Trip to Crewe / Congleton 02-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2623	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4476	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4491	Crewe BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4490	Congleton BS	Sandbach, o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
2608	Sandbach, o/s Common	Elworth nr railway station	37A	Arriva NW&W
2614	Elworth adj railway station	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine & showers, with the weather being better to the South and West. Other research involved checking the GHA & Cheshire East sites to see if the GHA #84 service still ran. We gave Matthew a list of places to visit and from the list Matthew surprisingly chose Crewe. Matthew got up around 10:00 and I forgot to give him breakfast! We set off around 11:40 and we ran onto the A5035. As we turned into Stanley Matthew Way we saw D&G 170 on a #14 service. We traveled North up to the A50 and we went West to Sideway. We then turned right onto the A500 and we headed North. We passed an unidentified AC Williams coach and we crossed under the M6 and we carried on Westwards. On the single lane section of the A500 we passed Routemaster Buses RML2515 going the other way. We turned right onto David Whitby Way and then left onto the A532. We followed the road around to left past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. As we traveled up the road we past required Arriva NW&W 4106 on a #37 to Northwich. We also past a shop called Total Tile & Bathrooms where there was a lady mannequin sitting on a toilet! We followed the road into town and left onto Delamere Street past the bus station. We whizzed around the street to Asda and we parked up. We walked around the corner to Vernon's Fish Bar and after Matthew had used the toilet he had sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished we left mum to pay the bill and we walked around the corner into the bus station and we saw D&G Solo SR 103 on a #12 to Shavington.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We turned the corner and we saw Arriva NW&W 4477 which had broken down and was about to get towed away, and GHA Solo CN06 BXS which was about to work a #44 to Nantwich.

GHA CN06 BXS in Crewe bus station

We walked down to the other end of the bus station and we saw First Potteries 67633 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67633 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station were Arriva NW&W 4100 on a #37 service and 2617 was on layover by the old garage. We were hoping to see the 13:03 #84 service to Chester, but it appeared not be running today. On stand was required Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Crewe bus station

In the absence of the GHA bus, we decided to do Arriva buses instead. We got on the bus and we booked an Arriva Day Saver ticket at £5.30 and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went along Delamere Street and around the corner onto Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edleston Road and we passed required Arriva NW&W 894 on the #6 service. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A534 and we headed West. After traveling a couple of miles we turned left onto Wistaston Road and just before he level crossing we turned right onto Coppice Road. At the end of the road we re-joined the westbound A534 and we crossed over A51 at the Peacock Roundabout. Just before town we turned right onto Millstone Lane passing Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #84 to Crewe. By the tractor shop, we turned left onto Beam Street. We passed Marks & Spencer's and the library and we entered the bus station. Matthew didn't take a picture inside the Arriva bus... For some reason a few of the passenger though it was a through bus to Chester and just sat there and didn't move! We got of the bus and we spotted an interesting looking GHA minibus. We walked over to the other side of the bus station and we saw GHA Mercedes minibus X996 AHT.

GHA X996 AHT in Nantwich bus station

We saw GHA Solo SR 1201 on the #52 to Sainsbury's, and then we headed into town. We walked down Market Street and into the market and we went to the toilet. After we used the toilet we stopped at the stall where Matthew usually has a few sweets from, but it was now a workwear and safety equipment stall. We asked if there was a sweet still in the market and it turned out it had moved next door! Talk about having tunnel vision! We brought a few spearmint chews and then we walked back to the bus station. We considered what to do next. We had planned on going forwards to Chester, but there was a large crowd at stand C waiting for the bus, presumably because the GHA bus hadn't run. The bus was due at 14:02 and when it turned up it was dud Arriva NW&W single decker 2617. We decided to turn it down and do the next bus back to Crewe which was an #84 from Chester. A few minutes later the bus rolls in and it was required Arriva NW&W 4476.

