Trip to Wigan / Appley Bridge 02-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4102	Wigan BS	Appley Bridge, Stockley Drive	635	Go North West
4022	Appley Bridge, Stockley Drive	Wigan BS	635	Go North West
4133	Wigan BS	Horwich, (Stop D)	575	Go North West
15295	Horwich, (Stop A	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
3500	Bolton BS	Westhoughton, Stop D	7	Go North West
3498	Westhoughton, Stop D	Wigan BS	7	Go North West

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. I had checked the weather for the day and it said there would be sunshine and showers, with the better weather being in the North West. I asked Matthew where he wanted to go and he chose Wigan. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medicatiom. He got up around 10:00 and toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set of just before 12:00 to go and pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. As we went uo the A500 we saw JKT GT19 JKT and blue minibus YR64 LRJ. We ran to the Barthomley Interchange and we got on the Northbound M6. Going up the M6 were an unidentified white tri-axle coach, an unidentified blue coach, an unidentified Centurian coach, An unidentified Traveller's Choice coach, silver minibus MK10 WGF and taxi minibus HA61 HHH. We came off the M6 at junction 24 and we ran along the A49 link road until we got to the A49. Just South of the town we jan forwards onto the B5386 which used to be the A49 before it was diverted around the town centre. We ran under the railway line to Kirkby and at the big roundabout we joined the A577. We crossed over the Leeds and Liverpool canal and we turned left onto Wilcock Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Prescott Street. We turned right onto Frog Lane and we went under the West Coast main line we turned right into Dorning Street and we parked up in the Mona Street car park. We walked up to the Post Office sorting office and we saw Go North West L4566 parked up on layover.

Go North West L4566 in Wigan

We continued onto Hallgate and we walked through the bus station and through onto Market Street. We went to The New Chippery and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew sat down with us and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we headed back past the shopping centre which has now been demolished. We went into the bus station and went went down to the bottom end to take pictures whilst we decided what to catch. We saw Go North West 4114 on a #3 Kitt Green circular service.

Go North West 4114 in Wigan bus station

Also seen was Go North West 5101 on a #630 to Platt Bridge,

Go North West 5101 in Wigan bus station

A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2929 on a #360 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2929 in Wigan bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4570 on a #385 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4570 in Wigan bus station

At this point we headed into the bus station. I thought Matthew wanted to catch the Arriva double decker, but he continued to the top end of the bus station and decided to catch Go North West 4102 on a #635 to Apply Bridge.

Go North West 4102 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we brought System one bus at only tickets at £5 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto New Market Street and we turned right onto the B5375. We ran through Springfield, Standish Lower and Standish. As we travelled through we saw Go North West 4030 on a #635 to Wigan. We ran through Crooke to Shevington and we turned left onto the B5206. We turned right onto the B5375 under the M6 and into Shevington Vale. We turned right onto Back Lane and we turned right onto Woodnook Road and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4102 at it continued towards the end of the run.

Go North West 4102 in Appley Bridge

Once off the bus we headed to the nearby Spar shop. Matthew had a can of Dr Pepper and a couple of chocolate bars and a millionaires shortbread. We stayed under the canopy and Matthew ate the millionaires shortbread and drank the Dr Pepper. We walked back to the stop and we waited for the next bus. It wasn't showing up on the map so we kept our fingers crossed that it was run but without the transponder on. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 4022 on a #635 to Wigan.

Go North West 4022 in Appley Bridge

We got on the bus and we placed the System One bus only day ticket under the scanner. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Go North West 4022 before we sat down.

Inside Go North West 4022

We set of along Woodnook Road and we turned right onto the B5375. We turned onto left the B5206 and we continued through Shevington and we turned right onto Old Lane. We turned onto left the B5375 and we ran through Standish, Standish Lower and Springfield. We turned left onto New Market Street and we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off and Matthew went to the toilet. When he came out I asked Matthew if he wanted to go towards Horwich and he said yes. We saw Arriva NW&W 2971 on a #320 to St Helens. We looked on Stand and we saw it was Go North West 4133 on a #575 to Bolton.

Go North West 4133 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the System One Bus Only ticket on the scanner before we sat down towards the back of this well filled bus. The bus set off out of the bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Markert Street We ran around the town clockwise and we went via Greenhough Street onto Scholes. As we ran out of town Scholes became Whelley. They don't have have some strange street names in these here parts... We continued North Eastwards through New Springs and we went forwards onto Wigan Road. On the Eastern Edge of Aspull we turned left onto Holly Road and left again onto St David's Crescent. At the end we turned right onto the B5239 and we ran ran Southwards into the centre of Aspull. We turned left onto Scot lane and we ran Eastwards out of town. We came to T junction and we turned left onto the B5408. To the left of us we could see a large transmitter on top of a hill. A little research revealed it is Winter Hill, the main TV transmitter for the North West. We travelled North through the village of Blackrod, and then when we got to the other side of the village we went South down the A6. At the next big crossroads we turned left onto Station Road and we passed Blackrod railway station and then went under the M61. We climbed the hill into Horwich and when the bus turned right into Chorley New Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4133 as it continued Northwards towards Bolton.

Go North West 4133 in Horwich

Once off the bus we crossed the road and we visited The Crown. Matthew used the toilet and then we went to the bar to get a drink. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat at a table for a few minutes whilst Mathew had his drink. Highlights of the bus sightings included Stagecoach Lancashire 11633 on the #125 to Sharoe Green. When we had finished we went outside and we crossed over the road to wait for a Stagecoach bus towards Bolton. Whilst we waied we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15249 on a #125 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15249 in Horwich

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 15295 on a #125 Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15295 in Horwich

We got on the bus and we placed the System One bus only ticket before we sat downstairs towards the back of the bus. We set off along Lee Lane and we went through the centre of Horwich. We continued Eastwards through Bottom O' Th' Moor and down the hill through Monserrat and Doffcocker. We crossed the ring road and continued along St George's Street and we turned right onto Knowsley Street going past the Market Place Shopping Centre. We turned right onto Deansgate and and we ran to the end where we turned left onto Moor Lane past the old bus station. We turned left onto Ormrod Street and we turned left onto Great Moor Street. We turned right onto Newport Street and we entered the bus station. Once off the bus we headed to the toilet. Afterwards we went outside to take a few pictures. We saw Go North West 4129 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Go North West 4129 in Bolton Interchange

We headed in the bus station to wait for a bus heading towards Westhoughton. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Cadburys Snack. We saw Rotala Diamond 30675 on a #574 to Middlebrook. A sort time later we saw a bus approaching the stand. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 3500 on a #7 to Wigan.

Go North West 3500 in Bolton Interchange

We flashed the System One Bus Day ticktets to the driver we went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned right onto Newport Street. We turned left onto Great Moor Lane and we went forwards onto Deane Road. We past the site where there used to be an old double decker bus. This was now part of an aeroplane fuselage and call Steaks on a Plane. We ran about 3 miles out of town and we crossed under the M61. Chequerbent roundabout we saw an unidentified Grayways coach parked up at the side of the road. At the Chequerbent roundabout we turned right onto the A6 and we turned left onto Bolton Road and we ran down towards Westhoughton. We turned right onto Market Street and we ran through the town centre of Westhoughton. At the Western end we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took anothr picture of Go North West 3500 as it continued towards Wigan.

Go North West 3500 in Westhoughton

Once off the bus we crossed the road and we went into the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we fought our way to the bar in a very busy and noisey pub and Matthew had a glass of coke. When we had finished we came out of the pub and crossed the road to the bus stop. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw Rotala Diamond 30156 on a #559 to Ashton-in-Makerfield. A short time later we saw our bus approaching. We saw it was Go North West 3498 on a #7 to Wigan.

Go North West 3498 in Westhoughton

We got on the bus and we placed the System One Bus Only ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we sat downstairs towards the back of the bus. We set off along Market Street and we passed through the town centre of Westhoughton. We turned left and we joined the Southbound A58. At the corner in the road we turned left into Southfield Drive and we worked our way across to the B5235. We went South past daisy Hill railway station and we turned right into Lower Leigh Road. We turned left onto Hindley Road and we ran through to Hindley via Swan Lane. We turned right onto Green Lane and we headed through the estate between Hindley Green and Hindley and we joined the A58 and we ran down int Hindley centre where we turned right onto the A577. We crossed under the railway line and past Walmesley park and we continued into Ince. We followed the road to the left and we ran the last 1/2 mile to the eastern edge of Wigan town centre. We crossed the A49 onto King street and we ran into the town centre. We crossed Wallgate onto King Street West and we ran into the bus station up Dorning Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked around the bus station and we saw Go North West 4111 on layover. We walked onto Hallgate and we met up with mum who had driven up to Hallgate to meet us. Matthew had a can of Fanta Orange and a sausage roll for tea. Whilst we were parked up preserved North West LDB 796 and GM Buses 3253 appeared on the Wigan Beer Festival shuttle service. We set off along Hallgate and we followed the one-way system onto Dorning Street. We followed the road around to the right past the old Uncle Joe's Mintball factory and we ran forwards onto Deanery Street. We turned left onto Frog Lane and went under the railway bridge before turning left onto Prescott Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Herbert Street. We turned left onto the A577 and we ran around the one-way system and around Wigan Pier. We crossed under the Liverpool line and we past the big roundabout. We continued Southwards to the A49 and we turned right into Shell and stopped at the petrol station. After filling up we re-joined the Southbound A49 and we ran the last few miles down to the motorway. Travelling back along the M6 we saw ABC coach hire BA19 ???. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Talke, Longport, Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew ate some carrot cake and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Wigan 20-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
19521	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop B)	32	Stagecoach Manchester
22406	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop A)	Wigan BS	598	Stagecoach Manchester
29	Wigan BS	Hullet Close, Appley Bridge	635	South Lancs Travel
55	Woodhook Road, Appley Bridge	Wigan BS	635	South Lancs Travel
4064	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	385	Arriva NW&W
3048	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	395	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Wigan. We left the decision until quite late in the week this time and we hd given him a choice of going to Oswestry to ride on the Tanat Valley Leyland Tiger Cub YRC 194 at the Cambrian Railways Heritage & Classic vehicle extravaganza. or going to wigan, but Matthew chose Wigan today. no research was done for today's trip other then to check the weather (sunny 14'...positively tropical!) and to see where Wigan were playing football (away at West Ham). Matthew got up just before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we st off around 11:30 to get LPG from Etruria. We went along the A5035 and turned into Stanley Matthew Way past the Hem Heath pub. We joined the Westbound A50 and then the Northbound A500 coming off at Shelton New Road to get the LPG. There was a bit of a wait here as a Winnebago had turned up and blocked the yard. Whilst we waited we saw 3 buses on the #34/34A service. First we saw First Potteries Scania 65730 which is normal a allocation for this service, then we saw Dart 40145 which is little rarer. This was followed by required aging Olympian 30031! Asked Matthew if he still wanted to go to Wigan and he said yes. We got onto the Westbound A53 and then onto the Northbound A500. The motorway was fairly clear, and we got up to the A49 just after 13:00. There was some traffic on the A49, and we parked up around 13:20. We walked to the cafe passed the bus station, where we saw Tyrers X582 USC on football duties.

Tyrers X582 USC in Wigan bus station

After taking the picture we carried on walking to the Courtyard Cafe. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with Coke, and afterwards he had chocolate fudge cake with custard.

Chocolate fudge cake in custard...

We finished our food just before 14:00, and we walked to the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw Arriva NW&W Dart 7644 in the distance on a #360 to Warrington. and then we spotted Stagecoach Manchester 19521 on a #32 service. We decided to do this so Matthew took a picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 19521 in Wigan bus station

We crossed the crossing and got on the bus. We booked our system was bus tickets and then went upstairs. It was virtually empty so Matthew took his empty bus picture.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19521

We set off towards Ince-in-Makerfield and then towards Hindley. We got chatting to a lady at the front of the bus and she thought Matthew was lovely. I think if she could have taken him home she would have done! We went around the estates in Castle Hill and then we headed into Hindley Green. We decided to get off here as we had done before and to wait for the next #32 or #598 to Wigan. We crossed the road and walked back to the stop. We just missed a #598 so we sat down at the stop to wait for the next bus. Whilst we waited Matthew drank a can of Coke.There was a #594 to Leigh due first though. The bus turned up and it was Jim Stones Enviro 200 BUS 1N.

Jim Stones BUS 1N in Hindley Green

There was a #598 due a couple of minutes later and sure enough Stagecoach Manchester 22406 appeared from around the corner.

Stagecoach Manchester 22406 in Hindley Green

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was quite well filled, but it seem to empty out as we headed into Wigan. The bus took a more direct route into Wigan avoiding the estates. We passed Stagecoach Manchester 22145 on a Leigh bound #598. As we traveled back mum text us the devastating new that Greggs in Wigan had closed! When we got to wigan the last few people got off the bus and Matthew took his empty bus picture.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22406

We got off and we saw Arriva 4101 arrive into the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 4101 in Wigan bus station

Arriva NW&W is a bus we have been on before. We did did up to Pemberton on the Last day of First in December 2012. We decided to go to the toilet at this point, and as we walked back through the bus station, Matthew we spotted former D&G Scania 29 on the #635 to Appley Bridge. We got on the bus and asked the driver which direction the bus was going in. He couldn't really tell me but he said that the ticket was valid throughout so we got on and sat down near the back. I looked in my bag to find a Wigan bus map but I think I must have left it on Stagecoach Manchester 19521. I asked some lads which direction we were going and I was able to work out we were going just over the M6 north of Orrell! They also told us there was a 15 minute frequency, so we decided to stay on until the end. We went through a place called Shevington which is appropriate seeing as the bus was once based in Crewe. We crossed the M6 and then a few minutes later the driver informed us we had arrived at the end. We got up and Matthew took a picture inside this unusual vehicle.

Inside South Lancs Travel 29

We got off and he took a picture of the outside too.

South Lancs Travel 29 in Appley Bridge

We decided to go do a bit of shopping whilst we were here. We walled down to the Spar shop and Matthew had a Galaxy Caramel and a can of Coke and some small bottles of pop too. We came out of the shop and we saw A South Lancs Travel bus approaching. It was required South Lancs travel 55.

South Lancs Travel 55 in Appley Bridge

We got onto the empty bus and Matthew immediately got a picture of the inside of this bus, with it unusual Grey and Yellow seating.

Inside South Lancs Travel 55

We sat down and started to head back into Wigan. We passed Holmeswood YJ56 AUF on a #3A service which looked familiar. Further research revealed that we had passed through Appley Bridge before on that same service and the same bus back in August 2012! We carried on back into town passing South Lancs Travel 30 which was the third bus on #635's. We got back into Wigan and we went to the bottom of the bus station to take bus pictures. One of the first buses we saw was required Arriva NW&W 2705 on a #320 service.

Arriva NW&W 2705 leaves Wigan bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Manchester 22157 on a #540 service.

Stagecoach Manchester 22157 in Wigan bus station

A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W 4064 appeared on #385 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4064 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this up to Pemberton. We headed past Wigan North Western railway station ad down the A49. We then turned on to Ormskirk Road. Just past the half way house and before the traffic lights, we got of the bus. The bus pulled of quickly, but it stopped at the lights and Matthew got a picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 4064 in Pemberton

We crossed the road and waited at the inbound stop. I asked Matthew if he wanted to catch Arriva or Stagecoach and he chose Arriva. Luckily it was an Arriva bus that was due next. It was a #395 from Ormskirk. We saw Arriva NW&W 3026 was on the #395 to Ormskirk. We didn't have to wait too long before our bus appeared and it was required Arriva NW&W 3048.

Arriva NW&W 3048 in Pemberton

The was reasonably well loaded and we sat down near the back. We headed back down Ormskirk Road and then into Wigan on the A49. When we got back the bus emptied and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3048

When we got off we saw required Arriva NW&W 7640 arrive and then it disappeared again! We met up with mum and then we walked back the long way to the car so that we could photograph some of the buses. We walked passed the row of stabled buses in the bus station and Arriva Solo SR 710 was parked up here.

Arriva NW&W 710 in Wigan bus station

We carried on around taking pictures. Today they were mainly stagecoach vehicles and then we walked up Dorning Street. Whilst we were there we saw Wigan Buses SN56 AXD departing on a #630 to Platt Bridge. We got back to the car and mum had managed to source sausage rolls from an alternative shop. Matthew seemed to enjoy then, so it seems that we may now be switching to Pound Bakery for our pastry needs. It had a meat and potato pasty and it was very nice. We added a touch of oil to the car engine and we set off home. We went down Frog Lane passed the Wigan Coachways depot where we saw Volvo N213 TDU. We then headed around Wigan Pier and then onto the Southbound A49. We then headed onto the Southbound M6. It took us a while today before we picked up the signal for Radio Stoke, but when we did we heard that Stoke had beaten QPR away by two goals to nil. It also seems that Port Vale are all but promoted to the First division unless they ship loads of goals. The matrix sign were saying that the M6 was closed between junction 15 and 14. We had wondered if this would cause the motorway to back up beyond junction 16, but it did not have that much of an effect. We came off onto the Southbound A500 and then we did the A50 to Longton so we could check out Z Carz. We didn't see any coaches today but there were plenty of the taxi fleet. At the rear we could see T131 SGA, HX51 HRU and YN03 HJC. The first one of the taxi fleet at the front was X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Next was BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

This was followed by PN06 DNN.

Z Carz PN06 DNN in Longton

Last of the taxi fleet was YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

We were then surprised to seen a new minibus in the fleet. It was W221 CDN complete with some nice purple Z Carz decals.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see if there was anything by the actual depot. We were pleased to find another new arrival, UK04 BUS which had been running with Clowes Coaches fairly recently.

Z Carz UK04 BUS in Longton

We then headed down Longton Hall Road. We saw 40143 on a Newcastle bound #22. At the bottom of the road was First Potteries 53830 on the evening #23 service followed by 41492 which was finishing for the evening. Just before we got home we saw 40137 on the Longton bound #22. We got in the house at 18:30. We looked at our pictures from today and then we had a late tea of bangers and mash. Later he had a slice of toffee cheesecake and he chilled out on his computer before bedtime at just after 00:00...Mark