Trip to Oakengates / Telford 12-04-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2962	Oakengates BS	Telford BS	7	Arriva Midlands
3311	Telford BS	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	4	Arriva Midlands
3312	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	Telford BS	4	Arriva Midlands
2145	Telford BS	Boseley, adj Garage	8	Arriva Midlands
2141	Boseley, opp Garage	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	8A	Arriva Midlands
3332	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	Telford BS	2	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Telford. Research consisted of looking on the Arriva Website to look at tickets and checking where we could eat and checking the weather which was for mainly dry and sunny weather. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had apple juice and toast for breakfast. We got ready and we set off to pick up uncle Dave around 11:50. We set off through Blurton and onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. After picking up uncle Dave we continued down Wheildon Road and under the railway line. We crossed over the canal and we joined the Northbound A500. we turned right onto City Road and back onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Hanford to the end of the A500. We turned left onto the A519 and we passed Longmile Coach 800 XPG coming the other way. We continued Southwards through Eccleshall and we ran down to the A41 Newport bypass. We joined the Southbound A518. We turned left onto the A4640 and we headed inti Oakengates. We park up in the the centre of town and we walked onto New Street and we turned left onto Market Street. We were looking for a cafe called the outpost. The map said it was behind market Street so we walked down a passageway. The cafe turned out to be on the 1st floor of a council building. We enetered the building and we went upstairs. Matthew went to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast with an extra sausage washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we wend out of the building and directly back to the car to pick up the trip bag. We said goodbye to mum and we walked back past the theatre and through to shopping arcade back to the bus station. We went to check out the toilets and they looked closed down. The disabled toilet still looked to be open so we used the key and we were surprised to see that this was being used as some kind of store room. We walked back to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Telford. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3330 on a #4 to Leegomary.

Arriva Midlands 3330 in Oakengates bus station

A few seconds later we saw a suitable bus approaching. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 2962 on a #7 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2962 in Oakengates bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Shropshire and telford Duo Day Saver tickets at £15 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran down Uxacona Way and by the railway station we turned left onto station Road. We crossed over the A442 and we ran East along the B5061 until we got to the A5. We went South over the M54 and we headed to Telford railway station. There we nobody there to get on or off the bus so we came straight back out and onto the roundabout. We crossed over the A442 and onto Hollinsgate before going forwards onto Grange Central. We turned right onto Northfield street and we ran into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we did a lap of the bus station and took a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 3323 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3323 in Telford bus station

We headed into the shopping centre and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we returned to the bus station and we had a look wat we could catch. We decided to head towards Madeley. A shirt time later we saw a bus on stand. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3311 on a #4 to Madeley.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Telford bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Shropshire and telford Duo Day Saver ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Northfield Street and Near to the ice rink. We ran forwards onto St Quintins Gate and we crossed the roundabout onto Stirchley Avenue and we ran down to the A442. We ran fast for 2/3rd of a mile and then forwards onto the A4169. We turned onto the Southbound B4373 and then right onto Woodside Avenue. We ran around the woodside housing estate and then forwards onto Eastbound B4373. At the roundabout we went onto Mound Way and we ran to the edge of Madeley. At the next roundabout we went onto Parkway and we past an Aldi. We bypassed Madeley town centre and we came in from the other end up High Street. When we got to the top we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3311 before it carried on towards Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Madeley

Once off the bus Mattew went to the toilet block around the corner and used the toilet. We spotted a gost sign on Court Street so we went over to investigate and we headed past the former Wesleyan church which is going to be converted into flats. On the way back to the bus stops we saw Arriva Midlands 3742 on a #2 Sutton Hill circular.

Arriva Midlands 3742 in Madeley

We went back to the bus stop by the toilet block. We considered catching the 100 service, but we saw it go up the High Street and miss the stop for some reason, It was Chaserider 6501 on the #100 to Wellington. We then waited for the #1 which for some reason also didn't turn up. We decied to go around the corner and catch the next #4 as we had been in Madeley for almost an hour. We went around the corner and a few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3312 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3312 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Mound Way. At the roundabout we went West along the B4373 before turning ritgh into Woodside Avenue. We ran around the Woodside estate before turning left onto the Northbound B4373. We ran up the the big roundabout and we turned right onto the A4169. We ran forwards onto the A442 and at the next junction we came off onto Stirchley Avenue. At the next roundabout we ran forwards onto St Quentins Gate and then forwards agin onto Northfield Street and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we got off the bus. We had a look around the bus station and we headed down to the bottom end. We saw Arriva Midlands 2145 awaiting time to work a #8 to Bridgnorth.

Arriva Midlands 2145 in Telford bus station

We had a walk around but it seem Matthew wanted to do the Bridgnorth service so we waited around for 20 odd minutes. Whilst we waited for the bus sto be readied for service, we saw Banga Travel YD63 UZY on a #891 to Wolverhampton.

Banga Travel YD63 UZY in Telford bus station

When it was time for the Bridgenorth bus it was as expected Arriva Midlands 2145. We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bu station and we turned right onto Northfield Street. We turned left onto Milners Lane and left onto Cemetery Road. We continued onto Bank Road and we turned right onto Concorde. We turned left onto Station Road and Right onto Martingale Way. We turned left onto the B5072 and we headed Westwards. We ran forwards onto Peppermill and into an unsual modern housing estate. We turned left onto Glendale and we followed the road to the left and headed Southwards. We turned right into a little triangle junction on which the bus stop was situated. We turned right onto the other side of the traingle and left to rejoined Glendale. We turned left onto Smallhill Road and we ran forwards onto The Crescent. We crossed a roundabout and we ran forwards onto Dawley Road. We continued onto Heath Hill and we turned right onto the B4373. We turned right on to Station Road and we ran past the Telford Steam Railway. We continued onto Bridge Road and we headed Eastwards. We ran forwards onto Wellington Road and we continued onto Ellens Bank. We ran onto Little Flin and forwards onto Lightmoor Way. We turned left onto the A4169 and we ran fast to the edge of Madeley. We turned right onto the B4373 and we turned left onto Parkway. We turned left onto Maddocks and left onto Park Avenue. We ran forwards onto High Street and after a brief stop we turned left onto Court Street. We turned left onto Parkway and we ran to the roundabout. We turned left onto the B4373 and we ran down the hill into Ironbridge Gorge. At the bottom of the hill there was a sharp left turn. In order to do the turn tou have to go around the rouandabout once as it would be impossible to do the turn otherwise. We continued Eastwards along the B4373 and we cross over the River Severn on the modern suspension bridge. We turned left onto Lloyds Head and we ran over a form railway level crossing onto Calcutts Road. We turned left to re-join the B4373 and we ran into Boseley. As wewere unsure where the bus coming the other way was we got up and got off the bus by the garage. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2145 as it continued towards Bridgenorth.

Arriva Midlands 2145 in Boseley

Once off the bus we crossed over the road to wait for the bus back towards Madeley. Whilst we waited we saw red minibus BG57 JTO parked up. We saw our bus heading into Pound Lane. After running to the end and turning around at turned back out onto the B4373. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2141 on a #8A to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2141 in Boseley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the B4373 and we ran towards Ironbridge Gorge. We turned right onto Calcutts Road and we headed back across the former railway level crossing onto Lloyds Head. We re-joined the B4373 and we crossed over the river Severn. We headed towards Ironbridge and at the roundabout we did the sharp right turn to continued along the B4373 and out of the valley. WE ran up the hill towards Madeley and at the roundabout we turned left onto Parkway. We turned left onto Maddocks and left onto Park Avenue. We ran forwards onto High Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2141 as it continued towards Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2141 in Madeley

Once off the bus we walked along Court Street to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we headed into the bar. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat and watch the Aresenal vs Brentford match on the TV for a while. When we had finished our drink we headed back along Court Street. We saw Chaserider 6502 awaiting time on a #100 to Wellington.

Chaserider 6502 in Madeley

We decided the next bus due that we hadn't already been on was a #2 service so we waited at the appropriate stop. A short time later the bus came around the corner. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 3332 on a #2 Sutton Hill circular service,

Arriva Midlands 3332 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Park Avenue and we ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. We re-joined the Northbound B4373 and we crossed the A4169 ponto Majestic Way. At the end of the road we re-joined the Northbound B4373 before turning left onto The Old Vicarage. We turned right onto Trinity Road and we followed the road around onto Deepfield Road. We turned left onto Manor Road and right onto Webb Crescent. We crossed over Finger Road onto New Street and we continued onto King Street. We turned right onto Johnston Road and left onto Eyton Road. We turned left onto Mount Road and right onto Brunel Road. We ran to the edge of town and we turned right at the roundabout onto Malinsgate and past the Severn Gorge pub. We ran onto Northfield Stre and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around and took a few pictures. We headed out onto the road and as we were approaching mum appeared in the car. We got in the car and we set off along Northfield Street. We turned left onto Grange Central and we ran forwards onto Hollingstgate. We crossed over the A442 onto the A5 and we saw Brit Coaches BU18 YMP. We turned left onto Redhill Way and we crossed the roundabout onto Donnington Wood Way. We followed the road into Muxton and we stopped at Wellington Road and into the car park. I went across the road and bought food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Irn Bru. After I had finished eating we turned right onto Wellington Road and right onto Donnington Wood Way. We turned right onto the A518 and we headed towards Newport. At the edge of town we turned left onto the A41 on the Newport bypass. After a couple of junctions we turned right onto the A519. We headed through Forton and Woodseaves and into Eccleshall. We continued along the A519 through Cotes Heath and Beech. We reached Hanchurch and we joined the Northboud A500. We ran through Hanford and into Stoke and we turned right onto City Road. We headed back South on the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road past the old Board Products factory which is being converted into a new soft play place. We stopped at uncle Dave's so that Mattew could use the toilet and update uncle Dave's calendar with today's trip. He also had some of uncle Rod's Fanra orange. When we had finished we got in the car and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton just after 20:00. Matthew had his medication and afterwards chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew got ready for bed. Later on Matthew had a french fancy and a can of Irn Bru. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Soutport 06-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
7639	Kew P&R	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	PR2	Arriva NW&W
3312	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	Ainsdale, adj Vale Crescent	49	Arriva NW&W
15468	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	Crossens, on Preston New Road	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
3312	Crossens, on Rufford Road	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
3088	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	Southport, Hill Street (Stop FB)	49	Arriva NW&W
3044	Southport, Bold Street (Stop FA)	Crossens, on Preston New Road	44	Arriva NW&W
15468	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
7639	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	Kew P&R Southport	PR2	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Southport. Last year we had gone to Southport on the Grand National weekend, as we had found out on the Dennis Dart Forum that some of Southport's newer buses had gone to the races to help out with racing shuttle buses. This year we found out the the buses had been sourced from other depots, but there had been some interesting working during the week so we decided to go there anyway. Other than checking the forum, we checked the weather out for today. It was forecast for sunny cool weather, 7'. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We had found out before we had even set off that Arriva NW&W Olympian 3312 was working on the #49 service and 7639 was on the PR2 service. We set off around 11:40 and drove down Stanley Matthews Way. We then joined the A50 and then went onto the Northbound A500 passing City Buses & Coaches LV02 ODL North of Etruria. On the M6 traffic was slow due to an accident. After we passed the accident north of the A54 the traffic eased up and we carried on North. We came of the M6 at the M58 and then we headed North West along the A570. We decided to stop at the Omskirk Morrisons for dinner as we have before. We went to the toilet and then Matthew had a breakfast followed by lemon meringue all washed down with a Coke. After dinner we we carried on along the A570 to the edge of Southport before we turned into the Kew Park and ride site where 7639 was waiting to work. We quickly got a ticket and then Matthew took a picture of this required Marshall Dart.

Arriva NW&W 7639 in Kew

It was empty at this point so Matthew got a picture inside of the bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7639

We set off North through the quieter streets of southhort following 7656 on a #43 service. it didn't take long to get into town. We decided to get off at the London Street stop and walked to the railway station to buy Saveaway tickets. We walked onto lord Street and looked up and down to see if we could see a double decker on the #49. At that point we couldn't so we crossed over with the intention of heading the Crossens to see if we passed 3312. As we waited we spotted it in the distance heading South, so we quickly crossed over to catch it. We got to the stop with a few seconds to spare and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast!

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Southport

When we got on it was empty upstairs so Matthew got his empty us picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3312

As it was heading South we decided to do it to Woodvale. We had never been passed the Co-op in Ainsdale before so we were going to head into uncharted territory. We crossed over the railway at Ainsdale and then headed back inland along Kenilworth Road. We crossed the Liverpool Road and headed into the estate before turning back towards Liverpool Road on Woodvale Road. We decided to get off here and take a few pictures.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Woodvale

We then crossed over Liverpool Road to wait for a bus North. After watching 3312 head north, We check the timetable and we saw that an X2 service sound have been past. As we hadn't seen one we assumed it was running a few minutes late. Sure enough, a coupe of minutes later we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching from the South. It was required Stagecoach Ribble 15468.

Stagecoach Ribble 15468 in Woodvale

We got on and sat upstairs. We decided to do this to Crossens so we could use the toilet and check out buses on the #42/44 services too. As we headed north we passed required Arriva NW&W 7643 on a #44 service. As we went through Southport the bus emptied a little and he took a picture inside 15468.

Inside Stagecoach Ribble 15468

It was now just after 16:00. On Lord Street the bus started to fill up again and by the time we had reached the top of Lord Street there were quite a few people on the top deck. We carried on North and ten got off at the roundabout in Crossens. We crossed the road and then we saw Arriva Marshall Dart 7637 about to work a #42.

Arriva NW&W 7637 in Crossens

As it wasn't required Matthew went to the toilet and let this bus go. We also saw Cumfybus MX04 VME whizz by heading South.

Cumfybus MX04 VME in Crossens

We decided to look out for the next #49 and it was 3312 again, having caught up with us. We decided to do it again as it was such a great bus and took a picture and then got on.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Crossens

As it was the start of the service it was empty and we sat further back and he took a picture facing forward this time.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3312

We decided to do this just to High Park. We did 3312 the mile or so down to High Park and then got off and took another picture.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in High Park

We should have checked a timetable as there wasn't a bus due for another 20 minutes so we decided to go to the shop and catch required 3088 which we knew was on the following #49. In the shop Matthew brought some coke and a galaxy caramel bar. We walked back to the same stop and had a bus stop picnic. We also saw Arriva NW&W 3084 heading north on the next #49. After a few minutes required Arriva NW&W Pulsar2 3088 turned up.

Arriva NW&W 3088 in High Park

The bus was already reasonably loaded and we got off at the top of Lord Street. Matthew was feeling a little grumpy and didn't want to get straight onto a bus. First he visited and Italian restaurant to say hello to one of their customers and use their toilet, next he wanted to stop at an ice cream palour and sit outside and have a cone. When he had finished we walked 10 yards to the stop to wait for a bus. It was 17:00 and we knew we would only get one ore round trip in. First there was 3041 on a #47 which we turned down as it was quite full and wasn't required having been done last June. We decided to do the following #44 and we didn't require that one either which is quite unlucky considering how few of the Pulsar2's we have been on. We got a picture of 3044 and got on it.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Southport

We had previously been on 3044 on the Grand national weekend last year. We did the bus North which was also reasonably well filled and we got off at the end of the run in Crossens, Matthew photographed the bus empty before he got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3044

We crossed over the road and as the sun was in a good position he got a better picture of the outside of 3044.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Crossens

We went to the toilet and when he came out we spotted a Wrigt Renown on the #49 so we went up to investigate. It was required Arriva 2723. We went to the front to get a picture and then it pulled off.

Arriva NW&W 2723 in Crossens

We did try and catch the bus after it had rounded the roundabout but the stop is no longer in use. We went back onto the main road wait for a bus back and we saw there was a X2 due. Unluckily for us it was Stagecoach Ribble 15468 again! We got back into Southport and we met up with mum again. We walked back to the London Street stop and we waited for the PR2 service which was due at 18:12. Whist we waited we saw 7654 on a Carr Lane bound #43 service which we had back in July 2011.

Arriva NW&W 7654 in Southport

We also saw 7651 on a #44 to Formby a bus which we ad also prevously been on back in February 2011.

Arriva NW&W 7651 in Southport

Around 18:12 7639 appears on the PR2 service. We get on and Matthew takes a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7639

As we leave town we pass required Arriva 2343 on a #43 High Park service. We carry on down to the park and ride and Matthew uses the toilet before we get back in the car. We set off down the A570, through Ormskirk and onto the M58, We soon reached the M6 and traffic was light at this tie of the evening. As we headed south we passed a couple of coaches. bakerbus 202 was one coach and the other was Paul Watson Travel BXZ 8360 which he managed to get a good picture of out of the car window.

Paul Watson Travel BXZ 8360 on the M6

We joined the Southbound A500 and then we did the A50 to Longton to go view the Z Carz depot. Tonight it was all minibuses such as YE52 UZX from the taxi fleet.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

Also from the taxi fleet was Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

A bus that he once had to college for a few days was there, Volkswagon minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

His main school transport for a few years was also there too, LDV minibus W591 YBN.

Z Carz W591 YBN in Longton

We then drove down Longton Hall Road and home getting back around 20:00. For a late tea Matthew had sausage and mash followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime, going to bed just after 00:00...Mark