Arriva NW&W 4476 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus pulled out of the bus station just as dud Arriva NW&W 2613 came in which would work the next #84 back to Crewe. We went East along Beam Street and we turned right onto Millstone Lane and the left onto the A534. We ran out of Nantwich and we crossed the Peacock Roundabout carrying on Eastwards. We turned into Willaston along Coppice Road and at the end we turned left onto Wistaston Road. We rejoined the A534 and we ran a couple of miles into Crewe before we turned left into Edleston Road. We ran along the long straight road and we went over the Chester railway line onto Chester Bridge before the bus followed the road around onto Delamere Street. We turned right into the bus station and we let the bus empty out before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4476.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4476

We got off the bus and immediately we saw required Arriva NW&W 4491 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Crewe bus station

We decided to do this bus, and Matthew wanted to do it to Congleton, so we got on and we flashed the Arriva Day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. This was the last required bus of the batch of three 'Sapphire' buses that work on the #38 service. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We followed the road aroundto the right onto Chester Bridge and we crossed the railway line and onto Edleston Road. At the end of the long straight road we turned left onto the A534 and we ran past the railway station ans past B&Q. We traveled Eastwards along Crewe Road. We went through Haslington and Winterley and further North through Wheelock Heath. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock where we saw Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Crewe. We ran over the canal and into Sandbach town center past Sandbach School. When we got to the Common we stopped for a short while and we saw Arriva NW&W 2618 on a #37A to Sandbach. Around 15:10 we set off out of the Common onto Congleton Road. We joined the A534 and we crossed over the M6 and into open countryside. I had now got the phone to work downloading the Arriva mobile App and we worked out that we could go to Congleton and have around 10 minutes before returning on the next #38 towards Crewe (or wait another hour!). We carried on through open countryside and we crossed over the Arclid crossroads. On the edge of Congleton we joined the A34 and we ran East along the road for a short while before going onto West Street. We entered town along Antrobus Street, Mill Street and Mountbatten Way. We turned right into Market Street, past the Bear Grills cafe and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4491 before it carried on towards Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Congleton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet and I asked someone if there was a public toilet nearby. There was one just around the corner and then I remembered when we used to come to Congleton regularly we used it all the time! We used the toilet and the couple of minutes we were in there uncle Dave got slightly wet as it had started to rain. By the time we had both come out it had stopped raining! we started to walked down to stand 1 where the Arriva Bus App instructed u to go to, and on the way we saw GHA Enviro200 1407 on a #42 to Crewe.

GHA 1407 in Congleton bus station

We also saw GHA 'Beartown' branded 1471 on a #90 town circular service. As we walked down to stand 1 we saw the bus approaching of Mountbatten Way. It was another 'Sapphire' branded bus so we knew that it wouldn't be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4490.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Congleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. As we had passed the #38 just the other side of Sandbach, and we had also seen the #37A to Northwich which connect into the #38 in both directions, we decided to got to Sandbach to get the #37A north to the railway station, before coming back South on the following #37 to Crewe. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned left onto Mill Street and we climbed the hill, turning right onto West Street. At the roundabout we went straight onto the A34 and at the following junction we went straight ahead onto the A534. We went out of town through West Heath and then out into open countryside. We crossed the A50 at the Arclid crossroads and we passed a large lake. It was now bright sunshine as we crossed the M6, where we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach going North. On the west side of the m6 we left the A534 and turned right onto Congleton Road and we ran into Sandbach Common. As we were getting up the bus behind us emptied out so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4490.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4490

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4490 before it carried on towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Sandbach

As we had run around, had seen the bus that was going to be the #37A... It was dud Arriva NW&W 2608. It wasn't due off for another 10 minutes so we visited McColls to do a bit of shopping for Matthew. We brought a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a a pack of Milky Ways. We paid for the good and we walked down to our bus to get a picture, Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Sandbach

