Trip to Preston / Penwortham 10-11-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
47219	Fishwick, Acregate Lane	Preston BS	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
15840	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
15908	Lea, opp Pig & Whistle	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire
15819	Preston BS	Fulwood, Lightfoot Lane	41	Stagecoach Lancashire
15697	Fulwood, Parklands	Preston BS	41	Stagecoach Lancashire
27114	Preston BS	Penwortham, Kingsfold Shops	3	Stagecoach Lancashire
27115	Penwortham, Kingsfold Shops	Preston BS	3	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to re-visit Preston. Our last visit to Preston was for the Rolala Preston Bus Olympian farewell in December 2016. We checked the weather and the roads and the weather for today seemed to be letter further North. We showed Matthew the map and on the map he chose to visit Preston. Other research consisted of checking the availability of Stagecoach and Preston Bus day tickets. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. just before 12:00 we set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and we ran down to the roundabout at Sideway. We turned right onto the Northbound A500 towards the motorway. As we ran up the A500 we saw white coach YT68 GWP, Vicky's Coaches VKZ 989 & Copeland's Tours MIB 229. We ran up to junction 16 and we got onto the Northbound M6. Seen on the M6 were Kier YS15 CRJ / WR17 JFU / VN15 FXJ, Mostonian ESK 812, an unidentified National Express liveried coach(#540), Titterington's BJ10 VTV, Hollinshead J10 BUS / DH13 HOL, Holmeswood K5 HWD, Vision Travel BK63 ZSW, an unidentified LMT blue white minibus, an unidentified Caledonian Travel coach, an unidentified Coastal Coaches midicoach, an unidentified red/white MP Travel Dart & white minibus LK56 ALO. We decided to come of the M6 at junction 28 to see if we could find somewhere to eat in Leyland. We headed West along the B5256. We came to a set of two mini roundabout and we ran forwards onto the B5254. We turned into the car park by the Lancashire FA and we decided to turn around and get closer to the cafe we had found. We turned left onto the B5254 and we turned right onto Towngate. We turned right into Hough Lane and the road on which the cafe was situated on had a street market. We turned left onto Quin Street and we followed the road around. We turned right onto Newsome Street and at the end we turned right back onto Hough Lane. As we couldn't find anywhere suitable to park we turned left onto Thurston Road. At the end we turned left onto the B5254 and we ran out of town. We crossed over the roundabouts and we ran forwards onto the B5256. We ran up to the M6 and we got onto the Northbound side. We ran up to junction 31 and we got onto the Westbound A59. We ran into town and we decided to try and find at at cafe mum had found in Fishwick. We came into Fishwick and we spotted the cafe. There just happen to be a parking space free when we arrived. We got out of the car and and we went into the cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside to catch a bus. We said goodbye to mum and we walked about 50yds to the nearest bus stop. We had already decided to catch stagecoach buses today, so when we saw Rotala Preston Bus 40584 on a #16 to Farrington Park Matthew took a picture.

Rotala Preston Bus 40584 in Fishwick

A few minutes later we saw a Stagecoach bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 47219 on a #9 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47219 in Fishwick

We got on the bus and we booked Stagecoach Preston Dayrider tickets at £4.70 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A59 and we and we ran the mile or so into the town centre. We veered slight right along the A59 and we turned left into Percy Street. We ran forwards Onto Lords Walk and we entered the bus station. We pulled onto the stand and we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47219 before we got off it.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47219

Once off the bus we headed to the toilets which have been renovated since our last visit. One Matthew had used the facilities week walk down to the far end of the bus station to see what was working. We saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15840 on layover in between services.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15840 in Preston bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Lancashire 15822 on a #41 to Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15822 in Preston bus station

We decided to do Stagecoach Lancashire 15840 which was going out on the #68 to Blackpool. As we queued to get on the bus, we saw Rotala Preston Bus 20013 on a #77 to Blackpool depart from the adjacent stand.

Rotala Preston Bus 20013 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Preston Dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We decided to do the bus to Lea as we know knew where this place was. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Road. We turned right onto Old Vicarage and right onto Lancaster Road. We turned left onto the A59 and at the next junction we turned right onto Friargate. We continued onto the A583 and we headed out of town an under the West coast main line. We turned left following the A583 and right onto the A5072. We the A5072 and we passed Stagecoach Lancashire 15582 on a #68 to Preston turning out of Egerton Road. We ran to the end of the road and we turned left onto the A5085. We continued for another mile or so and we got up and got off the bus outside Lea police station. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15840 as it continued towards Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15840 in Lea

Once off the bus we decided to walk along the road for a short distance to find a shop. We spotted a petrol station across the way so we went over there. Matthew spotted the customer toilet so he used that. We brought a couple of cans of pop and a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had paid for the goods we went outside and used the cash machine. We continued down the road to the next stop and we waited for a Preston bound bus. We checked the timetable and there was a bus due in a few minutes. We saw a bus approaching and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 on a #61 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 in Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Preston Dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. This was a bus we first had back in August 2013 from Lea to Preston. We set off along the A5085 and we travelled Eastwards towards town. We crossed over the railway line to Blackpool and we turned right into Tulketh Brow. We joined the Southbound B6241 and we ran forwards onto the A583. We ran under the West coast main line and into Preston town centre. We passed 'Ships & giggles' and we went around the roundabout onto Friargate. We turned left onto the A59 and we ran up to the Holiday Inn before turning right onto Tithebarn Street. We turned left onto Carlisle Street and we ran onto Derby Street. We turned right onto Lords Walk. We entered the bus station and we ran onto stand. We got up and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 before we got off the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15908

Matthew indicated that he wanted to do a #40 or #41 North towards Lancaster. Stagecoach Lancashire 15819 had just arrived and was no due to depart for another 20 minutes or so. We went and stood by the exit and Matthew took a few bus pictures whilst we waited. We saw Rotala Preston Bus 40628 on a #19 to Farrington Park.

Rotala Preston Bus 40628 in Preston bus station

Nearer to the departure time we went back inside the bus station and Matthew took a picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15819 as the driver prepared the bus to work the next #41 to Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15819 in Preston bus station

The bus hadn't started to load so we headed back to the exit to take a few more bus pictures. We saw Rotala Preston Bus 40593 on a #35 to Tanterton.

Rotala Preston Bus 40593 in Preston bus station

We walked along the grassy mound next to the end of the bus station. We saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15471 on a #68 to Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15471 in Preston bus station

We went back into the bus station and the bus had started to load. We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Preston Dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15819 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15819

We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street. We turned right onto Old Vicarage and right again onto Lancaster Road. We crossed the A59 and we went North up the A6. We passed the Withy Trees, which was the furthest North point we had travelled to on our last run on these services in October 2016. We continued further North for around another 1km and we got up and got off the bus just short of the M55. Once off the bus Matthew took an other picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15819 as it continued North towards Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15819 in Fulwood

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we walked to the nearest Southbound bus stop. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew had a flake out of the supplies in the trip bag. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching from under the motorway. As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15697 on a #41 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15697 in Fulwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the Preston Plus dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off down the A6 and we travelled around 1km to withy trees. We ran a further 3/4 of a mile down the A6 to the north edge of town we ran across the A59 and around the one way system before entering the bus station from the South. Once we got off the bus we had a quick look around to see what we could do next. We spotted required Stagecoach Lancashire 27114 about to work a #3 to Penwortham.

Stagecoach Lancashire 27114 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Preston Plus dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street. We ran forwards onto Lord Street and we turned left onto Lancaster Road. We turned right onto Fishergate and we ran up to the railway station. We continued onto Fishergate Hill and forwards again onto Liverpool Road. We went onto the A59 and we turned left onto Cop Lane. We ran to the end and we turned right onto Pope Lane. We turned left onto Kingsfold Drive and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Studholme Crescent and left onto New Lane. We turned left onto Pope Lane and when we got to the shop we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 27114 before it returned to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 27114 in Penwortham

Once off the bus we went to the Co-operative food store. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. When we had finished we went out and Matthew decided he needed the toilet. There was a pub next door so we visited the pub. Matthew used the toilet and then we brought a glass of Coke. After Matthew had finished his drink we went outside to wait for the next bus back to Preston. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 27115 on a #3 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 27115 in Penwortham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Preston Plus dayrider ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Pope Lane and we turned right onto Cop Lane. We crossed over the A582 and we ran to the end of the Lane. We turned right onto the A59 and we ran forwards onto Liverpool Road and we crossed over the river Ribble. We ran forwards onto Fishergate Hill and we went past the railway station. We ran forwards onto Fishergate and we veered left onto Corporation Street. We joined the Eastbound A59 and we turned left onto Tithebarn Street. We turned left onto Carlisle Street and we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 27115 before we got off the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 27115

We called mum and and we found out she was still at Morrisons and about to set off. We decided to walk around the bus station and take a few more pictures whilst we waited. We set off onto Lord Walk and we walked down the side of the office block where we were able to get a picture of Caledonian Travel LSK 509 which was on layover.

Caledonian Travel LSK 509 in Preston bus station

We walked back onto Lords Walk and we turned left onto Derby Street. We turned left onto Carlisle Street and we saw Moving People B13 KJT parked up.

Moving People B13 KJT in Preston bus station

Mum called to say she was parked up at B&M so we walked onto Carlisle Street and into the car park to meet up with mum. We got in the car and had a sausage roll and a can of dandelion & burdock. We set off onto Carlisle Street. We ran onto the A59 and we went onto the Northbound A6. As we were heading in the wrong direction we turned right into Melilng Street. We turned left Lancaster Road. We turned left into Lund Street and left into Margaret Street. We turned right onto Gardner Street and right onto the A6. We veered left onto the ring road and we ran forwards onto the A6. We crossed over the Ribble and we ran South before joining the Eastbound M65. At the first roundabout we turned right and joined the Southbound M6. As we ran down the M6 we saw Titteringtons BJ10 VTV, taxi minibus DK09 EJA, white minibus DL14 FPT & Happy Days Coaches L1 HDC. We came off the M6 at Junction 16 and we joined the Southbound. Seen on the A500 was an unidentified Rothwells coach. We came off the A500 at Sideway and we joined the Eastbound A50 and we ran up to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. We turned left into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK in the compound.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW about to depart.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We ran Westwards along the A50 and we cam of at Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Avenue and back home at 19:30. For a late tea bangers and mash with carrots followed by Bakewell tart. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

Trip to Preston 26-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
21108	Preston BS	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
21107	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	Preston BS	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
15906	Preston BS	Red Scar, opp Roman Way	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
19041	Red Scar, by Roman Way	Preston BS	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
1102	Preston BS	Walton-le-Dale, by Higher Walton Road	152	Transdev Lancashire United
15571	Walton-le-Dale, by Sir Robert Peel	Preston BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
18359	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
15913	Lea, opp Police Station	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to go to Preston. We didn't do much research for the trip today as we didn't decided where we were going until quite late. We checked the weather which was for cloudy with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 today, heading onto Stanley Matthews Way and then onto the A50. We then went North on the A500 to Shelton where we diverted off the road to get LPG. We got on the Westbound A53 and then back onto the A500. We then get onto the Northbound M6. The road was very busy and it took a while to get up to junction 18. North of Junction 18 we were passed by Hawkes Setra coach BF03 HOF on a day trip.

Hawkes BF03 HOF on the M6

We carried on up the M6 Northbound and the traffic thinned out as we headed North. We did the M6 up to Junction and then turned onto the Westbound A59 to do the last 2 miles or so into central Preston. We then parked in the bus station car park. We headed down to the toilets and then we went into the cafe for dinner. Present in the bus station was Transdev Lancashire United 1101 on the #152 to Burnley. Matthew had a breakfast for dinner washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we ate we went around the bus station to see what we could catch. We picked up some Stagecoach timetables and a map of local services. We saw required Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on a #9 to Moor Nook and we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and booked a day ticket. The driver issued us with a Citi group ticket at £5.50 which weren't aware of until today. We sat down near the back and the bus set off. We traveled out of the centre of Preston and then onto the A59 towards the M6. Part way along we turned at a roundabout and then turned right to go though cemeteries on both sides of the road otherwise know as the 'dead centre of town!'. The bus emptied out on Grizledale Crescent and we decided to get off on a quiet part of the estate before the bus turned to head back towards Preston. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the bus as we stood up to get off.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21108

As the bus went off into the distance, Matthew got another picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Moor Nook

According to the map, we only had around 10 minutes to wait for the next bus back. We also spotted a #8 was on the stop flag, and whilst we waited for the next #9, Rotala Preston Bus 30916 appeared on the #8 service.

Preston Bus 30916 in Moor Nook

A few minutes later we heard a noise around the corner and then we saw the bus approach. It was dud Stagecoach Lanacashire 21107. We got on and sat down near the back. We had done this bus on our first visit to Preston on a #68 to Lea back in August this year. We turned onto Pope Lane and then headed back towards Preston via the A59. Unlike last time, Matthew was able to get a decent picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107

As we pulled into the bus station we spotted Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 on the next #1 to Longridge. We got off 21107 and then got a picture of 15906 before walking over to get on it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 in Preston bus station

We went upstairs, and as it was nearly empty upstairs Matthew got a picture inside the bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15906

We sat down and I checked the 'buses I have travelled on' page and was surprised to find that this bus was required. I thought we had been on this last time we visited Preston and this turned out not to be the case. The bus set off out of the town centre and then we headed out of town along Longridge Road. The ticket we had was only valid up to Red Scar, which was just East of the M6 motorway. When we crossed the motorway we got up and got off 15906. We crossed the road and waited at the stop. As we had just passed a bus when we got off, we had time for Matthew to have a quick bus stop picnic. This consisted of a bottle of Irn Bru and a Bakewell Slice that we had brought at the bus station cafe earlier. Just as Matthew had finished eating we saw an Enviro400 approaching. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 19041.

Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 in Red Scar

We got on the bus and went upstairs. We sat down near the back for the journey back to Preston. The bus was nearly empty upstairs. We carried on down Longridge Road back into Preston and then into the bus station. When the bus emptied, Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041

Matthew went to the toilet and then he decided he wanted a break from doing Stagecoach buses. Transdev Lancashire United 1102 was on stand and matthew wanted to do it. I asked the driver if it went along any of the Stagecoach routes, and with the help of the map we worked out we could pay to do the bus to Walton-le-Dale and come back on either a #150 or a #125 service. The adult fare to Walton-le-Dale was £1.70 each. We got on the bus which was quite full and we sat near the back. I advised Matthew to take a picture of the empty seats behind us as the bus might fill up as we left town.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1102

The bus left the centre of town and then came up alongside the Homebase store, we turned right onto London road and we followed a #125 service down to Walton-le-Dale alongside the Ribble. When the #125 in front of us turned right at a roundabout and we turned left we knew it was time to get off. Matthew jogged past the bus stop to get a good picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1102 before it departed towards Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 1102 in Walton-le-Dale

We crossed the road and walked back to stop that served both route outside a pub. Matthew made friends with a bloke who had just come out of the pub who was a little worst for wear! Whilst we waited for the next Stagecoach bus back we saw Transdev Lancashire united 1098 on the #152 to Preston.

Transdev Lancashire United 1098 in Walton-le-Dale

A couple of minutes later we saw an Enviro400 round the corner and we saw it was stagecoach Lancashire 15571.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15571 in Walton-le-Dale

We got on and sat upstairs. This was another bus that we thought was dud but turned out to be required. The bus headed back into Preston along the A6 and then we headed into the bus station. When the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture inside stagecoach 15571 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15571

We then had a bit of a break from the buses. We went tot the shop and brought a can of Coke and some chocolate, plus a toffee flavoured flapjack. We sat down near the high numbered stands and Matthew ate the flapjack. There were a couple of required buses on the #1 to Longridge include Stagecoach Lancashire 15823. Matthew had taken a fancy to doing dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 which was on stand but not got its display turned on. Dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 was on the next #61 to Blackpool and dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18364 was on what we thought was the next #68 to Blackpool. We had a bit of a walk around the bus station and we took some pictures from the west side before retuning to the Stagecoach stands. Just as we thought we were going to be doing something else, a driver appeared for Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 and the display was set for #68 to Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 in Preston bus station

We booked to Lea as we done before the last time we did Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 on the #68 service. We went upstairs and sat down. The buses headed out of town past the outdoor market. The bus was quite full to I advised Matthew to get a picture of the insied of the bus before it filled up any more!

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18359

We headed out of town along the A583 and under the west coast main line. The #61 and #68 take similar routes and we kept seeing Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 in front of us as headed West. As we went into Lea we were right behind Stagecoach Lancashire 15908. We got up and got off outside the police station and the 2 buses were at the stop at the same time. We then crossed the road to wait for the next bus back to Preston. At the stop we saw there was a #61 due around 2 minutes ago and we hadn't seen one go past. A minute or so later we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 approaching which we knew was a required one.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 in Lea

We got on and went upstairs. We then headed back into Preston along a slightly more Northerly route into town the the #68. We crossed over the Blackpool line and then swept down hill into town. After going into town under the west coast main line along the A583, we went down an underpass to cross the A59 Ringway and then we appeared near the Northern corner of the bus station. We then loop around to the south end of the bus station and the bus dropped us off near the high numbered stands. As the bus emptied Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913

We got off the bus and mum was waiting for us. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go home, he a sweep around the bus station taking a few pictures. We first saw Trandev Lancashire United 1840 on a #280 to clitheroe

Transdev Lancashire United 1840 in Preston bus station

Next to this was Cumfybus MX09 MJK on a #80 to Fleetwood.

Cumfybus MX09 MJK in Preston bus station

Towards the Southern end of the bus station was Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on the #9 service.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

Matthew then visited the toilet and then took a picture inside the bus station over the exit subway.

View inside Preston bus station

After a few more picture we headed up the the car park were there were sausage rolls and drinks waiting for us. We left the car park and we headed out of town along the A59.We then joined the southbound M6. It was now going dark and it had started to rain. It was the last Saturday before British Summer Time ends, and it would now be dark on every return journey home until next spring. We got to the A500 which we did down to the A50. We then headed into Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were only 3 buses parked up at the front of the spare ground. Firstly we saw VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to this was there newest coach, M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Lastly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We went along willow Row to see if there was anything we could photograph in the Willow Row compound (there wasn't), and then we headed home along Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries 40150 on the #22 to Longton. We got home a little after 19:00 and Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by chessecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark