Trip to The Burnley Big Bus Bash 23-07-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1775	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Ribble
81	Burnley BS	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Special	GM Buses
66	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Burnley & Pendle
8	Burnley BS	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Special	Blackburn Transport
8	Burnley, Queensgate depot	Burnley BS	Special	Blackburn Transport

Today we decided to go to the The Burnley Big Bus Bash bus rally in Burnley. It was an event run by Transdev to promote the new buses being introduced on the Mainline services Padiham & Colne and other point beyond. We checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with the chance of some rain. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:00 and we ran onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews way and we got onto the Westbound A50. We ran North up the A500 into Stoke and we ran into the town centre. We ran around the one-way system and we parked up on South Wolfe Street. We decided that we should have dinner first so we could go straight to the bus depot. We walked around the corner onto Church Street and we ate at the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked around the corner to the car and we set off around the one-way system onto Church Street. We turned right onto Shelton old Road and at the bottom we turned left onto the Northbound A500. We ran up to the M6 and we got onto the Northbound M6. We ran North for around 30 miles up to junction 21A and we then went Eastwards along the M62. We got onto the M60 and we continued clockwise around the North of Manchester. We joined the Northbound M66 and we ran past Bury and we continued North onto the A56. We passed nearby Accrington and we then got onto the Eastbound M65. We ran past Burnley and we came into town from the North end as we came off the M65 at junction 12. We went Eastwards along the A682 link road and then at the next roundabout we went South down the A682. We ran through Brierfield and when we got to Ruskin Street. We did a cicrle of the depot whilst we looked for somewhere to park and we ended getting back onto the A682 and turned left onto Ruskin Road. We stopped the car to get out and we said goodbye to mum who was off to do some shopping whilst we went to the bus depot. We walked back to the front side of the depot and we saw one of the new buses pull up outside the depot. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 261 on a M1 service to Colne.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 261 in Burnley

We managed to find out by asking around that buses were operating between the depot and the bus station approximately every 20 minutes. We waited at the stop outside and a few minutes and a couple of buses appeared. First we saw Ribble double decker 1775. We also saw Blackburn Transport double decker 8.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

The buses both parked up in the depot, so we decided to have a walk around the depot. There was only one way in and out of the depot through the main shed. This was kept empty with a few exceptions as to allow vehicles to come and go into the main part of the depot which was an open courtyard. There were a couple of other small sheds off this courtyard where thing like the bus wash was located. In the first shed 1543 was running up and down one side where you could pay to have a short drive off the bus. Also in this shed was Burnley & Pendle 66.

Burnley & Pendle 66 in Burnley

We walked out into the main courtyard in which most of the buses were being displayed. In the yards we saw Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner double decker 3635.

Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner 3635 in Burnley

There seemed to be quite a few different buses from around the different Transdev garages. Representing Intack depot was Transdev Lancashire United Versa 233.

Transdev Lancashire United 233 in Burnley

There were also quite a few different preserved buses on display. In the yard was Ribble single decker 135 in early Stagecoach livery.

Ribble 135 in Burnley

With the other preserved buses was Pennine Leylad national LN19.

Pennine LN19 in Burnley

Back out the depot was one of the new buses for which the launch bus rally had been arranged. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 249.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 249 in Burnley

We decided it was time to go out and ride on a bus or two. Whilst we waited we took a few more pictures. In the main repair shops was Transdev Burnley & Pendle double decker 2002.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2002 in Burnley

A few minutes later Ribble double decker 1775 appeared after returning from the bus station. Whilst the bus was emptying out we stood in the reservation in the middle of the road to get a picture of Ribble 1775.