We sat down at the bus stop and Matthew ate cadbury's Snack, sharing some of it with me but not with uncle Dave for some reason. Whilst we were there we saw A&A minibuses transit YLZ 1348. A few minutes later the bus pulled on stand and we got on Arriva NW&W 2608. We flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver, and as the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2608.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2608

Sandbach railway station is a round a mile out of the town centre in the Elworth area. The bus set off out of the Common. We passed the town hall and we joined the A533 and we went West. A mile or so along the road just before the railway station, we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Elworth

We crossed the road and we stood at the bus stop to wait for the next bus to Crewe. We were hoping that it was going to be required Arriva NW&W 4106, which we had seen on the #37 earlier in the day. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was another Centro single decker, there was only a 1 in 6 chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2614.

Arriva NW&W 2614 in Elworth

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A533 and we went into Sandbach town centre and around the Common. After a brief stop we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and Crewe Green and forwards onto the A534. We ran past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. We entered Crewe town centre and we followed the road around onto Delamere Street. When we got into the bus station we got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the few uses that were still in the bus station. On an adjacent stand we saw D&G 121.

D&G 121 in Crewe bus station

We headed back through the bus station and onto Victoria Street and into Adsa car park where mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew also had the bottle of Irn Bru from the bag which we had purchased earlier. We set off out off the car park and around town via Flag lane, Alton Street and Derrington Avenue. As we approached Edleston Road we saw an unidentified Burland Coach heading into town. We turned right onto Edleston Road and at the end we turned left onto the A534. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto the A532 past the Brocklebank pub. At the next roundabout we turned right onto David Whitby Way and across the roundabout and at the end we turned left onto the A500. We ran onto the single lane section of the road and then we crossed under the M6. As we traveled down we passed an unidentified silver Happy Als coach and an unidentified Waltons coach. At Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. In the first row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest minibus was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound tonight. Closest to the gate was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we ran up to heron Cross before turning left onto Blurton Road. We stopped in Blurton by the shops for a short while and then we continued along Blurton Road and then right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just before 18:00. For a late tea a had chicken, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Crewe / Tarporley 26-03-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
LJ04 LGK	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	C84	Routemaster Buses
LJ04 LGK	Nantwich BS	Tarporley. o/s Rising Sun PH	C84	Routemaster Buses
LJ04 LGK	Tarporley, o/s Shops	Crewe, Opp Earl of Crewe	C84	Routemaster Buses

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. On the Friday we found out that Routemaster Buses were suspending there C84 service, so we decided to get up to Crewe to try and ride on a few of there buses before it happened. We had checked the weather and it was for heavy rain all over the North West and the Midlands. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We had to pop up to Hanley on the way, so we set off around 11;30. We drove down Beaconsfield Drive and left onto Church Road. At Critchlow's Corner we went forwards onto Blurton Road. We crossed over the A50 and at Heron Cross lights we turned left. We turned right at Smithpool Road an as we we joined city road we saw First Potteries 42554 on a #23A to Newstead. We went down City Road and we joined the A52. As we stopped at the lights near to the railway station Happy Days mini coach 229 came up the inside of us to turned onto Station Road. We continued onto Joiners Square and at the roundabout we turned left onto Lichfield Street. At the ring road we turned right and we ran around to the Intu Potteries shopping centre and we parked outside in the street in a loading by whilst mum ran in to a shop to return an item. We set off back around onto the ring road and we ran down to the bottom of Waterloo Road. At Cobridge we turned left onto the A53 and we ran down to the A500. We went North on the A500 and we passed Space Bus P246 UCW. At the Mr we went straight across and we carried on a couple of junctions and we overtook Paul's of Stoke M41 KCU. We took the new road under the Alsager line and we came up to the roundabout turning left onto the A534. By the side of the railway station we saw another Happy Days coach 225. We turned right at Edleston Street and we ran down to Delamere Street and past the bus station. We wound around the streets and we parked up at Asda. For dinner we went to Vernon's fish bar. After Matthew went to the toilet we ordered him sausage, chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating we paid and we said goodbye to mum. We had missed the 13:05 departure, and we had around 40 minutes to wait for the nest Routemaster Buses bus. whilst we waited we took a few bus pictures. We saw D&G Buses 103 on a #1B to Nantwich.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We also saw Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK which we assumed was going to be the 14:05 C84 departure to Chester.

Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK in Crewe bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 service.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Crewe bus station

On layover across the was was Arriva NW&W 4104.

Arriva NW&W 4104 in Crewe bus station

On the following #84 service was Arriva NW&W double decker 4476.

Arriva NW&W 4476 in Crewe bus station

We walked up the other end of the bus station and we saw D&G Buses 102 on a #8A to Sydney Drive.

D&G 102 in Crewe bus station

Down the side of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W Solo SR 708 on a #6 service.

Arriva NW&W 708 in Crewe bus station

We walked back up to the other end of the bus station and we sat down to wait for the 14:05 departure. Matthew had a Cadbury's Snack bar which he shared with me and uncle Dave. Just before the bus was due we got up up and had a wander around. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 2626.

Arriva NW&W 2626 in Crewe bus station

We also saw Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT arrive on the 12:35 C84 departure from Chester. The bus emptied out and headed up the top corner to go on layover.

Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT in Crewe bus station

Once the bus had gone up to the top corner Routemaster Buses double decker LJ04 LGK came off layover and onto the stand. We got on the bus and we booked day tickets at £5.00 each. The bus was empty so Matthew photographed the empty lower saloon.

Inside Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK

We went upstairs and Matthew also took a picture inside the empty top decker too before we sat down.

Inside Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK

We set off out of the bus station and onto Delamere Street. We followed the road around to the right and over the old railway bridge and forwards onto Edleston Street. At the end we turned right onto Nantwich road. We continued West for a couple of miles before we turned left onto Wistaston Road. We traveled down for about a quarter of a mile towards the level crossing before we turned right onto Coppice Road. We turned left back onto the A534 and we traveled down to The Peacock roundabout. We carried on across the roundabout over the Nantwich by-pass and we ran around 1/2 a mile to the Eastern edge of town we turned right onto the B5074 and left onto Beam Street. We passed M&S and the library and we entered Nantwich bus station. As we entered the bus station we saw Kee travel coach 0006 KEE depart the bus station and we saw GHA minibus EEZ 2362 parked up being used for drivers. We decied to go forwards towards tarporley to see what the next turn was. we saw Routemaster buses Dart PL05 PLN come into the bus station but we weren't sure what this bus was working. The town centre was busy today. We had forgotten that it was the Nantwich Jazz Festival this weekend. We set off back onto Beam Street and we went through the town centre. As it was busy we were delayed a few minutes leaving town. We went through the traffic lights and over the river onto Welsh Row. We went under the canal and we went forwards onto the A51. we went past Snugbury's and into Wardle. We crossed over the railway line at Calverley and forwards into the village of Alpraham. We joined the A49 and a few yard up the road we left the main road to run into Tarporley. We passed the garage with the Spar shop and at the next stop we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK as it carried on towards Chester.

Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK in Tarporley

Once off the bus we had around 10 minutes for the return service in theory. We gave Matthew a choice of going to the pub and using the toilet or going across the road and going to the Co-operative food to do some shopping. Matthew chose to do shopping... Before we crossed the road we saw required Arriva NW&W 4477 on a #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4477 in Tarporley

We crossed the road and we went into the Co-operative Food store. Matthew had a can of Coke and a couple of small bottles of pop as well as a couple of chocolate bars. After we had finished paying we went outside and Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet after all. We crossed back over to The Rising Sun and Matthew went to the toilet. We came out of the pub and it was raining. I think Matthew wanted to stay in the pub but with an hourly service we could afford to miss this bus. We crossed the road and we walked down towards the bus stop. On the way Matthew went into a coffee shop called Latte Da to say hello to someone and then we went into the bus stop. There was only a few minutes to wait for our bus in theory... It was due at 15:11... The late running 15:06 GHA service #84 to Crewe appeared around 15:16 being worked by Centro CA07 GHA.

GHA CA07 GHA in Tarporley

There was an Arriva bus due around 15:40... We waited for close to 30 minutes for the Routemaster Buses service to appeared but it was a no show. We decided to go back to the pub and have a drink to get out of the rain and we could then come out for the 16:11 which should definitely be running as was booked to be Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK returning. We fought our way through the rain back up the High Street and we dived into The Rising Sun again. Me and Matthew had a glass of Coke and uncle Dave had some crisps, but Matthew wouldn't let him eat them! He wouldn't even let us put the crisps in the bag I had to put them in my coat pocket. Whilst in the pub the rain came down pretty hard. I think it was a good decision to go to the pub. Just after 16:00 Matthew went to the toilet again and we saw the unidentified Arriva double decker on the #84 to Crewe running over 20 minutes late. Chester traffic can be a nightmare on a Saturday afternoon... We stood up at the bus stop as the rain had soaked the seats. When we first got there there was a river running down the street. As the rain eased off it got down to a mere trickle. The bus appeared around five late and as expected it was Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK.

Routemaster Buses LJ04 LGK in Tarporley

We got on the bus and we flashed the day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. There were quite a few people on the bus, but not many upstairs. there had been a few more as the windows were are misted up. We opened a window to try and de-mist the bus windows a little. We set off down the High Street and onto the A49. At the traffic lights we went straight across onto the A51 and we went through Alpraham and Calverley. We crossed the railway line and we went out into open countryside before passing through Wardle. We passed the Snugbury's ice cream and we went through Acton along the B5341 and into Nantwich town centre along Welsh Row. We crossed the river and as we waited at the traffic light we saw an unidentified Alfa Coach turning the corner to go South. We crossed the lights and we turned right into the bus station where we saw GHA Solo YJ54 ZYF & D&G Buses 101 on the #1B service. We left the bus station and we went onto Beam Street and around the Eastern side of town. We joined Crewe Road and we went East to the Peacock roundabout. we carried on along the A534 before turning right onto Coppice Road. At the end we turned left onto Wistaston Road and we re-joined the A534. We considered the doing the 17:05 from Crewe back to Nantwich. It was now getting close to 17:05 so we thought that if the bus was going to swap at Crewe we would need to get off to intercept it. As we got to the edge of Crewe by the shops on Nantwich Road we got up and got off the bus. The bus carried on towards Crewe bus station and we crossed the road to the stop outside Aldi. The bus etop timetable said that the Routemaster Buses bus was due at 17:09. Whilst we where there we saw GHA Centro CA07 GHA on the #84 to Chester again.

GHA CA07 GHA in Crewe

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2625 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 2625 in Crewe

We decided to give up on today so we called mum to come and pick us up. Five minutes later she arrived from where she was parked in Crewe town centre. We jumped in the car where Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We turned around and we went back down the A534 we turned right just after the railway station onto the Weston Road By the Brewers Fayre pub The Brocklebank We took the new road down to the A500. We went East under the M6 and down to Sideway where we took the eastbound A50 up to Longton. At Z Carz this evening there were more than usual parked up on the spare ground. This was probably down to it being the Easter weekend. Towards the back of the front row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Further down the row we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Next to the Mercedes was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

At the end of this row was Z Carz MV53 KKD.

Z Carz MV53 KKD in Longton

last on the spare ground was Z Carz Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

We turned left into Wilow Row to see what was in the compound. With it still being daylight we were able to see more of the buses today. The first we could see was Z Carz PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Finally was saw Z Carz Airport Division minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

As we were turning the car we also saw Z Carz HK57 LGW which was parked on the road.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we drove West up to Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We then turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive getting home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had sausage, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark