Trip to Middleton / Oldham 11-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22400	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	112	Stagecoach Manchester
22167	Moston, before Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester
432	Middleton BS	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop D)‎	112	JPT
40361	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)	Oldham BS‎	415	First Manchester
37556	Oldham BS	Watersheddings, o/s House 415 Ripponden Road/Radcliffe Road	83	First Manchester
37556	Watersheddings, opp 455 Ripponden Road/Radcliffe Road	Oldham BS	83	First Manchester
41788	Oldham BS	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop D)‎	415	First Manchester
22404	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)‎‎	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to revisit Middleton. It was the last day of JPT operating the #112 service, plus wefound out there was another First Manchester Plaxton Dart that we hadn't been on. Not much research was done other than a check on the weather which was for sunny intervals and cold 5'. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and blackcurrant juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we drove through Blurton to Heron Cross and into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. After picking up uncle Dave we drove onto the A500 which we did to Shelton Old Road where we came off for LPG. After filling up we joined the Westbound A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500 were we passed Andrews coach PIL 6648. We joined the Northbound M6 and the matrix sign were flashing the M6 was closed between junction 22 & 23. Later signs were saying traffic was backed up to junction 21A so we decided to take some evasive action. We came of the M6 at the A50 Lymm junction and then got onto the eastbound M56. We did this past the airport to the M60 which we did anti-clockwise to the A576. We then did the last couple of mile into Middleton on the A576 and then parked up near the shopping centre. We decided to have dinner at the pavement cafe adjacent to the bus station again. Matthew had a sausage barm and a portion of fries washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we were there we saw 40361 appear and it was working the #415 service. After we had finished eating we walked across the the bus station to see what was working. We knew 40361 had gone off to Oldham and wouldn't be back for just over an hour. At the bus station was JPT 455 laying over from a #156 service.

JPT 455 in Middleton bus station

We then saw a JPT Dart, 153 arrive on a #112 service and we thought that will do nicely. We got to stand B and it pulled off. We realised it had gone around the other side of the bus station to go on layover. We went around to have a look at it and it pulled off and went onto stand B again. We walked around to get a picture before we caught it was on stand for about 30 seconds and it pulled off as we took the picture!

JPT 153 in Middleton bus station

It must have been running late... We then saw First Manchester 41782 on the following #415 to Oldham which we briefly considered before turning it down. Rather that wait around for the next JPT service we decided to catch the next #112 down to Moston, where we might get a JPT #112 back. A few minutes later Stagecoach Manchester 22400 arrived in the bus station.

Stagecoach Manchester 22400 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and we booked our system one bus only tickets (£5). As the back of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside this bus here.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22400

We sat down and we set off out of town. We went around the Tesco store and then we headed off towards Middleton Junction. As we headed out to the junction we passed required JPT 182 going into Middleton. We headed South past the Stagecoach depot and into Moston. Just before we got off we passed dud JPT 512 going North to Middleton. We crossed the road to wait for the next bus. We could see a Stagecoach bus approaching and it was required Stagecoach 22167. Just as we were flagging down the bus someone walked past on the pavement in front of us. It seems to be a regular occurrence at this stop. We got on this bus and sat down near the back. We had seen mainly MAN's on #112 today. so far we had seen 22167/181/400/403/406 & 407 on the #112 and #80 today. The only exceptions were Dart 33863 and 27598/599 & 600. We headed North to Middleton Junction and then West into Middleton. on the outskirt of town we saw another on of the buses on the #415 which was First Manchester 40416. When we got back to Middleton Matthew photographed the inside of 22167.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22167

As he didn't get a good picture in Moston, he took a picture of Stagecoach Manchester 22167 here.

Stagecoach Manchester 22167 in Middleton bus station

When we got into the bus station we decided to have a walk around to see what was about. We walked around the outside of the bus station where there were two First Manchester bus on layover from service #58. First in the row was required First Manchester 66853.

First Manchester 66853 in Middleton bus station

Behind 66853 was First Manchester 66855. As we were about to head back into the bus station we turned and we saw JPT 432 arriving on a #112 to Manchester.

JPT 432 in Middleton

We walked back to the bus station and then bus went onto layover for a short while. We waited on stand B and Matthew had a drink of vimto and a galaxy caramel. The bus made it's appearance a few minutes later. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. Matthew got a picture inside JPT 432 facing forwards.

Inside JPT 432

It was around 14:50 and we knew First Manchester 40361 was due back into the bus station soon. Whilst we waited to depart First Manchester 40361 made an appearance. We set off towards Middleton Junction. we had decided to get off their so we could wait for 40361 going forward to Oldham. When we got to the Junction we got off as planned and crossed the road. It was around 15:00 now, so we checked the timetable. The #415 to Oldham was due at 15:08. Bang on time First Manchester 40361 came out of the Alkrington estate and drew up to the bus stop.

First Manchester 40361 in Middleton Junction

We got on the bus which was almost empty. The bus filled up as it headed towards Oldham. We paused outside the college for a minute or two and then we headed into the bus station. When we got there we let the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside First Manchester 40361.

Inside First Manchester 40361

No we had gotten that bus out of the way we decided to do something different. I promised Matthew a ride on a double decker or two. We went out of the bus station and we took a few pictures. The first on we took was required First Manchester 33670 on the #409 to Ashton.

First Manchester 33670 in Oldham bus station

We then walked to the end of the bus station to get a good picture of First Manchester 40361.

First Manchester 40361 in Oldham bus station

We went to the toilet and then we walked up to the other part of the bus station. We then saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 10044 on the #76 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10044 in Oldham bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said no. He must have remembered that we had been on this before back in October 2013. We headed back to the other half of the bus station so we could choose a double decker to catch. As we walked back First Manchester 40361 was just departing on the #415 to Middleton.

First Manchester 40361 in Oldham bus station

We were considering doing 33672 on the #184 towards Manchester, We could have done this to Failsworth for something back to Middleton. We had taken a picture of the bus and we were going to get on it when 37556 came in on the #83 to Sholver. Matthew chose to do that bus so he got a picture through the glass of the bus station and we got on. We went upstairs and sat down. The bus headed East and through the town centre before heading up the hill to Sholver. The bus sounded a little bit sick, and was making noises like it was misfiring. Last time we had been on the #83 we had gone most of the way up the hill and had gotten a different bus back. As the bus emptied behind us, Matthew took a picture of the back of First Manchester 37556.

Inside First Manchester 37556

So we decided to get off on the hill and we hoped to get something different back. As we got off Matthew got a good picture of 37556 as it went off up the hill.

First Manchester 37556 in Watersheddings

We crossed the road to wait for the next #83 into town. We saw a couple of buses go up the hill, but the next bus back was unfortunately First Manchester 37556 again!

First Manchester 37556 in Watersheddings

The bus headed down the hill and into town. We climbed back up he hill into the bus station and then we got of. We visited the toilet and then Matthew took a picture of 33689 on the #409 to Ashton.

First Manchester 33689 in Oldham bus station

We visited the shop where Matthew bought some Coke, chocolate and a flapjack. I was considering sitting down for Matthew to have a picnic when he spotted and insisted on getting on First Manchester 41788. He took a picture through the glass and we got on.

First Manchester 41788 in Oldham bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus set of down the hill and out of Oldham. It was now going dark. As we have done before we decided to do this bus to Middleton Junction and get off to catch the #112, rather than bounce through the Alkrington estate over the speedbumps! As the bus headed towards Middleton the bus emptied out. Just before we got off Matthew took a picture of the nearly empty bus facing forwards.

Inside First Manchester 41788

At Middleton Junction we passed First Manchester 41782 going the other way just before we got off. When we got off we crossed over the road to wait for the #112. We saw JPT 183 going South as we waited and then we saw a bus approaching. We were hoping for a JPT bus, but it was Stagecoach Manchester 22404.

Stagecoach Manchester 22404 in Middleton Junction

At least it was a required bus. This was one of the buses that were allocated to Wigan just after Stagecoach took over operations from First. We took a picture of it on layover back in January 2013. We headed into Middleton and when the bus emptied Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22404

He also got another picture of the outside of the bus as we left the bus station.

Stagecoach Manchester 22404 in Middleton bus station

We went into the shopping centre and we used the toilets there. Before we left Matthew had a walk around and he said hello to a few of the ladies who were working in the shops. We walked to the car and Matthew had a sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and onto the A576. We then joined the clockwise M60 and then onto the Westbound M56. At Lymm we joined the Southbound M6 and then onto the A500. We then did the A50 East to Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz. There were 3 vehicle on the spare ground. First was former Alton Towers coach Z Carz M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

At the back was minibus OV05 WSW and then there was Blackwood Coaches liveried B12 FWS.

Z Carz B12 FWS in Longton

We turned left into Willow road where we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We headed into Blurton passing Lightning Travel T2 DLT and First Potteries 53828. We got home at 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00...Mark

Trip to Middleton / Oldham 05-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22183	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, before Moston Lane/Leighton Street	112	Stagecoach Manchester
512	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	118	JPT
454	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)‎	Middleton BS	156	JPT
22181	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	112	Stagecoach Manchester
62214	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Failsworth, opp Lord Lane/Wyndale Drive	52	First Manchester
10044	Failsworth, opp Lord Lane/Wyndale Drive	Oldham BS	76	Stagecoach Manchester
40416	Oldham BS	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop D)‎	415	First Manchester
17038	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)‎‎	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to go to Middleton. No research was done for this trip, other than to check the weather and make sure that we had all the relevant maps in the bag. The weather was predicted for dry, unseasonably warm with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30. We headed onto the A5035 and onto Stanley Matthews Way. We then went onto the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton to get LPG. Whilst we filled up we saw First Potteries 65705 on a #34 service. We got onto the Westbound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. Traffic on the M6 was better tan it had been in recent weeks and we made quite good time. Coaches that passed us were New adventure Travel YN13 GDE and Reptons REP 916. We then went Eastbound on the M62, and then Clockwise on the M60 until we reached the A576. We then did the last couple of miles into town up the A576 and parked up near MacDonalds. We walked through town and we spotted an inflatable slide in the distance we took a picture of. We ate at our usual spot in Middleton, The pavement cafe near the shopping centre. what we hadn't anticipated was Oktoberfest, which was in full swing by the time we arrived, between the cafe and the bus station! From the Middleton Town Centre Management site...

'We are planning an Oktoberfest themed event on 5th October 2013. This is the events first year and we hope you can come down to Middleton Town Centre and make this an event to remember...'

As we ate at our usual spot we had quite loud 70's music! Matthew had a sausage bap with some fries washed down with a can of coke. Whilst we ate we saw required stagecoach 17038 on the #112 as well as First Manchester Solo 40314 on the #415 service. When we had finished around 13:30 we walked to the bus station via the event portaloo toilets, which Matthew wanted to use. The band just started as we were leaving play a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze. We had a quick look around the bus station to see if there was anything interesting about. We didn't see anything spectacular about so we decided to have a ride on required Stagecoach Manchester 22183, which was on the #112 service.

Stagecoach Manchester 12183 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and booked our System One tickets and the bus was empty at the rear so Matthew took a picture of the inside too.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 12183

We decided to do this down to Moston, so we could see what w buses were out and about. we left town and went out to Middleton junction along Grimshaw Lane. We turned right onto Greengate where we saw JPT 151 & Stagecoach Manchester 17068 on Northbound #112's. When we got to Moston Lane we got off the bus to see if there was anything else interesting. We did have to wait long before we saw a JPT double decker coming towards us. As it got closer we saw it was required JPT 512 on a #118 to the North Manchester General Hospital.

JPT 512 in Moston

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off and we entered new territory for us when we turned left onto Charlestown Road. The bus passed an area called Boggart Hole Clough which looked an interesting place. The #118 seemed a frequent service as we passed JPT 154 & 511 coming the other way. As we traveled through the streets the bus emptied out so Matthew got a picture inside JPT 512.

Inside JPT 512

Eventually we reached the hospital and it seemed a reasonably quit place that was 'bus busy'. When we arrived we had pulled in behind First Manchester 59012 which was on a #154 service to Bury.

First Manchester 59012 outside the NMGH

We also got another picture of JPT 512 now it was parked up.

JPT 512 outside the NMGH

We decided to have a walk onto the main road and see what buses ran from those stops. On stop only had 2 buses that called there Monday to Friday only! The other stop didn't have a bus for a while and we had seen 3 JPT buses go into the hospital so we walked back to where we got off. At the hospital main stop we saw JPT 182 which was out of service.

JPT 182 outside the NMGH

Behind this was JPT Optare Excel 177, which was on the next #118 back out through Moston.

JPT 177 outside the NMGH

Behind this was JPT 454 on the #156 to Middleton.

JPT 454 outside the NMGH

Matthew decided to do JPT 454, so we got on and sat near the back. I looked up this bus and it turned out to be one of the 4 JPT buses we had been on prior to today! We had been on this bus only 28 days ago on the same service! The bus set off and we wound our way through the streets of Higher Blackley and onto Victoria Avenue. We passed the stop which we got on JPT 454 four weeks ago and then we carried on into Middleton. When we got there we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside JPT 454.

Inside JPT 454

When we got back to the bus station in Middleton there was another lull in the activity. Matthew went to the disabled toilet in the bus station and I attempted to use the gents (the gate had my 20p but wouldn't let me in!). I then had to use the Oktoberfest event toilets... We got back to the bus station and Matthew had a Crunchie and a bottle of Irn Bru. We the saw Stagecoach 22181 on the #112 and as it was required we decided to do that. We crossed over the crossing and got a picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 12181 in Middleton bus station

The bus was quit full and didn't empty much so he wasn't able to get a picture inside the bus. We went down to Moston again, as we crossed the roundabout by the Gardeners Arms, we saw Magicbus 16799 heading South East. We got off at Moston and crossed over the road. We saw Stagecoach 27598 approaching which we knew was dud so we turned it down. Behind it was a First Manchester bus, 62214 which we knew was definitely required so we decided to get on it. The bus was on a #52 to Failsworth which we had never been to before. We looked up where the service went on the map and we saw Failsworth was around 3 miles due South of Oldham. The bus went through Newton Heath, where we saw Magicbus 16799 parked up again. the bus then headed towards Failsworth we didn't know what the place was like and how busy it would be. When we turned onto a street with a few different services on the bus stop flags we decided to get off. As we went to get off we saw that the us had emptied and Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 62214

As the bus went off into the distance he got a picture of the outside of 62214 too.

