Bus |
From |
To |
Service |
Operator |
|
| 216 | Cleveleys, Victoria Square (Stop 4) | Blackpool, by Starr Gate | 1 | Blackpool Transport |
| 375 | Blackpool, by Starr Gate | Blackpool, o/s Cabin | 1 | Blackpool Transport |
| 330 | Blackpool, o/s Cabin | Cleveleys, by Crescent | 1 | Blackpool Transport |
| 377 | Cleveleys, by Crescent | Fleetwood, Bold Street Interchange | 1 | Blackpool Transport |
| 311 | Fleetwood, Bold Street Interchange | Fleetwood, by Elm Street | 14 | Blackpool Transport |
| 374 | Fleetwood, by fire station | Fleetwood, Bold Street Interchange | 1 | Blackpool Transport |
Today Matthew decided that we were going up to the Fylde Coast. On Thursday he had spotted a picture on Flickr that informed us that Saturday was the last day for the Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympians with Blackpool Transport. There were scheduled to be at least 3 buses on the #1 from Starr Gate to Fleetwood, so we decided that we were going to start the day in Cleveleys. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:10 ans we headed through Blurton on Beaconsfield Drive. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the Post Office. Whilst there we saw First Potteries 67632 on a #22 to Newcastle. Once we had picked up a parcel we continued along Blurton Road to Heron Cross. We joined the Westbound A50 and we ran to Sideway where we took the Northbound A500. The road was very quiet today. It appeared that most of the local people in teaching jobs had jumped on a plane yesterday afternoon shortly after the bell rang just like in the Barclaycard Advert! We got to the M6 and there was quite heavy traffic going North. As we travelled North we saw Hollinshead DH13 HOL, A-Line CU51 EEZ, SS Travel UKZ 9473, an unidentified AJK Travel coach in Knutsford services (Northbound), Pat;s Coaches J7 WXM, Happy Days 220, Howards F19 HOW, an unidentified Battersby Silver Grey coach, white coach F687 ONR, white coach BU16 ???, an unidentifed Caledonian Travel coach and minibuses MT07 ZAG & YG53 VHV as well as an unidentified Myalls of Bassingbourn Coach. North of the M56 the road was much quieter and we mage better time. We joined the Westbound M55 and we saw former Bakers Coaches now Harris Travel 9995 RU. We ran for around 10 miles and we came off the motorway onto the A585. We followed the road North until we came to a roundabout next to a Morrisons. We went West along Victoria Road West and we passed Catch22Bus Routemaster RM1583 on the #21 to St Anne's. We turned left onto North Drive and right onto Anchorsholm Lane East. We turned right onto the A587, crossing over the tram line and we turned right by Aldi into Runnymede Avenue where we parked up. We walked around the corner back onto the A587 and we stopped for dinner at The Tramstop Cafe. When we got there Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of diet Coke. Whilst we are we saw Blackpool Transport Optare Excel 220 on a #7 service, and two of the Volvo Olympians 374 & 375 on the #1 service. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and as we had just missed a Northbound #1 service, we decided to cross over the road and tram line to the Southbound stop. At the stop when we got there was Blackpool Transport 293 on a #4 service to Mereside Tesco.
|
| Blackpool Transport 293 in Cleveleys |
We had around 10 minutes before the next #1 service, which was due at 14:26. A few minutes alter we saw Catch22Bus Dart W363 VHB on a #21 to the Pleasure Beach.
|
| Catch22Bus W363 VHB in Cleveleys |
Shortly after that we saw Blackpool Transport Solo 249 on a #3 to Mereside Tesco.
|
| Blackpool Transport 249 in Cleveleys |
A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It wasn't a Volvo Olympian, but it was something almost as good. It was required Blackpool Transport Optare Excel 216 on a #1 to Starr Gate.
|
| Blackpool Transport 216 in Cleveleys |
We got on the bus and we brought Adult24 tickets at £5 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off South down the A587 and we ran through Norbreck and Bispham quite quickly. Just North of the North Pier we hit traffic and we moved very slowly through town. We passed the North Pier and started to make slightly quicker progress. Going North we saw dud Blackpool Transport 377 on a #1 to Fleetwood. Past the Central pier we went a little quicker still but the bus was now quite late. We passed required Blackpool Transport 374 on a #1 to Cleveleys, presumably cut short due to late running. Once past the Pleasure Beach we went through the back streets onto Clifton Drive. and right onto the new South Promenade where the bus terminated. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 216.
|
| Inside Blackpool Transport 216 |
We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 216 before it carried on back to Fleetwood.
|
| Blackpool Transport 216 in Blackpool |
The bus set off almost immediately as it was late. In Theory we now had around a 15 minute wait for the next bus back North at 15:40. We sat on a rck by the tram station and Matthew ate a pack of Milky Stars. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw Catch22Bus Leyland Atlantean AHG 334V on a #21 to Cleveleys.
|
| Catch22Bus AHG 334V in Blackpool |
We waited patiently for the bus... 15:40 came and went and then bus never appeared. We watch a few trams arrive and depart and we saw Rotherham based Ford minibus FV07 ELH go Northwards up the Promenade.
|
| Rotherham FV07 ELH in Blackpool |
A few minutes later we saw Swans Travel coach YN58 CFX going South down the road.
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| Swans Travel YN58 CFX in Blackpool |
A few minutes alter we saw a bus coming out of Clifton Drive. It was an Olympian! As it got closer we saw it was required Blackpool Transport 375.
|
| Blackpool Transport 375 in Blackpool |
It was just after 16:00 and we had final caught up with our first Olympian of the day. We got on the bus and we flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver. The bottom deck of the bus was empty so matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 375.
|
| Inside Blackpool Transport 375 |
We went upstairs and the bus set off up the New South Promenade. We got to the South Pier and we started to hit traffic again. As we passed the coach park we saw Dunwood YN64 AOJ. We traveled slowly North stuck behind Landau after Landau, overtaking where the road was clear and wide enough. Coming the other way we saw Blackpool Transport 330 and 328 on the #1 towards Starr Gate. Just before the North Pier we saw required Blackpool Transport 374 going South. A few enthusiast types got on the bus and one that I recognised I asked about what was out. We worked out between us that there were just the 3 Volvo Olympian double deckers out, and he informed me that the last one off fleetwood was due to work the 18:45 from the interchange and it was booked to be required Blackpool Transport 374. As we got North of the North Pier and we got out into traffic free roads we decided to get off the bus somewhere. We went North of Gynn Square and someone rang the bell and we spotted a public toilet so we thought it would be a good place to get off. It was adjacent to the Cabin tram stop. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 375.
|
| Blackpool Transport 375 in Blackpool |
We crossed the tram track an Matthew used the toilet. Whilst we were there we saw Catch22Bus AHG 334V and heritage tram 230 which turned around and went back South. We weren't sure how long we had as the buses were clearly not running to timetable due to the traffic problems. Matthew and uncle Dave were looking over the wall towards the see when I spotted a bus in the distance so I shouted them back over. As it closer we saw that it was required Blackpool Transport 330.
|
| Blackpool Transport 330 in Blackpool |
We got on the bus and we flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 330.
|
| Inside Blackpool Transport 330 |
The bus set off Northwards up the A587 through Bispham and Norbrek and we passed required Blackpool Transport 313 and Blackpool Transport 216 that we had been on earlier. we decided to get up and get off in Cleveleys so we could catch another bus. As we turned the corner by Aldi we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 330 as it carried on Northwards towards Fleetwood.
|
| Blackpool Transport 330 in Cleveleys |
We crossing the road and were about to cross the tram track when we saw dud Blackpool Transport 329 going South. As it was dud we decided not to rush after it. Before we crossed back over to the Northbound Stop we saw Blackpool Transport 528 on a #7 to Cleveleys.
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| Blackpool Transport 528 in Cleveleys |
According to the timetable there was a bus due at 17:26. That was only in a few minutes time. As we looked up we saw it thundering around the corner it was another Olympian. Dud Blackpool Transport 377 had somehow gone past us Southwards and was heading towards us!
|
| Blackpool Transport 377 in Cleveleys |
We got on the bus and we flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 377.
|
| Inside Blackpool Transport 377 |
The last time we had been on this bus
was almost 6 years ago to the day when we had it from Devonshire Road to Blackpool Tower on the #11 service in July 2010. We set off Northwards up the A587 for around 2 miles and at the roundabout we turned right onto Hatfield Avenue past Fleetwood Town's football ground. We followed the road around to the right onto Peel Road and we turned left onto Radcliffe Road. We turned right onto Copse Road and we ran forwards onto Lord Street where we passed Blackpool Transport 375 on it's final run South. We ran through the town and onto North Albert Street and we followed the tram line around to the right onto Bold Street. We had originally planned to stay on the bus to the Freeport, but after a couple of minutes stopped we decided to get off. This turned out to be a good thing as we were about to find out. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 377.
|
| Blackpool Transport 377 in Fleetwood Interchange |
Once off the bus we went over to the Ferry cafe and used the toilet. After we cam out Matthew had an ice cream and a few cans of pop for later. We sat down on a bench opposite to the cafe Matthew ate his ice cream and we watched the bus depart. As well as Blackpool Transport 377 on it last ever #1 to Starr Gate we saw Blackpool Transport 359 running out of service off a #14 service.
|
| Blackpool Transport 359 in Fleetwood Interchange |
We also let Blackpool Transport 351 go which was on a #14 to Mereside Tesco. The had been to wait for the 18:09 #1 to Freeport and do it to the bottom of Lord Street for Blackpool Transport 374 back in on the service that form the 18:45 from the Interchange to Starr Gate. Had we had tried to do this we would have failed! The 18:09 didn't show up. !8:09 came and went and the only bus about was required Blackpool Transport 311 which was going to be working the 18:15 to Mereside Tesco.
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| Blackpool Transport 311 in Fleetwood Interchange |
A few minutes later Blackpool Transport 527 arrived at the interchange on what we assumed would be the following #14 to Mereside Tesco.
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| Blackpool Transport 527 in Fleetwood Interchange |
We decided to do Blackpool Transport 311 as plan B and forget what we assumed would be required Blackpool Transport 328 on the #1. We got on the bus and we Flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver. As the downstairs was empty Matthew took a picture inside of Blackpool Transport 311.
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| Inside Blackpool Transport 311 |
We went upstairs and this was also empty too, so Matthew took another picture Blackpool Transport 311.
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| Inside Blackpool Transport 311 |
The bus set off out of the interchange and onto Queens Terrace by the Ferry Cafe. We turned right into Pharos Street past the big stone lighthouse and we turned left onto Albert Street North. We ran down onto Lord Street and we passed required Blackpool Transport 328 on the late running #1 service to Freeport. At the bottom of Lord Street we continued onto Copse Road and we turned right onto Elm Street where we got up and got off the bus. We walked back around the corner onto Radcliffe Road but we could not see a bus stop so we knew it had to be a fair way down. It was close to 1/4 of a mile and we walked quickly as we didn't know when the bus was due. We got to the stop around 18:24 and we check the timetable on the bus stop. The bus to the interchange was due at 18:16! In theory we should have missed the bus... Before we even had chance to cacth our breath the bus turned the corner and it was as hoped required Blackpool Transport 374.
|
| Blackpool Transport 374 in Fleetwood |
We got on the bus and we flashed the adult24 ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Radcliffe Road. At the end we turned right across the the tram line and onto Copse Road. We joined Lord Street and we ran through town. We called mum to tell her we were heading to the Ferry terminal and we carried on into Albert Street North. We turned right into Bold Street and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 374.
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| Inside Blackpool Transport 374 |
We got off the bus and we took another picture of Blackpool Transport 374 before it took it final run down to Starr Gate.
|
| Blackpool Transport 374 in Fleetwood Interchange |
Whilst we waited for mum to come and pick us up we decided to venture onto the beach! This was the first time Matthew has been on sand for quite a while. After a quick photograph of this rare event we walked back onto firm land and we spotted mum parked opposite to us. we got in the car and as it was getting close to 18:45 we decided we would find a chippy and have chips in the car. We ran down Queen's terrace and we turned right into Kent Street. We turned left onto North Albert Street through the tram platforms and we spotted a chippy on the roundabout where Albert Street North went forwards onto Lord Street. I went into Granada fish bar and i brought 4 small portion of chips & gravy with a small sausage. Whilst we sat in the car eating we saw Blackpool Transport 306 & 372 on #14 service up to Fleetwood Interchange and Preston Bus Solo 20773 on a #74 service to Preston. We also saw Fleetwood based coach Comfy Coach ST02 GDZ dropping passengers off in town. When we had finished eating we set off onto Albert Street and right onto the A585. We then followed the A585 South to the M55. The road has been improved since our last run along this road with a couple of the main junctions upgraded. We got onto the M55 and we ran East to the M6. As we traveled South down the M6 we passed Preston Bus 20789, an unidentified Hodson coach, Walton's BX13 CZH & Knight's UKZ 9592. When we got to junction 16 we went East on the A500. On the A500 we saw Howards F19 HOW & Magnum SO59 HUA. At Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton so we could check out what vehicles were parked up at their depot. In the front row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.
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| Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton |
We also saw Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.
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| Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton |
next in the row we saw Z Carz Airport Division Ford minibus MJ03 DPU.
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| Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton |
Nearest in the first row was Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.
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| Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton |
Closest to the road in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.
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| Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton |
At the very back of the site we saw Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX
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| Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton |
We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Nearest top the gate was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.
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| Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton |
We rejoined the top level A50 and we crossed over the main carriageway at the roundabout onto Baths Road. We went to the Tesco Petrol station and we topped up with diesel before we got back onto the Westbound A50. As it was now 21:15 we decided to drop uncle Dave off First. We dropped down into Fenton to drop him off home and we returned to Heron Cross and over the A50. We ran into Blurton along Blurton Road before turned right into Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 21:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we ate some jam filled shortbread biscuits. We looked the pictures we had taken today and Matthew went to bed around 00:00... Mark
