Trip to Lichfield / Rugeley 21-02-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2937	Lichfield BS	Rugeley BS	X25	Arriva Midlands
2938	Rugeley BS	Lichfield BS	X25	Arriva Midlands
3732	Lichfield BS	Lichfield, Opp Cornfield Drive	29	Arriva Midlands
3732	Lichfield, Opp Cornfield Drive	Lichfield BS	29	Arriva Midlands
3808	Lichfield BS	Burntwood, Opp Victory Avenue	X60	Arriva Midlands
2277	Burntwood, Adj Victory Avenue	Lichfield BS	15	Arriva Midlands
3735	Lichfield BS	Pipehill, Opp Hollybank Cottage	35	Arriva Midlands
3809	Pipehill, Adj Pipe Marsh	Burntwood, Opp Victory Avenue	X60	Arriva Midlands
3808	Burntwood, Adj Victory Avenue	Lichfield BS	X60	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. The weather was poor and it appeared to be better to the South. We gave Matthew a list of place to go and from these places he chose Lichfield. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We didn't do any research for this trip other than to re-check the weather that predicted mainly dry but cloudy weather. We set off around 11:30 and we went onto the A5035. We carried on into Trentham and when we reached the A34 we turned left to head South. As we passed nearby to Stone we saw Bennetts Solo V281 DRC on the #4 service. We carried on South past the town and we went East on the A51. At Weston traffic lights we saw Happy Days coaches 226 going the other way. We carried on East past the edge of Rugeley and we did the last few miles into town before we stopped at the chips shop on the A51 right by the City Line. Matthew had Chips sausage and gravy and a can of Coke an we headed back to the car. We rove across the road to the car park behind the bus station and we ate the food. Once we had finished we use the toilets in the bus station before we said goodbye to mum. We decided to have a quick walk around and take a few pictures before we caught the first bus of the day. On it's usual service was X55 branded Central Buses Enviro200 bus, YX63 ZXL.

Central Buses YX63 ZXL in Lichfield bus station

We walked through the bus station taking picture of the buses in the row. We then saw dud Arriva Midlands 3797 on a X60 service to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3797 in Lichfield bus station

On the X60 to Tamworth was required Arriva Midlands 3807.

Arriva Midlands 3807 in Lichfield bus station

This bus was recently transferred from Arivva North West & Wales and used to carry the number 3064. There were 2 coaches parked up at the end of the bus station. The back on of the pair was National Holidays Setra coach NH10 SSH.

National Holidays NH10 SSH in Lichfield bus station

The front one of the two was A1 Link Travel Mercedes mini coach V139 BAN.

A1 Link Travel V139 BAN in Lichfield bus station

We walked back into the main part of the bus station and we saw an Arriva Midlands Versa approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 2937 on the X25 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 2937 in Lichfield bus station

We decided to do this to Rugeley. We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew got a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2937.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2937

We booked Arriva Midlands Day Saver tickets at £6.20 each. We sat down towards the back of the bus and when it was time the bus set off out of town and up Beacon Street. We joined the A51 to the West of town and we went non-stop up to the edge of Rugeley, entering town own Brereton Hill. The bus turned into the bus station and we got off. We decided to take a few pictures before we went into the market. On a local service was required Arriva Midlands 3701.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Rugeley bus station

Matthew took another picture of our ride into town, Arriva Midlands 2937.

Arriva Midlands 2937 in Rugeley bus station

We then saw dud Arriva Midlands 3719 on a #24 service to Brereton.

Arriva Midlands 3719 in Rugeley bus station

Something that we have never seen before was the Tesco free bus. Working this service today was dud Arriva Midlands 2315.

Arriva Midlands 2315 in Rugeley bus station

We headed into the market and we brought some spearmint chews and a can of Coke and a can of orange Tango. This cost a very reasonable £1.47. We walked back out of the bus station and walked to the top stop to see when the next service to Lichfield was due. There was an X25 due at 14:51. In the meantime, we saw dud Arriva Midlands 2328 on a #23 to Pear Tree. Which had worked in on a #26 from Springfields.

Arriva Midlands 2328 in Rugeley bus station

A few minutes later we saw another Arriva Midlands Versa approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2938 on the X25 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 2938 in Rugeley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Day Saver tickets before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town up Brereton Hill before we joined the A51. We carried on Eastwards and just outside of Lichfield we brifly joined the A512 before entering town own Stafford Road / Beacon Street. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off. We then saw dud Central Buses YJ59 PKC about to work the #35 to Walsall.

Central Buses YJ59 PKC in Lichfield bus station

This is a bus that we had on this service back in December 2014 when we came to Lichfield for the Heritage running day. On Arriva's competing #35 service we saw required Arriva Midlands 3732 come into the bus station.

Arriva Midlands 3732 in Lichfield bus station

It was now going on to a #29 local service, something which we had not seen happen before. This is probably because we hadn't been in the bus station at this minute in the hour before. We decided to catch this bus and do a round trip on it. We got on the bus an we asked how long it took to do a round trip, an the river told us it was around 15 minutes. We flashed the ticket to the river and before we sat down Matthew photographed the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3732

The bus set off through the bus station passing Arriva Midlands 3773 which was on the #7 to Burton-on-Trent. We left the bus station and went Northwards. We turned to the East and we crossed over the Lichfield to Burton-on-Trent line before joining Roman Way. We turned left at Austin Cote Way and at the end of the road we did a 180' turn on the roundabout and we returned to the bus station back along the same roads as we came. We got off the bus an Matthew had a moment where he wanted to say hello to someone. He did managed to say hello but he was a bit excitable so we had to hold him back for a few minutes so he could calm down. We had a look around to see what we could catch. We ha missed Arriva Midlands 2277 on the #15 so we thought that the next bus we could do was an X60 towards Burntwood & Cannock. A few minutes later required Arriva Midlands 3808 made an appearance on the X60 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus an we flashed the tickets to the river before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The X60 goes west out of town before passing the new Waitrose store. We headed North up Limburg Avenue and then we turned left onto the A461. As we approached Pipehill we turned right onto the A5190 to head towards Burntwood. We carried on westwards through Edial and into Burntwood Green before we turned left onto Chase Road. In Chasetown we turned right around the tight corner into High Street. At the top of High Street we turned right onto the A5190 before going left Bridge Cross Road. We turned right at Rugeley Road and we got off the bus. Opposite us was required Arriva Midlands 2277 on the Lichfield bound #15 service. Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 3808 before it set off towards Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Burntwood

We decided that we were going to trying and get on Arriva Midlands 2277. Matthew took a picture of it before we crossed over the road to get on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 2277 in Burntwood

We got on the bus an we flashed the ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus an the bus turned left onto Bridge Cross Road. We carried on straight and into the estate, crossing over Chase Road and carrying on in South Westerly direction. We turned onto Coppy Nook lane an we headed into the village of Hammerwich. We passe through the village and we headed north onto the A5190. We headed through Edial and we joined the A461 at Pipehill. We headed into town along the more direct route not taken by the X60, down Walsall Road. As we came into town we passed a Dart on the #62 to Cannock which was probably Arriva Midlands 2378 which we had seen earlier in the day. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2277.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2277

We got back to the bus station and we realised the #35 to Walsall was due. It was required Arriva Midlands 3735.

Arriva Midlands 3735 in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. We decided to do the bus to Pipehill and then we could catch something else from off the main road. As we left town Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3735

We left town along Walsall Road and we joined the A461. At the Pipehill junction the bus went left and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3735 as it carried on towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3735 in Pipehill

As we left the bus station at 15:41 an there was also an 15:45 X60 we decided to go to the main road to catch the X60 towards Burntwood. As we got to the roundabout I thought I saw the bus approaching... So I decide to run to the bus stop on the main road. Matthew and uncle Dave followed behind. I flagged the bus down and Matthew an uncle Dave caught up with the bus, which was required Arriva Midlands 3809.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Pipehill

We flashed the tickets an we sat own towards the back of the bus. The bus carried on along the A5190 and we headed into Burntwood Green before turning west towards Chasetown. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3809

We turned right into the High Street an then right at the top onto the A5190 before going left onto Bridge Cross Road. We turned right into Rugeley Road and we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3809 before it carried on towards Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Burntwood

We decided to have a short break from the buses. We went into Sankeys Fish bar and we had a portion of chips an a jumbo sausage between us. Matthew had some chips and the sausage. We also shared 2 cans of pop. We saw there were people at the stop opposite so we crossed the road to wait for the bus. it was 16:18 an then bus was due three minutes ago. We waited for quite a while and a lady stopped her car and explained that the bus was stuck on the other side of a police roadblock, who were attending some kind of incident. The bus did eventually turned up at 16:30! It was dud Arriva Midlands 3808 for the second time today.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Burntwood

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets for the final time today before sitting own near to the back of the bus. We returned back to Lichfield through Chasetown and Burntwood Green rejoining the Eastbound A5190. We passe through Edial and we went down Pipehill into the edge of town. we went South past Waitrose before going East along Sainte Foy Avenue. We went into the bus station for the final time and we waited for the bus to empty so that Matthew could get a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3808.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3808

Before we left we decided to have one last walk around the bus station taking some picture before we went home. We saw dud Arriva Midlands 3505 on the #785 to Shuttington.

Arriva Midlands 3505 in Lichfield bus station

We then saw Arriva Midlands 3763 on the #825 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3763 in Lichfield bus station

One one of the town circulars was Rotala Diamond 20893.

Rotala Diamond 20893 in Lichfield bus station

On the #66 to Burntwood was required Central Buses AE06 ZBT.

Central Buses AE06 ZBT in Lichfield bus station

We headed back to the car and mum as waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and onto the westbound A51. We skirted the North of Rugeley and carried on along the A51 to the A34. Just to the West of Stone we stopped at the Shell garage to take on diesel. We carried on North to Trentham and we joined the Eastbound A5035 and we headed up to Longton. On the spare ground there were two buses. The first bus in the line up was Volkwagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also on the spare ground was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into willow Row to see what was inside the compound. Closest to the gate was Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Opposite the compound parked on the road was Z Carz taxi minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

We headed onto the A50 and we came off the road at Heron Cross and we turned onto Blurton Road. We went through Blurton and we got home around 18:00. For a late tea we had sausage mash and carrots follow by a iced doughnut. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 10-12-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2438	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2342	Chester BS	Sealand, Western Avenue (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2277	Blacon, Western Avenue (cnr)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2298	Chester BS	Higher Shotton, Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
689	Higher Shotton, Shotton B&Q (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

After a weekend away, Matthew was ready to go out again and for this trip he chose Chester. No research required for this trip we only have to pack our Chester timetables. We set off just before 12:00 stopping at Longport to top up with LPG. Despite heavy traffic on the M6, we got to Ellesmere port by 13:15. We went to eat in the market as usual put we could get a table. After waiting or over 5 minutes with no table looking like it was going to open up, we decided to eat elsewhere. We walked onto the main street and found a chip shop that had a couple of tables, called the Port chip shop or something similar. We ordered the food and as I was rushing backwards and forwards with trays of chip to the table the bag that was on my shoulder fell and swung onto my chips sausage peas and gravy! I cleaned the bag and then we ate our meals. As we ate we could see buses on the main road turn into towards the bus station. Heading into Chester in front of our bus was Arriva NW&W 2404 (dud). After we had finished eating and we had split up from mum, we headed to the bus station to take a few picture before going to Chester. GHA double decker DD05 was parked up and acting as the drivers mess today. After around 10 minutes our bus , which was the 14:17 to Chester approached. It was the same bus we had last time...2438!



Starting to become a mileage machine...Arriva NW&W 2438 o the #401 to Chester (Matt)

The bus was only half full and we had a unremarkable journey down to Chester. The bus was warm compared to the 5'C outside and was very welcome. When we got to the bus station Matthew photographed the inside of the empty bus.


Inside 2438 (Matt)

The first thing we noticed on arrival at Chester was a great big wheel that had been erected adjacent to the bus station. With light fading fast at this time of year, the plan was to catch a bus quite quickly. This also prevented us from freezing in the cold. 2258 was on a #10 which Matthew required, but it was a relatively new Dart. Rhyl allocated 2350 also made an appearance on an X11 which Matthew also turned down.


Rhyl's 2350 in front of Chester's wheel (Matt)

When the next #10 appeared it was 2342 which Matthew decided he wanted to catch. This was a refurbished V reg Dart which was also required. We did this bus which filled up quickly and was pretty much full as it left town. We decided to do this to the Welsh border so we could get back and possibly catch something else before it went dark. It was the first time we had bailed here and as we got off Matthew was able to get a picture of our bus just inside Wales.


2342 just inside Wales (Matt)

It was quite difficult to cross the road here as it was really busy with Xmas shopper leaving Chester. We eventually crossed and Walk all the way back into England...All of 75 yards! We had around a 10 minute wait for a return bus, and the pavement was narrow. Matthew was bouncing with excitement as he waited for the return bus. In the distance we could see the bus on this very long straight stretch of road. We could see it had Alexander ALX style bodywork, something that we have not seen on a Chester allocated Arriva bus. As it closer we saw it was dud Dart 2277, a vehicle which we had traveled on earlier this year into Llandudno!


After the long walk back into England, Ex Welsh Dart 2277 approaches (Matt)

The bus was nearly empty as most inbound services are at this time of day. Once again Matthew photographed the empty bus at Chester.


Inside 2277 (Matt)

When we got back we saw Optare Solo 689 on a #10. It was unusual to see a smaller vehicle on this service and Matthew didn't fancy it. We also saw 2358 which Matthew required and he didn't fancy this either! As we waited for our next ride we saw that First Manchester's 61527 had been painted into Park & Ride colours presumably for extra cover.


Now in Park & Ride colours... First Manchester 61527 (Matt)

whilst we waited for 2358 to depart, I rushed of to Somerfield to get some lottery tickets. The next bus of interest to appear was Dart 2298 on the X11, which we decided to do. We crossed the bus station and got a picture before we boarded.


2298 about to do the X11 to Holywell (Matt)

The bus filled up and was full and standing as we left town. as we boarded GHA's Aleander bodied bus SB27 was seen on the X20 to Winsford. We decided to do this bus just past Queensferry and just before Shotton, so as to give us a choice of service back to Chester. We got off at the stop know as Higher 'Shotton, B&Q' even though the B&Q is no longer there. by now it was properly dark and so we weren't able to get good pictures of moving buses. We decided to do the next bus regardless as it was getting quite cold now. The Next bus turned out to be the Solo we'd seen earlier 689. It was nearly empty. Matthew got on and honked the horn....Beep. I don't know why but he likes to do this on Solo's, and sometimes it get him into trouble! Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus as we arrived in Chester.


Inside 689 (Matt)

As we got off the bus, with the aid of street furniture and his camera timer, he was able to get a picture of the outside of 689 too...


Arriva 689 in Chester bus station...unusual on a #10... (Matt)

As we were about to leave we saw 7553. It was then back to the car for sausage rolls before setting off home around 17:20. The journey home was non-stop and we pulled up outside the house around 18:20. Not a bad day considering the cold weather and the time of year. 3 out of 5 buses were new for Matthew...Mark

Trip to Llandudno 25-04-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 246	Longton Hall Road	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Charter	Copelands Tours
817	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	Junction, New Road (Stand Z)	14	Arriva NW&W
2276	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	Llandudno, Trinity Square (SW) (SW-bound)	13	Arriva NW&W
818	North West Gardens, (E bound)	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	19	Arriva NW&W
2277	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	13	Arriva NW&W
2658	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	Llandudno Palladium (Stand Y)	5	Arriva NW&W
911	Llandudno Palladium (Stand B)	North West Gardens, (E bound)	84	Arriva NW&W
MIB 246	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Longton Hall Road	Charter	Copelands Tours

Today we took Matthew out on his first coach trip of the year. We had a choice of Blackpool or Llandudno with Copeland's (the operater which Matthew chose) and he chose to go to Llandudno. Matthew has only been to Llandudno once in recent years, and that was last summer when we did a coach trip to Rhyl and traveled on. In ancient times Matthew has done a pair of class 20's when he was around 2 on a coal day, and also a trip here on Easter Monday in the later 90's with Bakers when buses were still just something that made him lift his head and get excited when in his pram. Planning consisted of downloading all the Sunday timetables for he Llandudno area. As I was getting the car ready to go to meet the coach, I noticed my near neighbours setting off up the road. As we left home we saw them at the local bus stop. When we arrived on longton Hall road we didn't have to wait long for the coach to turn up MIB 246 was power for the day. Matthew loaded onto the coach quickly, and whilst we were waiting for a couple of passengers
I got off to check the car was locked. Behind our coach arrived the Blackpool coach, which was required MIB 236. As it pulled off Matthew's face dropped in disappointment at not getting the coach he wanted. It didn't take him long to forget anout that. Eventually the passengers we were waiting for arrived off a slightly late running PMT bus. It was our near neighbours! We set off around town picking up the other passengers, including a lad the Matthew used to go to school with Anthony Goodrum. After about an hour and a half we pulled into knutsford services for a quick toilet break. Already in the service was MIB 236 on the Blackpool and Matthew spotted this straight away! As soon as he got off our coach he ran and jumped on the other! after taking a picture inside and out, we persuaded him to come off and promised we would get this coach sometime in the future!


The elusive (to us) MIB 236 in knutsford services (matt)

A toilet break later we were back on the coach. A fairly some journey then followed and the driver pointed out a few sights and facts along the way. When in llandudno we parked on the Mostyn coach park and walked into town. Mum unusually had some company in our near neighbours, so she left us to our own devices! We found some toilets and then found a good vantage point for Matthew to take pictures. I then left him with uncle Dave whilst I fought may way to the front of a very busy chip shop queue! by about 12:40 we were ready to start catching buses... The first bus Matthew wanted was the Alexander bodied dart 2277 that was parked up in trinity square. "what's it on?"..."13"..."Where's it going?"..."Prestatyn".."What time is it due off?"..."oh....now!". So we missed that one. Out came the netbook. The 13 goes via Llandudno junction so if we catch somthing to there we'll probably get a similar bus back. The 14 goes to the junction area before going west. "whens the next 14?"..."12:54"..."Where does it go from?"..."Mostyn Street (NW bound)!". So we walked briskly around the corner to the stop and whithin a couple of minutes Arriva NW&W 817 appears from around the corner. We book our NW&W day rovers and sit down. The 14 takes a weird winding route through countryside and eventually as we approach the Conway area we start to see familiar sights we have seen off the train. Getting close to the tunnel and not wanting end up on the other side, we get off near the road and river area.


Arriva NW&W 817 in Llandudno (matt)

We got off at the new road stop and the bus disappeared around the corner. We decided to follow the bus and then we realised that we were only one stop away from the railway station. We walked across to the station where we saw that there was a 13:30 to llandudno on a service 13.Aafter a few minutes the 13 turned up with another ALX200 in the form of Arriva NW&W 2276 in interurban livery.


Arriva NW&W 2276 in Llandudno (Matt)

We did this back to the square in llandudno and watched it go. We realised that there was not another 14 as this service is every 2 hours on a Sunday service. the next Conway bound bus was a service 19 from the main stop on Mostyn Street just after the hour. off this bus there was a return 19 and another 13. we waited for 15 or so minutes and Arriva NW&W 818 turned up on the 19.


Arriva NW&W 818 in Llandudno (matt)

We set off with the intention of getting off on New road and hopefully we would be able to catch one or the of the buses back. As we approached the New Road stop we passed the 19 with a Plaxton bodied Dart. Decided not to get off and carried on to the stop opposite the station. as we approached the railway station we passed the other bus which was another Plaxton bodied Dennis dart. At this point I realised that we were stuck at Llandudno Junction for an hour! to pass the time we took Matthew to Iceland, where he photographed cakes in the store and chose some cans of Vimto. we drank some of the said cans and also visited the toilet in Llandudno junction station. All things considered the time went passed really quickly. We guessed that the bus back would be 2277 and sure enough it was.


Arriva NW&W 2277 in Llandudno (matt)

by the time we got back we realised that Matthew didn't have much time to get in some more buses. We decided to get in a couple of buses really quickly by catching something from Mostyn Street further into town and than catching something out again. the first bus that turned up was 2658 on a number 5.


Arriva NW&W 2658 in Llandudno (matt)

We did this 2 stops up to the Palladium and got off. Virtually straight away there was a bus opposite on a #84. This was ex London 911. A strange short Plaxton bodied Dart with very few seat in it. We did this back to the main stop in Mostyn Street.


Arriva NW&W 911 in Llandudno (matt)

With about an hour to go before the coach left we decided to et some more chips and eat them on the front. Matthew took a few more pictures and then we went back around to Mostyn Street to take more pictures and meet up with mum. Ona #12 Rhyl, we saw our first glimpse of one of the Ex London ALX400 that are being deployed all across the Arriva NW&W Wales area. This was 4041 and it looked very smart in the interurban livery.


Arriva NW&W 4041 in Llandudno (matt)

After meeting up with mum, it was back to the coach to wait for the 17:15 departure. There was a slight delay in departing as our neighbours couldn't find a toilet in the area as the one on the gardens shut just before we got there. Matthew took some more pictures in the coach park before departure.


Happy Days Coaches 214 in Llandudno (matt)

On departure we made good time until we hit the M56. We had a short stop at Chester services and then we slowly progressed along the M56 until we passed the M53 and we managed to travel a little quicker. We reached newcastle just as it started to go dark and we then had another hour around town dropping of passengers. We hit Longton Hall road just after 21:00.


MIB 246 in Longton Hall Road (matt)

After dropping off uncle Dave I came back and we gave our neighbours a lift. It was a tight squeeze getting 5 and a chair into the car considering the boot was full already. Matthew seemed to enjoy the challenge. Quite a good day, but the coach trip wa a bit of an epic. We will be choosing the trip a little more carefully in future (Mark)