First Manchester 62214 in Failsworth

As we guessed there were a coupe of service to Oldham from here from the same stop. We only had to wait foe 2-3 minutes when we saw a stagecoach double decker approaching. It turned out to be required Stagecoach Manchester 10044. We got on and went upstairs. The bus was nearly empty upstairs and after a few stops the other passenger left the bus and Matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 10044

We got off the bus and we waited for the bus to go onto its departure stand before we got a picture on the outside of the bus too.

Stagecoach Manchester 10044 in Oldham bus station

We went to the toilets and then we went see f there was anything interesting working. At stand B there were two darts on the #415. First Manchester 40406 was standing empty at the end and then First Manchester 40364 and went straight onto stand to pick up passengers.

First Manchester 40364 in Oldham bus station

Matthew turn down required 40364 as I think he fancied doing a double decker. First Manchester 40406 then went off empty. We saw First Manchester 40329 on a #406 to Chadderton, and we also saw First Manchester 40316 on a #402 Royton circular. We needed to head off back to Middleton soon and it was around 16:20. There was a #59 at 16:31 and a #415 at 16:39. we visited the shop in the bus station where Matthew brought a can of Coke and some chocolate. We sat down and Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru. The #415 came in and it was required First Manchester Wright bodied Dart 40416.

First Manchester 40416 in Oldham bus station

Matthew was still adamant we did a double decker. When the #59 arrived, it was an uninspiring Volvo so he changed his mind and decided to do 40416 instead! We got on the bus and it was quite full. We sat down near the back and the bus pulled off. As the bus headed South to Middleton Junction, the bus emptied out quite quickly and so he was able to get a picture of the inside of First Manchester 40416 just before we got off.

Inside First Manchester 40416

The just before the bus went under the the railway bridge we hit a bump in the road the rear suspension bottomed out with a very loud 'crack'. These well traveled and well loved Darts surely can't carry on for much longer in service... Rather than bounce our way through Alkrington Gardens over the speed bumps, We decided to get off at Middleton Junction and get a #112 into town. We got off and immediately behind us on a Southbound #112 was required 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 at Middleton Junction

Had we not been short of tie we may have done this. As it was we crossed over the road to wait for a Middleton bound #112. We had just seen JPT Optare Excel 174 going into Middleton. A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching, and finally we had caught up with required Stagecoach Manchester 17011.

Stagecoach Manchester 17038 at Middleton Junction

We got on and the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture downstairs.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17038

We went upstairs and it was empty too, so he got another picture of the upper saloon.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17038

The bus set off and turned onto Grimshaw Lane. A short while up the road we saw a bus at a stop with a van parked in front of it. It was the JPT service support vehicle attending the broken down JPT 182. We carried on into Middleton and we got off Stagecoach Manchester 17038. We had a quick walk around the bus station taking pictures. On layover was JPT Pointer Dart 151.

JPT 151 in Middleton bus station

We then walked back to the car via MacDonalds where Matthew used the toilet. back at the car Matthew had a sausage roll and a fudge cake which mum had brought whilst in town. He also had a MacDonalds chicken nugget meal. We set off out of Middleton and down the A576. We carried on a round the M60 clockwise and the onto the Westbound M56. We headed onto the M6 via the A556. On the M6 we saw a few coaches. We passed two coaches as we headed home, and decided to slow down and let the coaches pass us so Matthew could take pictures. The coaches were Bennetts S574 KJF.

Bennetts S574 KJF on the M6

This was followed closely behind by FR Willetts S33 PRW.

FR Willetts S33 PRW on the M6

When we reached the A500 the Bennett's coach came off the M6 with us and FR Willetts S33 PRW carried on South down the M6. We did the A500 down to the A50 and then into Longton so we could go passed the Z Carz garage. There were four vehicle there tonight. First there was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

At the rear of the land was ALZ 8539 which doesn't seem to have moved for around a week.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Then there was Z Carz newest recruit T2 DLT. It has no decals yet and a magnetic legal address so this may be a loan vehicle.

Z Carz T2 DLT in Longton

We carried on home down Longton Hall Road were we saw First Potteries 40018 heading into Longton on the #22. We also saw First Potteries 53209 on a #23A. We got home around 18:40 and as we parked up we saw JayJays Travel RX57 POV in the distance. We decided to walk up to and take a picture before we went into the house.

jayJays Travel RX57 POV in Blurton

We had bangers and mash with some slightly burnt carrot for a late tea, followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until he went to bed around 01:00...Mark