Trip to Bury 25-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40353	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40339	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester
60212	Bury BS	Ramsbottom Lane/market Place (Stop A)	472	First Manchester
30804	Ramsbottom Lane/market Place (Stop B)	Bury BS	472	First Manchester
60235	Bury BS	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop B)	524	First Manchester
34019	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop A)	Bury BS	524	First Manchester

Having has 2 consecutive local trips, Matthew was asked where he wanted to go this weekend and he chose Bury. We set off around 12:00 but we had to make 3 stops including picking up uncle Dave and LPG from Longport. We arrived in Bury around 13:30. We ate at the usual place. Least said about this today the better! We then stood around watching buses waiting for something worthwhile. Pretty much the first 3 buses we saw in bury were the ex Birkenhead Royales. 30804 was see on a #472 Ramsbottom circular, 30807 was on a #93 Manchester and 30806 we didn't see were it was going. Matthew managed to get a picture of 30807.


30807 in Bury Interchange on a #93 service (Matt)

A couple of NC Olympians were also in and out but none of them were required. We decided to wait for the next 510 as this probably would be required. The next 510 in was 40353 and it was required so we decided to do the usual trip up to Walshaw with this service.


40353 in Walshaw (Matt)

As always, after we crossed the road, we only had to wait a couple of minutes before the return service appeared. This was also required in the form of 40339.


40339 in Walshaw (Matt)

On return to bury Interchange Mathhew got a picture of the interior of this bus.


Inside 40339 (Matt)

We then had a period of inaction where Matthew was frantically try to catch some thing interesting. He photographed ex Birkenhead Scania 60183


60183 on a #137 service (Matt)

We also saw NC Olympian 34019 on a service 524, but this was not required so we decided to let it go.


34019 on a #524 to Bolton (Matt)

Eventually we saw 30804 return on a 472 Ramsbottom. With 60212 already on stand on this service, we decided to do this to Ramsbottom and catch 30804 back.


60212 on a #472 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

As we boarded the bus Matthew took a picture inside.


Inside 60212 (Matt)

Just Before 60212 came on stand, Mercedes single decker 60264 went out in front. We spent most of the journey to Ramsbottom Going in front and then falling behind this bus. When we reached Ramsbottom we got off at the main town stops.


60212 heads towards the turning point in Ramsbottom (Matt)

We saw 60212 head North and the return South. We didn't have to wait long for 30804 to make an appearance. We tried to flag it down but it sailed past us. We quickly realised that this stop must be set down only so we crossed the road to wait for its speedy return.


30804 on a #472 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

We then enjoyed a top deck front seats return to Bury. It turned out hat we had been on this bus a couple of years ago in Birkenhead! At Bury Matthew photographed the inside.


Inside 30804 (Matt)

On retun we only had time to have a quick ride, so i gave Matthew a choice of a couple of service to catch along the Manchester road. He chose 60235, but to be honest it was either a Bendibus or a Merc an neither are that great! when we got to Dumers lane we got off.


60235 on a #524 to Bolton (Matt)

At the return stop we let a Merc (60258) and a Bendibus go past (12001), and it paid off as he next bus was the returning NC Olympian 34019. As we got off matthew photographed the empty inside...


Inside 34019 (Matt)

As the bus station Matthew just had time to take a picture of 34263 on a #98 Manchester before we returned to the car to meet mum.


34263 departs Bury Interchange on a #98 Manchester (Matt)

The return was uneventful, but we did pass a Bakers coach on the motorway near home. As we returned we went to the late shop for lottery tickets and we were home around 18:00... Mark

Trip to Bury 21-05-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34029	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Unsworth Pole (SW-bound)‎	93	First Manchester
60273	Unsworth, Kennedy Drive/Parr Lane (nr House 2)	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40343	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40347	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester
34069	Bury BS	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop B)	524	First Manchester
34263	Manchester Road, Dumers lane (Stop A)	Bury BS	524	First Manchester

We asked Matthew last weekend where he would like to go this weekend and he chose Bury. Planning for this trip consisted of packing the Map and timetables we had picked up on previous trip and to take some sausage rolls with us! we set off just after 12:00 and arrived in Bury around 13:20 and we parked near to the Library. Walking towards or dinner destination we saw 40343 which we knew was required on a 510 Bolton. We ate in the Haymarket chip restaurant as per usual, and Matthew had Chips jumbo sausage and gravy with 2 rounds of bread and butter, the rest of us had pies peas and gravy. After dinner we walked to the bus station an immediately had a bit of selection problem. There were 3 First Manchester NC double deckers in and I couldn't remember which ones we had been on before! 34019 was on a 137, 34069 arrived on a 524 and 34029 was on a 93. I was convinced that we need 34019 & and 069. Matthew steered us towards 34069 but then the driver went for a break.


34069 between duties on service #524 (Matt)

I was thinking that we should do 34019 on a 137 before we could go for it, it was already leaving.


34019 departs Bury bus station (Matt)

That left 34029 on a service we had never done before. the destination blind was saying the bus was via Unsworth, so I was sure we could do something on this bus and possibly come back on a 137 which seem to produce quite a few NC double deckers. We got on the bus and booked to Unsworth.


Inside 34029 (Matt)

As we left bury bus station, 34262 came in on a 137. I got out my Bury area bus map and saw that the 137 and 93 share a route along Parr Lane. We got off at the point where the 2 route meet going South towards Manchester,


34029 departs Parr Lane, Unworth for Manchester on a service #93(Matt)

There was a co-operative food shop which Matthew visited and photographed. As we walked south looking for a stop to return to Bury, we realised there was no stop on the part of the road the two routes share going towards Bury. As we got to the junction Mercedes bus 60258 went towards Bury on a 93. At this point we decided to go onto Kennedy Drive to catch a 137. After a few minutes 34262 came around the corner from Bury going towards Manchester.


34262 on a 137 to Manchester in Kennedy Drive (Matt)

Another few minutes past and disappointingly 60273 turned up on the 137 to Bury.


60273 in Bury bus station (Matt)

Not only was this a Mercedes, but it was one of the 2 of this type that he had already travelled on! Never mind... As we were travelling back to Bury, I worked out that if we could get back to bury for 14:55, we could do the next #510 to Walshaw. We arrived back with a couple of minutes to spare and 40343 which we had already seen earlier was on stand. After a bit of kerfuffle with Matthew trying to say hello to someone, we got on the bus. It was quite full for a 510, and as he didn't get time to take a picture at Bury, I made sure he got a good picture in Walshaw.


40343 in Walshaw (Matt)

As always we didn't have to wait long for the return which was another P--- LND bus 40347. He didn't get a good shot at Walshaw, but he did photograph the empty bus when we returned to Bury.


Inside 40347 (Matt)

On getting back we were not sure what to do. We could head towards Unsworth and try to pick up one of the double deckers we saw earlier or we could maybe go to Radcliffe or to Walshaw on a Easyride bus. First bus in was 34260 on a 137, we decided not to do this,


34260 in Bury bus station on a #137 to Manchester (Matt)

There was also Ex Rock Ferry bus 61141 on a 98, and then 34069 returned from working a 524 to Bolton. On arrival the driver went on break. We decided to wait and eventually a new driver turned up. As we didn't have loads of time, we decide to do this onto the Manchester Road and then wait up to 15 minutes to catch something back. We did the bus down the A56 and just as it turned towards Radcliffe we got off.


34069 disappears towards Radcliffe on a #524 to Bolton (Matt)

On the way down we passed a Mercedes single decker going the other way so we thought the 524 would be out of the way. We walked around the corner to the bus stop on the A56. With services 93,135,137 and 524 all going past towards Bury we didn't think we would have to wait long for a bus. We saw several buses heading South including Ex Rock ferry bus 61141. Eventually the next bus that turned up was a 524. A double decker appeared to the side of the road about to turn into the A56. The bus turned out to be dud 34263.


34263 on a service #524 to Bury (Matt)

We did this short run back to Bury and then Matthew photographed the empty lower deck as we left the bus.


Inside 34263 (Matt)

We then had a few minutes in the bus station taking picture before we met uo with mum. Matthew took a picture of the departing 34263. Also seen in this period were 60184 and 60338 on Ramsbottom circulars, and 34291 and 34294 on 98 Manchester buses.



60184 in Bury bus station (Matt)

After we met up with mum, we retired to the car for the sausage rolls that we had brought with us. The drive home was fairly uneventful and we filled up with LPG in Longport... (Mark)

Trip to Bury 19-03-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
164	Bury BS	Walshaw, Church Street/Moyse Avenue (N-bound)	481	Easyride
40371	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
34019	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Castlebrook High School	137	First Manchester
34263	Unsworth, Hollins Lane/Parr Lane	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40356	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40371	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

Matthew had decided we were going to Bury on this day a few weeks ago... He likes to keep a full social calender. He was a bit lethargic today so we did not set off until nearly 12:30. It appeared to be a fine sunny spring day. An uneventful journey followed although it did seem a bit cloudier the further north we went. We parked as usual by the library. Arriving around 13:30 we had dinner in the Corn Market fish and chip restaurant today. The adults had pie peas and gravy, and Matthew had jumbo sausage chips and gravy. With drinks it came to around £18, although they did try and charge us £22 for the food! As we left I realised I could not find my phone, so I went back to the car whilst Matthew and UD stood at he end of the bus station taking bus pictures and mum called my phone...


Maytree Travel MX08 MYR enters Bury bus station (Matt)

The phone turned up in the footwell and must have fallen out of my pockets. When I returned to Matthew it seemed as if we had to wait around 20 minutes before we saw anything worth doing. Whilst I was away a NC's double decker had left on a 98, but we knew that it would not return for at least a couple of hours.


Easyride 164 Bury bus station on a 481 Ramsbottom (Matt)

We decided to try and catch a 510 to start, but there was a different bus on stand. luckily, GMPTE provide diagrams with services and the towns they visit, we saw that the 481 Ramsbottom goes via Walshaw. We decided to do this bus and, it was going to be our first journey on Easyride. We boarded 164 and purchased a system one day ticket. Whilst on the bus, we decided to go a stop further than usual and then walk back as we had a bit of extra time before the returning #510. I thought this would mean we would get a better picture of the bus and if photographed from the rear it would not be taken into the sun. As we left Bury we passed 2 NC's double decker coming into Bury and 60338 which I assumed was on the next 510. As the bus went through Walshaw it turned right, right again and the left. When we got off the rear picture was taken as the bus went off into the distance.


Easyride 164 Walshaw, Church Street on a 481 Ramsbottom (Matt)

There was a short walk back to the stop for the 510 and around a 15 minute wait. Whilst waiting a 510 towards Bolton came past with 40356, meaning 60338 must have been on something else! Eventually our bus turned up, 40371. This bus is right in the middle of the batch that were transferred to Adderley Green, with this bus and a couple of the others being exceptions. When we arrived at Bury, Matthew photographed the inside of the empty bus.


Inside 40371 on it's First arrival at Bury (Matt)

This time at Bury we didn't have to wait long for a NC's double decker. Required 34019 turned up on a 137 Manchester. There was a short layover whilst there was a driver change, and then we got on it.


34019 awaits time before working a #137 to Manchester (Matt)

As per usual, we did this to Parr Lane, Unsworth. On the way down Market Street we saw Copelands MIB 236 which we could have done this morning had we booked on it. Hopefully we'll get this one soon...
As we got off I could see another NC's double decker on the return. We did not have time to get a picture, as we had to quickly cross the road to get it. 34263 turned up.. Dud, but a NC's decker is always welcome.


On arrival at Bury, insude the top deck of 34263 (Matt)

When we got back it was gone 16:00, so there only time to go Walshaw and back. We knew we missed a 510, so the next bus was the 16:15 480... The time was closing in on 16:15 and the bus still hadn't turned up. the was a 98 on stand J and the next 510 arrived and Went straight past it went around again and by the time it did stand J was clear, the bus was 40356, oldest Dart on the #510 today. This bus is not as smart as the others we have seen in the P... LND batch, as some of the seats have been replaced with First purple and green ones. We did this up to Walshaw as usual and we were wondering what would be the return. I was hoping for 40404 which I'd seen early, but if I'd thought about it, I would have realised that it could only be 40371, which had passed 40356 in the Walshaw area earlier! So we did this back into Bury. After we returned Matthew photo graphed a couple more NC's Volvo Olympians...


34260 departs Bury bu station on a 98 Manchester (Matt)


34023 arriving in Bury on a 137 from Manchester (Matt)

Back to the car at around 15:45, just in time to here that Stoke had won 4-0 against Newcastle! One the way back we past quite a few coaches on the M6 and A500 from the North East. Back in Staffordshire we stopped for lottery tickets and Filled up with LPG in Longport. We were back home before it went dark (Mark)

Trip to Bury 08-01-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34260	Bury BS	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	524	First Manchester
60213	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	Bury BS	524	First Manchester
34263	Bury BS	Unsworth, Parr Lane/Castlebrook High School	137	First Manchester
66880	Unsworth, Hollins Lane/Parr Lane	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
40342	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40355	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester

This trip was organised to replace the canceled coach trip that Matthew was meant to be on today. We set off at around 11:30, and the journey was uneventful. On the way into town we past double decker 34260 on a service 472 Ramsbottom circular. On arrival, we parked in front of the library, and as always first thing to do is to get something to eat. We ate in a cafe on the corner of Haymarket Street and Broad street. Matthew had Chips, Cheese and beans on a barm. Whilst waiting for the food, Matthew used the facilities. As often is the case he photographed the sink manufacturer.


Shires sink (Matt)

It was a huge portion of chips and he was not able to finishes it! After dinner, we went to the bus station to see what was working. As we arrived, 34260 came back in after its run out. So we went to stand next to this bus thinking it would work the circular again.



34260 in Bury bus station (Matt)

Drivers appeared, sat in the drivers seat and then disappeared again. I think the driver or even a controller decided that the bus would be better on a different route. A driver appeared and jumped in and then drove off! About 2 or 3 minutes later it re-appeared and went onto a different stand, the display was set to 524, a service which we had done before, so we decided that we would do the same move as we did last time to Radcliffe. We eventually got on and were able to get the front seats upstairs. A few minutes later we alighted in Radcliffe.


34260 disappears towards Bolton on a service #524 bus in Radcliffe (Matt)

Last time we did this move we had to wait a considerable time to catch a bus back. This time I think the service was running closer to time. A few minutes later long single decker 60213 appeared in the distance.


60213 approaches on the #524 to Bury (Matt)

We quickly sat down, and realised that the seats on these buses are just a uncomfortable as the Mercedes single decker we rode on on out last visit to Bury! luckily it was only a 10-15 minute journey. On arrival back, we didn't have to wait very long for another 'First' double decker. This time it was 34263 on a 137 Manchester service. Another move we have done before, we decided to catch this double decker to Unsworth


Inside the top deck of 34263 (Matt)


34263 departs South from Unsworth (Matt)

On arrival at Unsworth, we basically had to run across the road so we could catch the next bus straight back. The bus was modern single decker 66880, from the same batch of buses that were transfered to Newcastle to work on the Keele services.


66880 in Unsworth (Matt)

On arrival back we stood at the end of the bus station so Matthew could take some pictures. I had checked the timetable to see if there was a 510 due, which tended to be short Bolton based single deckers. I worked out there was one due in 5 minutes, and almost as soon as we stood at the end of the bus station, Dennis dart 40342 appeared from round the corner.


40342 approaches Bury bus station from Bolton (Matt)

We walked down to the stop and boarded to bus. After a quick journey of about 10 minutes we alighted at Walshaw.


40342 disappears into the sunset in Walshaw (Matt)

Another short wait later, we literally crossed the road and waited for 2 minutes before the return bus appeared, Dennis Dart 40355.


40355 arrives in Walshaw from Bolton (Matt)

As often is the case, Matthew wanted to photograph the interior. I told him to wait until we arrived in Bury and then he could photograph the bus empty.


Back at Bury bus station, Matt takes a picture of the empty 40355 (Matt)

Matthew was then able to take a few more picture before we departed for home. We Decided to have a quick drink in the Knowsley pub and a toilet stop before went left. after that we went back to the car for sausage rolls and sandwiches. Just as we were setting off, we were passed by the interesting Almin Travel minibus L402 BBC. We followed the bus back to the junction of the M66, I believe it was heading for Heywood. As mention before, I would love to know what service this was on as I believe Matthew would love to ride on this bus. All in all a good trip, with the only downside being that we forgot to remind Matthew to set his camera to take 'big' pictures...(Mark)

Trip to Bury 13-11-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 246	Longton Hall Road, Blurton	Moss Street, Bury	Charter	Copelands Tours
40359	Bury BS	Walshaw War Memorial	510	First Manchester
40350	Walshaw War Memorial	Bury BS	510	First Manchester
34058	Bury BS	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	524	First Manchester
MX06 BSY	Tram Stop, Radcliffe	Bury BS	513	Maytree Travel
60227	Bury BS	Rowlands Road, Walmersley	472	First Manchester
34028	Rowlands Road, Walmersley	Bury BS	474	First Manchester
60273	Bury BS	Parr Lane, Unsworth	137	First Manchester
34023	Parr Lane, Unsworth	Bury BS	137	First Manchester
MIB 246	Moss Street, Bury	Longton Hall Road, Blurton	Charter	Copelands Tours

As this was a shorter journey than most, we decided to do this coach from Blurton. We booked the back seat for a change, to see if Matthew would enjoy it. A few days before departure we got a call to say that the seat numbers had changed, we were now in seats 54-57 meaning that this would a different to coach to the ones we had previously had, and therefore Matthew would be travelling a different vehicle. Planning for the trip consisted of looking at which bus tickets we could purchase and printing up section of the GMPTE transport map of Bury. Initial plans were to travel away from Manchester into areas that we knew a little about. So I printed information on buses in the Heywood and Ramsbottom direction.

On the day of the trip we drove to Longton Hall Lane and parked up. Matthew was anticipating travelling on a different copelands Tours coach. Sure enough MIB 246 appeared around the corner and Matthew was extremely happy. We then had an hour travelling around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle picking up passengers. The driver decided we needed a short stop (10 Minutes), so we pulled into Knutsford services for a quick toilet and fag break. It also gave Matthew to opportunity to take a picture.


MIB 246 rests at Knutsford services (Mark)

After a short break we continued on to Bury. As always, first priority is to get something to eat so we went into a cafe for food. Afterwards, we stood at the bus station and observed for a short while to see which buses came in. As buses were coming in, I was visiting the travel office for relevant time tables. The first buses that Matthew decided was a must have was a wrinkly dart 40359. a quick dash to the kiosk for a service #510 timetable revealed that we could do this bus to Walshaw for another #510 back. So we purchased our 'System One' off peak day tickets and off we went. When we arrived at Walshaw, Matthew photographed the bus as it left before we crossed the road for the return journey.


40359 in Walshaw on a service #510 to Bolton (Matt)

Sure enough after a brief wait, another Bolton allocated wrinkly dart 40350 appeared from around the corner for our journey back to Bury. On arrival Matthew photographed the interior of the bus with its smart brown chequered moquette.


Inside of 40350 in Bury, shortly after arrival from Bolton (Matt)

Whilst considering whether to wait for the next bus on the #510 to turn up, 34028 pulled into the bus station and parked up, and then 34058 turned up on a service #524 to Bolton. Another quick visit to the kiosk for a timetable, we worked out that we could do this bus to Radcliffe for a short wait and a #524 back. So after Matthew took a picture, we did this bus to Radcliffe.


34058 depart south from Radcliffe (Matt)

We alighted at Radcliffe adjacent to the tram station and Matthew took another picture of the departing bus. I had calculated that we only had around 10 minutes to wait. After about 15 minutes, we looked to see what other service were due. We noted that the #513 to Bury also stopped here, and that was the next bus to arrive, so we decided to do this rather than wait any longer for a #524. The bus arrived and Matthew got the shot whilst I flagged the bus down.


MX06 BSY in Radcliffe on service #513 to Bury (Matt)

By the time came to do the third trip Matthew was becoming a bit excitable, we had seen 34028 depart on a #474 Ramsbottom circular, but we weren't quick enough to catch it.


34028 on a service #474 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

The plan was to catch the next #472 and to meet 34028 somewhere around Ramsbottom, but Matthew couldn't decide what he wanted to do. We eventually got on the next #472, and we worked out we could travel to walmersley to meet the double decker coming the other way. The next #472 that turned up was a Mercedes single decker 60227. We did this to Walmesley and Matthew took a picture as it departed Northwards.


60227 departs North from Walmersley on a #472 Ramsbottom circular (Matt)

After a few minutes wait 34028 appeared over the horizon. After Matthew's excitable antics on the last visit to Bury we decide to call mum, meet up for a snack to give Matthew a few minutes to calm down! Matthew got off the bus and took a few more pictures.


Also seen, 34029 in Bury bus station (Matt)

In the cafe on the town side of the bus station, we bought Matthew a portion of chips, and mum had a Derby scone which Matthew also pinched. During the day and during our snack it had been noted that service #137 seemed to have a few double deckers working. We missed 34291 as we finished our meal so we waited for the next #137. this turned out to be another of the Mercedes single decker buses 60273. A moved was worked out to Unsworth. As we journeyed South we saw rows of coaches parked up including our own. We also saw all the fans streaming out ofa pub on their way to watch the local derby between Bury and Stockport. We then passed a double decker. After we got of we waited for a #137. we had about a maximum of 40 minutes we could wait without missing the coach home. The first bus was a single decker which we decided to flag. Whilst we were waiting a double decker went south just before 34023 appeared.


34023 in unsworth heading towards Bury on service #137 (Matt)

We got on the bus and did the short journey back into town and met up with mum. We took a few pictures at the top end of the bus station whilst waiting for our coach to appear. The most interesting bus was an Almin travel minibus.


Almin Travel L402 BBC in Bury. If anyone knows what service this bus was working please get in touch! (Matt)

On the way back we went non stop back to Stoke, after all the other drop off's the journey took around 2 hours. A good little trip that we are sure to do again some time. (Mark)