Today armed with an All Zone Saveaway costing only Four Pounds and Ninety Pence i decided set out onto Merseyside for Buses and Trains.
My Day started by taking a Train from Thatto Heath Railway Station to Liverpool Lime Street, My trip was operated by Northern Rail 156 468. Sadly is was a bad start to the day as this Service suffered major overcrowding meaning i had to stand up right next to the Door for the entire leg of the trip. Think i will try to avoid this run from now on.
Once i reached Liverpool i alighted the service and took a short walk down to Liverpool Queen Square Bus Station to see what was about, It did not take long until i spotted Stagecoach Gillmoss Dennis Trident 17269 RUT 642 on the X3 for Kirkby Bus Station, Since its not an everyday allocation i decided i would board this Service. The Bus struggled to climb Hills on the route however from a Passenger point of view its one of the better examples with it being Rattle free and very comfy this providing a Decent Quality Ride to Kirkby.
When i arrived in Kirkby i headed for the Railway Station, Since the Railway Station is not located in the Town Centre a Bus was required to reach it, The First Bus to turn up heading that way was Stagecoach Gillmoss Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 27710 PO11 BBV on Service 20. I was only on the Bus for a short time however it still performed very well with no Rattles.
Once at Kirkby Railway Station i then Decided to head for Moorefield's Railway Station, My trip was operated by Merseyrail 507 021. This Service was provided at a good standard, The Train was in good condition and the Capacity fitted the volume of Passengers that used this Service, A very good example of how a Train Service should operate!
Once at Moorfields i needed to make my connection to Liverpool Lime Street required a quick Train Change, My Trip was Operated by Merseyrail 507 009. I was only on the service for a short time but was happy with the level of Service provided!
When i reached Lime Street i once again headed down to Liverpool Queen Square Bus Station to see what was about, This time i saw a Driver i knew at the wheel of Arriva St Helens Wright Pulsar 2 2974 MX09 OPE on service 10A, I decided to get on but only for Prescot. This is one of the better Pulsars with Arriva St Helens, it was rattle free with a Strong engine capable of moving of the line at a very quick speed, Defiantly worth another ride of this.
When i got to Prescot i seen another Driver i knew, This time at the wheel of Hattons Travel Mini Pointer Dart MX55 YBA on route 99 The Whiston Circular, I got on the Bus for Whiston Railway Station. I had mixed opinions about this Bus, It was fast however it did rattle a lot, overall i have had better but this Bus still does the job its required to.
After leaving my mate i walked onto Whiston Railway Station and in no time at all Northern Rail 142031 showed up heading for Liverpool, I boarded this Service to return to Liverpool, This was not the best of Trains i had been on today, when the train was pulling away from Stations it felt like it was rocking backwards and forwards, I did however notice that the Train had only recently had been refurbish so some effort has been taken to provide a good service.
Once i arrived back into Liverpool Lime Street i decided to head over to Liverpool South Parkway since i had not been over that way so far, to reach Liverpool South Parkway i boarded Northern Rail 150142.
This was one of them services you cant wait to get of, i did get a seat however we left Lime Street with a good standing load, would be better if this service was increased to a 4 Car operation.
When i got to Liverpool South Parkway i headed to the Bus Stops to see if any Buses took my fancy, on layover i saw Stagecoach Gillmoss Dennis Trident 17273 on route 82 so when it came onto Stand i boarded it for Liverpool City Centre. Best ride of the day!! The Bus was extremely fast, powering up Hills like they was flat land! The Body also did not disappoint as there was not one rattle from it! A Bus i would not mind another ride of!
When i arrived back into the City Centre i again went into Liverpool Lime Street to see if there was any Trains that took my Fancy, This time i picked Northern Rail 142 034 that i got on for Huyton. This trip turned out to be Decent, the Capacity suited the Volume of Passengers who boarded the service and the Train was smooth running at all times!
Once in Huyton i headed to the Bus Station where i saw Arriva St Helens Wright Renown 2729 ready to depart on the 89 to St Helens,I was able to catch it and took it as far as Prescot, This Bus has really gone downhill recently, its Slow compared to its normal Speed and the Cooling fan seems to be stuck on, A huge compared to how it once was.
As we where now entering the Evening Services i decided to get a few Merseytravel Tendered Services starting with HTL Buses Optare Solo Lite YD63 VCG on route 194. I only took it a short distance to Prescot Railway Station but i had to admit it was a very good Bus, not a single rattle could be found! The Bus also performed really well when tackling speed bumps, something I find Solo's normally struggle on!
Next Service i got was Merseytravel Tendered Service 264 for Halewood Shopping City. My trip was formed by Ace Travel Optare Solo 742. Again another really good Solo, rattle free and very fast, have to admit i really did enjoy my ride to Halewood.
Once i arrived in Halewood i caught Merseytravel Tendered Service 188 for Liverpool South Parkway, My trip was formed by Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 DK08 AZO. Overall i was not impressed with this Bus, It rattled and banged none stop all the way to The Parkway, I do however admit it was fast but overall its not something i want to ride on any time soon!
When i got to Liverpool South Parkway i headed straight to the Train Station area and boarded First Tranns Pennine 185 144 for Liverpool City Centre, The Service was unusually quiet only sharing my car with about 3 other people, last time i had a standing load! Either way the Service was ran really well, other operators could learn a thing or two from this Performance!
Once in Liverpool Lime Street i headed into the Underground to get a Train a short distance to Liverpool Central, My trip was formed by Merseyrail 508 104. I was only on the Service a short time but i felt the service was being ran to a good standard
After arriving in Liverpool Central i made the quick Train swap for Bootle Strand, My trip was Operated by 508 103 the sister Train to the one i had just been on! It was clear Saftey was high on Merseyrail's List tonight as i sighted Security further down the Train to where i was.
When i reached Bootle Strand i headed for the Strand Bus Station where i boarded Peoplesbus Optare Solo SR with Reg Y1 BUS on Service 168, I took it to Old Swan. This Bus was in good condition, not a Single rattle from the Body at any point, I did notice the Driver took his time due to the Slack timing points on the service, Still an enjoyable ride though!
At Old Swan i boarded Arriva Green Lane Wright Pulsar 1 2671 on the last 10B of the night for Liverpool City Centre, This Bus has just recently return from loan term loan at Arriva's Bolton Depot. Onto the Bus and it was much like the trip i had just been on, Not a rattle on the Bus and the Driver took his time due to slack timing points. Still a nice ride to be fair.
At Liverpool i was picked up to head home, I had a very Enjoyable Day and hope to repeat this some point soon! Until then here is another couple of photos i taken on the Day
My Day started by taking a Train from Thatto Heath Railway Station to Liverpool Lime Street, My trip was operated by Northern Rail 156 468. Sadly is was a bad start to the day as this Service suffered major overcrowding meaning i had to stand up right next to the Door for the entire leg of the trip. Think i will try to avoid this run from now on.
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| Northern Rail 156 468 in Lime Street |
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| Stagecoach Gillmoss 17269 on route X3 |
Once at Kirkby Railway Station i then Decided to head for Moorefield's Railway Station, My trip was operated by Merseyrail 507 021. This Service was provided at a good standard, The Train was in good condition and the Capacity fitted the volume of Passengers that used this Service, A very good example of how a Train Service should operate!
Once at Moorfields i needed to make my connection to Liverpool Lime Street required a quick Train Change, My Trip was Operated by Merseyrail 507 009. I was only on the service for a short time but was happy with the level of Service provided!
When i reached Lime Street i once again headed down to Liverpool Queen Square Bus Station to see what was about, This time i saw a Driver i knew at the wheel of Arriva St Helens Wright Pulsar 2 2974 MX09 OPE on service 10A, I decided to get on but only for Prescot. This is one of the better Pulsars with Arriva St Helens, it was rattle free with a Strong engine capable of moving of the line at a very quick speed, Defiantly worth another ride of this.
When i got to Prescot i seen another Driver i knew, This time at the wheel of Hattons Travel Mini Pointer Dart MX55 YBA on route 99 The Whiston Circular, I got on the Bus for Whiston Railway Station. I had mixed opinions about this Bus, It was fast however it did rattle a lot, overall i have had better but this Bus still does the job its required to.
 |
| Hattons Travel MX55 YBA on route 99 |
 |
| Northern Rail 142031 in Liverpool Lime Street |
This was one of them services you cant wait to get of, i did get a seat however we left Lime Street with a good standing load, would be better if this service was increased to a 4 Car operation.
 |
| Northern Rail 150142 in Liverpool Lime Street |
When i arrived back into the City Centre i again went into Liverpool Lime Street to see if there was any Trains that took my Fancy, This time i picked Northern Rail 142 034 that i got on for Huyton. This trip turned out to be Decent, the Capacity suited the Volume of Passengers who boarded the service and the Train was smooth running at all times!
 |
| Northern Rail 142034 in Liverpool Lime Street |
As we where now entering the Evening Services i decided to get a few Merseytravel Tendered Services starting with HTL Buses Optare Solo Lite YD63 VCG on route 194. I only took it a short distance to Prescot Railway Station but i had to admit it was a very good Bus, not a single rattle could be found! The Bus also performed really well when tackling speed bumps, something I find Solo's normally struggle on!
Next Service i got was Merseytravel Tendered Service 264 for Halewood Shopping City. My trip was formed by Ace Travel Optare Solo 742. Again another really good Solo, rattle free and very fast, have to admit i really did enjoy my ride to Halewood.
Once i arrived in Halewood i caught Merseytravel Tendered Service 188 for Liverpool South Parkway, My trip was formed by Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 DK08 AZO. Overall i was not impressed with this Bus, It rattled and banged none stop all the way to The Parkway, I do however admit it was fast but overall its not something i want to ride on any time soon!
When i got to Liverpool South Parkway i headed straight to the Train Station area and boarded First Tranns Pennine 185 144 for Liverpool City Centre, The Service was unusually quiet only sharing my car with about 3 other people, last time i had a standing load! Either way the Service was ran really well, other operators could learn a thing or two from this Performance!
Once in Liverpool Lime Street i headed into the Underground to get a Train a short distance to Liverpool Central, My trip was formed by Merseyrail 508 104. I was only on the Service a short time but i felt the service was being ran to a good standard
After arriving in Liverpool Central i made the quick Train swap for Bootle Strand, My trip was Operated by 508 103 the sister Train to the one i had just been on! It was clear Saftey was high on Merseyrail's List tonight as i sighted Security further down the Train to where i was.
When i reached Bootle Strand i headed for the Strand Bus Station where i boarded Peoplesbus Optare Solo SR with Reg Y1 BUS on Service 168, I took it to Old Swan. This Bus was in good condition, not a Single rattle from the Body at any point, I did notice the Driver took his time due to the Slack timing points on the service, Still an enjoyable ride though!
At Old Swan i boarded Arriva Green Lane Wright Pulsar 1 2671 on the last 10B of the night for Liverpool City Centre, This Bus has just recently return from loan term loan at Arriva's Bolton Depot. Onto the Bus and it was much like the trip i had just been on, Not a rattle on the Bus and the Driver took his time due to slack timing points. Still a nice ride to be fair.
At Liverpool i was picked up to head home, I had a very Enjoyable Day and hope to repeat this some point soon! Until then here is another couple of photos i taken on the Day
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| Halton Transport DK04 MKG on route 61 |
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| Cumfybus MX57 CDU on route 101 |
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