Trip to Wigan / Bryn (Last day of First) 01-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34028	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	621	First Manchester
3024	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	352	Arriva NW&W
34262	Wigan BS	Lockett Road, Bryn	610	First Manchester
34262	Lockett Road, Bryn	Wigan BS	610	First Manchester
4101	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	385	Arriva NW&W
40065	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester
60149	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	621	First Manchester
60403	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester

Today was a trip to Wigan. It was decided last Sunday it was going to be Wigan with it being the last day of Frst operation from their Bryn depot. From the 2nd of December all services run from this depot will be run by Stagecoach Manchester. I had been ill for a couple of days but I knew we had to take him out today. We checked the weather and it was for cold and clear weather barely reaching 4' C. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Despite trying to set of early we didn't actually leave the house until gone 12:00. Luckily progress today was quite fast and we got to Wigan just after 13:15. We got a good parking space near Hallgate. Today mum suggested a different cafe so trouped past the bus station to a little cafe in a courtyard called not unsurprisingly 'Courtyard cafe'. We sat down and Matthew had a breakfast and me and Uncle Dave had Bacon and sausage barms respectively. As we ate Matthew spotted a dessert menu and insisted we stopped for after. Matthew had a Chocolate fudge cake with custard. Eventually he finished it and we paid and left the cafe. The plan was to keep going as much as possible and when we spotted a double decker on the #621 it was a no brainer! We trotted down to the stop and jumped on a got our system one tickets. It was dud 34028, a bus that we haven't been on since March 2012 when it was allocated to Bury. We sat upstairs and Matthew got his customary empty bus shot.

Inside First Manchester 34028

After a minute or so off we went. We headed out past the railway station and down past Wigan Pier. We then took the new Saddle relief Road down to the big roundabout near B&Q. We headed up the Ormskirk Road and when we reached the top of the hill near Aldi we decided to get off. When we got off Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

First Manchester 34028 in Pemberton

Directly behind us was dud Arriva NW&W 4103 on #385 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Pemberton

We crossed the road and waited at the stop opposite. The First bus to turn up was required Arriva NW&W 3024 on a #352 service.

Arriva NW&W 3024 in Pemberton

We got on and sat down. Directly behind us was an Optare Excel #628. It overtook us on the run down Ormskirk Road and it was dud First Manchester 60160. When we got to Wigan bus station the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3024

As we had seen a double decker on the #610 we decided to do one of these doan to Bryn so we could have a look in the depot to look at some of the Stagecoach buses that have been reported as being in the depot. We had planned on catching the 15:00 service but we missed this bus as we walked up and it was First Manchester Dart. So we had 20 minutes to wait for the next bus. as we walked down to the bottom to take some picture we saw Arriva NW&W 2454 on a #360 service.

Arriva NW&W 2454 in Wigan bus station

As we took a few picture one of the drivers noticed Matthew and asked if he wanted a First tie as they wouldn't needed anymore. I said no as Matthew already has one given to him by another driver about a month earlier! First Manchester 34291 made an appearance on a #631 circular.

First Manchester 34291 in Wigan bus station

We then walked up to stand B because I though 34291 was going to work the next #610. It turned out that I had my turns mixed up and the next #610 was worked by First Manchester 34262.

First Manchester 34262 in Wigan bus station

After taking a picture we ran around to get on the bus. We hadn't travelled on this double decker since February 2011. We sat upstairs and then Matthew got a picture of the inside of top deck.

Inside First Manchester 34262

We settled down for the journey down to Bryn. It took around 25 minutes through the estate, and when we got there we saw a row of Brand new Eniro 200's and some older ALX300's ready for service from Sunday. We turned around and headed back North through Bryn village and up to Wigan. By the time we got back it was just gone 16:10. Required Arriva NW&W 4101 was in and Matthew wanted to do so we crossed over the stand and jumped on it. We sat upstairs and did the bus up the hill to Pemberton again. When we got off the bus stopped at the lights and Matthew got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 4101 in Pemberton

We crossed over the road and waited fo a bus back again. By now it had just about gone dark. We turned down a Arriva Pulsar on the #395 and eventually a bus rounded the corner on a #628. It was required First Manchester 40065 and the first of this type we had been on.

First Manchester 40065 in Pemberton

We got on and sat down at the back. The seats over the rear axle are sideways on these buses. The ride was a little shaky and any sudden movements from the bus had us sliding down the seats a little! The were very few passengers on this turn and when we got back and the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 40065

We decided we could have time for on quick out and back if we caught something straight away. Matthew wanted to get on one of the Wigan Buses hybrids, but this was on a #638 and was heading out towards Standish so we had to turn it down for today. There was a #621 in so we decided to do it. It was an excel but unfortunately it was dud First Manchester 60149. We did it to the top of the road at Pemberton again and he got a picture of this beast.

First Manchester 60149 in Pemberton

We then crossed the road again for one last time. It was 17:13 and there was 1 #628 due at 17:19. It didn't show up. We let 3 different Arriva Pulsars go on #385, #352 and #395 receptively before a #628. It was required First Manchester 60403.

First Manchester 60403 in Pemberton

We got on a sat down near the back. I had hoped it was going to be a required Excel or Dart, but you can't have everything. This was the First of these b10's we had been on and they are quite nice buses for their age. It made a funny whining noises as it went through the gears which was different to anything we had been on. When it emptied out Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside First Manchester 60403

When we got off Matthew got a picture of the bus standing still and in better light than in Pemberton.

First Manchester 60403 in Wigan bus station

It was now around 17:50 so we visited the toilets and then headed back to the car. We would usually walk around Hallgate and past Uncle Joe to see if there were any parked buses but we were all so cold we headed straight back to the car. we drove around the circuit and there were only 3 buses. There was a Strawberry Dart, First Manchester 60390 and 40394. Matthew opted to stay in the car and eay his sausage roll rather than get pictures! We then drove home via frog Lane and across under the railway line to Wigan Pier. We then went around the Pier before trying out the new Saddle relief road for ourselves. The road does seem to make a big difference. We then headed South down the A49 to the M6. Traffic was flowing well and we got to the A500 just before 19:00. We then headed down the A500 to sideway before heading east on the A50. we were all cold and hungry so we went along Stanley Matthew Way before reaching home around 19:15. We sorted out out pictures and then had sausages and mash for a late tea. Matthew didn't each much as I think he is coming down with a cold after today's chilly trip. He then had some computer time before bed...Mark

Trip to Wigan 19-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
31941	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	628	First Manchester
2715	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Council Offices (Stop D)	395	Arriva NW&W
3083	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Post (Stop C)	Pemberton, Ellesmere Road/Halfway House (E-bound)	385	Arriva NW&W
60146	Pemberton, Ellesmere Road/Halfway House (E-bound)	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester
2562	Wigan BS	Abram, Warrington Road/School Street (S-bound)	360	Arriva NW&W
2997	Abram, Warrington Road/School Street (N-bound)	Wigan BS	360	Arriva NW&W
4103	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	375	Arriva NW&W
60149	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester

Today we finally got to go to Wigan. We had planned on going on the 5th of May, but a late running Aiming High trip that morning (due to an accident on the A500) had forced us to temporarily postpone this trip and go to Nantwich intead. The 12th was the Wardle running day and so we rescheduled for today. Research had been to get the 2 TfGM maps for Wigan, as well as to get hold of a few choice timetables. Matthew got up around 11:00 today. We set off a little after 12:00. It was an overcast afternoon, and it was even trying to rain as we left. We filled up with LPG at Longport before continuing north along the A500. the roads were fairly quite and we did the M6 and then the A49 into Wigan. We parked on a street near the bus station arriving around 13:30. First thing as always is to find a cafe to eat. We found a place called Mr Chippy, a small cafe just around the corner form the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast, as well as helping his mum eat hers! We finished eating around 14:15 then walked to the bus station. The first thing we saw of interest in the bus station was required First Manchester 31941. It was just going off service and Matthew got a picture.

First Manchester 31941 lays over Between 621's and 628's

We deiced to wait around for a short while to see if it was going to work again. It was displaying 628 Kitt Green on the display so we looked up the stop for this service and waited there. There was already a Excel on stop P which left promptly. The next one was due off 12 minutes later at 14:42. Just before 14:42 did indeed move onto stop P and then we boarded the bus. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the upper saloon.

Inside First Manchester 31941

Off we went, heading South West out of Wigan along Wallgate. Just after the big roundabout we turned to the right onto Ormskirk Road passing Arriva NW&W 4101 on an inbound service from Southport. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus later and he said yes. I looked at the Wigan South map and worked out if we got off as the bus was returning back along Ormskirk Road and then crossed over, we could catch 4101 as it went out of town. We did 31941 around the estates and it was a pleasant journey, much better than when we did 31930 out of Bury. We got off as planned as the bus rounded the corner onto the A577. Matthew got another picture of this fine beast.

31941 in Pemberton

We crossed the road to wait for the 385. We consulted the bus stop timetable and we saw we had about 15 minutes to wait for the 385, so as another Arriva bus approached, I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We flagged it down and Matthew got a picture of Arriva 2715.

Arriva NW&W 2715 in Pemberton

We got on the bus and looked at the fleet number as we sat down. It was required Arriva NW&W 2715! We decided to do this to Orrell, and if we got a bus quickly enough then maybe we could still get back for Arriva NW&W 4101. the bus journey to Orrell was swift. We got off and Matthew got another picture.

2715 in Orrell

We crossed the road and waited at the stop. Almost immediately a bus turned up and it was required Arriva NW&W 3083 from Southport depot. Matthew got a picture as it approached.

Arriva NW&W 3083 in Orrell

We got on the bus and set off towards Wigan. just as we were about to get up we passed 4101. we decided to get off anyway, as we could do a 628 back into Wigan which would almost certainly be required, rather than travel any further on this rather new bus. we got off and Matthew got another picture.

3083 by the Halfway House

So we waited for the #628, which we knew would almost certainly be an Excel and therefore a required bus. a few minutes later we saw an excel approaching in the distance. as it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 60146.

First Manchester 60146 by the Halfway House

We got on and headed for the back. The Excels have mainly orange and red checked seats, which are very bright. The back seat is warm from the engine and they smell like a proper bus. we did this short journey back to Wigan bus station and Matthew took a picture of the inside of this interesting bus.

Inside 60146

We now had a few minutes to regroup and think about our next move. I decided to take Matthew to the toilet whilst we had the chance. Whilst he was in there, I saw a strange looking bus at the other end of the bus station. I thought hat it might be an Ikarus bodied DAF on the 360 to Warrington, so when Matthew came out I asked if he wanted to do that bus and he said yes. As we got closer it was confirmed as required Arriva NW&W 2562. We got on this bus and booked to Platt Bridge. It was quite full and we had to sit near the back as these were the only available seats. We set off around the bus station and as we were heading back up the bus cut out! it was soon restarted and of we went. As we traveled down we passed Arriva NW&W 2556. The bus did empty out a little as we went towards Platt Bridge, but it was still quite full as we got off. Matthew wasn't able to get a good picture of the front of 2562, but he took one of the rear as it went.

Arriva NW&W 2562 disappearing towards Warrington

We crossed the road and looked at the timetable. There was a bus due almost immediately, and it turned up and was required Arriva NW&W 2997, just transferred from Manchester. we got on to a completely empty bus. On the journey up one person did get on and then got off again before we reached Wigan. When we got into the bus station Matthew took a picture of the inside of the empty bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2997

At this point we knew we would only have time for one more quick out and back run before the 17:00 rush. Within a few minutes required 4103 came into the bus station and we knew Matthew would want to do it.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Wigan bus station

It wasn't due out for around 15 minutes, and so we decided to stand and take picture for 10 minutes. One such picture was First Manchester 40391 on a service to Leigh.

First Manchester 40391 in Wigan bus station

We also saw First Manchester 40064 at this point too. We saw First Manchester 40390 here too. After a few minutes we saw 4103 move of from its stabling point to go onto stand U so we headed off to the stop. We boarded the bus and Matthew go a picture of the empty upper saloon on this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4103

And so off we went. The plan was to do this to Pemberton, and catch one of 352/375/385/395 or 628 back. s we left town we passed the car and mum was reading awaiting our return. We got talking to another passenger about Matthew travels and when we got to the edge of Pemberton we got off 4103 and Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Pemberton

Behind us was a Dennis coach. It was Hartley's P509 NBP. We crossed the road to wait for a return bus. It wasn't long before we saw an Arrive bus approaching. It was something new looking so we let it go and decided to wait for another Excel on a #628. After a few minutes we saw an Excel turn the corner. It was required 60149.

First Manchester 60149 in Pemberton

Same as before we sat at the back. The bus was warm and had the same real bus smell as the other Excel. When we got back Matthew photographed the inside of this bus too.

Inside 60149

when we got off Matthew had a quick wander round and said hello to a few people. As we walked back to the car past the stabled buses, we noticed there were further stabled buses on the street below. so e walked back to the car the long way, taking picture of Excels and other buses as we went. one bus we saw was Arriva NW&W 2800.

Arriva NW&W 2800 in Wigan

We then walked back to the car and met mum who was waiting with sausage rolls. As we left Wigan I got a little lost. As I could see the DW stadium to my left I worked out I was heading North West. i turned left at the next big junction and then when I saw the DW stadium close up I knew we were heading towards the big roundabout near Wallgate. We got back onto the A49 and headed south until we reached the M6. As we approached the M56 I got talking to mum and forgot to move over to car on South on the M56. And so we were on the M56 heading toward Chester. I was going to come off at the next junction, but as we traveled west we spotted a Bristol RE in the distance. We overtook it just as we got to the next junction and Matthew got a picture out of the rear opening window.

Crosville YFM 280L on the M56

It was just too late to turn off at the A49, and so we went to the next junction for the A56. We rounded the roundabout and then headed back to the M6. We headed south until we reached junction 16 and then got onto the A500. Matthew wanted to go South as far as the A34 in Hanford, and so we turned and turned again up Church Lane. We then went along New Inn Lane, and then called in at McColls on The Lea. We then headed home, getting back around 18:40...Mark.