Trip to Northwich 22-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
SB23	Northwich Interchange	Sandiway, Weaverham Road (NW-bound)	82	GHA
SB02	Sandiway, Weaverham Road (SE-bound)	Northwich Interchange	82	GHA
49	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, opp railway	45	Network Warrington
869	Rudheath, o/s Telephone Exchange	Northwich Interchange	2	Arriva NW&W

After last weeks trip to Chester, Matthew expressed a wish to travel on a GHA bus. He even pointed to the destination on one of his pictures and so we planned a trip to Northwich. planning consisted of visiting the Cheshire West and Chester council website and printing out a copy of the top half of the Northwich and Winsford bus map, and downloading a selected few timetables. Setting off at just after 12:00, we picked up uncle Dave on the way and we left his house around 12:30. We parked up on the edge of town having done a lp trying to find a good parking space. We parked a good way out of town in a car park opposite Lidl, and we walked back into town to the Weaver shopping centre. We had a quick walk around and found a self service restaurant in which to have dinner. 2 breakfasts, 2 baps and 3 Vimto's came to just short of £15. After dinner we got back to the transport interchange around 14:00. We took a couple of pictures before required GHA SB23 appeared on the #82 service. With the sun being where it was, the best pictures were taken from the back of the bus.


SB23 in Northwich Transport interchange (Matt)

This was not one of the timetables I downloaded, but I remember the buses passed on the other side of Sandiway, so we decided to travel to there. As we got off Matthew got a picture of the bus.


SB23 in Sandiway (Matt)

Not being exactly sure of how long we had to wait, Sandiway must have been where the bus passed with more than 5 minutes so we where here for closer to 15 minutes. When the bus appeared it was required SB02. Matthew mis-timed his picture and didn't get a very good picture. After the short journey back, Matthew took a picture of the empty bus.


Inside SB02 (Matt)

Matthew didn't take another picture of this bus, but I did.


SB02 at Northwich Interchange on a #82 (Mark)

We didn't have to wait long for our first sighting of a Network Warrington bus, in the form of 49 on the #45 service.


Network Warrington 49 about to work the #45 to Warrington (Matt)

Having missed read the timetable I didn't think there was a 15:50 departure, but i was looking on the weekday timetable. I asked the driver when he was due out and he said around 10 minutes. So we booked to the railway station with the intention of coming back on an Arriva service from around the corner. The driver was a really nice man and asked if Matthew want to go back out and take a picture with the destination blind switched on! As the sun was in a bad position we said thanks but declined! We did the service to the the station and alighted as planned. The driver even hung on a few seconds so Matthew could take another picture...


Network Warrington 49 adjacent to the railway station (Matt)

After we got off we crossed the busy road and went over the railway line and to the stop adjacent to the telephone exchange to catch a bus back into town. At this point i was hoping to see 7673 appear, but I had gotten my #2 and #29A services mixed up. We saw 869 head South around 10 minutes before he returned. Still, 869 was another required bus.


Arriva NW&W 869 by the telephone exchange (Matt)

As we approached the interchange, we saw 865 displaying #2. Buses on the #2 and #4 appear to inter work to compensate for the different length of service time. When we got back into town, Matthew photographed the inside of the refurbished Dennis Dart.


Inside 869 (Matt)

We also saw 7647 on a #29A service.


7647 about to work a 29A (Matt)

We then started to walk back to the car stopping to get a few pictures, including 865 about to work on the #2.


Arriva 865 also on #2 (Matt)

We then walked back to the car. Driving back in the late autumn sunshine the roads were relatively clear and we arrived back at Longport just after 17:00 where we filled up with LPG. We had a quick stop a t a local shop to pick up lottery as our Co-op is hut for renovation, and then we got home around 17:30...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 15-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2438	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2361	Chester BS	Garden City, Sealand School (SW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2356	Garden City, Sealand School (SW-bound)	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2301	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we had decided to go to Chester. Preparation was to pick up the handful of timetable and put them in the bag! It was a really nice day for October and very warm. we set off a little before 12:00 and picked up uncle Dave on the way. Traffic was virtually non existent and we arrived in Ellesmere Port a fraction after 13:00. We had dinner in the market food court and then had a quick toilet stop. By the time we got to the bus station there was only about 5 minutes to wait for the 13:57 to Chester so Matthew didn't get many pictures here. After a short wait required 2438 appeared on the #401 to Chester.


Arriva NW&W 2438 on a #401 Liverpool - Chester service seen approaching Ellesmere Port bus station (Matt)

Matthew got his picture and we had a brisk walk to stop to get on. The journey was quite pleasant in the sun and we passed ALX300 DAF 2411 on an opposite working. As we approached Chester we saw school bus 60035 parked up at the front of the First depot. As we got off Matthew got his customary empty bus shot.


Inside 2438 (Matt)

We then had around 20 minutes or so in Chester. Matthew got a few more picture and I went to fetch Lotto tickets (turned out not to be winners again :-( ). Given the choice of 2361 on the #10 and 2349 on the X11, Matthew chose to do 2361. Either would have been a winner as they were both required. The bus wasn't as full as it has been the last few times we've caught this service and this made for a pleasant journey. I didn't notice, but instead of just drawing forward and taking the tight turn to leave the bus station, we reversed out, and then went round the back of the X11 stop so the turn wasn't so tight. Perhaps there was a problem with the steering on this bus. When we were traveling through the Garden City area. We noticed there was a bus in front stopped with it's hazard lights on. We thought that maybe it had broken down. We then stopped behind it and the driver asked us all to 'please get on the bus in front'. There must have been a fault on our bus. as we transferred, Matthew got a picture of 2361.


Arriva NW&W 2361 in Garden City as we swapped between buses (Matt)

We boarded the new bus, 2356 which was also required! Traveling through the Queensferry area we passed 7550 on an opposite working. We alighted by the Wepre war memorial and Matthew got a picture of 2356.


Arriva NW&W 2356 by the Wepre war memorial (Matt)

We crossed the road and waited for a return service. at 15:19 the electronic display said the next bus was 15:35 for a #12, but there was a #10 due at 15:24. A few minute later Ex Wrexham 2301 appeared and this was also required!


Arriva NW&W 2301 opposite the Wepre war memorial (Matt)

The journey back was noisy as there were a lot of teenagers on the bus. A few minutes later we arrived back in Chester bus station and Matthew got a picture of the 'Smartie' interior of 2301.


Inside 2301 (Matt)

We then had around 30 minutes in the bus station taking picture. Surprisingly, we did not see a single double decker bus in Chester apart from the sightseeing tours open toppers. Have 30069 and 30077 been withdrawn? First did seem to be a full complement of the Marshall Darts out, and also plenty of Solo's. What did take us by surprise was the addition to the fleet of ex Tameside Solo 40311 which we happened to get a photograph of by chance...


New to Chester 40311 (Matt)

Mum then drove into the Market car park for free parking (after 15:00). when she appeared she went to get sausage rolls from Greggs near the market and we took a few more pictures. When mum returned we set off back to the car, making sure we got the shot of our first sighting of a D&G bus in Chester on the relatively new #81 Winsford - Chester service.


First sighting of a D&G bus in Chester... D&G 40 on the #81 Winsford (Matt)

Returning home we tried to pick up Radio Stoke to listen to the match. The car had been int the garage for some work and all the presets had been lost. As the signal is always weak at Chester we were unable to get radio Stoke until we were on the outskirts of Warrington. We tuned in to find stoke 1-0 up and that was soon to be 2-0. Not a bad result against Fulham. We returned home via Longport to pick up LPG and Petrol. As we went south on the A500 we passed quite a few coaches heading North from Stoke's ground. At the A500/A519 junction we were trailing a Kings ferry coach which was probably the Fulham team coach. We reached home around 17:30 from another successful days bus photographing and bashing trip...Mark

Trip to Blackpool 08-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
D104 XAN	The Strand, Longton	Pleasure beach CP, Blackpool	Charter	Z Carz
335	Pleasure Beach, o/s Sandcastle and Pleasure Beach	Cleveleys, by Rossall Road	1	Blackpool Transport
525	Cleverleys BS	Squires Gate, by Starr Gate	7	Blackpool Transport
212	Squires Gate, o/s Squires Gate Station	Central, by Buchanan Street	7	Blackpool Transport
301	Central, by Buchanan Street	Promenade, Bank Hey Street (Stop 2)	14	Blackpool Transport
522	Promenade, Promenade (Stop 3)	Temporary stop, Watson Road	11	Blackpool Transport
D104 XAN	Bond Street, Blackpool	The Strand, Longton	Charter	Z carz

This was the trip that should have gone on the 4th September but was canceled at short notice. Having rescheduled the date, eventually it came around. We went back to the Strand just over a month later and within a couple of minutes the coach appeared.


Z carz D104 XAN in the Strand, Longton (Matt)

The journey was non stop after a solitary stop outside Hanley bus station. On the way we got to watch half of Ratatouille on the tiny little screen at the front of the coach. We arrived at the Pleasure beach coach park at just after 11:00 and it was full!


Z carz D104 XAN in Blackpool Pleasure Beach coach park (Matt)

On arrival, we went off to get something to eat. We went to a cafe around the corner from the coach park and we all had breakfast with the exception of uncle Dave who had a sausage barm. After eating we decided to the coast to catch a #1 to Cleverleys. We reached to coast and within a few seconds required 335 appeared on a #1.


Blackpool Transport 335 by the Sandcastle (Matt)

We boarded and bought day rover tickets. We sat at the front of the top deck. Matthew was able to get a shot of the empty top deck.


Inside 335 (Matt)

Traffic was horrendous and it took until after 13:00 to get to cleverleys. The #1 doesn't go into the bus station and we realised this as we continued North past the town. We got off and walked back to the bus station. Mum went into a shoe shop and we watched the goings on in Cleverleys bus station for 20 minutes. After mum emerged from the shoe shop we decided to do the next Lytham service that came in. It was required Blackpool Transport 525 (Matt)


Blackpool Transport 525 in Cleverleys bus station (Matt)

We booked to Lytham, but traffic seemed to be going very slowly! Mum got off the bus in town to go shopping and we carried on South. as it was gone 14:30 by the time we left Blackpool we decided to get off the bus around Squires Gate. We got off around the corner from Squires gate near the Starr Gate tram depot.


525 at Squires Gate (Matt)

After we got off we walked back to Squires gate, passed a row of parked up coaches. Have photographed the coaches we waited for the next town bound bus. Whithin a few minutes, required pink and yellow Optare 212 appeared on a #7. This bus was far less crowded than most we had been on today bu at we hit town the bus filled up. We had booked to the Devonshire Road Junction, but we decided to get off just after Blackpool North station as the bus was full with people at the stop. As we got of Matthew got a good picture.


212 near Blackpool North station (Matt)

We crossed the road and decided to catch something back that went through town so that we could meet up with mum near coral Island. We saw Blackpool Transport 373 on a Northbound service. we let 2 #5 go because we weren't sure where the bus went through town. The next bus we knew was going through town was #301 on a #14 and this this was also required!


301 near Blackpool North station (Matt)

We got on the bus and we sat downstairs. and did the short run through town. As we got of Matthew got another picture.


301 behind Coral Island (Matt)

We met up with mum and walked onto the front to catch a #1. As we approached the stop we saw 522 on a #11 and I knew this went behind the pleasure beach, and it was also required!


522 at Temporary stop, Watson Road (Matt)

When we went to get off, the bus sailed past the stop and went over a quarter of a mile past and finally stopped on Watson Street. We walked back to the front and took a few more bus coach and tram picture before we were due to return. The driver arranged to meet up at the gate of the coach park at 17:00 and he met us and told us there had been a change of plan. Because the lights weren't being switched on until 19:00 we had to wait around before setting off. the other new was the coach was parked about 1/2 mile away behind the pleasure beach. We walked back to the coach taking picture of the other coaches on the way.


Z carz D104 XAN in Bond Street Blackpool (Matt)

Whilst we waited snacks and hot drinks were served on the coach. Fed and watered the driver attempted to start the coach just after 18:00 and it wouldn't start. The battery had flattened providing the hot drinks, despite the engine running whilst serving. The driver went off to find a coach driver with a battery boost pack or something similar. Around 30 minutes later a Jones coach appeared and within a few minutes the coach had been started again. We set off a little before 19:00 and then headed North through the illuminations. We left the Promenade at Bispham and headed inland. We hit the M55/M6 junction a fraction after 20:00 and we got to Longton a little after 21:30. After dropping uncle Dave home, we got in around 22:00...Mark

Trip to Oswestry 01-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2369	Oswestry BS	College Road, Oswestry	70	Arriva Midlands
2370	College Road, Oswestry	Oswestry BS	70	Arriva Midlands
510	Oswestry BS	Llynclys	71	Tanat Valley
510	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	71	Tanat Valley

Today we decided to re-visit Oswestry. Since our last visit there has been a major timetable change in he area with the #445 and D71 being re-designated #71 & #72. Planning consisted of download the new timetable as well as the #449 for good measure just in case we got a chance to do this service. We set off after 12:00 and we had the head north up the A500 to Longport to get LPG. Afterwards we went straight down the A500 to the A519. Then it was the A5182 A53, A51, A525, A495. we arrived in Oswestry just after 14:00. First thing first we decided to get something to eat! Last time we came mum saw a cafe that was just about to close for the day called Jeanies. This time we decided to give this place a go rather than spending a lot of money in a pub on the way. matthew had a breakfast bap and a portion chips, mum had a sausage egg and mushroom bap and uncle Dave and I had the turkey bap as it was a red hot day. Along with 3 cans this came to around £11.50. This was much cheaper than a pub and just as enjoyable. Whilst we were eating we saw Tanat Valley 251 departing on the 14:22 towards Llynclys. The next departure along this route would be 15:17 so we had some time to kill. With the #70 service to Shrewsbury being every 30 minutes, we decided to do this service on a short out and back in order to fill time before 15:17. The 14:42 Shrewsbury appeared and it was required 2369. We got on this bus and booked to College Road. On the way we passed the Arriva bus garage. We saw a double decker and also preserved dart L116 YVK. we alighted on College Road and Matthew got a picture of our transport.


Arriva Midland 2369 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

We crossed the road and we nloy had around 5 minutes to wait for the return service. It was dud (for Matthew) 2370.


Arriva Midland 2370 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

I required this bus as Matthew had previously been on this one with his mum. We returned back passed the garage and Matthew got a shot of the parked up double decker. By the time we got into town, the bus had emptied out.We had the bus to ourselves as we entered the bus station again in Oswestery. Matthew got his customary empty bus shot here.


Inside 2370 (Matt)

When we got off there were busy scenes at the bus station. As well as 2370, Tanat Valley 259 which I think was doing #449's had come into the station on lay over. Also, Arriva Midlands 2348 was in a on a #2A Wrexham service.


Tanat Valley 259 and Arriva Midlands 2348 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the other side of the bus station. Tanat Valley 510 was waiting time to work the 15:17 #71 service.


Tanat Valley 510 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

After a very short while, 510 moved onto stand to work the #71. We booked to Llynclys and we went upstairs. Matthew then got a shot of the inside of the bus.


Inside 510 (Matt)

We eventually left the bus station, picking passenger along the way as we left town. We appsed another Tanat bus with #79 on the front at the edge of town. A few minutes later we were in Llynclys and we alighted from the bus. Matthew had time to take a picture before it departed.


510 at the White lion, Llynclys (Matt)

We had a bit of time to kill before the return journey so we decided to walk down to Llynclys station to have a look at the preserved railway. We heard a horn in the distance but we couldn't see anything working. We had a quick look around and Matthew had a Bakewell tart and I had a cCornetto from buffet car 1850. We then walked back to the road and waited for the bus. The bus turned up and it was 510 again.


510 returns (Matt)

When we looked at the timetable, I was hoping 251 would run light from Welshpool to pick up this service, But if I had studied it hard it can be seen that the 14:22 runs to Welshpool and lays over except on a shoolday. Otherwise it returns from Welshpool at 15:41. Also the 15:17 departure from Oswestry stops at Four Cross 9 minutes before the return bus departs! anyway we laerned something about the afternoon bus turns in the area. when we arrived back Matthew photographed the downstairs.


Downstairs in 510 (Matt)

When we got back we decided to call it a day. Matthew had time to get a couple more picture on the way back to the car including Tanat Valley 217 in the bus station


Tanat Valley 217 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the way back we made a slight accidental diversion into Whitchurch. We saw Dennis Dart SN05 HDC on the #205 Chemistry circular, a service that we caught back in 2009. We got back home around 17:50... Mark

Trip to Smallthorne 24-09-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40159	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23A	First Potteries
185	Hanley BS	Smallthorne, Hadfield Green (adj)	9	Bakerbus
60011	Smallthorne, Hadfield Green (adj)	Hanley BS	29	First Potteries
BK10 MGV	Hanley BS	Preston Street (Opp)	9	Bakerbus
186	Preston Street (adj)	Hanley BS	9	Bakerbus
60201	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34	First Potteries
40137	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, Highgate (opp)	99	First Potteries
40147	Tunstall, Woodland Street stop C	Longport, Longport Road (adj)	99	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip, with the main intention of trying to get a ride on the Bakerbus loaned double deckers before they return home. During the week these usual work the X1 service, but lately on Saturdays they have turned out on the #9 service. I purchased a 'Smart Day' from a local shop and then we walked all the way up to the Ladybank Grove stop to wait for a Hanley bus. After a very short wait 40159 rounded the corner. We have not been on this bus for a long time and such it had been recorded in his list.


40159 in Blurton on a 23A (Matt)

The bus was empty when we got on and so Matthew got his empty shot straight away!


Inside 40159 (Matt)

The journey to Hanley was quiet and uneventful and when we reached Hanley We went up onto the balcony to assess the situation. there was one of the bakerbus double deckers parked up but it was not being used at the time. I went to the travel office to get some timetables. The small office with all the timetables was closed, so I was only able to pick up some First Timetables. On the way back I checked the times of the #9's and #61's. There was a #9 due off at 13:40 and it was already on stand. The bus was Bakerbus 185 and it was required.


Bakerbus 185 in Hanley on a #9 service (Matt)

We decided to do this to Smallthorne in the hope of getting on the return service. As we got off Bakerbus 196 was on the opposite side of the road pulling off! Matthew got another picture of 185 as it was about to pull off.


185 in Smallthorne (Matt)

We crossed the road and I used the text service to find out the next bus. The next bus was going to be a First #29 in about 3 minutes. Almost as soon as I had texted, 60011 rounded the corner. This was not required, but as this bus has been out of service and was nearly withdrawn it was an interesting one.


60011 in Smallthorne (Matt)

The bus was sounding a little rough, and one of the window seals had blown, but we have have seen and heard much worse! As we turned into Hanley bus station we expected to see 196 on stand, but this had been replaced by the double decker! We quickly transferred from one to the other as they were only a couple of stands apart. We got on and this time booked to the top of smallthorne so we could catch a #9 back. We went upstairs and were the only people on the top deck. At this point Matthew got a picture of the empty bus.


Inside demonstrator BK10 MGV (Matt)

The journey was very smooth and quiet expect for Matthew making a noise. As we got off Matthew was able to get a picture of the bus.


BK10 MGV in Smallthorne (Matt)

We crossed the road eventually having fought our way through the busy traffic. After a very short while bakerbus 186 rounded the corner. Not a double decker but still required.



Bakerbus 186 in Smallthorne (Matt)

We did this back to Hanley and when we arrived Matthew took a picture of the empty interior.


Inside 186 (Matt)

At this point we decided to have a break from the buses and eat some chips. I went down to Tony's place and got 2 portions of chips which we promptly finished off. As we were eating step entranced Wardle Transport Dennis Dart 2038 arrived and I hought we were going to catch this but Matthew changed his mind.


Wardle Transport 2038 on a service #61 (Matt)

He directed us towards required 60072 on a #34A. By the time we got down to it it pulled away so Matthew decided he want to do unrequired 60201 on the following #34.


60201 on a #34 in Hanley bus station (Matt)

we did the bus to Newcastle and at this point he decided to misbehave a little. We decided to do required 40137. This Ex Chester bus is the last of the batch allocated locally that he needed.


40137 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

on the way out of town we passed Bakerbus 215 on a #94A service. We did the bus to Tunstall at which point he was able to get another picture of these beast.


40137 in Tunstall (Matt)

After that we had a few minutes in Tunstall High street. The following service on the same corridor was worked by ALX200 40142.


40142 in Tunstall (Matt)

With 40137 already head back towards Newcastle, the next bus back was likely to be another ALX Dart and indeed it was. required 40147 appeared.


40147 in Tunstall (Matt)

At this point we formulated a plan to get home. We called mum to meet us at the BP garage in Longport so we could be picked up and we could also pick up some LPG at the same time. When we alighted from the bus in Longport, Matthew got another picture.


40147 in Longport (Matt)

We saw another couple of buses whilst we waited. 40148 was heading away from Newcastle and 40151 was heading towards Newcastle. we also saw Wardle Transport 2410 on a Britannia stadium shuttle. When mum arrived we filled up with LPG and then headed home. We got caught slightly in football traffic and saw 40007 doing #22's. also seen was Bakerbus 163 on #350's. not a bad day out today, made better with 43437, a well fought draw with Manchester United afterwards...Mark