Trip to The Burnley Big Bus Bash 23-07-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1775	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Ribble
81	Burnley BS	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Special	GM Buses
66	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Burnley & Pendle
8	Burnley BS	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Special	Blackburn Transport
8	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Blackburn Transport

Today we decided to go to the The Burnley Big Bus Bash bus rally in Burnley. It was an event run by Transdev to promote the new buses being introduced on the Mainline services Padiham & Colne and other point beyond. We checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with the chance of some rain. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:00 and we ran onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews way and we got onto the Westbound A50. We ran North up the A500 into Stoke and we ran into the town centre. We ran around the one-way system and we parked up on South Wolfe Street. We decided that we should have dinner first so we could go straight to the bus depot. We walked around the corner onto Church Street and we ate at the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked around the corner to the car and we set off around the one-way system onto Church Street. We turned right onto Shelton old Road and at the bottom we turned left onto the Northbound A500. We ran up to the M6 and we got onto the Northbound M6. We ran North for around 30 miles up to junction 21A and we then went Eastwards along the M62. We got onto the M60 and we continued clockwise around the North of Manchester. We joined the Northbound M66 and we ran past Bury and we continued North onto the A56. We passed nearby Accrington and we then got onto the Eastbound M65. We ran past Burnley and we came into town from the North end as we came off the M65 at junction 12. We went Eastwards along the A682 link road and then at the next roundabout we went South down the A682. We ran through Brierfield and when we got to Ruskin Street. We did a cicrle of the depot whilst we looked for somewhere to park and we ended getting back onto the A682 and turned left onto Ruskin Road. We stopped the car to get out and we said goodbye to mum who was off to do some shopping whilst we went to the bus depot. We walked back to the front side of the depot and we saw one of the new buses pull up outside the depot. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 261 on a M1 service to Colne.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 261 in Burnley

We managed to find out by asking around that buses were operating between the depot and the bus station approximately every 20 minutes. We waited at the stop outside and a few minutes and a couple of buses appeared. First we saw Ribble double decker 1775. We also saw Blackburn Transport double decker 8.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

The buses both parked up in the depot, so we decided to have a walk around the depot. There was only one way in and out of the depot through the main shed. This was kept empty with a few exceptions as to allow vehicles to come and go into the main part of the depot which was an open courtyard. There were a couple of other small sheds off this courtyard where thing like the bus wash was located. In the first shed 1543 was running up and down one side where you could pay to have a short drive off the bus. Also in this shed was Burnley & Pendle 66.

Burnley & Pendle 66 in Burnley

We walked out into the main courtyard in which most of the buses were being displayed. In the yards we saw Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner double decker 3635.

Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner 3635 in Burnley

There seemed to be quite a few different buses from around the different Transdev garages. Representing Intack depot was Transdev Lancashire United Versa 233.

Transdev Lancashire United 233 in Burnley

There were also quite a few different preserved buses on display. In the yard was Ribble single decker 135 in early Stagecoach livery.

Ribble 135 in Burnley

With the other preserved buses was Pennine Leylad national LN19.

Pennine LN19 in Burnley

Back out the depot was one of the new buses for which the launch bus rally had been arranged. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 249.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 249 in Burnley

We decided it was time to go out and ride on a bus or two. Whilst we waited we took a few more pictures. In the main repair shops was Transdev Burnley & Pendle double decker 2002.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2002 in Burnley

A few minutes later Ribble double decker 1775 appeared after returning from the bus station. Whilst the bus was emptying out we stood in the reservation in the middle of the road to get a picture of Ribble 1775.

Ribble 1775 in Burnley

The bus emptied out and started to load up again. We got on the bus and we went upstairs. A few minutes later we set off Northwards up the A682. At the next big junction we turned right onto Casterton Avenue and we ran Eastwards to the Burnley Lane part of town. We turned right onto Briercliffe Road and we ran Southwards towards town. We joined the A682 by the church and Duke of York pub and we continued towards town. We crossed over the canal and we ran past Morrisons before turning right into Yorkshire Street. We turned left into Croft Street and we stopped at the end at the drop off stop and the bus unloaded. Once off the bus we walked into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. We let Ribble 1775 go in the hope of getting something different back to the depot. This paid off as a few minutes later we saw GM Buses coach 81 stop outside on Croft Street. A few minutes later it cam into the bus station and Matthew got a picture of GM Buses 81.

GM Buses 81 in Burnley bus station

We got on the coach and we sat down towards the rear. Whilst we were waiting for the coach to depart we saw First West Yorkshire 69581 on a #592 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 69581 in Burnley bus station

A few minutes later we set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto the A682 and we ran out of town. We went up the hill past Morrisons and over the canal. We past the Duke of York and we continued up the A682 and we saw ABC coach PO16 HSA. A few hundred yard up the road we pulled into the stop outside the depot. There was a low ceiling above Matthew's seat where the ducting for the ventilation was, and Matthew stood up quickly and banged his head! We let the coach empty out and matthew took a picture inside GM Buses 81.

Inside GM Buses 81

We had another quick look around the depot whilst we waited for a different bus to work. Burnley & Pendle 66 had started up so we asked someone on board if it was going to work. They said it was doing a single one-way trip, after they had been through the yard and packed up their stall in the courtyard. I asked when they were leaving and they said in around 10 minutes! We decided to take a few more pictures whilst we waited for the bus to depart. In the main maintenance shops was Transdev Burnley & Pendle Versa 269.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 269 in Burnley

On the charity driver training run was the aforementioned Transdev Burnley & Pendle T543.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle T543 in Burnley

We went outside to wait for the single decker to depart towards Burnley. Whilst we waited we saw Blackburn Transport 8 parked up outside the garage.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

A few minutes later Burnley & Pendle 66 pulled out of the garage and stopped by the entrance of the depot. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the garage and onto the A682 and we ran Southwards into town. In town we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned right onto Croft Street and we stopped at the set down stop outside the bus station. We crossed the road to get a better view and Matthew took another picture of Burnley & Pendle 66 before it returned to to the bus depot.

Burnley & Pendle 66 in Burnley

We were hopefully going to get a bus a back to the depot. Matthew went to the shop and brought some chocolate and a can of Coke. We went back into the bus station and we sat and waited for another bus to appear. A few minutes later required Blackburn Transport 8 appeared on a return service to the depot.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley bus station

whilst we waited to board the bus we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 244 on an adjacent stand.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 244 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus bus and we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackburn Transport 8 before we sat down.

Inside Blackburn Transport 8

A few minutes later we set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto the A682 and we ran out of town. We went up the hill past Morrisons and over the canal. We past the Duke of York and we continued up the A682 and we saw ABC coach PO16 HSA. A few hundred yard up the road we pulled into the stop outside the depot. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Blackburn Transport 8.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

It was now 16:00 and we had heard that Blackburn Transport 8 was going to do one last trip towards town, so we got straight back onto the bus and went upstairs and sat down. The bus set of along A682 heading Northwards towards Nelson. We turned right onto Casterton Avenue and we went Eastwards. Instead of turning right onto Briercliffe Road, we continued Eastwards along Eastern Avenue. After quite a long run we turned left onto Ormerod Road. At the roundabout went straight onto Ridge Avenue. At the end of the road we turned right onto Brunshaw Road. We ran down the steep part of the hill and we ran past Turf Moor. We ran under the railway line and at the roundabout we went straight onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto Croft Street and we got up and got off the bus. We had arranged to meet mum in the car park opposite to the bus station, we went around the outside of the bus station to take a few more pictures. We saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 605 on a #1 to Burnley.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 605 in Burnley bus station

We continued around the outside of the bus station and we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle Dart 720 on layover.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 720 in Burnley bus station

We also saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 245 on a M4 service.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 245 in Burnley bus station

We walked back into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we crossed over Red Lion Street and we walked into the car park. In the car parked we saw Max Private Hire minibus YD61 AXZ.

Max Private Hire YD61 AXZ in Burnley

We got into the car an we set off out of town along Parker Lane and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We turned left onto Manchester Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto Trafalgar Street. We saw B&N Coaches A7 BXN. We ran onto Westway and we ran Westwards out of town onto the M65. We ran Westwards for a couple of junctions and then we turned left onto the Southbound M66. We ran South and forwards onto the M66 and at the end we joined the anti-clockwise M60 and we saw Kirby Lonsdale coach hire SP04 HRL. We ran around North Manchester and we saw Lets Travel FX51 BVG ahead of us.

Lets Travel FX51 BVG on the M60

We joined the M62 and we ran Westwards to the M6. We ran Southwards through the roadworks and then at junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500. We ran down to Stoke and we came off and ran into Fenton to Drop uncle Dave off at home. Once we had dropped uncle Dave off we ran up to Heron Cross and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. We chilled out on the sofa and we sort out the pictures from today and put them online. We also wrote some of the weeks Blog entries. For a late tea we had a fish finger sandwich followed by chocolate cake. Later on Matthew had a bath and then chilled out on the computer until around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Bromsgrove / Droitwich 28-02-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33402	Bromsgrove BS	Catshill, adj Ash Drive	144	First Worcester
67636	Catshill, adj Gibb Lane School	Bromsgrove BS	144A	First Worcester
S895 SNY	Bromsgrove BS	Charford, adj Austin Road Shops	99	Clearway
S895 SNY	Charford, adj Austin Road Shops	Bromsgrove BS	99	Clearway
2640	Bromsgrove BS	Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove Railway Station (N-bound)	318	Hanson Bus
2640	Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove Railway Station (N-bound)	Bromsgrove BS	318	Hanson Bus
2002	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	145	iGo
67647	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester

Today we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We had checked the weather and it appeared to be better to the South. We gave hime a list of destinations that were mainly to the South. From the list Matthew chose Bromsgrove. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast for breakfast. We set off just after 12:00. We went down to the A5035 and we turned right. We did the A5035 through to Trentham and when we got to the A34 we went North. We turned left onto Whitmore Road and we joined onto the Southbound M6 at the junction of the A500 and A519. As we headed South down the M6 we passed M & B Travel X856 HEE & Edwards L800 EDW. The road was fairly quiet and we made good time as we went through the roadworks from junctions 13 to 10A. It was a little busier from junction 10 down, but still not to bad. We joined the Southbound M5 and the matrix signs were indicating that the road was slow from junctions 4 to 5. We were coming off the M5 at junction 4 so we carried on regardless. As we were about to leave the motorway, we caught up with Go North East 7097 in National Express livery on a #531 service from Newcastle to Plymouth.

Go North East 7097 on the M5

We left the M5 to join the Southbound A38. At the junction with the M42 we passed an unidentified Harris Coaches coach and Dudleys M750 VYB. Further South as we turned to come into the North of town we passed Leons Coaches 216. We came into town and we parked up in Asda car park. We walked across to the bus station and we saw required Clearway Mercedes minibus S895 SNY on the #93. We carried on and Matthew used the toilet. He heard the engine of a minibus so he came out of the toilet to get we saw Euro Liners DK55 NLF.

Euro Liners DK55 NLF in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew finished off in the toilet and came out to get a picture of Rotala Diamond 20304 on a #149 to the Webbs of Wychbold gardens centre.

Rotala Diamond 20304 in Bromsgrove bus station

He then decided to run over and say hello to someone. They were on the phone and he scared her and her reaction shocked us all up a little. We went to the chip shop and we got a table inside today.Matthew had sausage chips and gravy and also had a bap to make a chip sandwich. He washed it own with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating We said goodbye to mum and returned to the bus station. Matthew had promise to be on his best behaviour from now on... As we walked into the bus station we saw Hanson Bus E200 2640 on a #318 to Halesowen.

Hanson Bus 2640 in Bromsgrove bus station

We walked down to see required Clearway S895 SNY on the #93 to Charford.

Clearway S895 SNY in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to leave the required minibus until after we had purchased the Connecta ticket later on. We saw dud Rotala 30382 on a X3 to Redditch. Matthew had a battery change on his camera and by the time we had done it the bus was pulling off! It must have been running a few minutes late. We decided to catch the next bus, which just happened to be required First Worcester 33402 on the #144 to Birmingham!

First Worcester 33402 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we booked our Worcestershire County Connecta tickets at £6.90 which allowed to to travel on any companies buses in the county. We went upstairs ans sat down. The bus behind s was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 33402.

Inside First Worcester 33402

The bus set off Northwards out off town on the B4091. We passed the hospital an we carried on under the M42 and into Catshill. We turned right into Meadow Road and we passed the Clearway depot where the usual bus on the #93 (usual to us anyway) PEZ 3058 appeared to be on the ramps having some attention. We carried on a little further up the road and we decided to get off. Matthew got another picture of First Worcester 33402 before it carried on towards Birmingham.

First Worcester 33402 in Catshill

We crossed the road and we decided to walk down to where we could catch either a #144 or a #144A. As we walked down we were passed by required First Worcester 67632 on a #144 to Worcester. Drat! We got to the stop and checked the timetable. There wasn't another bus for 15 minutes so we decided to visit the nearby Premier convenience store. Mathew purchase a can of Coke and a can of Fanta. He also had two chocolate bars an a flapjack. We walked back to the bus stop and Matthew drank the can of Fanta and ate the flapjack. By the time he had done that the bus was due. It came around the corner and we saw it was required First Worcester 67636. We got on the bus and it was empty. Matthew poked his camera around the corner to get a picture inside First Worcester 67636.

Inside First Worcester 67636

We showed the Connecta ticket and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus carried on down the road and we turned left onto the B4091. We carried on Southwards under the M42 and though Northern end of Bromsgrove and into town. We turned into the bus station and we got off the bus. Matthew then got another better picture of First Worcester 67636.

First Worcester 67636 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to wait for and get the required Clearway minibus. S895 SNY. The bus was every 20 minutes, so we sat own on a bench to wait for the next appearance which was imminent. We then saw required Rotala Diamond 30935 terminate in the bus station.

Rotala Diamond 30935 in Bromsgrove bus station

A minute or so later required Clearway S895 SNY came into the bus station.

Clearway S895 SNY in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed our Connecta tickets to the driver. The bus set off South out of town and onto Worcester Road. We paused at the junction of Bromsgrove School. The driver was letting a coach come into the school. It just happened to be Meir base Copeland's Tours Van Hool bodied white coach MIB 229! We headed into the housing estate and we started win around the houses. The #93 is a circular service so when we got around 1/2 way round I went to the driver to show him the tickets for the return journey. We re-joined the main road and we returned into town up Worcester Road and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Clearway S895 SNY.

Inside Clearway S895 SNY

We sat down briefly before we saw required Hanson Bus 2640 come into the bus station.

Hanson Bus 2640 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to do this bus. We went to the bus and we tried to book to Catshill. The bus was going the other way towards the railway station. We decided to the anyway. We could go to the station an back and then go after something else... We showed the driver the Connecta tickets and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the High Street and we went South Eastwards towards Aston Fields. We passed the railway station and carried on around the circular end of this service. We went North up the A38 and into Regents Park Road. We then went back towards town along Stratford Road. The bus emptied out in front of us and Matthew got a picture inside Hanson Bus 2640.

Inside Hanson Bus 2640

We carried on back into town and into the bus station. As the bus station was empty Matthew went to the toilet. As he came out we saw iGo Solo 2002 on a #145 to Droitwich.

iGo 2002 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to do this bus. We got on the bus and as it was a Solo Matthew decide to honk the horn... The driver didn't mind on this occasion. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off out of town. Once again we headed towards Aston Fields. This time instead of going towards the railway station we went South and into Morrisons. We continue South out of town down the Eastern by-pass We continue South through Stoke Prior and Stoke Works before rejoining the A38 just North of the point where we cross under the M5. We continued into town and when we got to Victoria square the bus terminated. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside iGo 2002.

Inside iGo 2002

We got off the bus and got another picture of iGo 2002 before it went off empty.

iGo 2002 in Droitwich Spa

We walked up to the Spar shop and Matthew had a drink an some chocolate. We walked back to the Square an on the way we saw required First Worcester 67635 on a #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 67635 in Droitwich Spa

As we got close to the stop we saw First Worcester 67647 emerge from the road opposite on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 67647 in Droitwich Spa

We walked to the stop and we got on the bus. We flashed the tickets an we sat down towards the back of the bus. On this journey the bus went straight up the A38 into town. We passed Bromsgrove School and the Copeland's Tours coach MIB 229 was still in the grounds. We pulled into the bus station and the bus completely emptied, and so Matthew got a picture inside First Worcester 67647.

Inside First Worcester 67647

As we came into the bus station we saw a First Worcester Enviro300 in the 'Olympia 2012' livery. We stopped an got a picture of required First Worcester 67665.

First Worcester 67665 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew used the toilet and we walked over to the car in the car park. Waiting for us were sausage rolls an Matthew washed his down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and we headed North out of town along Birmingham Road. We joined the Northbound A38 which we did up to the M5. We joined the Northbound M5 at junction 4 and traffic was fairly light. As we passed under junction 1 we saw the West Brom fans walking along the over bridge back to their home following thier 1-0 win over Southampton. We joined the M6 and as we went North we were passe by Stagecoach 'Megabus' coach 54057.

Megabus 54057 on the M6

We carried on North through the roadworks and we made good time north of junction 13 up to Junction 15. We lift the M6 and we went onto the Northbound A500 up to Sideway. We passed a Wright Gemini double decker on a football shuttle as we joined the A50 and we headed up to Longton. We came of the A50 at Longton and we headed to Z carz. There were three buses on the spare ground tonight, although initially we though there were only two. First in the row was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

This was hiding Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW behind it!

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Finally we saw Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Tonight we saw Mercedes minibus Z Carz S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned back onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We passed Lightning Travel T2 DLT in it's usual spot and we headed through Blurton and onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home at 18:10. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. mum had gone out to spend the evening with a friend so we went out to take uncle Dave home around 21:40. We wnr out via Blurton Road and Heron Cross. As it was nearly 22:00 we decided to return via heron Cross and Stanley Matthews Way to see the #500. As we turned onto the A5035 we spotted a coach parked up on Newstead industrial estate. We turned into the estate to investigate. We saw it was City Circle tri-axle coach PK13 GDF. As we rejoined the A5035 was saw D&G 170 on the evening #500 to Norton. We got home just after 22:00. Matthew then chilled out at home using his computer. Mum came home just before bedtime and brought some pizza with her! Matthew went to bed around 01:00... Mark