Trip to Blackburn / Accrington 10-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N663 VSS	Blackburn TI	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
N202 LPN	Accrington BS	Peel Bank, by Buckingham Grove	2	M&M Coaches
N202 LPN	Peel Bank, by Buckingham Grove	Accrington BS	2	M&M Coaches
M458 JPA	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Oswaldtwistle Mills	1	M&M Coaches
1820	Oswaldtwistle, by Town Hall	Blackburn TI‎	6	Transdev Lancashire United
566	Blackburn TI	West End, opp Percy Street‎	41	Transdev Lancashire United
407	West End, by Spread Eagle Street	Blackburn TI‎	X41	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we planned a trip to Blackburn. We had planned to go the week before but decided to push Blackburn back a week and to visit Halifax instead. We didn't do any bus research for today other than to check the weather as we have been to the area twice before. The weather was forecast for dry weather with sunny spells and still reasonably warm. We did look into car parking and we decided to park and eat at Morissons. Matthew got up around 10:30 today. Mum wasn't very well and it had a slight impact on departure time. After eating his toast and drinking his orange juice we were ready to do just before 12:00. we set off onto the A5035 viewing Wardle Transport 2963 on the Plumline and First Potteries 40017 on #22 to Newcastle. We turn onto Stanley Matthews Way and then onto the Westbound A50. We got onto the Northbound A500 passing an unidentified former Travel WM single decker. We did the A500 up to the M6. When we reached the m6 the Northbound side was standing. Traffic was very heavy up to junction 19 and there was an 'incident' by Knutsford services. North of the A556 we made better progress and once we went passed the M62 we went fine. We joined the M65 and we came off at junction 4 where we joined the A666 for the run into Blackburn. We were aware that Blackburn were playing at home and we saw the crowd around the ground as we passed Ewood Park. We carried on into town and after a few wrong turning we turned into Morrisons and parked up around 14:00. We went to the toilet and then we went to the cafe where Matthew had a breakfast followed by his favourite lemon meringue pie. We got talking to an Accrington man who didn't think we weren't local! We must be spending too much time in the North West... After we had finished we walked over to the bus station to take a few pictures. One of the first buses we saw was required M&M coaches N663 VSS. We got a picture of it as it turned in the interchange area.

M&M Coaches N663 VSS in Blackburn TI

We walked down to the stop at which we caught the the #46 last time and waited for the bus to come back down the boulevard. We stuck our hand out and the bus went past and the driver gestured he was stopping down the road. The bus stopped at stop A which was a little further down. He explained that drivers had been in trouble for not stopping at the correct stop which is fair enough. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside this tidy minibus.

Inside M&M Coaches N663 VSS

We sat down to enjoy the journey into Accrington. As we left blackburn we saw Pilkington bus S291 RAG on Ainsworth Stret and further out of town we passed Pilkington bus Dart Cadet R845 VEC. The journey on the #46 is one of the quickest as it goes directly along the A679. About half way along we passed dud M&M Coaches P350 NKH on the other #46 turn. We got there quite quickly and as we turned into Peel Street and saw another M&M Coaches bus on stand N202 LPN.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington bus station

I thought the bus was a required one, so we jumped on it and asked for a return back to Accrington. It turns out it was the first M&M Coaches bus we did back in July. I thought we had been on N201 UHH and it turns out it was the other way round! As the bus was empty Matthew got a picture inside M&M Coaches N202 LPN.

Inside M&M Coaches M202 LPN

We set off along Peel Street and up to the current turning point on Whinney Hill Road. There were roadworks that prevented the bus taking it usual route. As we returned back into town we passed former PSV Renault Dodge 'Save the Bees' E103 JNH. We carried on past KFC and back into town. We got off in Bridge Street and took another picture of this fine beast.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Bridge Street

I thought we could have short break from the buses as we stopped for a drink. Matthew had a can of Coke from the bag. Whilst there we saw Rossendale Easyride 229.

Rossendale 229 in Accrington bus station

We decided to look for a cash machine, but we didn't go very far to look. We saw required Pilkington Bus S451 WAT on a #21 service.

Pilkington Bus S451 WAT in Accrington bus station

We also saw dud Pilkington Bus G301 UYK on a #21A if it had been required G306 UYK we would have been over like a shot! Behind the #21 required M&M Coaches M458 JPA and we crossed over the road to catch this.

M&M Coaches M458 JPA in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus an there were a few peoplle already on it so matthew got a picture of the back seat, with required Pilkington Bus P729 RYL in the background on a local service.

