Trip to Hinckley / Nuneaton 10-05-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1907	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1915	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	58	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2560	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Barwell, adj East Green	82	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1907	Barwell, opp East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	82	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2567	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Hinckley, adj Clivesway	82	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1906	Hinckley, opp Clivesway	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	82	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1905	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Nuneaton BS	86	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley. We had looked at the weather and it was set for rain showers in all directions. It did look like it might be a little better to the South. I gave Matthew a list of places to go including Hinckley and Matthew chose Hinckley as I thought he might. Other than to check the weather I did no research for this trip as I already had all the relevant timetables in my phone Hiya. Alex Dawson here from the Harborough Mail newspaper. Can we use one of your bus pictures in the paper? Ring me on. Matthew got up around 09:30 today. For breakfast he had toast and orange juice. We set off at around 11:45 today. We had chosen to go in a different direction than we usually did when going towards Hinckley. We went onto the A5035 as usual, but this time we headed towards Longton. At Longton we crossed over the A50 before going onto the Eastbound carriageway. On the A50 we passed Z Carz M372 NWN to Liverpool & S952 VMY going to Blackpool. We carried on past Uttoxeter and we turned onto the A511 toward Burton. We carried on onlong this road for a couple of miles until we got to the Salt box cafe where we stopped for dinner. We parked in the car park under a willow tree and we got branches caught in the window and doors as we left the car! Matthew went to the toilet and then I had to go back to the car to get the phone. We then saw Trent Barton 614 on a V1 Villager service to Derby. Matthew had an English Breakfast for dinner washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we rejoined the A511 and carried on towards Burton-on-Trent. We passed through Burton town centre and onto the A444. As we left Burton we passed Midland Classic double decker 93 on an inbound service. We then had a 20 mile run along the A444 until we reached the A5. We traveled a few miles East along the A5 and then did the B4666 for the last couple of miles into town. We got into town at just after 14:00 like we did last time we came here. We said goodbye to mum and we headed off to the toilet via the bus station. Matthew said hello to someone in a shop on Rugby Road and then we walked through the bus station such as it is. Parked we saw Sheffield based coach Walter Martin JFM 541.

Walter Martin JFM 541 in Hinckley bus station

In front of that was former Midland Optare Solo, Hinckley Bus 2555.

Hinckley Bus 2555 in Hinckley bus station

We carried on up to the toilet and then after Matthew had finished we headed back onto Regent Street. There was a bit of a lull in the service so we had a sit down and Matthew drank some Limeade. On a #81 to Earl Shilton we saw Hinckley Bus 2569.

Hinckley Bus 2569 in Hinckley

We saw Hinckley Bus 2555 depart from the bus station to form the next #86 to Nuneaton. We were looking out for the #5 service which we had done last time we came here but we did no see it. Last time we saw Hinckley Bus 1916 work the 14:25 #58A/B to Market Harborough. This then went on to work the 17:10 #86 to Nuneaton. This time the service was worked by required Hinckley Bus 1905.

Hinckley Bus 1905 in Hinckley

We would hopefully ride on Hinckley Bus 1905 later... The next bus due that might be of interest was the 14:35 #71 to Burbage. We waited to see what would turn up. When it arrived it was required Hinckley Bus Mercedes minibus 1907.

Hinckley Bus 1907 in Hinckley

We got on and booked our Hinckley Bus day saver at £7.50. As the bus was empty Matthew got a picture inside the bus at we got on it.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1907

At 14:35 the bus set off out of town and passed the library. We headed down Station Road ant then past the railway station before going under the railway line and up the hill towards Burbage. We turned into Brookside and we wound our way through the estate and into Burbage. When we got to Horsepool we got off as we had done before. Matthew got another picture of Hinckley Bus 1907 as it headed back to Hinckley.

Hinckley Bus 1907 in Burbage

We decided to have a little picnic as we had 20 minutes before the next #71. We went to sit in the little garden by the Horsepool but it had been locked up. It seemed they were in the process of carving an ancient tree stump up. It had been left for the weekend but the powers that be must have considered the area far too dangerous for mere mortals like ourselves! We walked up to by the war memorial and Matthew had a Milky Way. It was now starting to rain so we walked back to the stop. There aren't any bus shelters in this part of town. It was just about to get heavy when unexpectedly to us we saw a minibus approaching on the #58 service. It was required Hinckley Bus 1915.

Hinckley Bus 1915 in Burbage

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets and we sat down near the back. The bus took a different route back to Hinckley. we traveled back via Hinckley Road,far Lash and the other end of Brookside. We crossed over the railway line to the East of town before heading towards the station. We then turned into Station Road to head into town. When we got back into The Brough we got up and Matthew took a picture inside the now empty Hinckley Bus 1915.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1915

It was raining so we decided to try and catch another quickly bus at this. A few minutes behind us into the stop was required Hinckley Bus Solo 2560 on the #82 to Barwell.

Hinckley Bus 2560 in Hinckley

We decided to do this bus despite it being a Solo. We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets, we wrestled with Matthew as he wanted to honk the horn. The driver acknowledge what he was doing and allowed him to do it! We sat down near the back and the bus set of out of town to the North West. We then turned into Stanley Road before rejoining the A447. We went passed the hospital and out of town. We then turned right onto Hinckley Road. We got close to town and then we went West through the houses appearing on the edge of town from the North. There were still people on the bus so we stayed on. The bus went around an estate to the North East of town before heading back. When we got back to the same corner of Barwell we decided to get off. Matthew got a picture inside the bus as we were getting off.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2560

Matthew then got another picture of Hinckley Bus 2560 as we walked down towards the Co-op.

Hinckley Bus 2560 in Barwell

We headed into the Co-op and Matthew brought some Irn Bru and Coke as well as three chocolate bars. As some thing were on offers we got everything for just under £4. We went back to the Northbound stop to check the timetable. The bus had now gone to a reduced 30 minute frequency so the next bus was not due North until 16:06. We sat down on some concrete blocks near to the bus stop. Matthew ate the Toffee Crisp and a bottle of the Irn Bru that we. When the bus was due we saw the bus approaching from the North West and it looked familiar. It was dud Hinckley Bus 1907 again!

Hinckley Bus 1907 in Barwell

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets. We went North through the estate and then flashed the tickets again to head South back into Hinckley. We headed out of town and onto the A447. We followed an Arriva Midlands bus into town which was Arriva Midlands 3911. We left the A447 and through the side streets. We passed dud Hinckley bus 1906 going up towards Barwell on the #82. We got off and we thought about what we could do. As we got into town there was a #82 to Barwell. It was being worked by Hinckley Bus 2568.

Hinckley Bus 2568 in Hinckley

Hinckley Bus 1907 was also about to work the next #81 service to Earl Shilton.

Hinckley Bus 1907 in Hinckley

We then walked to the toilet on station Road. As we went it started to rain quite heavily. After Matthew had done we walked back. Matthew was a little less wet than me and uncle Dave as he had been in the toilet for the worst of the weather. it was now around 16:50. There was only time to do perhaps one or two more buses and for a very short distance. There was a #82 to Barwell that left town on the same road as the #86 to Nuneaton. We could do this and maybe get back into town if the inbound #82 appeared quickly. The #82 appeared and it was required Solo Hinckley Bus 2567.

Hinckley Bus 2567 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets. Matthew attempted to beep the horn and we managed to stop him. As the bus was nearly empty, Matthew got a picture of the rear of this bus.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2567

The plan was now simple. It was 16:53... we had to be back in town by 17:10 or walk back onto Hollycroft by just after 17:00. We sat down and the bus left town. We turned onto Hollycroft and then turned onto Stanley Road. We got up to get off the bus and matthew was still trying to honk the horn. In the end the driver did it for him! Matthew took another picture of this bus as it carried on towards Barwell.

Hinckley Bus 2567 on Stanley Road

We hadn't passed Hinckley Bus 1906 so we crossed the road to stand at the stop opposite. if the bus didn't turn up within a couple of minutes we would simply walk back onto Hollycroft to catch the #86 to Nuneaton. The bus did appear after only about a minute and as expected it was dud Hinckley Bus 1906.

Hinckley Bus 1906 on Stanley Road

We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 1906 as we got on it.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1906

The bus set off and we turned back into Hollycroft and down into town before circling around to come up Regent Street into the Borough. As we passed the library we saw Hinckley Bus 1905 parked up ready to work the bus to Nuneaton as expected. We got off the bus and it was now about 17:05. Required Hinckley Bus 2570 was on the stop about to work the X55 to Leicester.

Hinckley Bus 2570 in Hinckley

The Leicester bus left at 17:07 as booked and then Hinckley Bus 1905 replaced it at the stop.

Hinckley Bus 1905 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. This bus spent a while at Adderley Green running with Wardle Transport before it transferred into Hinckley Bus after a loan at Western Greyhound. At 17:10 the bus set off out of town and onto Hollycroft. As we reached then end on Hollycroft we passed required Hinckley Bus 1913 on the 16:45 #86 from Hinckley, exactly as we had done last time we came to Hinckley. We carried on along the road to Dadlington before reversing around the corner by the village green. We then headed through Stoke Golding and Higham-on-the-hill. By the time we left Higham we were the last three passengers on the bus. We crossed the A5 and then did the last mile or so into the town centre. We crossed over the railway and then around the outside of town and into the bus station. When we got there we got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of Hinckley Bus 1905 too.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1905

We got off the bus and Matthew used the toilet in the bus station. After he had finished in there we went around the bus station taking a few pictures before we returned to the car. First we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36747 which is branded for the #5/5A service.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36747 in Nuneaton bus station

We walked around and saw Stagecoach Warwickshire Solo 47071 and Dart 34593.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 34593 in Nuneaton bus station

We then took a picture of #10 branded Envrio 200 Stagecoach Warwickshire 36751.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36751 in Nuneaton bus station

The driver beckoned us over and I thought it was going to be one of those rare occasions where drivers don't like you taking their pictures. We walked over and the very nice driver invited Matthew to have a look on the bus. After we had been on the bus Matthew said thank you and we headed back towards the car. We walked across the ring road to the B&M car park where mum was waiting for us. She had been to Greggs this time and we had sausage rolls and Matthew washed this down with a large can of Irn Bru. Mum decided she was driving back so I directed her out of town. we headed back towards the railway station and we did the A444 North West out of town up to the A5. Going back i decided to direct her back via the A38 as she didn't want to driver along too many winding roads. We carried on up the A5 for around 15 miles we joined the North bound A38. We we around the edge of Lichfield and then we passed straight over the top of Burton-on-Trent. about 10 miles North of the A38 we met the A50. We then had around a 30 mile drive up to Longton, where we came off the A50 to see what was at Z Carz. There was only one bus parked up today but it was a new addition to the fleet. It was a Ford minibus NJ59 NVT.

Z Carz NJ59 NVT in Longton

We turned the car in Willow Row. The only vehicle there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We got back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. Lightning Travel T2 DLT was parked up near the Lightning house and we passed First Potteries 53828 on the #23 to Hanley. We got home around 19:20. I took mum out and when I got back we had a late tea of sausage and potatoes followed by a cake bar. The potatoes had nearly burnt, but I was able to save them. I didn't feel I could mashed them without affecting the flavour too much though. We took uncle Dave home quite late around 11:00. we went out towards Heron Cross via Stanley Matthews Way and we came back through Blurton and onto the A5035. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:30...Mark

Trip to Nuneaton / Hinckley 01-02-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33397	Nuneaton BS	Stockingford, nr Church Road	9	Stagecoach Midlands
36752	Stockingford, opp St Pauls Road	Nuneaton BS	10	Stagecoach Midlands
36160	Nuneaton BS	Hinckley BS	48	Stagecoach Midlands
36166	Hinckley BS	Nuneaton BS	48	Stagecoach Midlands
34627	Nuneaton BS	Stockingford, opp St Pauls Road	10	Stagecoach Midlands
47070	Stockingford, adj Parish Hall	Nuneaton BS	9	Stagecoach Midlands

Today we decided to visit Nuneaton and Hinckley. Doing the research for last weeks trip to Cannock on the WM Buses in Photograghs site, we noticed that there were now some extra step entranced buses in the Arriva Midlands fleet. Apparently Arriva had taken full control of the Hinckley Bus fleet having previous owned a stake in the company. We decided to visit the area and check out these buses. The decision was made on Friday due to the weather being very uncertain. The weather looked better in this area than in Manchester or anywhere else in the North West so we decided to head South East for a change. Other than check the weather, we had a quick look at the Hinckley bus section of the Arriva Midlands site. We couldn't find out about day tickets or if the Midland Day saver ticket is valid on Hinckley Bus service, so an e-mail was sent... Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we headed onto the A5035. We headed down Stanley Matthews Way passing ABC Supreme minibus YU02 GZG parked up in the Hem Heath pub before today's visited on Manchester United to Stoke City later today. We headed onto the A50 and then the A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so we could pick up LPG. Once we had filled up we headed West on the A53 before unusually heading South on the A500. We headed down to the M6 and we got on the Southbound carriageway. As we headed South we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 246 heading North. When we reached the A5 we headed East. A couple of miles along the road we stopped at The Hollies transport cafe for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and then he had a breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we carried on Eastward along the A5. We headed through Brownhills and through Tamworth, before turning on the A444 for the last few miles into Nuneaton. I had seen that the bus station was near the railway station at the North end of town just off the ring road. When we got to Nuneaton I went the wrong way! After a quick correction we headed back towards the bus station we parked on the retail park opposite the bus station and walked across. It was just before 14:00 and we had missed the Hinckley Bus service to Hinckley. We would have to do something different. As we entered the bus station we saw an interesting older Dart... Stagecoach Midlands 33397 running out of service.

Stagecoach Midlands 33397 in Nuneaton bus station

Having missed the preferred bus to Hinckley we had a look around the bus station. We saw that the Arriva service was every 30 minutes and the Stagecoach one every 20 minutes. Having seen that the Stagecoach service was more frequent and the other interseting buses around, we decided to have a Stagecoach Day. We had a wander around a took a few pictures. One such picture was Stagecoach Midlands 36752 about to work a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 36752 in Nuneaton bus station

Having had a look a round we saw that Stagecoach 33397 was about to work a #9 to Stockingford. We got on and booked a £6 ticket so that we could go to Hinkcley aswell. We also asked about the frequency of the service which was every 15 minutes. We sat down near the back of the bus. As we left town on the bus along Queens Road I downloaded and looked at a map of the stagecoach I saw that routes 9,10 & 41 all traveled along Church Road so we decided to head to there. Mum called to tell us she wouldn't be getting sausage rolls today as she wasn't felling very well and was going to go far from the car. When we got onto Saint Paul's Road we decided to get off. As we approached the end of the road we saw a #10 bus heading into town. We got off the bus after Matthew had got a picture inside 33397.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 33397

He also got another picture of the outside of Stagecoach Midlands 33397 too.

Stagecoach Midlands 33397 in Stockingford

We walked onto Church Road to see when the next #10 service was due. There was one due every 10 minutes which was fortunate. A few minutes later we saw an Enviro 200 approaching. It was required Stagecoach Midlands 36752.

Stagecoach Midlands 36752 in Stockingford

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus set off along a different route back into town via Haunchwood Road and Black-a-Tree Road. When we got back into town Matthew waited for the bus to empty so he could get a picture inside.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 36752

We got off the bus and we immediately saw Stagecoach Midlands 33459 parked up between duties.

Stagecoach Midlands 33459 in Nuneaton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet so we headed towards town. We didn't go very far when we spotted a toilet next to the bus station. After using the toilet we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 36160 about to work towards Hinckley on the #48 service so we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Midlands 36160 in Nuneaton bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. It was quite full and people were still getting on so Matthew took a picture of the back seat of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 36160

The bus set off out of town and past the railway station before heading along Hinckley Road. We crossed the A5 and continued into town. When we got into Hinckley we took a turn to the right before turning left into the bus station. As we pulled into the bus station we passed a Hinckley Bus Dart. We got off the bus and got another picture Stagecoach Midlands 36160.

Stagecoach Midlands 36160 in Hinckley bus station

We walked back through the bus station and we saw Hinckley Bus ALX200 MPD Dart 2200.

Hinckley Bus 2200 in Hinckley bus station

We walked back though the bus station and checked the timetable for the bus back to Nuneaton. We had seen one depart as we arrived so there was another one due in just less than 20 minutes. We decided to have a quick walk around so we could find a newsagent and buy some food. We headed along Lancaster Road to the traffic lights and we could see three buses on Regent Road. As we walked up we saw our first step entranced Hinckley Bus vehicle. It was Hinckley Bus 1912 on a #5 service to Three Pots.

Hinckley Bus 1912 in Regent Street Hinckley

This was followed by Hinckley bus 2201 on the #71 Burbage circular service.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Regent Street Hinckley

Finally we saw Hinckley bus Optare Solo 6100 on a #75 service to the Morrisons at Cloverfield.

Hinckley Bus 6100 in Regent Street Hinckley

We visited the shop on Regent Street and Matthew had a few cans of pop. a Galaxy Caramel and a flapjack. We started to head back to the bus station and we saw Roberts Coaches YX63 GXR on the #120 service to Coalville.

Roberts Coaches YX63 GXR in Hinckley

We headed back into the bus station and we sat down on a bench. Matthew ate his flapjack and then washed it down with a can of Barr Cola. The bus we should have caught was late. Whilst we waited we saw the #48 heading in the opposite direction towards Leicester. It was required Stagecoach Midlands 36173.

Stagecoach Midlands 36173 in Hinckley bus station

This was followed by the Arriva #158 service to Leicester. This was being worked by Arriva Midlands 3907.

Arriva Midlands 3907 in Hinckley bus station

It was sunny but very cold! The wind was quite strong and we were desperate for the bus to turn up. Matthew then decided we were going to go to the toilet. He had spotted the sign on Lancaster Road and we walked up to the top. We were going to go in when Matthew decided to go around to the side because he had spotted the disabled toilet so I got his key out and he used that toilet instead. Whilst we was in there he missed Hinckley bus 1910 heading down into Station Road. We walked back to the bus station and we saw Hinkley Bus 1912 returning from working it's #5 service.

Hinckley Bus 1912 in Hinckley bus station

Eventually around 20 minutes late we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 36166 on a Coventry bound #48.

Stagecoach Midlands 36166 in Hinckley bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. We set off out of town towards Nuneaton. We were passed by another #48 presumably we were on the service behind and that bus was running late. It was now gone 16:00 and we knew by the time we got back we would only have time for one out and back before it went dark. We carried on over the A5 and along hinckley Road into town. When we got to the bus station Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Stagecoach Midlands 36166.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 36166

We decided to take a few pictures until we found a bus worth catching. The first thing we saw was Stagecoach Midlands Optare Solo 47073 on a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 47073 in Nuneaton bus station

We turned that down hoping for something better. Stagecoach Midlands 36752 that had been on earlier was now on a #7 service to Whitestone. Next to this was required Stagecoach Midlands 47071 on a #2 service to Red Deeps.

Stagecoach Midlands 47071 in Nuneaton bus station

Around this time we saw dud Stagecoach Midlands 33397 arrive ready to work a #9 to Stockingford again. Also we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 34627 about to work a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 34627 in Nuneaton bus station

We decided to do the Dart, but we had to wait for the driver to ready the bus for service. In the meantime, we had out first Glimpse of the bus that we had originally intended to catch. It was required Hinckley Bus 2560 on the #86 service.

Hinckley Bus 2560 in Nuneaton bus station

The bus was now ready to go so we got on it and as we sat down Matthew got a picture of the empty rear of Stagecoach Midlands 34627.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 34627

The bus filled up and we set off out of town along Queens Road and onto Croft Road. We crossed over the canal before turning onto Tomkinson Road. We headed through the estate along Black-A-Tree Road. We headed up to Grove Farm before returning back toward Nuneaton along Ansley Road and Wiclif Way. When we got into Church road we got off at the same stop as we had got on the #10 earlier in the day. We crossed over the road to see when the next #9 was due. It happened to be in about a minute! Sure enough a minute later an Optare Solo rounded the corner. We knew it would be required as we have never done a Solo here before. It was required Stagecoach Midlands 47070.

Stagecoach Midlands 47070 in Stockingford

We got on and as expected Matthew beeped the horn of the Solo. The driver also briefly sounded some kind of siren! We headed back through Stockingford and back into town. When we got back Matthew photographed the inside of Stagecoach Midlands 47070.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 47070

When we got back it was time to head back to the car. Not before taking a few pictures on the way. One picture was of Travel de Courcey MAN eVolotion 544.

Travel de Courcey 544 in Nuneaton bus station

We headed back to the car via the multi-storey car park. Matthew wanted to say hello to someone. It was now raining heavily. When we got to the car mum had sausage baps waiting for us. We set off out of town along the A444 and onto the A5. We headed West on the A5 through Tamworth and Brownhills and south of Cannock before getting onto the Northbound M6. We headed up to Junction 15 and the we headed along Whitmore Road to the A34. We then headed into Longton along the A5035 so we could check out Z Carz. There were 4 buses parked up on the spare ground tonight. Closet was former Alton Towers coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Behind this was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO which was about to go out on duty.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

The there were 2 more coaches. Former Ausden Clark CNZ 3828, which is still sport an all over white livery.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

Next to this was the Blackwoods liveried coach,B12 FWS.

Z Carz B12 FWS in Longton

In the Willow Row compound there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. Here we saw Lightning Travel minibus T2 DLT we headed into Blurton and we got home around 19:15. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash followed by a slice of lemon meringue that mum had brought in Nuneaton. He then chilled out on his computer and went to bed around 00:50...Mark