Trip to Accrington / Blackburn 03-01-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2706	Accrington BS	Huncoat, o/s Griffin Head	9	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1072	Huncoat, opp Griffin Close	Accrington BS	23	Transdev Burnley & Pendle
1103	Accrington BS	Intack, by Accrington Road	6A	Transdev Lancashire United
212	Intack, by Accrington Road	Oswaldtwistle, o/s Black Dog Inn	7	Transdev Lancashire United
1097	Oswaldtwistle, opp Black Dog Inn	Intack, by Accrington Road	6A	Transdev Lancashire United
983	Intack, by Hamer Avenue	Royal Blackburn Hospital (Stand A)	5C	Transdev Lancashire United
272	Royal Blackburn Hospital (Stand A)	Blackburn Temporary BS	23	Transdev Lancashire United
2755	Blackburn Temporary BS	Accrington BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to re-visit Accrington. It was the first Saturday of the year and the weather wasn't looking very good. A check of the BBC weather site told us that the rain would clear by 14:00 in all direction other than East. We gave Matthew a choice of places to go and from the last he chose Accrington. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Once the choice was made we didn't do any further research. We set off around 12:00 and we went onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we caught up with D&G 170 on the Blurton Plumline. We went West onto the A50 and then North on the A500. We joined the Northbound M6 and the road was moving well. Spray was causing the traffic to move slower than usual. As we went onto the M62 we saw Silverdale coach MV12 ODW.

Silverdale MV12 ODW on the M62

We joined the M60 and we were caught up by another Silverdale coach. We were passed by Silverdale PK13 GCX.

Silverdale PK13 GCX on the M60

The coach was going to Spotlands for the Rochdale - Nottingham Forest FA cup match. We turned onto the Northbound M66 and then forward onto the A56. We followed the A56 to the left and we came off the road briefly. We saw Transdev Lancashire United 404 on a X41 to Manchester. We got back onto the A56 and then we did the A680 for the last few miles into Accrington. We also saw required Transdev Lancashire United 440 on a X41 to Manchester. We parked in the car park behind Abbey Street and we went to eat at the Abbey Friar. Matthew used the toilet and then he had sausage chips and gravy and a teacake (bap to you and I) washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked down Infant Street to see what buses were working. There were two buses on Infant Street. The top bus was dud Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ.

Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ in Accrington

On the bottom of the stand was required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2706 on a #9 to Burnley.

Burnley & Pendle 2706 in Accrington

There were no buses parked in Bridge Street or Bank Street so we walked down to Peel Street to see what was about. Unexpectedly we saw M&M Coaches N375 PNY on the #46 to Blackburn.

M&M Coaches N375 PNY in Accrington bus station

We turned down dud M&M N375 PNY and we decided to do required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2706. We knew the Blackburn local ticket was valid to Huncoat so we booked Spot On day tickets at £4.20 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty. Inside this refurbished bus it has a very nice 1 + 2 seat layout with loads of space for each passenger.

Inside Burnley & Pendle 2706

The bus set off out of town along the A679 Burnley Road. We traveled out of town for around a mile and then we spotted the Griffins Head pub to where the tickets were valid to. We got off the bus and matthew got another picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2706 as it carried on towards Burnley.

Burnley & Pendle 2706 in Huncoat

We went into the adjacent petrol station and we brought 2 cans of pop and 3 Milky Ways. Wecrossed the main road and we searched for a bus on nextbuses.org there were several stops for Griffins head and I chose the wrong one. The one I chose said there was an #23 to Accrington in 5 minutes. I worked out that the stop in question was on Higher Gate Road which was at the side of the Griffins Head pub on the other side of Burnley Road. We crossed over and walked past the pub. There were a couple of locals waiting at what I assumed to be the Burnley bound stop. I asked them if the stop opposite was for Accrington and they confirmed it. We saw required Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1042 on the Burnley bound service and then we saw required Burnley & Pendle 1072 going towards Accrington.

Burnley & Pendle 1072 in Huncoat

We got on the bus ans we flashed out Spot On day tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus continued up Higher Gate Road and we passed Huncoat railway station before turning and heading back onto Burnley Road along Bolton Avenue. We carried on into town and we arrived in Infant Street. We let the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1072.

Inside Burnley & Pendle 1072

After we got off the bus we crossed Infant Street and we got another picture of Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1072.

Burnley & Pendle 1072 in Accrington

There was now a bus in Bridge Street so we went over to investigate, On a #2 local service was M&M Coaches N617 VSS.

M&M Coaches N617 VSS in Accrington

As we walked back towards Peel Street we saw dud M&M Coaches N202 LPN on a #46 to Blackburn.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington

On Peel Street we saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1103 on a #6A to Blackburn. We also saw dud Transdev Lancashire United 573 on a #7. We decided to do required required Transdev Lancashire United 1103.

Lancashire United 1103 in Accrington bus station

We flashed the tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Blackburn Road and we passed under the railway. We carried on down to the Henry Street junction and Matthew took a picture inside Lancashire United 1103.

Inside Lancashire United 1103

The bus turned left onto Blackburn Road and left again onto Market Street. We crossed back under the railway line and we carried on into Oswaldtwistle. On the other side of Ossy we left town up Stanhill Road and across the M65. On the other side of the motorway we turned right onto Windsor Road and then left onto Blackburn Road. We decided to get off in Intack to go and check out the outer circle services. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1103 before it carried on towards Blackburn.

Lancashire United 1103 in Intack

We walked around the corner Whitebirk Road. It was 15:10... We had just missed the #5A at 15:00 and the #5C wasn't due past until 15:44. We decided to go back onto the main road and do a quick run to Ossy and back. Back on the main road we didn't long before dud Transdev Lancashire United 212 on a #7 Hyndburn circular.

Lancashire United 212 in Intack

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets before sitting down near to the back of the bus. As this was an #7 the bus went straight up the hill through Knuzden past the Old Mother Redcap pub. We crossed under the M65 and we headed down the hill through Church before turning right on Thwaites Road. We then turned left onto Union Road. We decided to get off the bus by the Black Dog pub so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 212 as it carried on towards Accrington.

Lancashire United 212 in Oswaldtwistle

We crossed the road to wait for the next Blackburn bound bus. The stop timetable informed us that next bus was due at 15:29 and it was a #6A. This should get us back to Intack for the 15:44 #5C service. We didn't have to wait long before the bus appeared and it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1097.

Lancashire United 1097 in Oswaldtwistle

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets to the driver before sitting down near to the back of the bus. As the bus was empty behind us Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 1097.

Inside Lancashire United 1097

The bus climbed up Stanhill Road and we crossed over the M65. We turned right into Windsor Road and then left onto Blackburn Road. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1097 as it carried on towards Blackburn.

Lancashire United 1097 in Intack

We walked down to Whitebirk Road to wait for the #5C. We got to the stop with around 5 minutes to spare. We waited patiently and then we saw a lime coloured bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 983.

Lancashire United 983 in Intack

After a quick driver change we got on the bus and flashed the tickets. Matthew took a picture of the empty lower saloon before we went upstairs.

Inside Lancashire United 983

It was empty upstairs so he took another picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 983.

Inside Lancashire United 983

We sat for a short while and then we set off across Blackburn Road ans onto Shadsworth Road. We turned into Fecitt Brow and then right onto Rothesay Road. At the bottom of Rothesay Road we passed the bus we were going for, dud Transdev Lancashire United 18. We followed a Versa up the hill that was on a #23 service. The Verse turned and our bus nearly turned to follow it until he realise he was on the #5C and not the #23. As we had missed the #5A we decided to go with plan B... Catch a bus back from the hospital to Blackburn and then do a #6, #7 or X41 to back to Accrington. We turned left onto Shadsworth Road before going left onto Old bank Lane and into the hospital. We got off the bus and before we could think Transdev Lancashire United 272 appeared on a #23 to Blackburn.

Lancashire United 272 outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets. Matthew misbehaved slightly and honked the horn of the bus. The driver didn't look very happy... We headed down Haslingden Road and around the one way system before heading through town and passed the railway station. We turned into the bus station and we let the bus empty so Matthew could get a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 272.

Inside Lancashire United 272

We got off the bus and in front of us was required Transdev Lancashire United 211 on a #2 to Darwen.

Lancashire United 211 in Blackburn bus station

On a #152 to Preston was Plaxton president double decker 2705.

Lancashire United 2705 in Blackburn bus station

That is what the un-refurbished 2706 must have looked like at some point, albeit in a different livery. On a #1 to Bolton was Transdev Lancashire United 1301.

Lancashire United 1301 in Blackburn bus station

This is a bus that we have been on back in July 2014 from Intack to Blackburn. We decided to walk up to the top to photograph the one bus on layover on Penny Street. The bus parked up was required Transdev Lancashire United 2755.

Lancashire United 2755 in Blackburn

We considered how we were going to get back to Accrington. On the next #7 was dud Transdev Lancashire United 573. At the top of the bus station required Lancashire United 440 had just arrived on a X41 from Manchester. We looked to see when the next X41 was due and it was in around 10 minutes at 16:30. Across the way required Transdev Lancashire United 569 came in on a #22 service to Clitheroe.

Lancashire United 569 in Blackburn bus station

Whilst we waited Matthew drank a small bottle of generic Coke and ate 2 of the 3 Milky ways. At 16:25 a bus pulled up at the stop but it wasn't Transdev Lancashire United 440. It was Transdev Lancashire United 2755 instead! We got on the bus and we flashed the tickets before going upstairs. It was empty towards the rear of the bus and Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 2755.

Inside Lancashire United 2755

The bus set off out of town and we climbed up the fill onto the A678. We turned onto the A679 we headed towards Knuzden and then down through Church. We turned right onto Blackburn Road and we came into town. We turned on Abbey Street and then turned into the top of Peel Street. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United 2755.

Lancashire United 2755 in Accrington bus station

Mum met us at on Peel Street and took us to where she had move the car to. When we got to the car Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off onto the A680 and we went around the outside of town and down the A680 to the A56. Here we went South before continuing on the M66. At the M60 and we went anti-clockwise until we got to the M62. We went west on the M62 until we reached the M6. Traffic was fairly light and we made good time down to the A500. We went South on the A500 and then East on the A50 to Longton to check out Z Carz. There was nothing on the spare ground tonight to so we turned into Willow Row to see what was in the Compound. Outside on Willow Row was Z Carz YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

In the compound itself were Z carz M372 NWN and T418 WYJ amongst others. We rejoined the A50 and we went back to Heron Cross before going through Blurton. We got home at around 18:30. For a late tea we had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. We had to take uncle Dave home tonight as mum was out with a friend. We went Up Finstock Avenue so that we could see the #500, which was being worked by D&G 170. We turned around and went back down to the A5035. We turned right on Stanley Matthews way and we caught up with D&G 170 outside the Hem Heath pub. We carried on Stanley Matthews way and we then went into Heron Cross and then Fenton to drop off uncle Dave. We said goodbye and we returned to Heron Cross. We went through Blurton and into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 22:30. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Blackburn 18-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
566	Blackburn temporary BS	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street	6	Transdev Lancashire United
1068	Great Harwood, by Towngate	Blackburn temporary BS	7	Transdev Lancashire United
207	Blackburn temporary BS	Royal Blackburn Hospital, Royal Blackburn Hospital (Stand A)	2	Transdev Lancashire United
17	Royal Blackburn Hospital, Royal Blackburn Hospital (Stand A)	Blackburn, by Old Royal Infirmary	5C	Transdev Lancashire United
1878	Blackburn, by Old Royal Infirmary	Blackburn temporary BS	1	Transdev Lancashire United
402	Blackburn temporary BS	Accrington BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United
403	Accrington BS	Blackburn temporary BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to re-visit Blackburn. It was the first time we had been since the interchange closed. Research consisted of a quick look at the Transdev website and to check the weather which was for cool and cloudy with occasional rain showers. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we headed onto the A5035. We then headed down Stanley Matthew Way and onto the Westbound A50. We took the Northbound A500 up to Shelton and we came off the A500 to get some LPG. We then headed onto the West bound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. The M6 was running well for a change and we made good time up to the M65. As we approached the M65 we passed one of our local coaches Phil Smiths Travel PSM 117H was heading North too. We then headed east and passed Blackburn before heading into town along the A678 into the town from the East. I managed to find my way unaided by GPS to Morrisons where we parked up so we could have dinner. After using the toilet, Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke. The meal seemed to take a while so Matthew had his rice crispy cake first. It was after 14:00 when we walked out of Morrisons and towards the temporary bus station. As we walked towards the bus station Matthew took a few pictures. First bus we saw was 'Spot On' liveried 1829.

'Spot On' 1829 in Blackburn

Parked up outside the bus station was Transdev Lancashire United 440.

Lancashire United 440 in Blackburn

We walked into the bus station and we saw former Norwich park and ride bus, Transdev Lancashire United 205 on the #2 to Chorley.

Lancashire United 205 in Blackburn bus station

On a #4 service to Leyburn Road was Lancashire United Optare Versa 271.

Lancashire United 271 in Blackburn bus station

We then saw dud M&M Coaches N125 YHH on the #46 to Accrington.

M&M Coaches N125 YHH in Blackburn bus station

We decided not to do this bus as it was one we did back in November 2013 on the same service. There was an older Volvo B10 on the #6 Hyndburn circular. It was Transdev Lancashire United 566. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it. He said yes and then he got a picture of it.

Lancashire United 566 in Blackburn bus station

We got on and asked for day tickets to Great Harwood and we were charged for the silver tickets. Next time I'll make sure I know the tickets before we book... We sat down near the back and the bus set off. We were going to go to Great Harwood, but the bus was a clockwise service via Rishton and Great Harwood and would take 45 minutes. I checked the buses I Have Travelled on page ans we realised that the bus was dud. It was our second Transdev bus that we had back in August 2013. To be fair when we last had the bus it was in 'Spot on' livery, with different seat moquette! The bus was quite full but Matthew took a picture of the rear of the bus.

Inside Lancashire United 566

When we knew the bus was dud, we decided to get off in Great Harwood and catch something else. We came into the town through a housing estate and into the main square adjacent to the town hall. We got off the bus and Matthew got a picture of Lancashire United 566 as it went off into the distance.

Lancashire United 566 in Great Harwood

The plan had been to wait for 12 minutes and to catch the next bus forward to Great Harwood, but Matthew had other ideas. He wanted to go to the toilet so we decided to go for a little walk. As we got to Blackburn Road we saw a Solo approaching. This was Holmeswood YJ55 BGO on the #14 to Chatburn.

Holmeswood YJ55 BGO in Great Harwood

We crossed over the road and had a walk around but we could not find a toilet Block, so we headed back to the stop. We had missed lancashire United 574 on the Accrington service so we decided to wait for the 15:08 to Blackburn. Whilst we were there we saw 2 of the Pilkington Buses on their Hyndburn circular service. First we saw dud Dart N230 TPK.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Great Harwood

Going the other way was dud Pilkington Bus Olympian G301 UYK. Our bus turned up and it was required Lancashire United 1068. We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We set off back through Rishton and over the M65 and we headed back into Blackburn. When we got back to the bus station we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside Lancashire United 1068.

Inside Lancashire United 1068

As he had not got a picture of the bus at Great Harwood, he took a picture of Lancashire United 1068 here.

Lancashire United 1068 in Blackburn bus station

Opposite us was 'Spot On' liveried decker 2702 on the #4 to Leyburn Road.

'Spot On' 2702 in Blackburn bus station

Matthe still hadn't been toilet so we headed of to The Mall to use the toilet there. He went to say hell to someone in the Pos Office and again in the travel agents before we headed into the shopping centre and up the escalator. Upstairs we set off towards the toilet but Matthew decided to chase after someone else to say hello. We then went to the toilet and we headed back to the bus station out of the door by the toilets and around the outside! When we got there we saw required 'Spot On' liveried single decker 207.

'Spot On' 207 in Blackburn bus station

We asked the driver about the route / frequency of the service and he told us it was half hourly and via the hospital so We booked to Darwen. After we had sat down near the back, we set off out of town passed a retail park and towards the Hospital. The bus was quite full so he took a picture inside the bus towards to back seat.

Inside 'Spot On' 207

As we approached the hospital we saw a lime green step entranced Olympian which Matthew identified as Transdev 18. This gave me the idea that we could maybe get off at the hospital and catch either the 5A or 5C service. We got off and Matthew got another picture of 'Spot On' 207.

'Spot On' 207 outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital

It looked like we had missed the hourly 5A and 5C services, so we decided to do the next bus. One of the former Norwich park and ride bus came up to the stop. It was required Lancashire United 212. we were about to get on the bus and we were taking pictures when a step entranced decker appeared behind 212.

Lancashire United 212 outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital

We flagged down the decker and got on it. I asked the driver about the service and where we could go, and after a brief discussion we decided to do the bus to the Ewood area of town where we could pick up a #1 or #2 into Blackburn. We went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off through several different housing estates with lots of speed bumps! From the top deck of the bus we could see Ewood Park in the distance as we headed towards the A666. I took a guess as to where we need to get off and I had guessed correctly. As we were getting off Matthew got a picture inside the top deck of Transdev 17.

Inside Transdev 17

We got of the bus and we took a picture of the bus as it went off into the distance.

Transdev 17 in Ewood

We crossed the road and we checked the buses. We just missed Lancashire United 1877 as it would have meant running for it. We also saw minibus PO54 BOV. We checked the timetable and there wasnt a #5A due for a while. There was quite a wait for the next #2 service too. We decided to catch the next #1 whatever that may be. It was now starting to go dark. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1878.

Lancashire United 1878 in Ewood

We got on the bus and sat down. It didn't take long from here to get into town. I was almost a straight run up the A666. When we got there Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Lancashire United 1878.

Inside Lancashire United 1878

We decided to get a quick trip in on 2 more buses. There was an M&M Coaches bus in on the #46, but this was dud N125 YHH. We then noticed Lancashire United 402 was about to set off on a X41 to Manchester. We took a picture and then went to get on it.

Lancashire United 402 in Blackburn bus station

We got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus set off out of town and we checked the page to see that it was a required bus! It is a bus we have seen work before back in December 2013. We crossed the M65 and headed into Accrington. As there were passengers front and back Matthew took a picture of the empty seats across from us.

Inside Lancashire United 402

We came into town past the town hall and market . We passed dud M&M Coaches N375 PNY which was doing the local services, before circling around past Santa's Pizza and into Peel Street from the other end. We got off the bus and headed towards the toilet. Matthew then took a picture of Transdev Lancashire United 402.

Lancashire United 402 in Accrington bus station

The toilet had been locked so we thought it better that we head straight back to Blackburn. As we thought about what we might catch we saw Lancashire United 403 heading back to Blackburn.

Lancashire United 403 in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus set off back through the town and out towards Church. We climbed the bank and crossed under the M65 again. we then headed down through Intack before dropping into the bus station. The bus stopped at the top of the bus station and Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus as we got off.

Inside Lancashire United 403

We met up with mum and we started to head back to the to the car park. On the way we back we took a few pictures. Lancashire United 1872 was on a #6A Hyndburn circular.

Lancashire United 1872 in Blackburn bus station

We then crossed over the road and we took pictures of the buses lined up along the end of the bus station. A recnt arrival from Burnley was this ex Witch Way double decker Lancashire United 2753.

Lancashire United 2753 in Blackburn

Behind this was Darwen X991 WAU.

Darwen X991 WAU in Blackburn

At the end of the row was a bus we had done earlier Lancashire United 1878.

Lancashire United 1878 in Blackburn

We visited the toilet in Morrisons before we headed back to the car via the opticians and Select so Matthew could say hello to their staff. We went to the top floor of the car park and we had sausages rolls and Irn Bru before we set off. We stopped at the Shell garage for some petrol and then we headed onto the M65. Once on the M65 we went West to The M6. We went South along the M6 down to the A500. We did the A500 to Sideway before doing the A50 Longton. At Longton today we saw the following vehicles. There were 2 coaches parked up at the near end. Van Hool coach M534 RSO was at the back and the Blackwood liveried coach B12 FWS was at the front.

Z Carz B12 FWS in Longton

Behind these was the Mercedes minibus W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Closest to the wall was recently painted repainted Van Hool coach CNZ 3828. We turned left into Willow Row and we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX in the compound. We turned in the road and when we headed back out Matthew got another picture of CNZ 3828.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross where we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT. We headed through Blurton and we got home around 19:15. For a let tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a custard tart. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00...Mark