down near the back. It was a very well used service with most seats being filled on the start of this journey. We set off up the very busy corridor towards Astley Bridge. Most of the other service are operated by Arriva NW&W in this direction. We saw JH Coaches minibus V949 HKW as we climbed the big hill out of Bolton. I looked at the map so we could see how we were progressing along. When we got into town as such we got off and then crossed the road. At the stop we saw there was another hourly service, which turns out is operated by First, but we had just missed that one. The next one back was due at 14:36 and was another #1 service. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching from down the hill. It got closer and we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1874.

Transdev Lancashire United 1874 in Egerton

We got on and sat down near the back. The inbound service was almost empty, a big contrast to the one we caught up to Egerton. We soon got back into town and when we got back the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1874

When we got back we had a bit of a wander around taking bus pictures. We walked over to the Arriva side of the bus station and we took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4058.

Arriva NW&W 4058 in Bolton bus station

We then walked back into one of the middle stands. Arriva NW&W hybrid 4496 was out on the #534 service. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said no. We took pictures of this bus anyway.

Arriva NW&W 4496 in Bolton bus station

Behind 4496 arrived Stagecoach Lancashire 15570. At this point with no phone we didn't know if it was required. It turned out that it was required. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. He got a picture of the bus and we walked over to it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Bolton bus station

We booked to Horwich and went upstairs. The rear of the top deck as empty and Matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15570

The bus set off through town and it started to rain. As we left the bus station we passed First Manchester 33701 on a #501 service. We also passed First Manchester 12001 on a #471 service. We headed up through Brownlow Fold and up over Montserrat Brow. We passed an unusual bus on the #125 which was Stagecoach Lancashire 15839. We then headed down the hill into Horwich. We got off one stop later than we had done on our previous bus because I though that we would have a choice of service. As we got off Matthew took another picture of 15570.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Horwich

We walked back towards the crossing and the stop back to Bolton. We had got ff too soon again as the only extra service from this stop was the #517 to Leigh. As we were about to cross we spotted and photographed Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 on the Bolton bound service.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 in Horwich

We casually walked over the road and the bus was still waiting at the stop. We got on the bus and went upstairs. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took his picture here.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15573

We sat down and the bus set off back towards Bolton. when we got down to Brownlow Fold we passed 33729 on the #519. we passed the Market Hall and Matthew was looking over at it. A bit further along we saw a distant Arriva DLA which was probably 4058, as it had gone by the time we got back to the bus station. When we got off the bus Matthew decided to walk back to the market hall through very heavy rain! We went up the escalators and down in the lift, and then back up the escalators when we realised where the toilets were! After using the toilet Matthew went into a few shops to say hello to people. He also took a picture of Moss. A new suit is required perhaps...?

Moss inside the Market Hall Bolton

We came out of the Market Hall and headed back towards the bus station. At this point we saw required Arriva NW&W 2565 go by towards Bolton. Matthew decided to say hello to someone and had me running about 200 yards after him as went to catch them up. We stopped at the car briefly on the way back to get a bottle of Irn Bru and to update mum on the current bus situation. By the time we reached the bus station we were all soaked through. Arriva NW&W 4057 arrived in the layover area, parking up where 4058 had been earlier. Required Arriva NW&W MPD 894 had also parked up. Arriva 4496 had returned again and I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and again he said no. I asked if he wanted to do the stagecoach bus behind and he said yes. It was Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 which I thought might be dud and it turned out to be true.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Bolton bus station

We got on and sat down upstairs. We had been on this bus before back in June.The bus was quite well filled and as such he didn't get a picture inside. It was now 16:30ish and we knew we couldn't do it very far. as we left the bus station we saw another bendy bus on the #471 service, first Manchester 12010. We decided to do it up to Montserrat so we had a choice of buses to go back to Bolton on. We passed First Manchester 33729 on the #519 so we knew we wouldn't get that bus today. We got off and crossed the road. The next bus back was in around 5 minutes. Both the #125 and the #519 we due at the same time. Stagecoach Lancashire 15575 came first and we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15575 on Montserrat Brow

This bus turned out to be dud too. We had been on 15575 on the same day in June that we had been on 15583. The bus was empty Matthew got his picture straight away.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15575

We headed back into Bolton in an almost empty bus. We got back in no time and we decided to take a few pictures and dodge in and out of the stands to try and avoid getting wet again. One of the picture we got was of First Manchester Bury's 69137 on the #524 service.

First Manchester 69137 in Bolton bus station

We also spotted South Lancs Travel 57 on a #574 service.

South Lancs Travel 57 in Bolton bus station

On the opposite side of the bus station stand was Stagecoach Manchester 36075. We walked back to the car which was now parked by the Job Centre as mum had moved it closer. The newsagents by stand A in the bus station was closed so we had to find somewhere to get lottery tickets. There was a newsagent around the corner so we drove back around the block and parked as close as we legal could It was still raining heavily. I went to get the tickets thinking Matthew wouldn't want to go out again in the heavy rain. I was followed shortly by mum and Matthew and we left uncle Dave in the car. As well as the lottery tickets we bought 2 cans of Coke, and a Galaxy Caramel. Back in the car we headed out of town and onto the A666. visibility was awful, but people were still driving like it was a dry clear day. we got onto the anticlockwise M60 and the matrix sign was flashing to say that the M6 had long delays from junction 21A to junction 19. Having seen this sign I decided to carry on around the M60 down to the M56. We crossed over Manchester ship canal and then passed through Northenden passed the Britannia Hotel, where we had stood waiting for Stagecoach Manchester 19405 to Altrincham back February 2012. We got onto the westbound M56 and then onto the A556 so we could join on the M6 at junction 19. The problem had caused the Northbound A556 to back up too. We sailed down the A556 and onto the M6. We carried on down to the A500 and then onto the A50. At Z carz today there were only 3 buses. First we saw new coach ALZ 8539.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Behind that was airport transfer minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Parked behind DL03 HHU was OV05 WSW. There was nothing in the Willow Row side of the depot and we headed back down Longton Hall Road. We followed First Potteries 40010 on a #22 to Newcastle down through Blurton and we passed First Potteries 53830 on a #23. we got home a little before 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a choc ice. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark