Trip to York / Rawcliffe 19-08-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
39514	Askham Bar, P&R	York, Tower Street	3	First York
11103	York, Station Avenue	Rawcliffe, P&R	2	First York
69369	Rawcliffe, P&R	York, National Railway Museum	2	First York
11102	York, National Railwat Museum	Rawcliffe, P&R	2	First York
5	Rawcliffe, Howard Drive	York, Exhibition Square	30	Reliance
37248	York, Exhibition Square	Wigginton, Mill Lane	1	First York
37251	Wigginton, Mill Lane	Haxby, Memorial Hall	1	First York
37254	Haxby, Memorial Hall	York, Theatre Royal	1	First York
39519	York, Theatre Royal	York, Railway Station	5A	First York
39515	York, Railway Station	Askham Bar, P&R	3	First York

Today we decided to go to York to have a ride on the last 2 bendibuses in service with First York. Research for the trip consisted at looking for a suitable Park & Ride site, loking at bus tickets and looking at what services the bendibuses were usually on, which was the #2 Park & Ride. We also checked the weather for today, which was for mainly dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew woke up about 07:00 and chilled out in his room until after 09:00. We went down to the restuarant and Matthew had a full English Breakfast washed down with 2 dlesses of orange juice. We went back up to the room to finish getting ready and just after 10:00 we came downstairs and got on the car. We ran out of the industrial estate onto Rockhill Lane and at the end we turned left onto Bierley Lane. We ran up the hill and we turned left onto the A6177. We turned left onto the M606 and we ran down to the M62. We headed Eastwards along the M62 and we ran around the Southern side of Leeds. We joined the M1 and we ran the 10 or so miles to the A1(M). The road was busy and we slowed down at the junction. We were passed by Gee-Vee Travel GT61 GVT on a day trip.

Gee-Vee Travel GT61 GVT on the A1(M)

We continued up the A1(M) for a short distance and we came off onto the Northbound A64. We ran for a few miles past the Tadcaster John Smiths brewery. We continued for a few more miles and at the very edge of York we veered left onto the A1036. We turned left into the Askham Bar park and ride site and we parked up as close to the bus terminus that we could. We walked upn to the bus terminous and we saw First York 39515 on a #3 P&R service to York.

First York 39515 in Askham Bar

We went inside the building and Matthew used the toilet. We brought a First Day group for £10 which turns out we could have done somnething different. We went out to catch the bus which had now swapped for First York 39514 on a #3 P&R service to York.

First York 39514 in Askham Bar

We got on the bus and we flashed the First Day group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off through the internal bus lane and around the back of Tesco before we joined the Northbound A1036. We hesded up towards town and we came to the wall. We turned left onto Queens Street and we continued onto Station Road. We stopped by the railway station before continuing through the wall and onto Rougier Street. We turned left onto Micklegate and right onto Skeldergate. We turned left onto Bishopgate Street and we crossed over the river Ouse. We turned left onto Tower Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked back along Tower Street to the roundabout and we saw Jim Bell FJ17 PZA go past.

Jim Bell FJ17 PZA in York

We turned left onto bishopgate Street and we crossed back over the river. We saw former demonstrator now First York 49321 on a #6 to Clifton Moor. We said goodbye to mum and we went around the corner onto Nunnery Lane. We saw JSC Coaches R9 NEV coming the other way.

JSC Coaches R9 NEV in York

We continued along Nunnery Lane and we saw Fletchers N2 FCT.

Fletchers N2 FCT in York

We continued forwards onto Queen Street and we followed the road around onto Station Road. I had seen the the #2 service stated somewhere around the station Road area so we had a look around. We turned left onto Station Rise and right onto Leeman Street where we saw Reliance 26 on layover.

Reliance 26 in York

We worked out which stop we needed to be at for the #2 and we headed onto Station Avenue. We stood at the stop for a very short amount of time and we saw a bus approaching. It was First York 11103 on a #2 Rawcliffe Park & Ride service.

First York 11103 in York

We got on the bus and we booked an All York Family Day ticket at £5.50 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Station Avenue and we ran forwards onto Station Road. We crossed over the river Ouse and we continued along Museum Street. We turned left onto St Leonards Place and we veered left onto the Northbound A19. We headed through Boothm and we travelled for about 1 1/2 miles to the edge of the city before we turned left into the Rawcliffe park & ride site. We pulled up outside the terminal building and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and Matthew got a picture of First York 11103 before it returned to York.

First York 11103 in Rawcliffe

The next bus in the sequence was a ordinary single decker. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a can of orange Fanta. A few minutes later the following bus arrived. We saw it was First York 69369 on a #2 to York.

First York 69369 in Rawcliffe

We got on the bus and we placed the Family All York Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran up the the roundabout and turned around before headed onto the Southbound A19. We ran through Rawcliffe to the edge of the city and we turned right onto Water End. We turned left onto Salisbury Road and we navigated a very narrow terrace stret before turning right onto Kingsland Terrace before turning left onto Leeman Road. We went under the railway line and we ran for about 600yds before we got to the National Railway Museum where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of First York 69369 as it continued around the loop of the park and ride service.

First York 69369 in York

Once off the bus we sat at the bus stop and waited for the 12 or so minutes before the next bus was due. A short time later the bus appeared. We saw it was First York bendibus 11102 as expected.

First York 11102 in York

We got on the bus and we placed the Family All York Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Leeman Road and we went under the railway on what seemed like the longest railway bridge ever. We veered right onto Station Rise and we turned left onto Station Avenue. After loading up we set off along Station Avenue and we ran forwards onto Station Road. We crossed over the river Ouse and we continued along Museum Street. We turned left onto St Leonards Place and we veered left onto the Northbound A19. We headed through Boothm and we travelled for about 1 1/2 miles to the edge of the city before we turned left into the Rawcliffe park & ride site. We pulled up outside the terminal building and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and Matthew got a picture of First York 11102 before it returned to York. We decided to have a bit of a break so we set off to a nearby pub. We walked over the the A19 and we crossed over and headed Southwards. There was a pub set back from the main road and we went in and Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished our drinks Matthe went to the toilet. We said goodbyre and we went outside to wait for a bus back to York. There was a #30 in about 15 minutes on the main road and a #20 on the side road just afterwards. I asked Matthew which one he wanted to catch and he decided to wait for the Reliance bus on the main road. We sat on a bench by the stop and we waited for the bus. A short time later the bus appeared. As it got closer we saw it was Reliance 5 on a #30 to York as expected.

Reliance 5 in Rawcliffe

We got on the bus and we placed the Family All York Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A19 and we headed Southwards. We ran through Rawcliffe to the edge of the city and we turned right onto Water End. We turned left onto Salisbury Road and we navigated a very narrow terrace stret before turning right onto Kingsland Terrace before turning left onto Leeman Road. We went under the railway line and we ran for about 600yds before we got to the National Railway Museum. We went under the railway bridge and we veered right onto Station Rise before turning left onto Station Avenue. After loading up we set off along Station Avenue and we ran forwards onto Station Road. We crossed over the river Ouse and we continued along Museum Street. We turned left onto St Leonards Place where we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to have another short break from the buses to have an ice cream. There was an ice cream kiosk in the square in front of the museum. Matthew had an ice cream and a can of Coke Zero. We sat on a bench and we ate our ice creams and drank our drinks. As we were finishing up we spotted one of the older double deckers stopped at the stop on a Northbound service. We decided to do this bus. As we got closer we saw it was First York 37248 on a #1 to Wigginton.

First York 37248 in York

We got on the bus and we placed the an All York Family Day ticket under the scanner before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off along St Leonards Place and we ran forwards onto the B1363. We ran forwards onto Haxby Road and we ran through New Earswick and out of the City. We crossed over the A1237 and the railway line to Scarborough. We continued Northwards to the edge of Haxby and we turned left onto Eastfield Avenue and right onto Oak Tree Lane. We turned right onto Holly Tree Lane and left onto York Road. We turned left onto The Village and we ran past the shops. We continued into Wigginton and we ran forwards onto Mill Lane where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First York 37248 before it returned to Chapelfields.

First York 37248 in Wigginton

Once off the bus we had approximatley 20 miniues to wait for the next service. The time passed really quickly and before we knew it we saw the next bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First York 37251 on a #1 to Chapelfields.

First York 37251 in Wigginton

We got on the bus and we placed the an All York Family Day ticket under the scanner. The inside of the lower saloon was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside of First York 37251.

Inside First York 37251

We went upstairs and the too was empty, so Matthew took another picture inside of First York 37251 before we sat down.

Inside First York 37251

We waited for a few minutes until departure time and we set off along Mill Lane. We turned left onto Walmer Carr and left onto Westfield Lane. We turned right onto The Village and we ran to the other end where the shops were, before we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First York 37251 before it continued on towards Chapelfields.

First York 37251 in Haxby

We crossed over The Village and we headed into The Co-operative Food shop. We brought sausage rolls, some cakes and a bottle of pop. After paying for the shopping we crossed back over the road and we waited for the next bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a couple of sausage rolls and a bottle of Dr Pepper. A few minutes later we saw a Westbound bus. This was First York 37255. A short time later we saw our bus. As it got closer we saw it was First York 37254 on a #1 to Chapelfields.

First York 37254 in Haxby

We got on the bus and we placed the an All York Family Day ticket under the scanner before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off along The Village and we turned right onto York Road. We turned right onto Holly Tree Lane and left onto Oak Tree Lane. We turned left onto Eastfield Avenue and right onto York Road. We headed South and we stopped at the level crossing. After a short while we saw 68020 go past on a Trans Pennine Express. After the barriers came up we continued Southwards along Haxby Road. We crossed over the A1237 and we continued Southwards. We arranged to meet mum at St Leonards PLace so that we could travel together to the bus stop by the railway station to catch the #3 to Askham Bar. We continued onto the B1363 and we ran forwards onto St Leonard's PLace where we got up and got off the bus. We mry up with mum and we saw First York 39519 on a #5A to Acomb which we decided to do to the stop we needed to be at. We got on the bus and we flashed the First Group Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We turned right onto Museum Street and we crossed over the Ouse. We ran forwards onto Station Road before goinf through the city wall. We got up and got off the bus outside the railway station. Matthew took another picture of First York 39519 before it carried on to Accomb.

First York 39519 in York

We sat down at the bus stip and we waited for the next #3 to Askham Bar. The first one that turned up was full and standing so we let it go. Whilst we waited we saw Hattons Travel BN17 JGX on Rail Replacement work.

Hattons Travel BN17 JGX in York

A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First York 39515 on a #3 Askham Bar park & ride service.

First York 39515 in York

Trip to York 31-07-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 978	Brunswick Street, Newcastle	St George's Field Coachpark, York	Charter	Copelands Tours
G336 CSG	York Clifford's Tower	York Clifford's Tower	Tour	York Pullman
G336 CSG	York Clifford's Tower	York railway station	Tour	York Pullman
E313 MSG	York, Nunnery Lane car park (opp)	York Clifford's Tower (opp)	Tour	York Pullman
G337 CSG	York, Stonebow Stop B	York Clifford's Tower (opp)	Tour	York Pullman
MIB 978	St George's Field Coachpark, York	Brunswick Street, Newcastle	Charter	Copelands Tours

Earlier this week we decided to book on our 2nd Copeland's Tours trip of the year so far to York. Preparation for the trip included printing section of the York bus map and printing out a load of First York Timetables along with Arriva service 415. I had looked up the price of the York Pullman City Tour, but I initial dismissed this as not an option. As it was a longer trip we decide to do this coach from it's last scheduled pickup of Newcastle. As we were unable to park in Brunswick Street, I dropped everybody off and put the car in the Vue car park for the day. Of course, as soon as i left a space became available in the street! Matthew enjoyed watching a procession of coaches and bus coming down the street for the few minutes we had to wait before our coach turned up at around 08:50. When the bus turned up it was not the one Matthew wants most desperately to travel on, but it was required... MIB 978. the route from Newcastle was A34,A500,M6 and then M62 After around an hour on the road, we stopped at the Birch Service station on the M62. here we stopped for a quick toilet stop and we visited the shop where Matthew purchased the latest issue of 'Buses'. When we went to the toilet we used our RADAR key as always to access what we thought was the disabled toilets. I could hear voices from the other side so I slowly opened the door. What the door actually was, was a shorter route to the toilets. When mum came around to the toilet from the other side I don't think she saw the funny side... We got to the toilet proper and used the key again. after the toilet stop Matthew photographed our trusty steed before we boarded the coach for the rest of the journey.


Copeland's tour MIB 978 in Birch services (Matt)

We continued out journey West, and as the coach climbed up the bank on Saddleworth Moor, I'm sure we slowed to around 30mph! Over the other side and we continued at a better speed. Joining the A1(M) then A64 and A19. We arrived at the St. George's field coach park at around 11:45. On the way in we passed a pub called the Mason's Arms a I suggested we ate there. We sat outside on a table where Matthew could see the buses go past and i went in to see a menu. Due to the food being not stuff Matthew liked and the fact that most main meals were £8 plus, we decided to just get 2 plates of chips to share and 3 drinks. A portion of chips cost £3.25 and the food and drink altogether cost £11.30! Whilst we waited for the food, Matthew took a few pictures.


York Pullman double decker M209 VSX on Fishergate (Matt)

After eating we had to make a decision on what to do. Mum wasn't feel very well, and was concerned with how far she was going to have to walk to get there. I had said we should have walked out of town towards the next bus stop to catch something inbound, but as the decision seemed counter intuitive, we ended up walking into town. It was a warm humid day with hazy sunshine and the walk was hard going. We got as far as Clifford's Tower, where we were struggling to read the York bus map whilst walking and keep Matthew happy. The map consists of coloured numbers by the stops and it was hard to try and work out where buses were actually going in relation to where we were and what buses stopped at the nearest stop. As mum was really struggling today we made the decision to do the York Pullman city tour. There was a bus at the stop G336 CSG, so we got the tickets and boarded the bus.


York Pullman City Tour G336 CSG in Tower Street (Matt)

Unusually, Matthew wanted to sit downstairs and we had to persuade him to go upstairs and sit in the open air. Having not been to York since the early 80's apart from one brief visit to Railtrack to remove a giant camera, doing the tour bus was a good thing. we spent over an hour on the first tour bus doing one complete circuit and then getting off at the railway station. We left mum on the bus so she could go further round towards the shops. As we got off Matthew photographed the tour bus as it pulled off into the distance.


After over a complete circuit, we see G336 CSG pull away from the railway station (Matt)

After we got off by the railway station we decided to have a walk around and take a few bus pictures. We decided to walk towards the wall and along Station Road. As we passed under the city wall, we saw a First Volvo double decker on a lay over.


First Yorkshire N&W 30960 on a layover off Station Road from it's X4 duties (Matt)

We carried on a short way along Station Road and then got on the wall where it is level with the road. We then walked along the wall towards Nunnery Lane taking some pictures off the wall of buses as we went.


Yorkshire Traction 705 taken off the wall on Station Road (Matt)

When got off the wall in nunnery lane, We used the facilities in the car park and then crossed the road to catch the next tour bus. Whilst we waited we saw several other York Pullman buses on the 44 service, a coach and also a Routemaster! The next tour bus was E313 MSG. Matthew was a little surprised and didn't get a good picture here. we sat downstars on this bus for a short while. As we learned from the last run the bus stops in St. Leonards Place for a good 10-15 minutes, we got off for a drink and to take pictures.


Deadly rivals! York Pullman City Tour E313 MSG stands alongside City Sightseeing Tours 4010 off St Leonards Place (Matt)

Back on the bus we went upstairs in the covered section. It was warm, but at least we weren't in direct sunlight. We called mum to see where she was. She hadn't done to much with her feeling ill and was now waiting in front of Clifford's Tower, so we decided to do the bus around to their to meet her. When we got off. we had about an hour and 30 minutes before the coach was leaving. I thought it would be a good idea to get some food before the return journey and to see if we could get one more bus. mum was the only person that knew where Greggs was as she had been before. Matthew was dragging me out in front and I didn't now where I was going. he ended up dragging me down Spurriergate. I eventually got him to stop and we head back towards the Tower and then we saw a sign for a place called Chico's. We didn't find Chico's, but we did find sandwich shop opposite Tesco Express where we did get a rice crispy slice and a Shortbread caramel slice and some pop. I decided to go up towards The Stonebow, which is somewhere I knew I could get the Tour bus from. it just so happened to be where Greggs was and we were able to get some sausage rolls too! Whilst waiting for the tour bus, we saw Volvo B6 40571 on a #12 service.


First Volvo B6 40571 on a #12 to Acomb Park (Matt)

A few minutes later, required G337 CSG turned up, and we had amanged to get all 3 tour buses out today.


Our last tour bus of the day G337 CSG in the Stonebown (Matt)

We got off by Clifford's Tower again, and then started to walk back toward the coach park. As we went we saw several buses including a Scraggs (of Stoke) minibus.


Scraggs VT 9389 in York (Matt)

He also photographed Volvo double decker 30965...


First Yorkshire N&W 30965 on a #4 University service (Matt)

We go back to the coach a little early, so we decide to sit down on the bank of the Ouse and eat our sausage rolls before returning to the coach. We set off a fraction before 17:00 On the journey back, we hit traffic outside York, but by the time we were back on the A1(M) we had a clear run. We stop at Birch services again. Where the were a couple of Mayne coaches parked up.


Mayne 53 in Birch Services (Matt)


Mayne 54 in Birch Services (Matt)

We were back in Newcastle around 20:00 and we walked back to the Vue car park. After dropping Uncle Dave home. We got home around 20:40. today was a good trip and we could have done thing differently, but I think we made the best decision considering we couldn't remember the City or work out which buses went where within the City. If we return again any time soon we will have a much better idea about which buses to catch in this strange City. more of Matthew's photographs from this day can be found here...Mark