Trip to Bury 12-02-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34262	Bury BS	Chapel Field, Stand Lane/Radcliffe Library (SE-bound)	98	First Manchester
34028	Radcliffe Bus Station	Bury BS	98	First Manchester
31930	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40401	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

Matthew had not been out for a few weeks so we asked where he wanted to go. This time he chose Bury. Setting off just after 12:00 it was a fine day, and there were no problems on the road. We arrived in Bury around 13:15. We parked near the library, and we set off to have dinner in the cafe on the corner of Broad and Haymarket. On the way we saw 40359 on a service 510 to Bolton so it seemed that it was going to be business as usual at least on this route.


40359 departs Bury on a service #510 to Bolton (Matt)

For dinner Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy with some bread. After dinner we stood at the end of the bus station to see what was out today. Within seconds we spotted a double decker on stand K in the bus station. I went to get a new map and bus timetables, and worked out the double decker was on a service 98. We decided to do this bus to Radcliffe. When we got on the bus I looked at the timetable and decide we would go to Radcliffe bus station. Until then I didn't even realise there was a bus station having only ever travel on a 524 as far as the tram stop. As we departed we saw 34260 stabled by the side of the tram station. The 98 heads towards Bolton and then travel towards Radcliffe via a couple of housing estates. about 30 minutes later we arrived in Radcliffe bus station. We didn't get up very quickly, and before we could get downstairs the bus pulled off again. We ended up getting off at the next stop outside Radcliffe library.


34262 departs from Radcliffe library towards Manchester on a #98 service (Matt)

Luckily as the pedestrianised town centre meant the bus went round in a big circle, we only had a couple of hundred yards to walk back to the bus station. Radcliffe bus station consists of 2 island each containing 3 bus stops each. We didn't have to wait long at the bus station for a bus back to Bury. 34028 was the next bus back.


34028 on stand at Radcliffe bus station on a service 98 not 524 :-) (matt)

For some reason when we got on the bus I thought it was a 524 but as can be seen from the photograph it was another 98. Whilst on the bus the 524 Bury came in was required 34254. The return journey seemed much quicker, but it still wasn't quick enough to beat the more direct service 524. Just as we left the ring road to turn into the bus station, we passed 34254 going back out to Bolton. When we arrived in the bus station Matthew stood at the end and took a few pictures whilst we worked out what to do next. my thought was to do a quick trip out to Walshaw on a #510 as Matthew likes the Bolton based P---LND batch of darts. We didn't have to wait long for a 510 to show up but it was unusually Wigan based double decker 31930.


31930 arrives in Bury on a service #510 from Bolton (Matt)

As we left we passed 34023 possibly on a #137 Manchester as it was on a stand adjacent to the cafe. It's the first time we have ridden on one of these buses and they are very strange indeed. It used to have dual doors but the centre doors have been removed. there is also a centre staircase. Matthew went upstairs and it was empty. The downstairs was reasonably well filled. The locals must be used to these buses because the all the windows upstairs were covered in condensation even though it was a general fine day with the odd shower. The only clear window was the rear window. I immediately opened a window to try and clear up the condensation. Once the bus started to move we could feel every bump on the road and the body sides shook. It struggled up the lower part of Walshaw road. It is only a short journey to Walshaw and as we have been before we were able to guess were to ring the bell and get up quite well. it must have been running well to time as it paused for a few second and Matthew was able to get another photograph of this bus.


31930 pauses in Warshaw on a service #510 to Bolton (Matt)

We crossed the road and as usual we didn't have to wait long for the return. Unusually for us it wasn't one of the usual Darts, it was a slightly newer one 40401.


40401 on arrival from Bolton in Bury bus station (Matt)

We then had a few minutes taking photograph until we met up with mum to return back home. As always we saw the Almin Travel bus but we still don't know what it does or if it's general service. We would still love to know if we can catch this bus.


Often seen, never caught...Almin Travel minibus L402 BBC outside Bury bus station (Matt)

Matthew and mum got back just before 17:00 and we set off home via picking up LPG on the way. Back on the M6 we encountered heavy traffic due to an accident! We eventually got back home at 18:50 to find out that Tesco had tried to deliver the shopping at 18:35...Drat!...Mark

Trip to Bury 08-01-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34260	Bury BS	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	524	First Manchester
60213	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	Bury BS	524	First Manchester
34263	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Castlebrook High School	137	First Manchester
66880	Unsworth, Hollins Lane/Parr Lane	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40342	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40355	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

This trip was organised to replace the canceled coach trip that Matthew was meant to be on today. We set off at around 11:30, and the journey was uneventful. On the way into town we past double decker 34260 on a service 472 Ramsbottom circular. On arrival, we parked in front of the library, and as always first thing to do is to get something to eat. We ate in a cafe on the corner of Haymarket Street and Broad street. Matthew had Chips, Cheese and beans on a barm. Whilst waiting for the food, Matthew used the facilities. As often is the case he photographed the sink manufacturer.


Shires sink (Matt)

It was a huge portion of chips and he was not able to finishes it! After dinner, we went to the bus station to see what was working. As we arrived, 34260 came back in after its run out. So we went to stand next to this bus thinking it would work the circular again.



34260 in Bury bus station (Matt)

Drivers appeared, sat in the drivers seat and then disappeared again. I think the driver or even a controller decided that the bus would be better on a different route. A driver appeared and jumped in and then drove off! About 2 or 3 minutes later it re-appeared and went onto a different stand, the display was set to 524, a service which we had done before, so we decided that we would do the same move as we did last time to Radcliffe. We eventually got on and were able to get the front seats upstairs. A few minutes later we alighted in Radcliffe.


34260 disappears towards Bolton on a service #524 bus in Radcliffe (Matt)

Last time we did this move we had to wait a considerable time to catch a bus back. This time I think the service was running closer to time. A few minutes later long single decker 60213 appeared in the distance.


60213 approaches on the #524 to Bury (Matt)

We quickly sat down, and realised that the seats on these buses are just a uncomfortable as the Mercedes single decker we rode on on out last visit to Bury! luckily it was only a 10-15 minute journey. On arrival back, we didn't have to wait very long for another 'First' double decker. This time it was 34263 on a 137 Manchester service. Another move we have done before, we decided to catch this double decker to Unsworth


Inside the top deck of 34263 (Matt)


34263 departs South from Unsworth (Matt)

On arrival at Unsworth, we basically had to run across the road so we could catch the next bus straight back. The bus was modern single decker 66880, from the same batch of buses that were transfered to Newcastle to work on the Keele services.


66880 in Unsworth (Matt)

On arrival back we stood at the end of the bus station so Matthew could take some pictures. I had checked the timetable to see if there was a 510 due, which tended to be short Bolton based single deckers. I worked out there was one due in 5 minutes, and almost as soon as we stood at the end of the bus station, Dennis dart 40342 appeared from round the corner.


40342 approaches Bury bus station from Bolton (Matt)

We walked down to the stop and boarded to bus. After a quick journey of about 10 minutes we alighted at Walshaw.


40342 disappears into the sunset in Walshaw (Matt)

Another short wait later, we literally crossed the road and waited for 2 minutes before the return bus appeared, Dennis Dart 40355.


40355 arrives in Walshaw from Bolton (Matt)

As often is the case, Matthew wanted to photograph the interior. I told him to wait until we arrived in Bury and then he could photograph the bus empty.


Back at Bury bus station, Matt takes a picture of the empty 40355 (Matt)

Matthew was then able to take a few more picture before we departed for home. We Decided to have a quick drink in the Knowsley pub and a toilet stop before went left. after that we went back to the car for sausage rolls and sandwiches. Just as we were setting off, we were passed by the interesting Almin Travel minibus L402 BBC. We followed the bus back to the junction of the M66, I believe it was heading for Heywood. As mention before, I would love to know what service this was on as I believe Matthew would love to ride on this bus. All in all a good trip, with the only downside being that we forgot to remind Matthew to set his camera to take 'big' pictures...(Mark)