Trip to Hanley / Tunstall 30-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
43876	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle BS	22	First Potteries
31518	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	X25	First Potteries
164	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	20	Bakerbus
60202	Tunstall, adj stop B	Hanley, adj stop J1‎	20	First Potteries

Today we decided to have a local trip out to try and ride on a required First Potteries double decker or two. It was half term from college and I was working monrnings. Matthew got up at 10:30 and toast and orange juice for breakfast. He also had some crab paste sandwiches just after 12:00. I arrived home at around 12:45 and having seen what buses were going to be working the 13:00 from Blurton (43876) and the 13:15 from Blurton (60196) up to Newcastle, I decided we could do required First Potteries 43876. We set off just before 13:00 and walked all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road to wait for the bus. As we waited for the bus we saw Wardle Transport 2963 on the PLumline and JayJays Travel RX57 POV parked up. A minute or so late we saw as expected required First Potteries 43876 round the corner.

First Potteries 43876 in Blurton

We got on and booked to Newcastle, then sat down near the back. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we turned toward Trentham. Here we passed dud First Potteries 40180 on another #22 towards Longton. We also passed First Potteries 40010 on the other #22 in Trent Vale, Wardle Transport 2211 on the #41 service in the Hospital and First Potteries 40150 on the afternoon #22/22A turn just outside of Newcastle on the A34. As we approaches the bus station we could see that there were a couple of step entranced First buses in the bus station. The bus pulled into the bus station and we waited for the bus to Empty so Matthew could get a picture inside First Potteries 43876 too.

Inside First Potteries 43876

A few stands up from where we arrived First Potteries 34285 was on an unidentified service. We turned it down because we had been on the bus to Biddulph on the #99 back in August. We walked around to the exit of the bus station and we saw that First Potteries 34285 was departing on a #98 to Ball Green. On layover (presumably from working a #32A dupe to & from Alton Towers) was dud First Potteries 34158.

First Potteries 34158 in Newcastle bus station

We only needed 2 more First step entranced buses that we could still get. One was First Potteries 38125 which until the recent #25A service had been ultra rare and only worked on one or two different occasions until this October. The other was First Potteries 31518 which always seem to be on the Alton Towers service when we weren't able to catch it. It was then we saw First Potteries 31518 come into the bus station with a paper X25 sticker on the front.

First Potteries 31518 in Newcastle bus station

We were going to catch this bus whichever way it was going, but we were delighted when we asked the driver and he said he was going to Hanley. The bus was reasonably well filled and we went upstairs. The bus stayed in the bus station for a few minutes and as we left the bus station we saw First Potteries 34286 on an unidentified service. The buses headed up George Street and into Hartsill. We passed one of the 'new' double deckers from east Anglia on a #25 and then we headed down into Stoke. In Stoke we saw the 3rd Alexander bodied Volvo 34288 working a Keele bound X25 service. We headed out of Stoke town centre and past the railway station and up through Shelton. The bus went past the Hinde Street park and ride site and then onto the ring road towards Broad Street. As we waited to turn onto broad Street we saw a 6th step entranced First double decker working. It was First Potteries 34311 on a #34 service into Hanley. We headed into Hanley town centre and then into the bus station. When the bus arrived we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture of the top deck of First Potteries 31518.

Inside First Potteries 31518

We got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet.We decided the leave the bus station and go and get some chips so we could stand in the John Street car park and watch buses. We decided to stop on the way to the chip shop and get another picture of 31518 on the X25. We stopped at the entrance of the bus station and waited for a couple of minutes. We then got another picture of First Potteries 31518.

First Potteries 31518 in Hanley bus station

We walked down to the chip shop and brought a portion of chips and 3 cans of pop. We then walked back to John Street car park and we were passed by Moore's coach M600 JCP, We stood in the car park and ate the chips between us. Matthew drank a can of dandelion and burdock and I had a can of Pepsi. We stopped and took a few pictures. On layover was Bakerbus Streetlite MX12 DZA. We also saw Wardle Transport 2217 on the X51 to Cheadle. We also saw Wardle Transport 4809 on the #16 to Leek, Wardle transport 4898 on the #19 to Bradeley. We then walked down to the bus station to see if we could catch something else interesting. We then saw Wardle Transport 3419 on a #46 to Blurton, and had it not been heading towards home we probably would have done this required step entranced Scania. We then saw step entranced Volvo B10 Bakerbus 164 arrive on a #5 from Abbey Hulton. It was already displaying #20 for it's next turn to Tunstall.

Bakerbus 164 in Hanley bus station

The bus had a short layover so we sat down and waited for the bus to arrive on stand P. Whilst we waited we saw a couple of the 'new' double deckers in service. First Potteries 37156 was on a X25 to Keele and first Potteries 37158 was on a #20A to Kidsgrove. Just before it's due time a late running #101 Stafford service pulled onto stand P so we had to watch to see where our bus was going. just before it's due time it pulled onto and adjacent stand and we got on it. The bus was quite well filled and it set off through Hanley. On Stafford Street we saw First Potteries 41070 which appeared to have broken down as it Pulled off the stop! We had only see this bus leave 10 minutes earlier on the #18 to Leek. The bus went through Cobridge and the traffic was heavy up to Burslem. The heating on this bus worked very well... A little too well so we had to open a window. A short bus lane in the centre of the road which I can't remember seeing before seemed to help a little to get the bus through the traffic. After we left Burslem the bus made good time. When the bus got up to the last stop on Tunstall High Street the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this fine beast.

Inside Bakerbus 164

When Matthew got off the bus he decided to visit a cafe on the High Street. He used the toilet and then I brought him a can of Coke to take out. He decided he wanted to sit in and also that he wanted a piece of toffee Cheesecake too! After we had eaten we crossed the road to catch something back to Hanley. Wardle Transport 2962 was on a #91 to Newcastle.As we walked up to the stop we saw a First bus pull up behind it. It was dud First Potteries 60202, which we decided to do anyway.

First Potteries 60202 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and sat near the back. There wasn't many passengers on the bus. Dud First Potteries 60078 was running just in front of us on a #29A. We headed into Burlsem and then up through Cobridge. We got back a lot quicker than we did going the other way as the road was much clearer. Due to a road closure around the town hall went all around Hanley on the ring road before turning into the bus station near the fire station. We got into Hanley and as the bus was emptying on John Street we decided to get off there. Matthew got a picture inside the bus as we got off.

Inside First Potteries 60202

We had arranged to meet mum in the car park. Whilst we waited for her to turn up we took a few pictures of buses. First Potteries 61143 was seen parked up in the layover area.

First Potteries 61143 in Hanley bus station

Wardle Transport 3611 was seen on the X50 and then we saw Wardle Transport 2543 on a #46 to Blurton.

Wardle Transport 2543 in Hanley bus station

We also saw Wardle Transport 3152 coming off the #118 from Buxton.

Wardle Transport 3152 in Hanley bus station

Mum turned up and we headed into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. We left Hanley down Lichfield Street and then we went across Joiners Square onto Victoria Road. In fenton we joined City Road and then headed down to duke Street on the A50 link Road. On Duke Street we saw City Buses & Coaches R774 AKN. We picked up uncle Dave and headed into Longton to see what was visible on the land adjacne to the Z Carz depot. Today we saw Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z carz S952 VMY in Longton

In front of this was Z Carz coach M534 RSO.

Z carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to that was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z carz D104 XAN in Longton

We then headed back to Blurton along the A5035. We stopped at Aldi to pick up some oatcakes and orange juice and chips from the chip shop.and then we headed home along the A5035. We got home around 17:00. Matthew had chips sausage and gravy from the chips for his tea followed by a toffee flavoured yogurt. He chilled out on his computer for an hour or two and then we went around to uncle Daves house. We set off through Blurton and dropped mum off with a friend on Blurton Road. We the headed through Heron Cross into Fenton. At uncle Daves we ate custard creams and drank Fanta orange whilst watching the telly and listening to music and watching music videos. around 10:00 we set off home via heron Cross picking mum up on the way back. We got home around 22:15. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Newcaslte / Hanley 06-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40144	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Longton TI	22	First Potteries
61235	Longton TI	Newcastle BS	26A	First Potteries
34288	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
42	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	31	Scraggs Blue Buses

Today we decided to go to Newcastle to see if there were any of First's step entranced double deckers out in service today. Matthew got up around 09:00 and went to Go Eat in dreseden with mum to get something to eat. They went up to it along the A5035. of the the A5035 we went passed the z carz depot. Passing Z Carz we saw D104 XAN and W344 WNS and OV05 WSW. For a late breakfast Matthew had sausages, bacon, eggs and been with toast. After they had finished they drove home back along the A5035. On the way back we saw Copeland's Tours coach MIB 536. I arrived home from work around 12:45 and I had some dinner. Around 13:30 we set of to Ladybank Grove to see what was working towards Longton. First potteries 40144 was working on the #22/22A turn and Wardle Transport 2259 was working on the new #46 service. Matthew had been on both of these buses before. We had done 2259 in Uttoxeter when it was in Arriva colours back in October 2012. Matthew hadn't been on 40144 for a while so he decided he wanted to do this bus.

First Potteries 40144 in Blurton

We got on the bus and sat near the back. The bus traveled through Blurton and then into longton up Longton hall Road. The bus was fairly quiet and we got there in no time. When we got to Longton we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside First Potteries 40144

We got off the bus and there was a flurry of activity. Bennetts Solo MX53 FDJ was already in the bus station on the #249 service. Bennetts Dart DCZ 7648 arrived on the #250. We decided we were going to catch the next 26A service. 2 buses came at once. There was First Potteries 42726 which we didn't think was on a #26 and 61235 which we knew definitely was. Neither bus was required. First Potteries 42726 was done from Heron Cross to Blurton back in April 2012. First Pottries 61235 was only scored last month from Biddulph to Hanley on the 7A. We got on 61235 and sat down near the back. There weren't many people on this bus and when it got to stoke we briefly caught up with 42726, confirming that it definitely was on the #26. The bus emptied and it was just us on the bus for a short while. We carried on into Hartshill and we descended into Newcastle down George Street. When we got into Newcastle bus station we let the bus empty and then matthew got a picture inside 61235.

Inside First Potteries 61235

We got off and Matthew got a picture of the outside of 61235 too.

First Potteries 61235 in Newcastle

As there was nothing interesting in the bus station, We decided to go and use the toilet opposite the bus station. New to First Caetano Dart EU06 KDK was on the #96 service which Matthew saw for the first time. By the time we came out of the toilet the first First step entranced decker appeared. It was First Potteries 34286, a recent repaint into the new livery. It was on the #25 to Hanley. By the time we got down to where 34286, was First Potteries 34288 appeared in the bus station. It had to do a lap of the bus station before it could get on stand, making us think that we had missed it, but eventually it came on stand to work the #72 to Clayton. we managed to get a picture of 34288 as it made it's final approach.

First Potteries 34288 in Newcastle

We had to make a decision as to which one of the buses we were going to do. I asked Matthew and he decided on 34288. We waited for the new driver to appear and as we did 34286 departed towards Hanley. There was a bit of a kerfuffle and one driver said that the double decker was going to be taken off service #72 as the driver who was about to take it wasn't 100% fit and couldn't drive the double decker. We thought the double decker was going to run off empty to the depot, but luckily there was a Volvo B7RLE on an adjacent stand on the next #25 service to Hanley. So the swap was made and 34288 moved up a couple of stands so that the Volvo could be placed on the Clayton stand. The drivers had to do a bit of paperwork I think relating to the swap and we waited for the vehicle to be readied. Whilst we waited the next Clayton service came in with another double decker. It was dud First Potteries 34311, a vehicle we had been on back in April.

First Potteries 34311 in Newcastle

As we waited we also saw one of the new Darts. It should be carrying the fleet number 43876, but the bus still hasn't had it numbers applied yet! So here is First Potteries MX56 HYP.

First Potteries MX56 HYP in Newcastle

The bus was now ready so we went across and sorted out the tickets. We then went upstairs and sat at the front of the bus, and Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside First Potteries 34288

We waited a few minutes for for the bus to depart and then we set off towards Hartshill. The emergency exit alarm kept going off intermittently and the driver stopped the bus in Hartshill to check the doors. We the carried on into Stoke. By the railways station we saw Bakerbus Volvo 164 on the X1 to Stafford. We carried on up College Road were we passed First Potteries 34286 coming back the other way.

Passing First Potteries 34286 in Shelton

We carried on passed the Hinde Street park and ride and then into Hanley. When we got there we waited for the bus to empty and he decided to take a picture on the inside of the lower deck too.

Inside First Potteries 34288

We decided to go and get some chips. As we walked down we saw 53830 on a #38 service.

First Potteries 53830 in Hanley

We walked across town to the seafarer where we brought a portion of chips and three cans of pop. We walked back to John Street to sit on a bench there and eat the chips. Before we sat down we saw and photographed First Potteries 61246.

First Potteries 61246 in Hanley

We ate the chips and Matthew had a can of dandelion and burdock. We then went into john Street car park so we could take some bus pictures. we spotted 32627 on one of the #25's to Keele.

First Potteries 32627 in Hanley bus station

We saw Wardle Transport 2167/2356/4802 in Arriva livery. 2167 had Wardle decals as can be seen in the photograph.

Wardle Transport 2167 in Hanley bus station

We also saw the following. Wardle Transport 2038 was out the #41 and deckers 4895 & 4896 were working on the #19 service. Scraggs 42/75 & VT 9284 were also out. Interesting buses for Bakerbus were Bakerbus 29(9), 194 (X1), 265/266(9). Here s a photograph of Bakerbus 266.

Bakerbus 266 in Hanley bus station

Around 16:40 we decided to walk down to the bus station to try and catch First Potteries 34286. When we got the the junction of Lidice way and John Street. We saw Arriva Midlands 2265 currently on loan to Wardle Transport.

Arriva Midlands 2265 in Hanley bus station

We then walked around the front of the bus station and Matthew saw the Wardle Transport driver shuttle bus.He decided to go over to investigate.

Wardle Transport 1454 adjacent to Hanley bus station

Matthew said hello to the driver and then sat on the bus for a minute or two. He took a picture of one of the maroon coloured seats.

Inside Wardle Transport 1454

We went to the toilet and whilst we were there First Potteries 34286 made an appearance. He had a chance to catch the bus but messed about for a bit and the bus came and went within a minute. Now this had gone we had to decided on what plan b was going to be. we spotted Scraggs Blue Buses 42 on a #31 Werrington service and he decided to catch that. He took a picture of the bus on stand before we got on it.

Scraggs Blue Buses 42 in Hanley bus station

We called mum to arrange for her to meet us up at werrington. The bus pulled of fro the bus station and went down passed the libabray before going past the front of the bus station. Whist we were passing we saw another step entranced first double decker. 34158 had made an appearance on a #34 service. We went down Limekiln bank and then onto the A52. We apssed through bucknall and up the bank to the top of Werrington and we got off by the scuba shop. We crossed over the road to wait for mum. Whilst we were there Scraggs 42 came onto the stop to work a bus back towards Hanley and Matthew took a picture.

Scraggs Blue Buses 42 in Werrington

We also saw Wardle Transport 2409 on the #16 service from leek to Hanley.

Wardle Transport 2409 in Werrington

As Matthew was unable to get a picture inside Scraggs 42, I suggested he took a picture of the seats fro the outside of the bus whilst we waited.

Seats in Scraggs Blue Buses 42

Mum ten appeared and she drove us back along the a52 and through Northwood to High Lane. We visited Smallthorne and ten we came back through Hanley to MacDonalds on Victora Road. We picked up some food and then drove home via Victoria rod, the A50 link road, heron Cross and ten Blurton Road. We got home just before 19:00. Matthew ate his chicken Nuggets meal and plain burger washed down with a drink of Coke. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we started to write the Blog entry. He went to bed around 23:40...Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Crewe 08-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34286	Sandyford, adj Newfield	Newcastle BS	99A	First Potteries
40145	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	99	First Potteries
34158	Tunstall, adj stop M	Crewe BS	20	First Potteries
34288	Crewe BS	Hanley BS	20	First Potteries

Today we were going on a local trip. worked First Potteries #20 - Hanley service Double Decker. As Matthew had an activity in the morning we decided to drive to Westport lake and then to a tour of South Cheshire and North Staffordshire by car. Matthew got up just before 09:00 and we took him up to Heathfield for 10:00. We Drove onto the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews way. We went onto the Westbound A50 and ten onto the Northbound A500. We then went along The A527 to Chell and then we drive down to heathfield. Whilst there he went to the toilet. We collected him at 12:30 and then drove up to Wickes in Tunstall. We drove up onto High lane and then to Chell Roundabout. We then drove along the A527 Tunstall by-pass up to Wickes. We stopped there so we could have burgers and bacon baps at the burger van with the best view in town.

Burger with a view...

After eating we was First Potteries Alexander RL 34286 to Newcastle. We got on went upstairs sat down bus set off. The bus went via Trubshaw Cross and Longport. The bus then went via Porthill and Wolstanton to Newcastle. we got off we bus station we also saw First Potteries 40140 on a #72 service. We had an ice cream before returning to the bus. It we was First Potteries 40145 with it's ALX200 body. we got on the sat down bus set off through Wolstanton to Porthill and then down through Longport to Trubshaw Cross. We then headed up the Road into Tunstall. We went past the site of the proposed Morrisons in Tunstall. We got off Northwards through Tunstall on First Potteries 34158 we got on a #20 service.to Crewe. We went upstairs and sat down bus.

First Potteries 40142 in Tunstall

As we set off passed through we saw First Potteries 40142. The bus went up the A50 to kidsgrove and then forward Alsager and to Haslington we saw First Potteries 31518 then went past the railway station and into the bus station. Empty in We got off Then carried we saw First Potteries 34288 #20 service to Hanley. we got on went Upstairs. we sat down bus set off back to Haslington and then trough to Alsager. we then went down to Kidsgrove we did 40142 down to Tunstall saw then he went down through Burslem and then Hanley. we was picked up from the bus station we saw First Potteries 60128 was on a #20. we went back to Crewe and we saw 40143 on a #17 service back to the Hanley From here he walked back toey. where he met up with mum. Next we had a sausage roll and Coke. We drove down to Limekiln Bank and then onto Dividy Road. We went passed the Meadows and then on to Adderley Green where we passed 40169 on a Hanley bound #2 service. We then went down Anchor Road, around Longton and then passed the Z Carz depot. we got a picture of D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN

Next to that was a one time School bus DS51 ZJU.

Z Carz DS51 ZJU

There was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO which has just had the Z Carz decals re-applied.

Z Carz BV51 BNO

Finally at the end of the row was coach V690 EBC. It had a service 279 sticker in the front window.

Z Carz V690 EBC

We passed a camper van as we went back past the depot. We then headed down Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries 40148 going towards Newcastle. We also saw First potteries 40152 heading towards Longton. We got home at around 16:40. We had bangers and mash for tea and Matthew then settled down for the evening before bedtime...Mark