Ribble 1775 in Burnley

The bus emptied out and started to load up again. We got on the bus and we went upstairs. A few minutes later we set off Northwards up the A682. At the next big junction we turned right onto Casterton Avenue and we ran Eastwards to the Burnley Lane part of town. We turned right onto Briercliffe Road and we ran Southwards towards town. We joined the A682 by the church and Duke of York pub and we continued towards town. We crossed over the canal and we ran past Morrisons before turning right into Yorkshire Street. We turned left into Croft Street and we stopped at the end at the drop off stop and the bus unloaded. Once off the bus we walked into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. We let Ribble 1775 go in the hope of getting something different back to the depot. This paid off as a few minutes later we saw GM Buses coach 81 stop outside on Croft Street. A few minutes later it cam into the bus station and Matthew got a picture of GM Buses 81.

GM Buses 81 in Burnley bus station

We got on the coach and we sat down towards the rear. Whilst we were waiting for the coach to depart we saw First West Yorkshire 69581 on a #592 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 69581 in Burnley bus station

A few minutes later we set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto the A682 and we ran out of town. We went up the hill past Morrisons and over the canal. We past the Duke of York and we continued up the A682 and we saw ABC coach PO16 HSA. A few hundred yard up the road we pulled into the stop outside the depot. There was a low ceiling above Matthew's seat where the ducting for the ventilation was, and Matthew stood up quickly and banged his head! We let the coach empty out and matthew took a picture inside GM Buses 81.

Inside GM Buses 81

We had another quick look around the depot whilst we waited for a different bus to work. Burnley & Pendle 66 had started up so we asked someone on board if it was going to work. They said it was doing a single one-way trip, after they had been through the yard and packed up their stall in the courtyard. I asked when they were leaving and they said in around 10 minutes! We decided to take a few more pictures whilst we waited for the bus to depart. In the main maintenance shops was Transdev Burnley & Pendle Versa 269.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 269 in Burnley

On the charity driver training run was the aforementioned Transdev Burnley & Pendle T543.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle T543 in Burnley

We went outside to wait for the single decker to depart towards Burnley. Whilst we waited we saw Blackburn Transport 8 parked up outside the garage.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

A few minutes later Burnley & Pendle 66 pulled out of the garage and stopped by the entrance of the depot. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the garage and onto the A682 and we ran Southwards into town. In town we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned right onto Croft Street and we stopped at the set down stop outside the bus station. We crossed the road to get a better view and Matthew took another picture of Burnley & Pendle 66 before it returned to to the bus depot.

Burnley & Pendle 66 in Burnley

We were hopefully going to get a bus a back to the depot. Matthew went to the shop and brought some chocolate and a can of Coke. We went back into the bus station and we sat and waited for another bus to appear. A few minutes later required Blackburn Transport 8 appeared on a return service to the depot.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley bus station

whilst we waited to board the bus we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 244 on an adjacent stand.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 244 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus bus and we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackburn Transport 8 before we sat down.

Inside Blackburn Transport 8

A few minutes later we set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto the A682 and we ran out of town. We went up the hill past Morrisons and over the canal. We past the Duke of York and we continued up the A682 and we saw ABC coach PO16 HSA. A few hundred yard up the road we pulled into the stop outside the depot. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Blackburn Transport 8.

Blackburn Transport 8 in Burnley

It was now 16:00 and we had heard that Blackburn Transport 8 was going to do one last trip towards town, so we got straight back onto the bus and went upstairs and sat down. The bus set of along A682 heading Northwards towards Nelson. We turned right onto Casterton Avenue and we went Eastwards. Instead of turning right onto Briercliffe Road, we continued Eastwards along Eastern Avenue. After quite a long run we turned left onto Ormerod Road. At the roundabout went straight onto Ridge Avenue. At the end of the road we turned right onto Brunshaw Road. We ran down the steep part of the hill and we ran past Turf Moor. We ran under the railway line and at the roundabout we went straight onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto Croft Street and we got up and got off the bus. We had arranged to meet mum in the car park opposite to the bus station, we went around the outside of the bus station to take a few more pictures. We saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 605 on a #1 to Burnley.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 605 in Burnley bus station

We continued around the outside of the bus station and we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle Dart 720 on layover.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 720 in Burnley bus station

We also saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 245 on a M4 service.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 245 in Burnley bus station

We walked back into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we crossed over Red Lion Street and we walked into the car park. In the car parked we saw Max Private Hire minibus YD61 AXZ.