Inside M&M Coaches M458 JPA

We sat down and off the bus went. The journey up to Oswaldtwistle was swift and we got off near the school.

M&M Coaches M458 JPA in Oswaldtwistle

We decided to cross over the road and visit the shop. We used the cash machine We then went into the shop and brought lottery tickets and a can of Coke, a Milky Way and a large Galaxy caramel bar. We sat outside the shop and Matthew ate the Milky way and put the can and the Galaxy caramel in the bag for another time. Whilst we were there we saw S451 WAT going towards Blackburn on the #21 and Pilkington Bus R845 VEC on the Accrington bound bus. We crossed over the road thinking we would have a 20 minute wait for the next Blackburn service. The plan was to get a Pilkington Bus day ticket and pick up 2 or 3 of the required buses that were out on the circulars today. When we got to stop we saw the next Pilkington Bus was 17:01 and it was the last one of the day. So we had to resort to Plan B. Do a Transdev Lancashire United bus into Blackburn on a day ticket and do a couple more. There was a bus due in couple of minutes and when it appeared it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1820.

Transdev Lancashire United 1820 in Oswaldtwistle

We got on the bus and booked a local day ticket at the cost of £4.20. This is 70p more than the equivalent ticket from Pilkington Bus, but at least the buses run beyond 17:30. We sat down near the back. The bus set off and it takes a longer route into town than most of its competitors. The bus goes through Shadsworth and then into the hospital. As we came out of the hospital we passed Lancashire United 16 an Olympian that had 5A outer circle on the front. The bus dropped into town from the south Side and then we joined onto the A666 near B&Q before going into town. when the bus got into the Transport Interchange it emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1820

We got off and we took a picture of Rossendale 139 which we had passed on the way into town by the Hospital.

Rossendale 139 in Blackburn TI

Matthew indicated the he wanted to catch a double decker. We just missed on going out on a #41 to Accrington, so we decided to do the next #41/X41 to pick the next X41 back into town which we thought would almost certainly be one. We walked to stand A where the #41 goes from, and on the way we saw new stagecoach Lancashire 15913 on a #59 to Preston.

Stagecoach 15913 in Blackburn TI

It was 17:00 now, and the next #41 was due at 17:10. We saw the bus go up and it was required Transdev Lancashire United 566. The bus came back down and Matthew got a picture of it.

Transdev Lancashire United 566 in Blackburn TI

When we got on we picked up a #41/X41 timetable. As we got on Matthew photographed the empty back of the bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 566

We sat down near the back on the group seats. We worked out we could do 566 to just the other side of the M65 and catch the X41 back. When we passed under the motorway we traveled down the hill until we saw a few houses and then we got off the bus. We crossed the road and as the road was clear we decided to walk towards Accrington one stop. We didn't have to wait long and we saw a double decker approaching. It was required Transdev Lancashire United 407.

Transdev Lancashire United 407 in Oswaldtwistle

We set off towards Blackburn and we passed a pair of Lime green Olympians coming from the Shadworth direction. We acrried on into town and when we reached the Boulevard the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 407.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 407

We got off at the interchange and we decided to take a few pictures of buses as we walked back to Morrisons. The bus bus we saw was Transdev Lancashire United MPD Dart 703.

Transdev Lancashire United 703 in Blackburn TI

We took a few more picture as we walked along, the last of which was Transdev Lancashire United 1829.

Transdev Lancashire United 1829 in Blackburn TI

After meeting up with mum and using the toilet in Morrisons we headed back to the car. At the car Matthew had some of sausage roll (it wasn't Greggs and he didn't like it much) and some of a doughnut (the doughnuts were labeled ring when the were just like jam doughnuts, but with no jam in them!). We set off back down the A666 towards to motorway. We passed Ewood Park and saw Ashcroft Travel HIG 5675 outside the ground. We realised that we hadn't got a drink so we stopped just before the motorway to get a bottle of Irn Bru out of the emergency supplies in the boot. We got on the M65 motorway and headed west. We then got onto the M6 and head South. The road was now clear and we reached the A500 by 19:00. We headed South on the A500 and came off onto the A50 and headed into Longton. There were 4 buses parked up at Z carz tonight. D104 XAN was at the front of the row.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

behind this was blue LDV YN03 HJC.

Z Carz YN03 HJC in Longton

parked behind YN03 HJC was DS51 ZJU and on it own on the end of the row was relatively new addition OV05 WSW which had very recently received the new style purple decals.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We checked out the Willow Row compound which was empty ad then we headed home down Longton Hall Road into Blurton. As we headed home we passed First Potteries 53405 with it's broken display. We got home around 19:30. whilst he waited Matthew had a toffee flavoured yoghurt. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:45...Mark

Trip to Accrington 06-07-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N230 TPK	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Towngate	20A	Pilkington Bus
G301 UYK	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	Oswaldtwistle, by Town Hall‎	21	Pilkington Bus
N202 LPN	Oswaldtwistle, opp Town Hall	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
X374 NNO	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	20	Pilkington Bus
G301 UYK	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	Accrington BS	21	Pilkington Bus

today we went to Accrington. This had been planed since the trip to Chorley, but we couldn't go last week due to going Mansfield instead. Research consisted of looking at the Lancashire County Council website and checking the weather. The weather was forecast for fine sunny weather. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off arund 11;0 today. We went onto the A5035 and and along Stanley Matthews Way onto the A50. We got on the northbound a500 and we came off at Shelton to get some LPG. We returned back onto the A500 off the A53 and then we headed up to the M6. The route up to Accrington was M6, M62, M60, M66 and then onto the A56. A few miles up the A56 we turned onto the A680 for the last few miles into town. Mum put in instruction for a particular car park in her phone. The phone took us though town and past the M&M coaches depot and into a housing estate! So we headed back into town to a different car park just off thee Blackburn Road. We parked up and walked into town as we walked into town we saw M&M coaches N213 UHH leaving town.

M&M Coaches N213 UHH in Accrington

We walked into town and we decided to have our diner alfresco outside the market. Matthew had burger and chips which was washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we were eating we we saw Pilkington Bus Olympian G301 UYK depart around 1340 to Blackburn. We went into the market and Matthew used the disabled toilet and then we headed round the corner to the bus station. The first thing we did was to have a look around for a travel office, and Matthew took pictures as we walked around. First thing we saw was M&M coaches N202 LPN on a #1 service.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington bus station

We crossed over and carried on along the stands. We then saw Rossendale 169 on a #484.

Rossendale 169 in Accrington bus station

We crossed over the road again and we asked a local about a travel office. Apparently the office is closed on a Saturday so we had a quick think about what we were going to do. As we contemplated what we were going to do we saw required Pilkington Bus N230 TPK on a #20A service. We decided to do this and maybe go after the Olympian we saw earlier too.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Accrington bus station

We got on and booked day rover ticket at £3.50 each. As we got on we saw a timetable so we grabbed it. There were a few people on the bus so it wasn't easy to get a picture inside with it mainly brown with beige and green. He had to get one of the back seat area. The back seat had been replaced with standard Arriva fare during it days in Kent.

Inside Pilkington Bus N230 TPK

From the timetable leaflet we realised that the 20A is a near identical anti-clockwise run of the #21, so we could possibly head the Olympian off somewhere along the journey. As we traveled through Clayton-le-Moors we passed M&M coaches N195 LFV. We also passed another different double decker on the #20/21. We worked out we could go to Great Harwood and we could meet the Olympian there. As we approached the town the driver asked us where we wanted. I told him wherever is best to catch the bus going back the other way! He directed us to the stop just around the square to catch the bus back and we got off. Matthew got another picture of this well presented Dart.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Great Harwood

We didn't have to wait long for G301 UYK to turn up. In fact we should have missed it as I had miscalculated the timings. Luckily it was running a couple of minutes down. It arrived from the South along the B6535 and went around the square to our stop.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Great Harwood

We got on the bus and the plan was to go around the circle through Accrington and Blackburn, so we could check out Blackburn from the comfort of the top deck of this fine bus too. As I did tried to work out where we needed to booked to on the fly, I booked to Oswaldtwistle when I should have booked to Rishton. In the end this worked out quite well as can be seen. As we got on the bus Matthew photographed the empty lower saloon before we went upstairs.

Inside Pilkington Bus G301 UYK

We went upstairs and we sat near the front. The only problem with this design of bus is that there is no opening window in the front half of the top decker and windows on all side so it gets very warm on a sunny day! On the run into Accrington we passed the other 2 anti-clockwise turns which were Consecutively registered Dennis Darts R845 VEC and R846 VEC. With it being so warm I think Matthew was a little disappointed not to be getting off in Accrington. We carried on though town and we passed N230 TPK again near the railway station. We realised that we had made a mistake with the booking and we had just passed a bus going the other way. We decided to get off anyway, and Matthew got a picture of this 24 year old beast as he did.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Oswaldtwistle

We crossed over and went to the local shop. It was an old fashion looking shop with wooden displays. Prices were great in here. Two cans of pop and a milky way for £1.15...Unbelievable! We had a picnic at the bus stop and we checked the bus stop timetables. The next 21A was at 15:23 but there was a #1 in front of it. we decided to do this if it was a step entranced minibus as we thought it would be, as it was run by M&M coaches. It was due in a few minutes. It appeared and it was required M&M Coaches N202 LPN.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Oswaldtwistle

We booked into town. The adult fare was £1.50 on this bus. There were a few people on this bus but they all emptied out at the stop before the bus station. We got off at the bus station and Matthew photographed the inside of this ex Stagecoach Mercedes.

Inside M&M Coaches N202 LPN

We got off and he also got a picture of the outside to.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington bus station

we decided to have a shot break fro the buses. We visited the toilet and took pictures and made notes on the buses that we saw. M&M Coaches P350 NKH was seen as was N195 LFV. We also saw R845 VEC close up after passing this bus earlier in the day.

Pilkington Bus R845 VEC in Accrington bus station

The other clockwise circular was seen and that was optare excel S289 RAG. We decided to stay put and to take a few pictures and to wait for the other double decker on the clockwise Hyndburn circulars. Whilst we waited we saw rossendale Transport 101 on a #464 service and Lancashire United 212 on a #6. Eventually the double decker turned up it was required ex stagecoach trident X374 NNO. We booked to Great Harwood and the driver told us we would be quicker going the other way around. We told him that we were only on the bus for a ride he didn't seem very enthusiast friendly! We got on and sat upstairs. Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus X374 NNO

There were 2 options for us after this bus. We made a bus around 16:25 at and came back the opposite way around, or we waited for around 20 minutes and did G301 UYK again. We did the bus out through Oswaldtwistle and into Blackburn. There was traffic around Blackburn and this made us a little late. We were able to view Ainsworth Street which appears to be the shoppers centre of town but the service didn't call at the interchange. We headed back out of Blackburn and then turned towards Rishton. As we approached Great Harwood we passed the last anticlockwise service Which was R846 VEC on a #21A so that ruled out that! We came into the sqaure and we got off. Matthew then got a picture of the outside of X374 NNO.

Pilkington Bus X374 NNO in Great Harwood

We had about 20 minutes left before the bus was due. We crossed the square and we brought 2 cans of pop and a Galaxy Caramel bar. It was unsurprising more expensive than the shop in Oswaldtwistle at around £2. We went back to the stop and we had a little picnic at the bus stop whilst we waited. We didn't have to wait too long before we heard the roar of the approaching Olympian G301 UYK. We got on and after a quick chat the driver who was definitely more enthusiast friendly than the last driver, we went upstairs. The bus had cooled a little from earlier but it was still quit warm upstairs. The journey back was swift and when we got back to Accrington we got off and got another picture of this fine old beast.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Accrington bus station

We walked up Peel Street and met up with mum. As we started back we saw Dart P729 RYL which was on a local service.

Pilkington Bus P729 RYL in Accrington bus station

We walked back to the car that was now parked by the town hall in shade. We sat for a few minutes eating our sausage rolls and drinking Coke. We set off around 17:20 and it was far easier leaving town than when we came in. we got back onto the A680 that we did down to the A56. We carried on onto the M66 and then at the end of the that road we went onto the M60 clockwise by accident. We carried on regardless as it was traffic free and we went around past Stockport and onto the M56. Here we saw an Hollinshead coach so I slowed so Matthew could get a picture.

Hollinshead J10 BUS on the M56

We went down the M56 and onto the A556 down to the M6. Here we saw 2 other local coaches. First we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 246 returning from a trip to Liverpool.

Copeland's Tours MIB 246 on the M6

Then we saw a Paul's of Stoke tri-axle coach TIL 8196.

Pauls of Stoke TIL 8196 on the M6

We carried on down to the A500 following the coaches. MIB 246 left at the Northern A34 junction, presumably to drop of passengers in Newcastle. We turned at the A50 and we heading into Longton to the Z Carz depot. tonight there were only two vehicles here Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The other was relative newcomer Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We checked out the Willow Row compound and it was empty. We headed down Longton Hall Road and into blurton. 42726 was on the #23 and 40016 was on the #22 to Longton. We got hoe at 19:00. Matthew had a toffee yogurt whilst he waited for his late tea of bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. Afterwards he chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:45...Mark