Max Private Hire YD61 AXZ in Burnley

We got into the car an we set off out of town along Parker Lane and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We turned left onto Manchester Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto Trafalgar Street. We saw B&N Coaches A7 BXN. We ran onto Westway and we ran Westwards out of town onto the M65. We ran Westwards for a couple of junctions and then we turned left onto the Southbound M66. We ran South and forwards onto the M66 and at the end we joined the anti-clockwise M60 and we saw Kirby Lonsdale coach hire SP04 HRL. We ran around North Manchester and we saw Lets Travel FX51 BVG ahead of us.

Lets Travel FX51 BVG on the M60

We joined the M62 and we ran Westwards to the M6. We ran Southwards through the roadworks and then at junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500. We ran down to Stoke and we came off and ran into Fenton to Drop uncle Dave off at home. Once we had dropped uncle Dave off we ran up to Heron Cross and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. We chilled out on the sofa and we sort out the pictures from today and put them online. We also wrote some of the weeks Blog entries. For a late tea we had a fish finger sandwich followed by chocolate cake. Later on Matthew had a bath and then chilled out on the computer until around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Lichfield / Burton-on-Trent 04-06-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
46	Lichfield BS	Burton upon Trent, New Street	810	Midland Classic
85	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Swadlincote bus park	4	Midland Classic
78	Swadlincote bus park	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	21	Midland Classic
81	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Lichfield BS	X12	Midland Classic

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. We checked the weather and it was for hot sunny weather all over the area with the chance of a thunder storm. Matthew woke up after being woken by the bouncy castle being inflated next door. It was little Alfie's birthday.Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 11:30 and we drove through Blurton onto Church Road. At Critchlow's Corner we veered left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop something off and then we continued to the A50. We went West and at Sideway we saw Shire Travel YD64 UYR. We went Southwards on the A500 and we passed an unidentified Den Caney Coach going the other way. We then joined the Southbound M6 and we passed PG Coaches AK04 KYJ and another Den Caney coach, DC52 DEN. We also passed Alfa 62.

Alfa 62 on the M6

Further down the M6 we saw Country Lion BU11 JSF & a plain green Holmeswood tri-axle coach with a small silver logo. We joined the A5 and we went East to the Truckers Rest where we stopped for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and we ordered him a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we got back onto the Eastbound A5. We` passed the site of the old Shell garage on the corner of the A4601, which had demolished earlier this year. South of Cannock on the A5 we saw Arriva Midlands 2729 on a #71 to Wolverhampton, and NX West Midlands 4105 on a #10A. We joined the Northbound A461 and we ran the last few miles into Lichfield. We joined the A5190 at Pipehiil and we ran into town via Limburg Avenue & Saint Foy Avenue. We entered the town centre from the West and we went straight across onto Birmingham. We parked up in the car park behind the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. After he had finished we saw Arriva Midlands 3769 on a #7 to Burton-on-Trent.

Arriva Midlands 3769 in Lichfield bus station

As we came inti the car park, we saw a National Holidays coach parked up at the other end of the bus station. We decided to walk up and investigate what it was. As we got closer we saw that it was National Holidays NH13 BWH.

National Holidays NH13 BWH in Lichfield bus station

Whilst we were at the end of the bus station we saw Butler Brothers V10 BUT arrive...

Butler Brothers V10 BUT in Lichfield bus station

We turned to see a Midland Classic double decker arrive into the bus station. It was required Midland Classic 46, a dual door Wright Gemini double decker.

Midland Classic 46 in Lichfield bus station

Matthew decided to do this bus. The only slight snag was that it wasn't due of for another 20 odd minutes. In the meantime we decided to wait around and take a few more bus pictures. A few minutes later we saw Central Buses ex Transdev Versa YJ57 XVY on a X55 to Tamworth.

Central Buses YJ57 XVY in Lichfield bus station

This was followed by the arrival of another coach... It was National Holidays NH09 FRH which had arrived on a mystery excursion.

National Holidays NH09 FRH in Lichfield bus station

We also saw the own circular services. These were taken over by Midland Classic from Rotala Diamond earlier in the year. We saw Midland Classic 5 on a #822 town circular service.

Midland Classic 5 in Lichfield bus station

A few minutes later the other circular bus turn came into the bus station. it was Midland classic 4 on the #821.

Midland Classic 4 in Lichfield bus station

When it was was time to go Midland Classic 46 went onto stand and we got on the bus. We attempted to book a Midland Classic Day+ ticket, but the ticket machine appeared not to be working. Whilst the driver wrote out a handwritten ticket, Matthew took a picture inside the lower saloon on Midland Classic.

Inside Midland Classic 46

We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the top deck of Midland Classic before we sat down.

Inside Midland Classic 46

When it was time to depart the bus set off out of the bus station and we went North along Birmingham Road. We continued onto Church Street. We passed Lichfield Trent Valley railway station and we joined the Northbound A38. We ran fast up the A38 to Hilliards Cross and we went West on Wood end lane before turning right onto Common lane. We followed the road around to the right and we crossed over the roundabout onto Worthington Road. we ran up to the end to the turning point and the bus turned around and stopped at the stop, The bus driver came and swapped our hand written ticket for a proper one, having got the ticket machine to work again. When we got off the bus we saw Arriva Midlands 2717 on a #3 to Winshill.

Arriva Midlands 2717 in Burton upon Trent

Matthew decided that he wanted to go to the toilet, and from our previous visit we knew that there was a toilet next to the market hall. We walked up New Street up to High Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 4798 on a #2A to Sydney Street.

Arriva Midlands 4798 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Zigzag branded Trent Barton 675 on a V1 villager service to Derby.

Trent Barton 675 in Burton upon Trent

We walked to the building to the side of the market and it was closed. There was now a toilet inside the market hall. We went into the market and we followed the green footprints on the floor across to the right hand side of the Hall. After Matthew had finished we set of back towards New Street. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3773 on a #9 to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3773 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Trent Barton 661 on a Villager service.

Trent Barton 661 in Burton upon Trent

having seen the Midland Classic bus network map, we decided to go to Swadlincote, where there seem to be a good frequent service. We stood at stand 9 on New Street and we waited for the next Swadlicote bound bus, which was the #4 service. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3707 on a #2A service to Stepenhill.

Arriva Midlands 3707 in Burton upon Trent

A few minutes later we saw required Midland Classic 85 on a #4 to the Goseley estate.

Midland Classic 85 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midland Classic day+ ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so matthew took a picture inside Midland Classic 85.

Inside Midland Classic 85

We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along New Street and right into Lichfield Street. As we passed the back of the Octagon shopping centre we saw Midland Classic double decker 46 now on layover. At the end of Lichfield Street we turned left onto the A5189. We ran Eastwards past Tesco and at the next big roundabout we went forwards onto the A444. We followed the road around to the South and we ran down through Stepenhill and then to Stanton. We stopped outside the Midland Classic garage for a driver change, and then the bus carried on Southwards until we reached Park Road, where we turned left. We ran through the village of Newhall and then we turned right onto Darklands Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Civic Way and we passed Midland Classic 53 on a #9 to Burton. We turned right into Swadlincote bus park and we got up and got of the bus. Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 85 before it carried on towards the Goseley estate.

Midland Classic 85 in Swadlincote

By the time we got to Swadlincite around 15:30, the service was starting to scale back for the evening. We saw Midland Classic 78 on layover adjacent to Civic Way.

Midland Classic 78 in Swadlincote

We also saw required Midland Classic 84 come into the bus station on a #21 and go on layover.

Midland Classic 84 in Swadlincote

We decided to have a sit down and something to eat. Matthew had a packet of Milky Stars and then had a can of Vimto. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3772.

Arriva Midlands 3772 in Swadlincote

At the last minute when we through there was a bus at 15:40, Mathew decided that he wanted to go to the toilet. We took him to the library across the way and we were escorted into the back room for Matthew to use the disabled toilet there. After he had finished we went back to the bus park and we realised that the next bus was in fact a #21 at 15:55. We thought it was going to be Midland Classic 84, but ti was Midland Classic 78 that came off the layover bay by Civic Way and onto Stand 2 in the bus park. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of the bus park and onto Civic Way and we followed it to the left heading Southwards. Civic Way became Hearthcote Road and we went West to Gresley Wood Road. Having traveled East along York Road, we traveled back West along Church Street. We crossed a roundabout onto Castle Road and we past an abandoned car dealership where some of the cars have remained in place. I recommend readers look this up on google maps as there is a nice H reg Maestro still there! We continued West to the A444 and we did a circuit to the South of this roundabout via Mount Pleasant Road, A444, Linton Heath, Main Street and back up to the roundabout along Hillside Road. We then ran up the A444 through Stanton past the Midland Classic depot before turning right onto Sycamore Road. We turned right onto Brackenwood Road and right again onto Rollaston Road. We joined the A5189 and we ran into town along Lichfield street. We unloaded at stand 8 and in foornt of us was required Midland Classic 53 on a #9 to Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Midland Classic 53 in Burton upon Trent

We went up to the market hall and Matthew used the toilet. On the way back we stopped at Tommy's Fish bar and we had a portion of chips between us and some pop. When we cam out of the chips shop Arriva Midlands 3775 was on a #9A to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3775 in Burton upon Trent

We sat down close to stand 6, which was where the X12 bus was due to depart. We quickly ate the chips between us and we saw required Midland Classic 47 which was on the #810 to Lichfield.

Midland Classic 47 in Burton upon Trent

We started to walk down to the stop. On the way we saw Trent Barton 664 on the V4 Villager service to Centrum.

Trent Barton 664 in Burton upon Trent

behind the Trent Barton 664, was the bus we were going to have on the X12. It was dud Midland Classic 81.

Midland Classic 81 in Burton upon Trent

This was a bus that we had up to Lichfield, our first trip on a Midland Classic bus back in August 2014. we got on bus and we flashed the Midland Classic Day+ ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto Lichfield Street. We crossed the A5189 and we went South down Branston Road. We ran for about a mile into Branston and then we joined the Southbound A38. We ran fast down the A38 and we come off just North of Lichfield onto the A5127. We ran past Lichfield Trent Valley railway station and we passed Butler Brothers V10 BUT leaving town with it passengers aboard. We turned into the bus station and when we got off Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 81.

Midland Classic 81 in Lichfield bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and then we went visited the kiosk around the corner. Mathew chose a chocolate bar and an can of Coke and then we went back to the car. As we were leaving we saw Parks of Hamilton HSK 642 on a #324 National Express service to Huddersfield. We left town along the A51 and we ran up to Stone through Rugeley without seeing anything. On the A34 we passed First Potteries 65037 on a #101 with #101 branding on it. At Trentham we turned right onto the A5035 and we ran up to Longton. There were quite a few vehicle on the spare ground at Z Carz this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest on the front row was Z minibus Carz MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we crossed the A50 onto Baths Road so that we could fill up with diesel. After filling up we re-joined the Westbound A50 where we saw Cropley coach XSV 839. We ran up to heron Cross and then we turned left onto Blurton Road. We followed the road around to the right onto Church Road and then we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:30... For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark