Trips by Bus and Coach: Your reports

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thank you @Parebunks for sharing those experiences. The X5 is one of the sadder declines in recent years. I know it was operationally challenging to have such a long route, and the use of coaches was both a benefit and challenge at times. However, it does seem like a series of poorly executed decisions plus a lack of marketing has really undermined that service and that's before EW Rail has even arrived. The mention of RegioJet and 2+1 seating takes me back to the Greyhound days. I do wonder how much of a premium you can charge though?

You're right that many reports are centred around local bus services (understandably) so good to get a bit of variety. However, what is coming now...

*** NEW TRIP REPORT ***

I arranged to have a long overdue trip to see my extended family in the North East. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to sneak out for a day out courtesy of an Explorer North East ticket as I spanned Co Durham and Teesside. Most of the places I have visited many times so it's more about the travel than the places. Hope it's of interest.

I began the day in Sedgefield, former constituency of Tony Blair, and a very pleasant small town with a large green in the middle. It used to have two NBC depots until 1984 until they were closed and one is still standing. My X22 wasn't tracking but the Arriva Pulsar I expected duly arrived a few minutes late. I like a Pulsar but this one seemed to struggle with the undulating countryside. Arriva's cross country services in Co Durham are a pale shadow of what they were in 2005 and the X22 to Peterlee is one of the few still remaining. Loadings were surprisingly good and we had half a load by the time we arrived at the slightly dismal Peterlee bus station. I took the opportunity to have a little trip to Easington Colliery (filming location of part of Billy Elliott) on Go North East. I travelled out on the X1 (towards Newcastle) on a Streetdeck which was nicely appointed though the moquette looks a bit faded already, whilst the Solo SR on the returning 208 was really quite tidy inside. And both had printed timetables which was a surprise. I wouldn't naturally recommend a trip to a former pit village but it was really quite a pleasant spot to walk around the former colliery site which is now a coastal country park.


The home of Billy Elliott

After my loop around Easington, I returned back to Peterlee which, I have to say, is a stunningly depressing town centre. I didn't stop long and wouldn't recommend you do. Instead, it was back onto Arriva and a trip to Hartlepool. I was expecting another Arriva Pulsar but was pleasantly surprised to have a former Leicester/Medway e400mmc to give me some better views as we travelled through Blackhall and down the coast towards Hartlepool. This had the dark blue Arriva p-leather which gives a really spartan feel. Rather than travel in the loop of Hartlepool via the Marina, I had a quick swap onto a non-descript Stagecoach e200 to get me into the town centre a bit quicker. I noticed that the chapel that was a fire ravaged shell has been rebuilt - it looks like some money has been spent in the town. I had time in Hartlepool to grab some refreshments and sustenance before heading further south though the shopping centre was really dead. In contrast to the Arriva vehicles, my next bus was very smartly appointed. It was one of the brand new Stagecoach Yutong E12s that have effectively replaced much of their Stockton depot. These really are excellent vehicles - the seats are comfortable, the NSAs are effective (but a bit stilted) and the ride quality is superb. It was an excellent trip in the sunshine as we left Hartlepool's estates and headed across the arable fields with the industrial background being a counterpoint. So it was that we then weaved through Billingham and the slightly Stalinist town centre where I changed onto an identical vehicle that was also impressive apart from a piece of loose trim that was clearly audible. We exited via old Billingham aka Billingham Green, much of the town having been built after the war as the ICI works grew, dealing with several road closures of which the most notable meant we missed out the Newport Bridge and followed the A19 across the Tees and into Middlesbrough.

Muted colours but smart inside the new Stagecoach Yutongs

Across the fields towards the chemical works - not stereotypically British!

Stalinism lives in Billingham
Lunch was taken in Middlesbrough bus station. This is one of my favourite buildings ever but it feels a bit neglected and that the council aren't spending as they'd like to redevelop the land. The combined authority say "the facility is now more than 40 years old, there is a real need to upgrade and redevelop the site to complement the regeneration projects going on elsewhere in the town centre. This project will create a modern fit-for-purpose bus station to provide an appropriate gateway to the town centre – and complement the work going on to overhaul Middlesbrough Station." This would be madness as Middlesbrough Station is peripheral and the bus station is a fabulous building that only needs to be refreshed, not demolished. Part of the rationale is that bus services have declined and a large facility is not justifiable... well, the former is true and that's no truer on buses to Stokesley. I remember when buses to Stokesley were half hourly (plus a fast express) and to Nunthorpe and to Guisborough separately. Now Stokesley is only hourly and follows a circuitous route that now takes 53 mins rather than the 40 in the past as services have been amalgamated. It was another Arriva Pulsar for me, and another really showing its age. It was a nice enough trip though lots of standing to wait time. On leaving Middlesbrough's affluent southern suburbs, we were into lush countryside and the Cleveland Hills. I took the opportunity to get off in Great Ayton and this IS a place I'd recommend that people visit. It is pleasant with tourists and has several connections with Captain Cook who was educated in the village. The village was also traditionally served by the Stokesley to Redcar service on an hourly frequency but that was a route pulled post Covid by Arriva. Instead, North Yorks CC now tender just three off peak journeys each way between Stokesley and Guisborough, highlighting the lukewarm approach of that council to supporting bus services. It was the last of the three journeys that I would catch with a Hodgsons minibus duly arriving (and costing me £3) to get me to Guisborough. There were about 7/8 passengers and we picked up more around Guisborough before we arrived into the attractive town. One mum was dealing with a 3 year old who had clearly gone into question mode as they enquired about everything!

Roseberry Topping in the Cleveland Hills

Commemorating Brotton's industrial heritage
I could've travelled to Redcar from Guisborough but instead caught a late running service to the village of Brotton, involving a major climb onto the moors. It was yet another Arriva Pulsar but this one was a relatively new arrival from Arriva Merseyside (swapped for a Streetlite) and it was arguably the smartest and best performing example of the day. The run to Brotton was a means to an end to get me on a fourth Pulsar and the delight that is a trip towards the coast and the views across Teesside and especially Saltburn. It's a cracking journey on the X4, and I'd half hoped to get one of the new Evoras on there which have received a special livery for the route that looks both attractive and ungainly in equal measure. Another feature of that journey is the descent to the coast at Saltburn before the climb into the town. For those interested, there is a notable Youtube video of an Arriva driver skilfully ascending it in the snow whilst car drivers slip and slide all over. I was half tempted to get off in Saltburn - it's a nice Victorian town and has a pier and there's no better place on a sunny day.
However, time was marching on and I wanted to fit in a couple of journeys and so I travelled to Redcar where Arriva vacated the bus station a few years ago, instead having a driver crew room in an old bank in the town centre. I seldom travel on particular buses or types but in this case, I made an exception. Arriva's fleet of Turkish built Temsa Avenues have served Redcar and East Cleveland since 2010/1 and they are now about to meet their makers. Therefore, it was time to have a last trip or two on these quirky yet surprisingly robust workhorses. They're not attractive vehicles but they've been dependable, highlighted by the careworn interior of my first example. This was to take me to Eston - a town with an almost Northern Irish love of murals! It's a dull place, apart from that, and the 1970s shopping precinct is now closed awaiting demolition. My plan was to have this last Temsa trip and then leave the 63 in favour of the faster 64 to Middlesbrough. All was well and then.... my wait in Eston was extended as my 64 had been cancelled. It's not easy to kill time in a crap northern town on a Saturday afternoon but soon another 64 would arrive and it was another Temsa. I got on and settled back and realised the interior was different... this was the sole example that was a seed vehicle for First in Bradford and the grabrails were still in First turquoise. Both the Temsas showed the good and bad of the design - they were raucous yet spirited performers, the interior layout is clearly for a dual door, LHD citybus and the addition of box heaters of the floor shows they weren't designed for colder climates. However, I will miss them - probably yet more Pulsars to be cascaded there?


Ghosts of the past - the former Redcar bus station

Victorian splendour in Saltburn

The end of days in Eston

Talking of which, my last bus was... a fifth Pulsar of the day on the long X12 from Middlesbrough to Newcastle. It was driven by my Guisborough to Brotton pilot and I sympathised with his long day! This had been refurbed to Max standard years ago so was slightly better than the other Pulsars that hadn't been touched (and it showed). A festival in Stockton High Street meant delays as services used nearby temporary stops but eventually I reached Sedgefield albeit ten mins late.
Firstly, I will apologise for the never ending succession of different journeys and chopping and changing. Sorry if the list gets a bit tiresome. However, I would definitely recommend a trip out along the Durham Coast and around the Cleveland Hills. However, it was such a chastening experience to see how underinvested Arriva's fleet was - virtually all being 2010/1 vintage - compared to Stagecoach that is cascading 2015/2019 vehicles out replaced by new Yutongs. The decline in Arriva's network is also dreadful... It's got markedly worse in just the last two years and that was from a low base. Perhaps the new X4 fleet and livery points to something more expansive but there's a lot to put right and some of it has simply gone too deep to be recovered. Oh, and if you've not experienced a Temsa Avenue - best get there quick as they disappearing quickly.
Hope you enjoy the read and the photos!

 

[RELL6L]

Thank you @Parebunks for sharing those experiences. The X5 is one of the sadder declines in recent years. I know it was operationally challenging to have such a long route, and the use of coaches was both a benefit and challenge at times. However, it does seem like a series of poorly executed decisions plus a lack of marketing has really undermined that service and that's before EW Rail has even arrived. The mention of RegioJet and 2+1 seating takes me back to the Greyhound days. I do wonder how much of a premium you can charge though?

You're right that many reports are centred around local bus services (understandably) so good to get a bit of variety. However, what is coming now...

*** NEW TRIP REPORT ***

I arranged to have a long overdue trip to see my extended family in the North East. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to sneak out for a day out courtesy of an Explorer North East ticket as I spanned Co Durham and Teesside. Most of the places I have visited many times so it's more about the travel than the places. Hope it's of interest.

I began the day in Sedgefield, former constituency of Tony Blair, and a very pleasant small town with a large green in the middle. It used to have two NBC depots until 1984 until they were closed and one is still standing. My X22 wasn't tracking but the Arriva Pulsar I expected duly arrived a few minutes late. I like a Pulsar but this one seemed to struggle with the undulating countryside. Arriva's cross country services in Co Durham are a pale shadow of what they were in 2005 and the X22 to Peterlee is one of the few still remaining. Loadings were surprisingly good and we had half a load by the time we arrived at the slightly dismal Peterlee bus station. I took the opportunity to have a little trip to Easington Colliery (filming location of part of Billy Elliott) on Go North East. I travelled out on the X1 (towards Newcastle) on a Streetdeck which was nicely appointed though the moquette looks a bit faded already, whilst the Solo SR on the returning 208 was really quite tidy inside. And both had printed timetables which was a surprise. I wouldn't naturally recommend a trip to a former pit village but it was really quite a pleasant spot to walk around the former colliery site which is now a coastal country park.

View attachment 186482
The home of Billy Elliott

After my loop around Easington, I returned back to Peterlee which, I have to say, is a stunningly depressing town centre. I didn't stop long and wouldn't recommend you do. Instead, it was back onto Arriva and a trip to Hartlepool. I was expecting another Arriva Pulsar but was pleasantly surprised to have a former Leicester/Medway e400mmc to give me some better views as we travelled through Blackhall and down the coast towards Hartlepool. This had the dark blue Arriva p-leather which gives a really spartan feel. Rather than travel in the loop of Hartlepool via the Marina, I had a quick swap onto a non-descript Stagecoach e200 to get me into the town centre a bit quicker. I noticed that the chapel that was a fire ravaged shell has been rebuilt - it looks like some money has been spent in the town. I had time in Hartlepool to grab some refreshments and sustenance before heading further south though the shopping centre was really dead. In contrast to the Arriva vehicles, my next bus was very smartly appointed. It was one of the brand new Stagecoach Yutong E12s that have effectively replaced much of their Stockton depot. These really are excellent vehicles - the seats are comfortable, the NSAs are effective (but a bit stilted) and the ride quality is superb. It was an excellent trip in the sunshine as we left Hartlepool's estates and headed across the arable fields with the industrial background being a counterpoint. So it was that we then weaved through Billingham and the slightly Stalinist town centre where I changed onto an identical vehicle that was also impressive apart from a piece of loose trim that was clearly audible. We exited via old Billingham aka Billingham Green, much of the town having been built after the war as the ICI works grew, dealing with several road closures of which the most notable meant we missed out the Newport Bridge and followed the A19 across the Tees and into Middlesbrough.
View attachment 186484
Muted colours but smart inside the new Stagecoach Yutongs
View attachment 186483
Across the fields towards the chemical works - not stereotypically British!
View attachment 186485
Stalinism lives in Billingham
Lunch was taken in Middlesbrough bus station. This is one of my favourite buildings ever but it feels a bit neglected and that the council aren't spending as they'd like to redevelop the land. The combined authority say "the facility is now more than 40 years old, there is a real need to upgrade and redevelop the site to complement the regeneration projects going on elsewhere in the town centre. This project will create a modern fit-for-purpose bus station to provide an appropriate gateway to the town centre – and complement the work going on to overhaul Middlesbrough Station." This would be madness as Middlesbrough Station is peripheral and the bus station is a fabulous building that only needs to be refreshed, not demolished. Part of the rationale is that bus services have declined and a large facility is not justifiable... well, the former is true and that's no truer on buses to Stokesley. I remember when buses to Stokesley were half hourly (plus a fast express) and to Nunthorpe and to Guisborough separately. Now Stokesley is only hourly and follows a circuitous route that now takes 53 mins rather than the 40 in the past as services have been amalgamated. It was another Arriva Pulsar for me, and another really showing its age. It was a nice enough trip though lots of standing to wait time. On leaving Middlesbrough's affluent southern suburbs, we were into lush countryside and the Cleveland Hills. I took the opportunity to get off in Great Ayton and this IS a place I'd recommend that people visit. It is pleasant with tourists and has several connections with Captain Cook who was educated in the village. The village was also traditionally served by the Stokesley to Redcar service on an hourly frequency but that was a route pulled post Covid by Arriva. Instead, North Yorks CC now tender just three off peak journeys each way between Stokesley and Guisborough, highlighting the lukewarm approach of that council to supporting bus services. It was the last of the three journeys that I would catch with a Hodgsons minibus duly arriving (and costing me £3) to get me to Guisborough. There were about 7/8 passengers and we picked up more around Guisborough before we arrived into the attractive town. One mum was dealing with a 3 year old who had clearly gone into question mode as they enquired about everything!
View attachment 186486
Roseberry Topping in the Cleveland Hills
View attachment 186487
Commemorating Brotton's industrial heritage
I could've travelled to Redcar from Guisborough but instead caught a late running service to the village of Brotton, involving a major climb onto the moors. It was yet another Arriva Pulsar but this one was a relatively new arrival from Arriva Merseyside (swapped for a Streetlite) and it was arguably the smartest and best performing example of the day. The run to Brotton was a means to an end to get me on a fourth Pulsar and the delight that is a trip towards the coast and the views across Teesside and especially Saltburn. It's a cracking journey on the X4, and I'd half hoped to get one of the new Evoras on there which have received a special livery for the route that looks both attractive and ungainly in equal measure. Another feature of that journey is the descent to the coast at Saltburn before the climb into the town. For those interested, there is a notable Youtube video of an Arriva driver skilfully ascending it in the snow whilst car drivers slip and slide all over. I was half tempted to get off in Saltburn - it's a nice Victorian town and has a pier and there's no better place on a sunny day.
However, time was marching on and I wanted to fit in a couple of journeys and so I travelled to Redcar where Arriva vacated the bus station a few years ago, instead having a driver crew room in an old bank in the town centre. I seldom travel on particular buses or types but in this case, I made an exception. Arriva's fleet of Turkish built Temsa Avenues have served Redcar and East Cleveland since 2010/1 and they are now about to meet their makers. Therefore, it was time to have a last trip or two on these quirky yet surprisingly robust workhorses. They're not attractive vehicles but they've been dependable, highlighted by the careworn interior of my first example. This was to take me to Eston - a town with an almost Northern Irish love of murals! It's a dull place, apart from that, and the 1970s shopping precinct is now closed awaiting demolition. My plan was to have this last Temsa trip and then leave the 63 in favour of the faster 64 to Middlesbrough. All was well and then.... my wait in Eston was extended as my 64 had been cancelled. It's not easy to kill time in a crap northern town on a Saturday afternoon but soon another 64 would arrive and it was another Temsa. I got on and settled back and realised the interior was different... this was the sole example that was a seed vehicle for First in Bradford and the grabrails were still in First turquoise. Both the Temsas showed the good and bad of the design - they were raucous yet spirited performers, the interior layout is clearly for a dual door, LHD citybus and the addition of box heaters of the floor shows they weren't designed for colder climates. However, I will miss them - probably yet more Pulsars to be cascaded there?

View attachment 186488
Ghosts of the past - the former Redcar bus station
View attachment 186490
Victorian splendour in Saltburn
View attachment 186491
The end of days in Eston

Talking of which, my last bus was... a fifth Pulsar of the day on the long X12 from Middlesbrough to Newcastle. It was driven by my Guisborough to Brotton pilot and I sympathised with his long day! This had been refurbed to Max standard years ago so was slightly better than the other Pulsars that hadn't been touched (and it showed). A festival in Stockton High Street meant delays as services used nearby temporary stops but eventually I reached Sedgefield albeit ten mins late.
Firstly, I will apologise for the never ending succession of different journeys and chopping and changing. Sorry if the list gets a bit tiresome. However, I would definitely recommend a trip out along the Durham Coast and around the Cleveland Hills. However, it was such a chastening experience to see how underinvested Arriva's fleet was - virtually all being 2010/1 vintage - compared to Stagecoach that is cascading 2015/2019 vehicles out replaced by new Yutongs. The decline in Arriva's network is also dreadful... It's got markedly worse in just the last two years and that was from a low base. Perhaps the new X4 fleet and livery points to something more expansive but there's a lot to put right and some of it has simply gone too deep to be recovered. Oh, and if you've not experienced a Temsa Avenue - best get there quick as they disappearing quickly.
Hope you enjoy the read and the photos!

Another interesting report, thank you. I agree with much of what you say. Avoid Peterlee, although I don't mind Hartlepool and Sedgefield is very attractive. I also made a point of taking the Easington Village option when I took a bus from Peterlee to Sunderland. I didn't alight when I went through Billingham, it doesn't seem that I missed much! Moving into East Cleveland I couldn't agree more about the sadness at the way the bus network has declined here - X4 and X93 excepted. I haven't travelled on routes other than these and sadly it looks like I will miss out on the Temsa Avenue. I don't suppose any of these will find service elsewhere - Arriva buses tend not to these days. We did visit the area last year, not by bus sadly. I agree on the merits of Great Ayton, a lovely place to stop off at. Saltburn is fabulous, the video of the skilled bus driver and gormless car drivers is worth watching. We also visited the iron mining museum at Skinningrove near Brotton - well worth a visit. No reason to hurry to Eston!

I managed a trip yesterday. Yes, a Sunday - the opportunity presented itself and I wondered if I could find somewhere where the Sunday network is (almost) as good as the weekday one. I thought of somewhere and duly visited, the buses were well marketed and pretty well used, all run by the same operator, all present and on time and I didn't see a single decker bus all day! Rather a uniform fleet, but not entirely so. I will write a report with photos shortly.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Another interesting report, thank you. I agree with much of what you say. Avoid Peterlee, although I don't mind Hartlepool and Sedgefield is very attractive. I also made a point of taking the Easington Village option when I took a bus from Peterlee to Sunderland. I didn't alight when I went through Billingham, it doesn't seem that I missed much! Moving into East Cleveland I couldn't agree more about the sadness at the way the bus network has declined here - X4 and X93 excepted. I haven't travelled on routes other than these and sadly it looks like I will miss out on the Temsa Avenue. I don't suppose any of these will find service elsewhere - Arriva buses tend not to these days. We did visit the area last year, not by bus sadly. I agree on the merits of Great Ayton, a lovely place to stop off at. Saltburn is fabulous, the video of the skilled bus driver and gormless car drivers is worth watching. We also visited the iron mining museum at Skinningrove near Brotton - well worth a visit. No reason to hurry to Eston!

I managed a trip yesterday. Yes, a Sunday - the opportunity presented itself and I wondered if I could find somewhere where the Sunday network is (almost) as good as the weekday one. I thought of somewhere and duly visited, the buses were well marketed and pretty well used, all run by the same operator, all present and on time and I didn't see a single decker bus all day! Rather a uniform fleet, but not entirely so. I will write a report with photos shortly.

Thanks @RELL6L. The decline in Arriva on Teesside really began in 2005 with the Viva Arriva scheme which was supposed to give fewer route variations and a simplified network. However, we've seen the usual Arriva traits of multiple depot closures so that only Redcar and Stockton remain, a continual trimming of the PVR and morning/evening services, and a lack of investment. The 8 new Evoras that arrived are the first new vehicles in 10 years (I think) - some culpability from the local councils too but when you look at Stagecoach, it's chalk and cheese.

A few additional photos as you won't get the chance to enjoy a Temsa. Only 9 left and can't expect one to make it into preservation!

As there were so few buses illustrated, thought I'd include a few more


Cluttered interior of a Temsa Avenue and the additional box heaters on the floor

The new Evoras but why does the Coast Connections name need to be clagged on? The old order on the main 5 route into East Cleveland and never been painted in 15 years.

Spot the new seat!!! Tired Pulsar interior. Also, a nice view that Donald Trump wouldn't like!!!

Note the state of the windows at Middlesbrough bus station. It's all rather neglected and it shouldn't be. Also, the Arriva fleet of 3 2010/1 Pulsars, a 2010 Temsa and a modern 2014 Streetlite! In contrast, the chapel in Hartlepool is being smartened up and looks good...unlike the new Stagecoach colours

 

[Omnidekkalover]

Took a small trip around Nottinghamshire today. Started the day off by getting Stagecoach’s Sherwood Arrow service from Nottingham to Retford. The vehicle was enviro 300 28616 in ‘nineteen’ livery. The bus was certainly not empty between Nottingham and White Post Farm/Farnsfield. It then became nearly empty at White Post Farm/Farnsfield. It then took its time to trundle around Bilsthorpe before becoming very pleasant onwards to Retford. If you’re in the area do ride the Sherwood Arrow.

In Retford I had 15 minutes to have lunch. A quick run to Greggs and back to the bus station. Got pepperoni pizza, salt and vinegar crisps and coca-cola from Greggs.

Then another enviro 300 took me down to Worksop on the painfully indirect 43. You get to the edge of Worksop then go around a decently sized housing estate. Don’t know the number but it was clearly a transfer from wales as there was some Welsh on signage on the bus. It also had high back coach style seats in standard Stagecoach moquette. Left Retford 5 minutes late. Other then that not a very eventful hop over to Worksop.

Then it was down to Bulwell on EMR. It was about as good as it could get. Ex-Greater Anglia liveried 170. Sat in the old first class. Was very nice until a couple of people bought their food onboard opened it on the seat infront of me. The guard was very nice onboard.

The last leg back home was on NCT 17 which was on diversion as the crossing by Bulwell Forest tram stop was closed again. The bus was a ‘brown line’ liveried Enviro 400 CBG. Can’t remember the fleet number.

Very good day out on the whole.

Only was able to get one photo that was worth it.

 

[JD2168]

It will have been 28637 or 28641 you had on 43, both ex Stagecoach Cymru

 

[Omnidekkalover]

Thanks

 

[RELL6L]

I found myself with the opportunity to have a day out last Sunday. I don’t normally go for Sundays but I had missed out on several other days where the weather was good enough – or too hot – so I thought I should take the opportunity. There are not many places where the bus network is adequate for much on a Sunday but then I thought on somewhere less than 100 miles from home, where I hadn’t been since 2017, with a good network of buses 7 days a week, especially in the height of the summer holiday period.

So at about 6.15 on Sunday morning I was parked in a city car park in Southampton and buying a ticket for the Red Jet to the Isle of Wight. The off-peak day return, valid all day at the weekend, for seniors, was a very reasonable £15.60 (barely more than the parking!) and shortly afterwards we were jetting across the Solent to Cowes. On arrival here I had only 5 minutes before the next bus to Newport and the next was not for half an hour so I left exploring Cowes until later. When I last went in 2017 the route was run with E200s (or Darts), as then it entered the ferry terminal, which has a low entrance, but this idea has been scrapped and there is now a short walk. The Southern Vectis number 1 bus, an E400, was waiting at the bus stop and duly took me to Newport. This route, along with the 7 and the 9, takes different routes on alternate journeys, this one going via the ‘Round House’. Even though it was still early on a Sunday morning we attracted a few passengers, not all going to Newport. The route goes past Albany and Parkhurst prisons and we got a couple of passengers here, I think they were off-duty prison officers rather than guests of His Majesty!

There was still not much open in Newport and I decided against MacDonalds and pressed on to the next leg. This was another E400 on the 3 which goes to Ryde via Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown. Essentially this is two services, Newport to Ventnor and Ventnor to Ryde as the route almost double-backs on itself at Ventnor, there being quicker options from Newport to Shanklin (2), Sandown (8) and Ryde (9). A few passengers on this too, we left Newport via a double-run to the Asda bus stop even though the store was not open for a couple of hours, then through the renowned picturesque village of Godshill before a fairly dramatic descent into Ventnor. Away from the built-up areas the countryside was a lovely hue of yellow harvest colours with farming and other rural activities.

I have always thought Ventnor to be one of the nicer towns on the island. It was a Victorian resort and still has a slightly exclusive feel about it. This early it was still quiet, luckily the Tesco Express was open (nothing else) and that dispensed coffee and croissants as well as food to stock up for later. I walk down the steep slope to the sea front and back up was rewarded with some fine views.

I enjoyed almost an hour in Ventnor before departing on the first of the summer-special routes I was planning to use. Departing from a fairly obscure stop in a corner of the one-way system this, another E400, was the Coaster. I had to buy a ticket for this, the route being exempt from concessionary passes, although £9.30 bought me a concession-priced ticket for all of the summer routes. The Coaster runs from the east of the island, through Ventnor, then west along the south coast to Alum Bay and up to Yarmouth, running three times this way in the morning and three times back in the evening during peak season. This is the only route to use the ‘Military Road’ hugging the coast between Blackgang Chine and Freshwater Bay, and was a section I was unable to travel on my last visit. This is a very scenic road with views of the cliffs at Freshwater starting some way away. Just west of Ventnor the route is on a long term or maybe permanent diversion as the old A road has been blocked by landslips. Further west other parts of the coast seemed to have the same problem. There were quite a number on board when I joined, a few passengers left at Blackgang Chine, a ghastly looking ‘fun’ park, but most continued further west. There were one or two short distance passengers too, a couple between Ventnor and Niton where the route parallels the 6, but the 6 had not yet started operating for the day. I’m not sure how, given this, the route avoids the need to accept concessionary passes or the £3 fare cap but no matter. The section at Freshwater Bay was attractive, with climbs up where there are steep cliffs, then the route goes inland through Freshwater before arriving at Alum Bay.

At Alum Bay the maps and timetables clearly differentiate between ‘Alum Bay, Needles Attraction’ and ‘The Needles’. Good reason, because The Needles Attraction is another commercialised place where you can pay money to park and more money to get a chair lift to the Needles (and more to come back), plus various kiddies activities. Alternatively you can park and walk along the road to the Needles, or you can get the Needles Breezer bus. This is how I saw the Needles in 2017, this time I decided not to bother and found the one place at Alum Bay where you can actually see them, took my photo and left. A bit like Lands End!

I did however take the Needles Breezer to Yarmouth, as this was the quickest way, the regular route going via the inland towns. This bus was open top, and not an E400 – hooray – it was a somewhat older Scania with Optare Visionaire bodywork. The front section of the top deck was enclosed with a door, the rest being open. This was the first journey of the day back to Yarmouth and we had surprisingly many people aboard, I guess some had done the whole round trip just for the views. The bus had a full commentary somewhat exaggerating the quality of the places as we headed along. In Yarmouth in about 15 minutes, I had explored this small town thoroughly on my previous visit so I had just 10 minutes here, although this was very pleasant along the waterfront. Although the ferry to Lymington goes from here it doesn’t really interfere with the relaxing nature of the place.

From Yarmouth I took the 7 bus, another E400, back to Newport. This route goes two alternative ways, my journey was via Shalfleet and I was pleased as the previous time I had taken the Calbourne route. At that time there was a small outstation near Wellow, on the Calbourne route, but this has gone. However I hadn’t realised that there is clearly still an outstation in the west of the island, almost next to the Alum Bay terminus. From the timetable for the 7 there are 4 buses outstationed here, plus another one on the 12. I don’t know whether any of the three open top buses for the Needles Breezer are based here, one definitely isn’t (it comes from Newport on the oddly-named Summer Links route and I suspect the other two don’t either, as they start and finish at Yarmouth rather than Alum Bay. A few views towards the mainland from this route but otherwise not the most attractive, back in Newport quite quickly.

Again I didn’t need to spend too long in Newport although I did have a little wander around the pretty compact town centre. It was now lunchtime and the town was quite busy, although only some of the shops were open. The next leg was to head out of Newport to the south again, this time on the 2 to Shanklin – another E400. Yes, the entire fleet is E400s apart from the open toppers and a few Solos and coaches, mainly for school work and very rural routes, none of which were out on a Sunday. Some of the E400s are of the MMC version, the oldest being a largish batches of 62- and 63- plate vehicles, the newest being a small 73-plate batch. These appear to be normally used on the 1 to Cowes while the others are used across all routes. The 2 takes a slightly different route to Godshill, going through some every narrow lanes at Merstone, in our case with no passengers joining or leaving. Godshill has a few attractive thatched buildings which has resulted in a number of tea shops and other attractions springing up - to my view these were over-rated.

I alighted at Shanklin Old Village, where there are a few attractive thatched buildings which has resulted in a number of tea shops and other attractions springing up - to my view these were even more over-rated! But I took a photo or two. Shanklin was the biggest town I didn’t stop at in 2017 so I wanted to see a little more. There is a Shanklin Shuttle route which goes down to the Esplanade but unfortunately I arrived to coincide with the gap for the driver’s break. I walked close to the Esplanade, but it was a long walk down and the first steps I came to were closed. I could see it was just another seaside strip, with plenty of activity on the beach and didn’t bother. There wasn’t much of the town centre either and I walked to the bus station where the E400 on the Shanklin Shuttle was laying over. From here the 2 and 3 provide a 15-minutely service up to Sandown and Ryde even on Sundays. I took another E400 to Sandown where the beach and attractions, including a pier, are closer to the town centre and bus stops and by now, on a sunny summer Sunday afternoon, they were busy.

From Sandown I wanted to explore another part of the island I had not visited in 2017. This was the eastern section around Bembridge, covered by the hourly service 8. However, in addition to that, and two journeys on the Coaster, there are four journeys from Sandown to Ryde (this direction only) on the Downs Breezer, another open top route. This came at the right time for me to take and was another Scania open-top bus, this time an OmniCity. The open top fleet seems to total 6 buses, 4 Scanias and two Volvo B7TLs, although I didn’t see the latter, with 5 required in service each day. This one didn’t have a door between the open and closed sections on top. Like the Needles Breezer, this came with a rather condescending commentary with a regular flow of superlatives and unnecessary adjectives – I recall that the public toilets somewhere were described as ‘well equipped’! Despite that occasional irritation the journey was very attractive. We were told that Bembridge might be the second largest village in England (I think), it was clearly prosperous but rather spread out and we didn’t see much. What we did get a great view of was the harbour as we went round this, there are some quite large boats there which are clearly used as permanent residences and it is very scenic. The village green at St Helens (also hyped) were attractive too and this is a route I would recommend.

All too soon we were in Ryde, as we arrived I got hit on the head by some low branches but not painfully. I had been to Ryde before and there isn’t a great deal to see here, although I did note a former District line train making its way slowly up the pier as a hovercraft left from the beach to go out to see, two somewhat elderly forms of transport! From Ryde it was another E400 on the 9 back to Newport, another route which splits into two equal halves west of Wootton Bridge. Mine stayed on the main road where there was no scenery, I don’t know if the other option was any better.

A little more time in Newport now and I wandered down to the quayside which was a very quiet and attractive corner of the town. Very few people around here, I don’t recall it being much busier when I visited during the week last time. Then back on another newer E400 to Cowes where I also had more time to stroll up the waterfront north of the town centre, a very attractive walk but at this time shared with many others. Finally back onto the Red Jet to Southampton and home.

No, not very varied bus-wise nor much of interest although the two older Scania open-toppers were enjoyable. I didn’t even see a single decker bus all day, nor anything other than Go Ahead (including in Southampton). All the buses turned up and were on time, all with working next stop announcements, Southern Vectis is a quality operator. It looked to me like there was a spare bus parked at Newport bus station available for any urgent vehicle problems or lateness, good practice. My perception was that there were more female drivers than other places but this might just have been the chance of the day and the journeys I took. The Coaster route is well worth travelling but you need to schedule this as it doesn’t run often, three times each way in peak season and two in the shoulder, then nothing through the winter. I still consider that Ventnor is the most pleasant resort on the island and some of the inland countryside, especially between Newport and Ventnor, is good. I travelled along the 6 and 12 on my previous trip, this are more rural inland routes and worth covering too. Probably just too much to cover the lot in one day but two is enough.

Some photos:

Approaching Cowes


Ventnor


Freshwater Bay


The Needles


Shanklin old village


Sandown


Bembridge Harbour


Ryde - yes a bus!


Newport

 

[James Wake]

I found myself with the opportunity to have a day out last Sunday. I don’t normally go for Sundays but I had missed out on several other days where the weather was good enough – or too hot – so I thought I should take the opportunity. There are not many places where the bus network is adequate for much on a Sunday but then I thought on somewhere less than 100 miles from home, where I hadn’t been since 2017, with a good network of buses 7 days a week, especially in the height of the summer holiday period.

So at about 6.15 on Sunday morning I was parked in a city car park in Southampton and buying a ticket for the Red Jet to the Isle of Wight. The off-peak day return, valid all day at the weekend, for seniors, was a very reasonable £15.60 (barely more than the parking!) and shortly afterwards we were jetting across the Solent to Cowes. On arrival here I had only 5 minutes before the next bus to Newport and the next was not for half an hour so I left exploring Cowes until later. When I last went in 2017 the route was run with E200s (or Darts), as then it entered the ferry terminal, which has a low entrance, but this idea has been scrapped and there is now a short walk. The Southern Vectis number 1 bus, an E400, was waiting at the bus stop and duly took me to Newport. This route, along with the 7 and the 9, takes different routes on alternate journeys, this one going via the ‘Round House’. Even though it was still early on a Sunday morning we attracted a few passengers, not all going to Newport. The route goes past Albany and Parkhurst prisons and we got a couple of passengers here, I think they were off-duty prison officers rather than guests of His Majesty!

There was still not much open in Newport and I decided against MacDonalds and pressed on to the next leg. This was another E400 on the 3 which goes to Ryde via Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown. Essentially this is two services, Newport to Ventnor and Ventnor to Ryde as the route almost double-backs on itself at Ventnor, there being quicker options from Newport to Shanklin (2), Sandown (8) and Ryde (9). A few passengers on this too, we left Newport via a double-run to the Asda bus stop even though the store was not open for a couple of hours, then through the renowned picturesque village of Godshill before a fairly dramatic descent into Ventnor. Away from the built-up areas the countryside was a lovely hue of yellow harvest colours with farming and other rural activities.

I have always thought Ventnor to be one of the nicer towns on the island. It was a Victorian resort and still has a slightly exclusive feel about it. This early it was still quiet, luckily the Tesco Express was open (nothing else) and that dispensed coffee and croissants as well as food to stock up for later. I walk down the steep slope to the sea front and back up was rewarded with some fine views.

I enjoyed almost an hour in Ventnor before departing on the first of the summer-special routes I was planning to use. Departing from a fairly obscure stop in a corner of the one-way system this, another E400, was the Coaster. I had to buy a ticket for this, the route being exempt from concessionary passes, although £9.30 bought me a concession-priced ticket for all of the summer routes. The Coaster runs from the east of the island, through Ventnor, then west along the south coast to Alum Bay and up to Yarmouth, running three times this way in the morning and three times back in the evening during peak season. This is the only route to use the ‘Military Road’ hugging the coast between Blackgang Chine and Freshwater Bay, and was a section I was unable to travel on my last visit. This is a very scenic road with views of the cliffs at Freshwater starting some way away. Just west of Ventnor the route is on a long term or maybe permanent diversion as the old A road has been blocked by landslips. Further west other parts of the coast seemed to have the same problem. There were quite a number on board when I joined, a few passengers left at Blackgang Chine, a ghastly looking ‘fun’ park, but most continued further west. There were one or two short distance passengers too, a couple between Ventnor and Niton where the route parallels the 6, but the 6 had not yet started operating for the day. I’m not sure how, given this, the route avoids the need to accept concessionary passes or the £3 fare cap but no matter. The section at Freshwater Bay was attractive, with climbs up where there are steep cliffs, then the route goes inland through Freshwater before arriving at Alum Bay.

At Alum Bay the maps and timetables clearly differentiate between ‘Alum Bay, Needles Attraction’ and ‘The Needles’. Good reason, because The Needles Attraction is another commercialised place where you can pay money to park and more money to get a chair lift to the Needles (and more to come back), plus various kiddies activities. Alternatively you can park and walk along the road to the Needles, or you can get the Needles Breezer bus. This is how I saw the Needles in 2017, this time I decided not to bother and found the one place at Alum Bay where you can actually see them, took my photo and left. A bit like Lands End!

I did however take the Needles Breezer to Yarmouth, as this was the quickest way, the regular route going via the inland towns. This bus was open top, and not an E400 – hooray – it was a somewhat older Scania with Optare Visionaire bodywork. The front section of the top deck was enclosed with a door, the rest being open. This was the first journey of the day back to Yarmouth and we had surprisingly many people aboard, I guess some had done the whole round trip just for the views. The bus had a full commentary somewhat exaggerating the quality of the places as we headed along. In Yarmouth in about 15 minutes, I had explored this small town thoroughly on my previous visit so I had just 10 minutes here, although this was very pleasant along the waterfront. Although the ferry to Lymington goes from here it doesn’t really interfere with the relaxing nature of the place.

From Yarmouth I took the 7 bus, another E400, back to Newport. This route goes two alternative ways, my journey was via Shalfleet and I was pleased as the previous time I had taken the Calbourne route. At that time there was a small outstation near Wellow, on the Calbourne route, but this has gone. However I hadn’t realised that there is clearly still an outstation in the west of the island, almost next to the Alum Bay terminus. From the timetable for the 7 there are 4 buses outstationed here, plus another one on the 12. I don’t know whether any of the three open top buses for the Needles Breezer are based here, one definitely isn’t (it comes from Newport on the oddly-named Summer Links route and I suspect the other two don’t either, as they start and finish at Yarmouth rather than Alum Bay. A few views towards the mainland from this route but otherwise not the most attractive, back in Newport quite quickly.

Again I didn’t need to spend too long in Newport although I did have a little wander around the pretty compact town centre. It was now lunchtime and the town was quite busy, although only some of the shops were open. The next leg was to head out of Newport to the south again, this time on the 2 to Shanklin – another E400. Yes, the entire fleet is E400s apart from the open toppers and a few Solos and coaches, mainly for school work and very rural routes, none of which were out on a Sunday. Some of the E400s are of the MMC version, the oldest being a largish batches of 62- and 63- plate vehicles, the newest being a small 73-plate batch. These appear to be normally used on the 1 to Cowes while the others are used across all routes. The 2 takes a slightly different route to Godshill, going through some every narrow lanes at Merstone, in our case with no passengers joining or leaving. Godshill has a few attractive thatched buildings which has resulted in a number of tea shops and other attractions springing up - to my view these were over-rated.

I alighted at Shanklin Old Village, where there are a few attractive thatched buildings which has resulted in a number of tea shops and other attractions springing up - to my view these were even more over-rated! But I took a photo or two. Shanklin was the biggest town I didn’t stop at in 2017 so I wanted to see a little more. There is a Shanklin Shuttle route which goes down to the Esplanade but unfortunately I arrived to coincide with the gap for the driver’s break. I walked close to the Esplanade, but it was a long walk down and the first steps I came to were closed. I could see it was just another seaside strip, with plenty of activity on the beach and didn’t bother. There wasn’t much of the town centre either and I walked to the bus station where the E400 on the Shanklin Shuttle was laying over. From here the 2 and 3 provide a 15-minutely service up to Sandown and Ryde even on Sundays. I took another E400 to Sandown where the beach and attractions, including a pier, are closer to the town centre and bus stops and by now, on a sunny summer Sunday afternoon, they were busy.

From Sandown I wanted to explore another part of the island I had not visited in 2017. This was the eastern section around Bembridge, covered by the hourly service 8. However, in addition to that, and two journeys on the Coaster, there are four journeys from Sandown to Ryde (this direction only) on the Downs Breezer, another open top route. This came at the right time for me to take and was another Scania open-top bus, this time an OmniCity. The open top fleet seems to total 6 buses, 4 Scanias and two Volvo B7TLs, although I didn’t see the latter, with 5 required in service each day. This one didn’t have a door between the open and closed sections on top. Like the Needles Breezer, this came with a rather condescending commentary with a regular flow of superlatives and unnecessary adjectives – I recall that the public toilets somewhere were described as ‘well equipped’! Despite that occasional irritation the journey was very attractive. We were told that Bembridge might be the second largest village in England (I think), it was clearly prosperous but rather spread out and we didn’t see much. What we did get a great view of was the harbour as we went round this, there are some quite large boats there which are clearly used as permanent residences and it is very scenic. The village green at St Helens (also hyped) were attractive too and this is a route I would recommend.

All too soon we were in Ryde, as we arrived I got hit on the head by some low branches but not painfully. I had been to Ryde before and there isn’t a great deal to see here, although I did note a former District line train making its way slowly up the pier as a hovercraft left from the beach to go out to see, two somewhat elderly forms of transport! From Ryde it was another E400 on the 9 back to Newport, another route which splits into two equal halves west of Wootton Bridge. Mine stayed on the main road where there was no scenery, I don’t know if the other option was any better.

A little more time in Newport now and I wandered down to the quayside which was a very quiet and attractive corner of the town. Very few people around here, I don’t recall it being much busier when I visited during the week last time. Then back on another newer E400 to Cowes where I also had more time to stroll up the waterfront north of the town centre, a very attractive walk but at this time shared with many others. Finally back onto the Red Jet to Southampton and home.

No, not very varied bus-wise nor much of interest although the two older Scania open-toppers were enjoyable. I didn’t even see a single decker bus all day, nor anything other than Go Ahead (including in Southampton). All the buses turned up and were on time, all with working next stop announcements, Southern Vectis is a quality operator. It looked to me like there was a spare bus parked at Newport bus station available for any urgent vehicle problems or lateness, good practice. My perception was that there were more female drivers than other places but this might just have been the chance of the day and the journeys I took. The Coaster route is well worth travelling but you need to schedule this as it doesn’t run often, three times each way in peak season and two in the shoulder, then nothing through the winter. I still consider that Ventnor is the most pleasant resort on the island and some of the inland countryside, especially between Newport and Ventnor, is good. I travelled along the 6 and 12 on my previous trip, this are more rural inland routes and worth covering too. Probably just too much to cover the lot in one day but two is enough.

Some photos:
View attachment 186871
Approaching Cowes

View attachment 186872
Ventnor

View attachment 186873
Freshwater Bay

View attachment 186874
The Needles

View attachment 186875
Shanklin old village

View attachment 186876
Sandown

View attachment 186877
Bembridge Harbour

View attachment 186878
Ryde - yes a bus!

View attachment 186879
Newport

Lovely report!

The open toppers and other seasonal routes run out of Mountjoy outstation as do some other network buses. Alum Bay is for some 7/12 vehicles as you rightly point out in the report

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Took a small trip around Nottinghamshire today. Started the day off by getting Stagecoach’s Sherwood Arrow service from Nottingham to Retford. The vehicle was enviro 300 28616 in ‘nineteen’ livery. The bus was certainly not empty between Nottingham and White Post Farm/Farnsfield. It then became nearly empty at White Post Farm/Farnsfield. It then took its time to trundle around Bilsthorpe before becoming very pleasant onwards to Retford. If you’re in the area do ride the Sherwood Arrow.

Thanks for sharing that with us. Nottinghamshire isn't an area that I've travelled around much in recent years. The area around Retford is still a bit of a mystery TBH but I did a little trip there in Dec 2023 visiting places like Ollerton and Warsop (as well as bigger towns) and thought it better than I expected.

Must have a trip there in better weather with longer days!!

I found myself with the opportunity to have a day out last Sunday. I don’t normally go for Sundays but I had missed out on several other days where the weather was good enough – or too hot – so I thought I should take the opportunity. There are not many places where the bus network is adequate for much on a Sunday but then I thought on somewhere less than 100 miles from home, where I hadn’t been since 2017, with a good network of buses 7 days a week, especially in the height of the summer holiday period.

Thanks @RELL6L - I did wonder where you going with your teaser. As you say, the rolling stock is a bit lacking in variety. However, that's not really the point as the real attraction is the scenery. Did many of the same places in 2023 though not Bembridge - I must have bypassed that - and didn't get across to Yarmouth and Alum Bay.

The IOW does have that slightly "in the past" feel about it, which isn't a criticism. It's a lovely little spot though I did wonder how many of the Parkhurst and Albany inmates share that opinion. Cowes is a super little place to stay. The only place that I thought was "on its uppers" really was Sandown. Boarded up shops and burnt out/derelict buildings in a place that you'd think would be taking advantage of its location. Definitely faded grandeur there. However, the rest of the island is a delight. I like Ventnor, Shanklin is decent, and Newport is a good central town. Moreover, Southern Vectis is a superb operator and it (with GSC) deserve the plaudits that it gets.

 

[RELL6L]

Thanks @RELL6L - I did wonder where you going with your teaser. As you say, the rolling stock is a bit lacking in variety. However, that's not really the point as the real attraction is the scenery. Did many of the same places in 2023 though not Bembridge - I must have bypassed that - and didn't get across to Yarmouth and Alum Bay.

The IOW does have that slightly "in the past" feel about it, which isn't a criticism. It's a lovely little spot though I did wonder how many of the Parkhurst and Albany inmates share that opinion. Cowes is a super little place to stay. The only place that I thought was "on its uppers" really was Sandown. Boarded up shops and burnt out/derelict buildings in a place that you'd think would be taking advantage of its location. Definitely faded grandeur there. However, the rest of the island is a delight. I like Ventnor, Shanklin is decent, and Newport is a good central town. Moreover, Southern Vectis is a superb operator and it (with GSC) deserve the plaudits that it gets.

Thanks for your comments. Yes, not much variety, but that's the way we are going. In 10 years time when nearly all buses are electric we'll be searching out the last few diesel ones, which will be far worse! Sandown isn't the best town but on a hot summer Sunday the beach was very crowded and there were some people in the town. On a wet Wednesday in November I suspect it will be different. The Bembridge route between Sandown and Ryde is worth trying especially round the harbour. Yes the island is like going back a few years, this is part of its attraction. I would think that Cowes is probably the best place to live but maybe part of the appeal is to be away from the mainland links and then go for somewhere like Ventnor.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Last of the summer trips... Doesn't involve hurtling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath but I did make the most of the last weekend. I'd seen on the thread of most scenic bus trips that there was a longstanding target to do... Well, I managed it and I agree, it's a stunner. However, I then linked it with another route that hadn't been mentioned... and that's another absolute belter in a corner of Cornwall that I'd not explored. I hope you agree and enjoy

The better half was away visiting relatives so I took the chance and drove down the evening before to Plymouth. It was then a short trip in the morning to park the car (free car park) in Millbay, a short distance from Admiral's Hard. Therefore, my first trip was actually on the Cremyll Ferry; it was a stunning morning to head out past the historic buildings and across Plymouth Sound. I then had the opportunity to ascend up to Mount Edgecumbe House and then walk further up Folly Hill to enjoy some truly fabulous views across to the city and Drake's Island. I can thoroughly recommend doing this but it's quite the climb. You can then walk back down and to the Ferry wharf, the pub (Edgecumbe Arms) and the bus stop where the 70 runs every hour. This is the route that some have already mentioned and I was in time to grab a coffee from the small cafe nearby and get my TfC liveried e400 towards Torpoint - Wright Electroliners were being used but there's a few grounding issues.

On the Cremyll Ferry - looking towards Drake's Island


The view from Mount Edgecumbe across the city


First journey of the day from the Edgecumbe Arms


Wow - what a journey. From a perch on the top deck, I had a great view. We climbed out of Cremyll and then were treated to views across Plymouth Sound and Devonport with the Saltash bridges and Dartmoor in the far distance. We then had a protracted out and back as we headed through Millbrook and then back to Kingsand and Cawsand, allowing views back across to the south coast. It was absolutely breathtaking - all the time, we were busy picking up customers along the way. The best bit was yet to come as we travelled via Rame and then traversed the military road along Whitsand Bay - the sun glinting off the blue/green sea was almost Mediterranean. The climb by Tregantle Fort then allowed a 360 degree view being able to see across the peninsula and coast on both sides. Almost, at every turn for 30 mins, it had been one beautiful view after another as this variant also serves Crafthole where the driver had to demonstrate (yet again) that they had much more driving ability than some old duffer in an SUV, We then headed inland towards Antony and the relative mundane views (but still very pretty) scenery of the St Germans estuary. We then turned and headed into Torpoint and past the extensive naval training base of HMS Raleigh (plus a tiresome loop of some 1970s housing), also passing the former First/Western National garage (now a construction firm) before descending back into Torpoint proper and the chance to grab a pastry and a coffee. By the time we arrived, we'd also amassed a fairly healthy loading too.


From the 70 - Plymouth Sound


On the Military Road - apologies for the reflections



Rather than simply return to Plymouth via the 70 and the Torpoint Ferry, I decided to head West and towards Liskeard on the two hourly 75 using my Tamar Connect ticket. After the stunning 70 and the Rame Peninsula, I thought this would be regulation trip into East Cornwall. I was sure that my next bus (another e400) would be fine; it was actually a little asthmatic and struggled a bit with the terrain. However... it was another superb route and a total surprise. The 75 leaves past HMS Raleigh (but doesn't do the suburban bit) and then heads back to Crafthole but then again heads for the coast as we dropped past the golf course into the coastal village of Portwrinkle on an out and back. By this point, a tourist couple were being talked at by a friendly if slightly over friendly local until the exited at Downderry, the 75 now hugging the coast along here. It was also where we passed a man practicing the bagpipes in the middle of knowhere (so he doesn't annoy the neighbours?). The 75 is very reminiscent of parts of the SV6 on the Isle of Wight as we dropped down and then skirted along the coast. Downderry was nice as then we were into Seaton; a little gem of a beach and mini seaside resort that I never knew about. We were about 10 mins late but I didn't care - it was superb coastal view after another. We eventually turned and then headed inland to Liskeard, serving the local Morrisons. There were lots of union jacks on lampposts - is it the "true patriots" or actually people who are truly patriotic and left over from the VJ day celebrations? I suspect it was the latter.


Seaton as seen from the 75



The Tamar from the Saltash Bridge

Despite being late, I had plenty of time in Liskeard. It's not a big town and it's neither fish nor fowl. Not attractive, not especially irksome - it's just sort of there. I wandered the main street, grabbed a smoothie and a snack, and then headed back to the market place. The Lloyds Bank had closed in February apparently but was still fully signed - usually banks remove that sort of thing straight away so that was odd. Another decline has been the service from Plymouth to Liskeard. Originally a through route to Padstow, and hourly at that (?), it's now been severed so the service runs to Dobwalls and only two hourly. It duly arrived and it was another e400 - we were busy hoovering up passengers and then on the A38, stumbled across a stricken 12 from Callington so we absorbed that load too. The 11 goes through quite pleasant rolling countryside before we then arrive at Saltash, diverting through the town and then across the Tamar Bridge, enjoying views up the estuary and down to Brunel's bridge and Devonport. We arrived into Plymouth city centre and I was needed to be fed, as was my iphone, so into Starbucks! I then had chance to wander through the city centre and to appreciate that the bus stops on Royal Parade are largely suspended for a programme on environmental improvements. However, some stops do persist, and I wandered down to get the 25 which is Plymouth's open top service. It was running about 15 mins late and not surprisingly - it's a tightly timed one way loop through the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. It had an almost full load on arrival that took some time to offload, and a very healthy load back out as we then headed out. Whilst Plymouth was heavily bombed in the war, the Barbican and Hoe were spared the worst of it and the 25 winds its way through this popular tourist area. I was both surprised and charmed by how nice it was. Had I had more time, I'd have explored it properly but instead, it'll form part of a weekend away with the better half! I did feel sorry for the female driver who had to manoeuvre the open topped, ex London e400 through the narrow streets and pedestrians on an impossible schedule.


Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Lighthouse



Back in Plymouth, I could've caught a direct bus to Devonport but instead, I took the opportunity to see a little of Plymouth with a trip to Derriford Hospital on the 42 corridor and my first non e400 journey. It was an e400city instead but quite pleasant internally. This is an observation - despite there being eLeather and the buses being a similar age to First's one in my local network, the appearance of the seats was noticeably better.. It was a fairly average city route but it did allow me to take the 34 from Derriford and back to the car through parts of the city that I hadn't explored plus the chance to see the sporting mecca of Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle. Passing past Milehouse depot (with several ex Metrobus Scanias on show), we then headed down into Devonport towards the Royal Navy dockyard and an increasingly gentrified area before finally reaching my car.

Go South West is a decent firm. Certainly, they could be better in terms of consistency of appearance externally (and there was one 20 plate e200 that was really quite careworn) but other than that, they were quite good. It's really noticeable how Stagecoach have expanded their local operations, hoovering up many of the Plymouth tenders, and I was a little disappointed not to experience the new GSW Electroliners but that will have to wait. Above all, it was the scenery that made the day - the 70 is a classic bus route and is rightly called out as a scenic one though it seems odd to only run hourly between Torpoint and Plymouth. The 75 is a two hour rural trundle but almost as attractive as a route; pairing the two as I did was a lucky move. Even the 11 isn't bad and I would definitely recommend having a hop on/hop off on the 25 which many others were doing. All in all, one of the best days out I've ever had - highly recommended on a good day.

 

[LAIRA]

Last of the summer trips... Doesn't involve hurtling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath but I did make the most of the last weekend. I'd seen on the thread of most scenic bus trips that there was a longstanding target to do... Well, I managed it and I agree, it's a stunner. However, I then linked it with another route that hadn't been mentioned... and that's another absolute belter in a corner of Cornwall that I'd not explored. I hope you agree and enjoy

The better half was away visiting relatives so I took the chance and drove down the evening before to Plymouth. It was then a short trip in the morning to park the car (free car park) in Millbay, a short distance from Admiral's Hard. Therefore, my first trip was actually on the Cremyll Ferry; it was a stunning morning to head out past the historic buildings and across Plymouth Sound. I then had the opportunity to ascend up to Mount Edgecumbe House and then walk further up Folly Hill to enjoy some truly fabulous views across to the city and Drake's Island. I can thoroughly recommend doing this but it's quite the climb. You can then walk back down and to the Ferry wharf, the pub (Edgecumbe Arms) and the bus stop where the 70 runs every hour. This is the route that some have already mentioned and I was in time to grab a coffee from the small cafe nearby and get my TfC liveried e400 towards Torpoint - Wright Electroliners were being used but there's a few grounding issues.
View attachment 187839
On the Cremyll Ferry - looking towards Drake's Island

View attachment 187838
The view from Mount Edgecumbe across the city

View attachment 187840
First journey of the day from the Edgecumbe Arms


Wow - what a journey. From a perch on the top deck, I had a great view. We climbed out of Cremyll and then were treated to views across Plymouth Sound and Devonport with the Saltash bridges and Dartmoor in the far distance. We then had a protracted out and back as we headed through Millbrook and then back to Kingsand and Cawsand, allowing views back across to the south coast. It was absolutely breathtaking - all the time, we were busy picking up customers along the way. The best bit was yet to come as we travelled via Rame and then traversed the military road along Whitsand Bay - the sun glinting off the blue/green sea was almost Mediterranean. The climb by Tregantle Fort then allowed a 360 degree view being able to see across the peninsula and coast on both sides. Almost, at every turn for 30 mins, it had been one beautiful view after another as this variant also serves Crafthole where the driver had to demonstrate (yet again) that they had much more driving ability than some old duffer in an SUV, We then headed inland towards Antony and the relative mundane views (but still very pretty) scenery of the St Germans estuary. We then turned and headed into Torpoint and past the extensive naval training base of HMS Raleigh (plus a tiresome loop of some 1970s housing), also passing the former First/Western National garage (now a construction firm) before descending back into Torpoint proper and the chance to grab a pastry and a coffee. By the time we arrived, we'd also amassed a fairly healthy loading too.

View attachment 187841
From the 70 - Plymouth Sound

View attachment 187842
On the Military Road - apologies for the reflections



Rather than simply return to Plymouth via the 70 and the Torpoint Ferry, I decided to head West and towards Liskeard on the two hourly 75 using my Tamar Connect ticket. After the stunning 70 and the Rame Peninsula, I thought this would be regulation trip into East Cornwall. I was sure that my next bus (another e400) would be fine; it was actually a little asthmatic and struggled a bit with the terrain. However... it was another superb route and a total surprise. The 75 leaves past HMS Raleigh (but doesn't do the suburban bit) and then heads back to Crafthole but then again heads for the coast as we dropped past the golf course into the coastal village of Portwrinkle on an out and back. By this point, a tourist couple were being talked at by a friendly if slightly over friendly local until the exited at Downderry, the 75 now hugging the coast along here. It was also where we passed a man practicing the bagpipes in the middle of knowhere (so he doesn't annoy the neighbours?). The 75 is very reminiscent of parts of the SV6 on the Isle of Wight as we dropped down and then skirted along the coast. Downderry was nice as then we were into Seaton; a little gem of a beach and mini seaside resort that I never knew about. We were about 10 mins late but I didn't care - it was superb coastal view after another. We eventually turned and then headed inland to Liskeard, serving the local Morrisons. There were lots of union jacks on lampposts - is it the "true patriots" or actually people who are truly patriotic and left over from the VJ day celebrations? I suspect it was the latter.

View attachment 187843
Seaton as seen from the 75


View attachment 187844
The Tamar from the Saltash Bridge

Despite being late, I had plenty of time in Liskeard. It's not a big town and it's neither fish nor fowl. Not attractive, not especially irksome - it's just sort of there. I wandered the main street, grabbed a smoothie and a snack, and then headed back to the market place. The Lloyds Bank had closed in February apparently but was still fully signed - usually banks remove that sort of thing straight away so that was odd. Another decline has been the service from Plymouth to Liskeard. Originally a through route to Padstow, and hourly at that (?), it's now been severed so the service runs to Dobwalls and only two hourly. It duly arrived and it was another e400 - we were busy hoovering up passengers and then on the A38, stumbled across a stricken 12 from Callington so we absorbed that load too. The 11 goes through quite pleasant rolling countryside before we then arrive at Saltash, diverting through the town and then across the Tamar Bridge, enjoying views up the estuary and down to Brunel's bridge and Devonport. We arrived into Plymouth city centre and I was needed to be fed, as was my iphone, so into Starbucks! I then had chance to wander through the city centre and to appreciate that the bus stops on Royal Parade are largely suspended for a programme on environmental improvements. However, some stops do persist, and I wandered down to get the 25 which is Plymouth's open top service. It was running about 15 mins late and not surprisingly - it's a tightly timed one way loop through the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. It had an almost full load on arrival that took some time to offload, and a very healthy load back out as we then headed out. Whilst Plymouth was heavily bombed in the war, the Barbican and Hoe were spared the worst of it and the 25 winds its way through this popular tourist area. I was both surprised and charmed by how nice it was. Had I had more time, I'd have explored it properly but instead, it'll form part of a weekend away with the better half! I did feel sorry for the female driver who had to manoeuvre the open topped, ex London e400 through the narrow streets and pedestrians on an impossible schedule.

View attachment 187845
Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Lighthouse



Back in Plymouth, I could've caught a direct bus to Devonport but instead, I took the opportunity to see a little of Plymouth with a trip to Derriford Hospital on the 42 corridor and my first non e400 journey. It was an e400city instead but quite pleasant internally. This is an observation - despite there being eLeather and the buses being a similar age to First's one in my local network, the appearance of the seats was noticeably better.. It was a fairly average city route but it did allow me to take the 34 from Derriford and back to the car through parts of the city that I hadn't explored plus the chance to see the sporting mecca of Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle. Passing past Milehouse depot (with several ex Metrobus Scanias on show), we then headed down into Devonport towards the Royal Navy dockyard and an increasingly gentrified area before finally reaching my car.

Go South West is a decent firm. Certainly, they could be better in terms of consistency of appearance externally (and there was one 20 plate e200 that was really quite careworn) but other than that, they were quite good. It's really noticeable how Stagecoach have expanded their local operations, hoovering up many of the Plymouth tenders, and I was a little disappointed not to experience the new GSW Electroliners but that will have to wait. Above all, it was the scenery that made the day - the 70 is a classic bus route and is rightly called out as a scenic one though it seems odd to only run hourly between Torpoint and Plymouth. The 75 is a two hour rural trundle but almost as attractive as a route; pairing the two as I did was a lucky move. Even the 11 isn't bad and I would definitely recommend having a hop on/hop off on the 25 which many others were doing. All in all, one of the best days out I've ever had - highly recommended on a good day.

So glad you enjoyed your visit to Plymouth. I know live on the 10/11/12 corridor near the Tamar Bridge after living on the 25 route for 17 years. I think people are just starting to discover the Rame Peninsular.

 

[RELL6L]

Last of the summer trips... Doesn't involve hurtling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath but I did make the most of the last weekend. I'd seen on the thread of most scenic bus trips that there was a longstanding target to do... Well, I managed it and I agree, it's a stunner. However, I then linked it with another route that hadn't been mentioned... and that's another absolute belter in a corner of Cornwall that I'd not explored. I hope you agree and enjoy

The better half was away visiting relatives so I took the chance and drove down the evening before to Plymouth. It was then a short trip in the morning to park the car (free car park) in Millbay, a short distance from Admiral's Hard. Therefore, my first trip was actually on the Cremyll Ferry; it was a stunning morning to head out past the historic buildings and across Plymouth Sound. I then had the opportunity to ascend up to Mount Edgecumbe House and then walk further up Folly Hill to enjoy some truly fabulous views across to the city and Drake's Island. I can thoroughly recommend doing this but it's quite the climb. You can then walk back down and to the Ferry wharf, the pub (Edgecumbe Arms) and the bus stop where the 70 runs every hour. This is the route that some have already mentioned and I was in time to grab a coffee from the small cafe nearby and get my TfC liveried e400 towards Torpoint - Wright Electroliners were being used but there's a few grounding issues.

On the Cremyll Ferry - looking towards Drake's Island


The view from Mount Edgecumbe across the city


First journey of the day from the Edgecumbe Arms


Wow - what a journey. From a perch on the top deck, I had a great view. We climbed out of Cremyll and then were treated to views across Plymouth Sound and Devonport with the Saltash bridges and Dartmoor in the far distance. We then had a protracted out and back as we headed through Millbrook and then back to Kingsand and Cawsand, allowing views back across to the south coast. It was absolutely breathtaking - all the time, we were busy picking up customers along the way. The best bit was yet to come as we travelled via Rame and then traversed the military road along Whitsand Bay - the sun glinting off the blue/green sea was almost Mediterranean. The climb by Tregantle Fort then allowed a 360 degree view being able to see across the peninsula and coast on both sides. Almost, at every turn for 30 mins, it had been one beautiful view after another as this variant also serves Crafthole where the driver had to demonstrate (yet again) that they had much more driving ability than some old duffer in an SUV, We then headed inland towards Antony and the relative mundane views (but still very pretty) scenery of the St Germans estuary. We then turned and headed into Torpoint and past the extensive naval training base of HMS Raleigh (plus a tiresome loop of some 1970s housing), also passing the former First/Western National garage (now a construction firm) before descending back into Torpoint proper and the chance to grab a pastry and a coffee. By the time we arrived, we'd also amassed a fairly healthy loading too.


From the 70 - Plymouth Sound


On the Military Road - apologies for the reflections



Rather than simply return to Plymouth via the 70 and the Torpoint Ferry, I decided to head West and towards Liskeard on the two hourly 75 using my Tamar Connect ticket. After the stunning 70 and the Rame Peninsula, I thought this would be regulation trip into East Cornwall. I was sure that my next bus (another e400) would be fine; it was actually a little asthmatic and struggled a bit with the terrain. However... it was another superb route and a total surprise. The 75 leaves past HMS Raleigh (but doesn't do the suburban bit) and then heads back to Crafthole but then again heads for the coast as we dropped past the golf course into the coastal village of Portwrinkle on an out and back. By this point, a tourist couple were being talked at by a friendly if slightly over friendly local until the exited at Downderry, the 75 now hugging the coast along here. It was also where we passed a man practicing the bagpipes in the middle of knowhere (so he doesn't annoy the neighbours?). The 75 is very reminiscent of parts of the SV6 on the Isle of Wight as we dropped down and then skirted along the coast. Downderry was nice as then we were into Seaton; a little gem of a beach and mini seaside resort that I never knew about. We were about 10 mins late but I didn't care - it was superb coastal view after another. We eventually turned and then headed inland to Liskeard, serving the local Morrisons. There were lots of union jacks on lampposts - is it the "true patriots" or actually people who are truly patriotic and left over from the VJ day celebrations? I suspect it was the latter.


Seaton as seen from the 75



The Tamar from the Saltash Bridge

Despite being late, I had plenty of time in Liskeard. It's not a big town and it's neither fish nor fowl. Not attractive, not especially irksome - it's just sort of there. I wandered the main street, grabbed a smoothie and a snack, and then headed back to the market place. The Lloyds Bank had closed in February apparently but was still fully signed - usually banks remove that sort of thing straight away so that was odd. Another decline has been the service from Plymouth to Liskeard. Originally a through route to Padstow, and hourly at that (?), it's now been severed so the service runs to Dobwalls and only two hourly. It duly arrived and it was another e400 - we were busy hoovering up passengers and then on the A38, stumbled across a stricken 12 from Callington so we absorbed that load too. The 11 goes through quite pleasant rolling countryside before we then arrive at Saltash, diverting through the town and then across the Tamar Bridge, enjoying views up the estuary and down to Brunel's bridge and Devonport. We arrived into Plymouth city centre and I was needed to be fed, as was my iphone, so into Starbucks! I then had chance to wander through the city centre and to appreciate that the bus stops on Royal Parade are largely suspended for a programme on environmental improvements. However, some stops do persist, and I wandered down to get the 25 which is Plymouth's open top service. It was running about 15 mins late and not surprisingly - it's a tightly timed one way loop through the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. It had an almost full load on arrival that took some time to offload, and a very healthy load back out as we then headed out. Whilst Plymouth was heavily bombed in the war, the Barbican and Hoe were spared the worst of it and the 25 winds its way through this popular tourist area. I was both surprised and charmed by how nice it was. Had I had more time, I'd have explored it properly but instead, it'll form part of a weekend away with the better half! I did feel sorry for the female driver who had to manoeuvre the open topped, ex London e400 through the narrow streets and pedestrians on an impossible schedule.


Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Lighthouse



Back in Plymouth, I could've caught a direct bus to Devonport but instead, I took the opportunity to see a little of Plymouth with a trip to Derriford Hospital on the 42 corridor and my first non e400 journey. It was an e400city instead but quite pleasant internally. This is an observation - despite there being eLeather and the buses being a similar age to First's one in my local network, the appearance of the seats was noticeably better.. It was a fairly average city route but it did allow me to take the 34 from Derriford and back to the car through parts of the city that I hadn't explored plus the chance to see the sporting mecca of Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle. Passing past Milehouse depot (with several ex Metrobus Scanias on show), we then headed down into Devonport towards the Royal Navy dockyard and an increasingly gentrified area before finally reaching my car.

Go South West is a decent firm. Certainly, they could be better in terms of consistency of appearance externally (and there was one 20 plate e200 that was really quite careworn) but other than that, they were quite good. It's really noticeable how Stagecoach have expanded their local operations, hoovering up many of the Plymouth tenders, and I was a little disappointed not to experience the new GSW Electroliners but that will have to wait. Above all, it was the scenery that made the day - the 70 is a classic bus route and is rightly called out as a scenic one though it seems odd to only run hourly between Torpoint and Plymouth. The 75 is a two hour rural trundle but almost as attractive as a route; pairing the two as I did was a lucky move. Even the 11 isn't bad and I would definitely recommend having a hop on/hop off on the 25 which many others were doing. All in all, one of the best days out I've ever had - highly recommended on a good day.

Cracking report on a very scenic trip. I concur with everything you have said here, this is a very attractive section of coastline. The little villages of Crafthole and Portwrinkle are gems which challenge the bus drivers and when I did this route I stopped off for an hour at Kingsand and Cawsand, two delightful coastal villages which basically run together. All of the Rame Coast and Whitesands Bay is a fabulous and somewhat undiscovered area compared to the well known Cornish honeypots such as Polperro, St Ives and Padstow. The ferry to Cremyll is great too. I've also taken the 75 from Torpoint to Liskeard but it was a few years back, possibly then the 71(?) and definitely not a double decker. I think Liskeard is a bit of a dump personally, like Bodmin and some other inland towns, nothing much to commend it. We've stayed near Looe as a family several times and wouldn't go there except perhaps to the supermarket. Looe and Polperro though are great places, we've taken the bus one way and walked back a couple of times. Back in the day First ran the 81 via the Torpoint Ferry to Looe and Polperro, invariably with VRs, going via Seaton and Downderry, but now the routes have been swapped around and these villages are now on the route to Liskeard, crossing the 10 to Looe at Widegates, in the middle of nowhere. I've also done the 25 in Plymouth which is a great route around the Hoe area. Another good option here is to take a bus to Mountbatten and the ferry back from there to the city while Royal William Yard and Admiral's Hard are worth exploring given a little time.

Hope there are opportunities for autumn trips ahead!

 

[JKP]

Last of the summer trips... Doesn't involve hurtling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath but I did make the most of the last weekend. I'd seen on the thread of most scenic bus trips that there was a longstanding target to do... Well, I managed it and I agree, it's a stunner. However, I then linked it with another route that hadn't been mentioned... and that's another absolute belter in a corner of Cornwall that I'd not explored. I hope you agree and enjoy

The better half was away visiting relatives so I took the chance and drove down the evening before to Plymouth. It was then a short trip in the morning to park the car (free car park) in Millbay, a short distance from Admiral's Hard. Therefore, my first trip was actually on the Cremyll Ferry; it was a stunning morning to head out past the historic buildings and across Plymouth Sound. I then had the opportunity to ascend up to Mount Edgecumbe House and then walk further up Folly Hill to enjoy some truly fabulous views across to the city and Drake's Island. I can thoroughly recommend doing this but it's quite the climb. You can then walk back down and to the Ferry wharf, the pub (Edgecumbe Arms) and the bus stop where the 70 runs every hour. This is the route that some have already mentioned and I was in time to grab a coffee from the small cafe nearby and get my TfC liveried e400 towards Torpoint - Wright Electroliners were being used but there's a few grounding issues.
View attachment 187839
On the Cremyll Ferry - looking towards Drake's Island

View attachment 187838
The view from Mount Edgecumbe across the city

View attachment 187840
First journey of the day from the Edgecumbe Arms


Wow - what a journey. From a perch on the top deck, I had a great view. We climbed out of Cremyll and then were treated to views across Plymouth Sound and Devonport with the Saltash bridges and Dartmoor in the far distance. We then had a protracted out and back as we headed through Millbrook and then back to Kingsand and Cawsand, allowing views back across to the south coast. It was absolutely breathtaking - all the time, we were busy picking up customers along the way. The best bit was yet to come as we travelled via Rame and then traversed the military road along Whitsand Bay - the sun glinting off the blue/green sea was almost Mediterranean. The climb by Tregantle Fort then allowed a 360 degree view being able to see across the peninsula and coast on both sides. Almost, at every turn for 30 mins, it had been one beautiful view after another as this variant also serves Crafthole where the driver had to demonstrate (yet again) that they had much more driving ability than some old duffer in an SUV, We then headed inland towards Antony and the relative mundane views (but still very pretty) scenery of the St Germans estuary. We then turned and headed into Torpoint and past the extensive naval training base of HMS Raleigh (plus a tiresome loop of some 1970s housing), also passing the former First/Western National garage (now a construction firm) before descending back into Torpoint proper and the chance to grab a pastry and a coffee. By the time we arrived, we'd also amassed a fairly healthy loading too.

View attachment 187841
From the 70 - Plymouth Sound

View attachment 187842
On the Military Road - apologies for the reflections



Rather than simply return to Plymouth via the 70 and the Torpoint Ferry, I decided to head West and towards Liskeard on the two hourly 75 using my Tamar Connect ticket. After the stunning 70 and the Rame Peninsula, I thought this would be regulation trip into East Cornwall. I was sure that my next bus (another e400) would be fine; it was actually a little asthmatic and struggled a bit with the terrain. However... it was another superb route and a total surprise. The 75 leaves past HMS Raleigh (but doesn't do the suburban bit) and then heads back to Crafthole but then again heads for the coast as we dropped past the golf course into the coastal village of Portwrinkle on an out and back. By this point, a tourist couple were being talked at by a friendly if slightly over friendly local until the exited at Downderry, the 75 now hugging the coast along here. It was also where we passed a man practicing the bagpipes in the middle of knowhere (so he doesn't annoy the neighbours?). The 75 is very reminiscent of parts of the SV6 on the Isle of Wight as we dropped down and then skirted along the coast. Downderry was nice as then we were into Seaton; a little gem of a beach and mini seaside resort that I never knew about. We were about 10 mins late but I didn't care - it was superb coastal view after another. We eventually turned and then headed inland to Liskeard, serving the local Morrisons. There were lots of union jacks on lampposts - is it the "true patriots" or actually people who are truly patriotic and left over from the VJ day celebrations? I suspect it was the latter.

View attachment 187843
Seaton as seen from the 75


View attachment 187844
The Tamar from the Saltash Bridge

Despite being late, I had plenty of time in Liskeard. It's not a big town and it's neither fish nor fowl. Not attractive, not especially irksome - it's just sort of there. I wandered the main street, grabbed a smoothie and a snack, and then headed back to the market place. The Lloyds Bank had closed in February apparently but was still fully signed - usually banks remove that sort of thing straight away so that was odd. Another decline has been the service from Plymouth to Liskeard. Originally a through route to Padstow, and hourly at that (?), it's now been severed so the service runs to Dobwalls and only two hourly. It duly arrived and it was another e400 - we were busy hoovering up passengers and then on the A38, stumbled across a stricken 12 from Callington so we absorbed that load too. The 11 goes through quite pleasant rolling countryside before we then arrive at Saltash, diverting through the town and then across the Tamar Bridge, enjoying views up the estuary and down to Brunel's bridge and Devonport. We arrived into Plymouth city centre and I was needed to be fed, as was my iphone, so into Starbucks! I then had chance to wander through the city centre and to appreciate that the bus stops on Royal Parade are largely suspended for a programme on environmental improvements. However, some stops do persist, and I wandered down to get the 25 which is Plymouth's open top service. It was running about 15 mins late and not surprisingly - it's a tightly timed one way loop through the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. It had an almost full load on arrival that took some time to offload, and a very healthy load back out as we then headed out. Whilst Plymouth was heavily bombed in the war, the Barbican and Hoe were spared the worst of it and the 25 winds its way through this popular tourist area. I was both surprised and charmed by how nice it was. Had I had more time, I'd have explored it properly but instead, it'll form part of a weekend away with the better half! I did feel sorry for the female driver who had to manoeuvre the open topped, ex London e400 through the narrow streets and pedestrians on an impossible schedule.

View attachment 187845
Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Lighthouse



Back in Plymouth, I could've caught a direct bus to Devonport but instead, I took the opportunity to see a little of Plymouth with a trip to Derriford Hospital on the 42 corridor and my first non e400 journey. It was an e400city instead but quite pleasant internally. This is an observation - despite there being eLeather and the buses being a similar age to First's one in my local network, the appearance of the seats was noticeably better.. It was a fairly average city route but it did allow me to take the 34 from Derriford and back to the car through parts of the city that I hadn't explored plus the chance to see the sporting mecca of Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle. Passing past Milehouse depot (with several ex Metrobus Scanias on show), we then headed down into Devonport towards the Royal Navy dockyard and an increasingly gentrified area before finally reaching my car.

Go South West is a decent firm. Certainly, they could be better in terms of consistency of appearance externally (and there was one 20 plate e200 that was really quite careworn) but other than that, they were quite good. It's really noticeable how Stagecoach have expanded their local operations, hoovering up many of the Plymouth tenders, and I was a little disappointed not to experience the new GSW Electroliners but that will have to wait. Above all, it was the scenery that made the day - the 70 is a classic bus route and is rightly called out as a scenic one though it seems odd to only run hourly between Torpoint and Plymouth. The 75 is a two hour rural trundle but almost as attractive as a route; pairing the two as I did was a lucky move. Even the 11 isn't bad and I would definitely recommend having a hop on/hop off on the 25 which many others were doing. All in all, one of the best days out I've ever had - highly recommended on a good day.

Great report. Glad you enjoyed your trip. A couple of points. The Cremyll ferry crosses the Tamar or Hamoaze as that section of the river is known, not Plymouth Sound. I assume you left your car near to the ferry off Durnford Street which is in Stonehouse not Millbay. Stonehouse was a separate place until 1914 when it was merged with Plymouth. You may also be interested to know that the ferry and buses around the peninsula was once under the common ownership of the Millbrook Steamship and Trading Company. The bus operation was sold to Western National in 1968. The Millbrook company operated a Rowe Hillmaster bus. Rowe built mainly lorries but also built a small number of PSVs. The company was based at Dobwalls just to the west of Liskeard and ran coaches and bus services for a time. They were also car dealers who had a number of garages and showrooms until recent times.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Great report. Glad you enjoyed your trip. A couple of points. The Cremyll ferry crosses the Tamar or Hamoaze as that section of the river is known, not Plymouth Sound. I assume you left your car near to the ferry off Durnford Street which is in Stonehouse not Millbay. Stonehouse was a separate place until 1914 when it was merged with Plymouth. You may also be interested to know that the ferry and buses around the peninsula was once under the common ownership of the Millbrook Steamship and Trading Company. The bus operation was sold to Western National in 1968. The Millbrook company operated a Rowe Hillmaster bus. Rowe built mainly lorries but also built a small number of PSVs. The company was based at Dobwalls just to the west of Liskeard and ran coaches and bus services for a time. They were also car dealers who had a number of garages and showrooms until recent times.

In my defence, it was the bloke on the ferry who said it was Plymouth Sound - I'm blaming him (although it was probably me misinterpreting what he said. And yeah, it was Durnford Street!

 

[LAIRA]

In my defence, it was the bloke on the ferry who said it was Plymouth Sound - I'm blaming him (although it was probably me misinterpreting what he said. And yeah, it was Durnford Street!

Mentioning Millbrook Steamboat Co. you would have passed their garage in Millbrook twice on the quay, which is now a car repair garage. I had the honour of being their last passenger on a very late bus back from Torpoint on a Sunday evening. It ran to save the ferry running and terminated at Cawsand Triangle.

 

[Bedford OB]

A brief report on a very pleasurable day out across former ECOC territory earlier this week. From Royston to Thetford, as follows:
Royston - Cambridge, A2B 26, Optare MetroCity
Cambridge - Soham, A2B Tiger 5, ADL E400MMC
Soham - Newmarket, Stephensons 112, ADL E200
Newmarket - Bury St Eds, Mulleys 312, Optare Solo
Bury St Eds - Thetford, Coach Services 332, Volvo B7RLE.

A very pleasant ride. Everything ran to time. A2B 26 has been developed by them and is now commercial, taking a decent load into Cambridge after the inevitable wait at Foxton Crossing. A2B are a bit rustic, but to their credit have posted a lot of roadside timetables for passengers, unlike the hapless Combined Authority which does absolutely nothing. The last time I travelled on this was on a VR, so a long wait and a few operators later. The E400 on the T5 was new, one of several, loadings were pitiful but perhaps better at Soham Village College time. Stephensons took some into Newmarket, being market day, and plenty of buses to see in the, albeit dreadful, bus station there. Mulleys were very quiet, sadly for market day. This Coach Services route is the interesting one that goes round RAF Honington, and carried about 15 school children from the chaotic concentration of Bury schools, with attendant traffic congestion, as well as other passengers, to take the total up to about 30. The main Coach Services routes 84 and 86 use the direct route to Thetford and Brandon. The Coach Services fleet is absolutely immaculate and now right up there with the Delaines of this world, including superbly branded E400MMCs on the main services and excellent publicity, including a colour route map poster and departure guide at Bury Bus Station.

Lots to see at Bury, as always. It was not market day (Wed & Sat) but very busy approaching school time. Probably the last chance to see the Chambers name as it disappears into Konect - dreadful shabby vehicles with their new Suffolk route numbers from the much-vaunted (I really wonder why, apart from the south coast) Go-Ahead compared with the immaculate offerings from Coach Services and with Stephensons, who also had immaculate new and modern E400s on the Cambridge - Newmarket - Bury trunks. Mulleys had some newly acquired and freshly repainted Streetlites on local services; the Simonds offering was a not yet repainted ex Arriva London decker.

Plenty of memories along the route - ECOC outstations at the likes of Royston, Soham, Burwell, Barrow, and of course the site of the much loved Burwell & District where the former office survives, rebuilt, as an estate agent, next to where the depot used to be. A good day all round and not defeated by the tube strike thanks to the Elizabeth Line and cross London Thameslink/Great Northern links.

 

[ChrisC]

Last of the summer trips... Doesn't involve hurtling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath but I did make the most of the last weekend. I'd seen on the thread of most scenic bus trips that there was a longstanding target to do... Well, I managed it and I agree, it's a stunner. However, I then linked it with another route that hadn't been mentioned... and that's another absolute belter in a corner of Cornwall that I'd not explored. I hope you agree and enjoy

The better half was away visiting relatives so I took the chance and drove down the evening before to Plymouth. It was then a short trip in the morning to park the car (free car park) in Millbay, a short distance from Admiral's Hard. Therefore, my first trip was actually on the Cremyll Ferry; it was a stunning morning to head out past the historic buildings and across Plymouth Sound. I then had the opportunity to ascend up to Mount Edgecumbe House and then walk further up Folly Hill to enjoy some truly fabulous views across to the city and Drake's Island. I can thoroughly recommend doing this but it's quite the climb. You can then walk back down and to the Ferry wharf, the pub (Edgecumbe Arms) and the bus stop where the 70 runs every hour. This is the route that some have already mentioned and I was in time to grab a coffee from the small cafe nearby and get my TfC liveried e400 towards Torpoint - Wright Electroliners were being used but there's a few grounding issues.
View attachment 187839
On the Cremyll Ferry - looking towards Drake's Island

View attachment 187838
The view from Mount Edgecumbe across the city

View attachment 187840
First journey of the day from the Edgecumbe Arms


Wow - what a journey. From a perch on the top deck, I had a great view. We climbed out of Cremyll and then were treated to views across Plymouth Sound and Devonport with the Saltash bridges and Dartmoor in the far distance. We then had a protracted out and back as we headed through Millbrook and then back to Kingsand and Cawsand, allowing views back across to the south coast. It was absolutely breathtaking - all the time, we were busy picking up customers along the way. The best bit was yet to come as we travelled via Rame and then traversed the military road along Whitsand Bay - the sun glinting off the blue/green sea was almost Mediterranean. The climb by Tregantle Fort then allowed a 360 degree view being able to see across the peninsula and coast on both sides. Almost, at every turn for 30 mins, it had been one beautiful view after another as this variant also serves Crafthole where the driver had to demonstrate (yet again) that they had much more driving ability than some old duffer in an SUV, We then headed inland towards Antony and the relative mundane views (but still very pretty) scenery of the St Germans estuary. We then turned and headed into Torpoint and past the extensive naval training base of HMS Raleigh (plus a tiresome loop of some 1970s housing), also passing the former First/Western National garage (now a construction firm) before descending back into Torpoint proper and the chance to grab a pastry and a coffee. By the time we arrived, we'd also amassed a fairly healthy loading too.

View attachment 187841
From the 70 - Plymouth Sound

View attachment 187842
On the Military Road - apologies for the reflections



Rather than simply return to Plymouth via the 70 and the Torpoint Ferry, I decided to head West and towards Liskeard on the two hourly 75 using my Tamar Connect ticket. After the stunning 70 and the Rame Peninsula, I thought this would be regulation trip into East Cornwall. I was sure that my next bus (another e400) would be fine; it was actually a little asthmatic and struggled a bit with the terrain. However... it was another superb route and a total surprise. The 75 leaves past HMS Raleigh (but doesn't do the suburban bit) and then heads back to Crafthole but then again heads for the coast as we dropped past the golf course into the coastal village of Portwrinkle on an out and back. By this point, a tourist couple were being talked at by a friendly if slightly over friendly local until the exited at Downderry, the 75 now hugging the coast along here. It was also where we passed a man practicing the bagpipes in the middle of knowhere (so he doesn't annoy the neighbours?). The 75 is very reminiscent of parts of the SV6 on the Isle of Wight as we dropped down and then skirted along the coast. Downderry was nice as then we were into Seaton; a little gem of a beach and mini seaside resort that I never knew about. We were about 10 mins late but I didn't care - it was superb coastal view after another. We eventually turned and then headed inland to Liskeard, serving the local Morrisons. There were lots of union jacks on lampposts - is it the "true patriots" or actually people who are truly patriotic and left over from the VJ day celebrations? I suspect it was the latter.

View attachment 187843
Seaton as seen from the 75


View attachment 187844
The Tamar from the Saltash Bridge

Despite being late, I had plenty of time in Liskeard. It's not a big town and it's neither fish nor fowl. Not attractive, not especially irksome - it's just sort of there. I wandered the main street, grabbed a smoothie and a snack, and then headed back to the market place. The Lloyds Bank had closed in February apparently but was still fully signed - usually banks remove that sort of thing straight away so that was odd. Another decline has been the service from Plymouth to Liskeard. Originally a through route to Padstow, and hourly at that (?), it's now been severed so the service runs to Dobwalls and only two hourly. It duly arrived and it was another e400 - we were busy hoovering up passengers and then on the A38, stumbled across a stricken 12 from Callington so we absorbed that load too. The 11 goes through quite pleasant rolling countryside before we then arrive at Saltash, diverting through the town and then across the Tamar Bridge, enjoying views up the estuary and down to Brunel's bridge and Devonport. We arrived into Plymouth city centre and I was needed to be fed, as was my iphone, so into Starbucks! I then had chance to wander through the city centre and to appreciate that the bus stops on Royal Parade are largely suspended for a programme on environmental improvements. However, some stops do persist, and I wandered down to get the 25 which is Plymouth's open top service. It was running about 15 mins late and not surprisingly - it's a tightly timed one way loop through the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. It had an almost full load on arrival that took some time to offload, and a very healthy load back out as we then headed out. Whilst Plymouth was heavily bombed in the war, the Barbican and Hoe were spared the worst of it and the 25 winds its way through this popular tourist area. I was both surprised and charmed by how nice it was. Had I had more time, I'd have explored it properly but instead, it'll form part of a weekend away with the better half! I did feel sorry for the female driver who had to manoeuvre the open topped, ex London e400 through the narrow streets and pedestrians on an impossible schedule.

View attachment 187845
Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Lighthouse



Back in Plymouth, I could've caught a direct bus to Devonport but instead, I took the opportunity to see a little of Plymouth with a trip to Derriford Hospital on the 42 corridor and my first non e400 journey. It was an e400city instead but quite pleasant internally. This is an observation - despite there being eLeather and the buses being a similar age to First's one in my local network, the appearance of the seats was noticeably better.. It was a fairly average city route but it did allow me to take the 34 from Derriford and back to the car through parts of the city that I hadn't explored plus the chance to see the sporting mecca of Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle. Passing past Milehouse depot (with several ex Metrobus Scanias on show), we then headed down into Devonport towards the Royal Navy dockyard and an increasingly gentrified area before finally reaching my car.

Go South West is a decent firm. Certainly, they could be better in terms of consistency of appearance externally (and there was one 20 plate e200 that was really quite careworn) but other than that, they were quite good. It's really noticeable how Stagecoach have expanded their local operations, hoovering up many of the Plymouth tenders, and I was a little disappointed not to experience the new GSW Electroliners but that will have to wait. Above all, it was the scenery that made the day - the 70 is a classic bus route and is rightly called out as a scenic one though it seems odd to only run hourly between Torpoint and Plymouth. The 75 is a two hour rural trundle but almost as attractive as a route; pairing the two as I did was a lucky move. Even the 11 isn't bad and I would definitely recommend having a hop on/hop off on the 25 which many others were doing. All in all, one of the best days out I've ever had - highly recommended on a good day.

Thank you for your interesting report on your journey on the number 70 from Cremyll to Torpoint. I did that route in May 2022 and I agree it really is a fantastic journey along the coast west of Rame Head. It was great to see your photos with the blue sky. I also had planned to continue on the 75 to Liskeard but unfortunately I decided to abandon the idea and return to Plymouth in the afternoon due to torrential rain. You really missed a highlight of the area by not getting off the bus and taking a walk around the twin coastal villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. I had visited them by car way back in the early 1980s along with the coastal villages of Portwrinkle, Downderry and Seaton on the 75 route. Visiting Kingsand and Cawsand was my main reason for my trip on the number 70 but it was also good to explore Mount Edgcumbe.

I travelled from Plymouth on the 70 across the Torpoint Ferry and stopped off at Kingsand and Cawsand before continuing 2 hours later towards Cremyll. After passing through Milbrook I got off the bus at the top of the hill and entered Edgcumbe Park by the top entrance. I walked down through the park and gardens enjoying the views across to Plymouth, although by that time I could see some very threatening dark clouds arriving. By the time I got to the Cremyll Ferry the rain had started and I found a shelter to sit in by the bus stop. I decided to get the bus back to Torpoint and then get the 75 to Liskeard. By the time I got back towards Torpoint the rain had become torrential and water was gushing down the roads like a river. I decided to abandon my plans and I remained on the bus back to Plymouth and my hotel. I wasn’t too disappointed as this was my last day of a stay in Plymouth where I had enjoyed a great week with wonderful weather travelling around using a Devon and Cornwall Rail Rover.


The narrow streets of Cawsand


Kingsand looking along towards Cawsand

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A brief report on a very pleasurable day out across former ECOC territory earlier this week. From Royston to Thetford, as follows:
Royston - Cambridge, A2B 26, Optare MetroCity
Cambridge - Soham, A2B Tiger 5, ADL E400MMC
Soham - Newmarket, Stephensons 112, ADL E200
Newmarket - Bury St Eds, Mulleys 312, Optare Solo
Bury St Eds - Thetford, Coach Services 332, Volvo B7RLE.

Thanks for sharing - I'm assuming that you were using an ENCTS pass, given the diverse area you covered.

2026 may require a revisit of Cambridgeshire - I meant to do it in July but ran out of time!

Thank you for your interesting report on your journey on the number 70 from Cremyll to Torpoint. I did that route in May 2022 and I agree it really is a fantastic journey along the coast west of Rame Head. It was great to see your photos with the blue sky. I also had planned to continue on the 75 to Liskeard but unfortunately I decided to abandon the idea and return to Plymouth in the afternoon due to torrential rain. You really missed a highlight of the area by not getting off the bus and taking a walk around the twin coastal villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. I had visited them by car way back in the early 1980s along with the coastal villages of Portwrinkle, Downderry and Seaton on the 75 route. Visiting Kingsand and Cawsand was my main reason for my trip on the number 70 but it was also good to explore Mount Edgcumbe.

Thanks for the pointers. I was on a bit of a mission but rest assured, I've already told my better half that we need to visit Plymouth next summer and that will involve a trip to Cawsand etc.

 

[Ballyheigue]

The Cumbria Classic Coaches tour went really well on Wednesday, hundreds must have turned out with 4 buses in use for the full route and a 5th for part. The trip for 4 of the buses was a copy of the 572 from Ravonstonedale to Barnard Castle via Kirkby Stephen, Brough and Middleton in Teesdale, with the 5th bus doing Shap via Tebay to Brough where passengers transferred onto other buses and the 5th bus (the White Dart) parked up. I did Kirkby Stephen to Barnard Castle and return, and the crowds at the bus stop were building by 10am! Not one bus broke down, although the Blue/Cream Tiger did have a couple of gear change moments on the way up Teesdale. Photo opportunities galore, including a stop at a layby in the middle of nowhere between Brough and Middleton, a stop for toilets/refreshments and photo's in Middleton itself, and another photo stop overlooking a reservoir just outside Middleton.

We arrived a little later than planned in Barnard Castle, but as a nice touch, the return journey was at 3pm which I think is more or less at the old times from a few years back. Some wanted to connect with trains at Kirkby Stephen, however because it would be a tight run to get there, all passengers agreed to go on to the depot where the owner would arrange to bring them back to Kirkby Stephen station for the departures shortly after 5pm. The return working was direct via the A66 and I believe one of the buses went on beyond Ravonstonedale to Shap and Tebay rather than passengers changing, so in effect it's route was Barnard Castle to Shap!

A very good day all round with great turnout even with poor weather!

 

[Andy Pacer]

Had an interesting run around the East Midlands on a weekday a few weeks ago, visiting some areas I haven't been for many a year despite living in the region.
Started off in Nottingham with absolutely no plan, I'd arrived by train from Leicestershire with a return ticket, but was open to not 'returning' from Nottingham depending how the day went.

First up was Central Connect service 93 to Grantham, I've always found Minibuses quite quirky and don't think I'd been on a Central Connect (or previously Vectare before) so was definitely something different. We lost a chunk of time heading out of Nottingham due to roadworks on the A52 but then continued at a very quick pace (or perhaps it was just the fact it was a Sprinter) through the villages eventually arriving into the outskirts of Grantham. This route seems to cover some of the outlying housing estates and was popular with concessions before arriving into Grantham Bus Station.

A quick wander round and a coffee later it was back to the bus station, and if opted for an inevitable change of operator, this time taking the Centrebus 24 to Newark. The bus was a standard E200 and loaded reasonably well in Grantham although most people seemed to be making fairly local journeys and I was the only one on board after a while. We seemed to be on some sort of diversion as we went over the A1 and must have made a wrong turn somewhere as, following a quick call to the depot, the driver attempted a risky reverse into a farm gateway grounding the bus in the process but we were soon on our way and heading towards Newark. A few more people joined us on the approach to Newark, serving Fernwood which is fairly tight for buses and passing an Optare Excel on its way back towards Grantham.

Whilst I use Newark Northgate station fairly often and occasionally pass through Newark Castle station on the train its a long time since I've ventured into the town centre, and it's probably the first time I've visited the bus station since it was redeveloped some years ago. Not a bad facility, modern with plenty of seating, toilets, drinks machine and an information counter. The Stagecoach operated local services were coming and going using a motley crew of E200s from various previous sources it seemed. The third operator of the day was Marshalls on their 37 service towards Retford which was operated by a smart Optare Versa which left Newark fairly well loaded on this lunchtime departure. We did a driver change in Sutton on Trent which is where the garage is, although the relief driver had arrived by car so we must have been a little way from the garage. I had originally planned to ride all the way to Retford but decided to jump off in Tuxford as time would be getting on.

A handy short wait in Tuxford before the late running Stagecoach 'Sherwood Arrow' arrived to take me back to Nottingham on yet another different operator for the day. This one was an Enviro 300 (presumably a Scania) with a duff desti and a paper sign in the window. Lightly loaded but an enjoyable run through the countryside and certainly some areas I've probably never been to. It struck me that it must be quite useful for visitors to Sherwood Forest and Rufford Park etc with the frequency being fairly good for an interurban service. We lost more time as the journey went on despite a clear effort being made by the driver, this route must be fairly tight but eventually we arrived into the Nottingham area passing through Redhill, Daybrook and Sherwood before arriving into Victoria.

Definitely an interesting and enjoyable unplanned runabout on 4 different operators and 3 routes i'd not done before (I had done the Centrebus 24 previously but im sure it was a 602 back then in a double decker - im sure I have a photo somewhere). It also struck me that despite fairly rural services generally being cut back in recent years I was able to have a decent run about without too long waits in the towns, although having no plan or need to go in a certain direction did help that.

 

[JD2168]

Had an interesting run around the East Midlands on a weekday a few weeks ago, visiting some areas I haven't been for many a year despite living in the region.
Started off in Nottingham with absolutely no plan, I'd arrived by train from Leicestershire with a return ticket, but was open to not 'returning' from Nottingham depending how the day went.

First up was Central Connect service 93 to Grantham, I've always found Minibuses quite quirky and don't think I'd been on a Central Connect (or previously Vectare before) so was definitely something different. We lost a chunk of time heading out of Nottingham due to roadworks on the A52 but then continued at a very quick pace (or perhaps it was just the fact it was a Sprinter) through the villages eventually arriving into the outskirts of Grantham. This route seems to cover some of the outlying housing estates and was popular with concessions before arriving into Grantham Bus Station.

A quick wander round and a coffee later it was back to the bus station, and if opted for an inevitable change of operator, this time taking the Centrebus 24 to Newark. The bus was a standard E200 and loaded reasonably well in Grantham although most people seemed to be making fairly local journeys and I was the only one on board after a while. We seemed to be on some sort of diversion as we went over the A1 and must have made a wrong turn somewhere as, following a quick call to the depot, the driver attempted a risky reverse into a farm gateway grounding the bus in the process but we were soon on our way and heading towards Newark. A few more people joined us on the approach to Newark, serving Fernwood which is fairly tight for buses and passing an Optare Excel on its way back towards Grantham.

Whilst I use Newark Northgate station fairly often and occasionally pass through Newark Castle station on the train its a long time since I've ventured into the town centre, and it's probably the first time I've visited the bus station since it was redeveloped some years ago. Not a bad facility, modern with plenty of seating, toilets, drinks machine and an information counter. The Stagecoach operated local services were coming and going using a motley crew of E200s from various previous sources it seemed. The third operator of the day was Marshalls on their 37 service towards Retford which was operated by a smart Optare Versa which left Newark fairly well loaded on this lunchtime departure. We did a driver change in Sutton on Trent which is where the garage is, although the relief driver had arrived by car so we must have been a little way from the garage. I had originally planned to ride all the way to Retford but decided to jump off in Tuxford as time would be getting on.

A handy short wait in Tuxford before the late running Stagecoach 'Sherwood Arrow' arrived to take me back to Nottingham on yet another different operator for the day. This one was an Enviro 300 (presumably a Scania) with a duff desti and a paper sign in the window. Lightly loaded but an enjoyable run through the countryside and certainly some areas I've probably never been to. It struck me that it must be quite useful for visitors to Sherwood Forest and Rufford Park etc with the frequency being fairly good for an interurban service. We lost more time as the journey went on despite a clear effort being made by the driver, this route must be fairly tight but eventually we arrived into the Nottingham area passing through Redhill, Daybrook and Sherwood before arriving into Victoria.

Definitely an interesting and enjoyable unplanned runabout on 4 different operators and 3 routes i'd not done before (I had done the Centrebus 24 previously but im sure it was a 602 back then in a double decker - im sure I have a photo somewhere). It also struck me that despite fairly rural services generally being cut back in recent years I was able to have a decent run about without too long waits in the towns, although having no plan or need to go in a certain direction did help that.

The Sherwood Arrow is regularly late running, some journeys seem to run up to 30 minutes late at times

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks for the write up @Andy Pacer - I keep saying this but it's great to hear about an area that I've either not visited, or at least done so for a long time. I did get to explore around Notts in Dec 2023 and whilst I had a trip on the SA, I got no further east than Ollerton. Whilst I've visited Newark in the car, never travelled around the area by bus. Perhaps a few fewer trips to Wales next year and more to the Midlands required?

Cheers for sharing

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

New Trip Report

Been a few months since I got out and about but had chance for a mini trip out. The day started with a drive to Kidderminster and finding a place to leave the car. I then wandered through the town centre which looks quite depressed - the large Marks and Spencer which closed many years ago and had been split and tenanted is now empty again, and same for the former Woolworths. In fact, it's emblematic of many smaller towns where new retail developments and retail parks have exacerbated the overall decline of the high street with online shopping. I wandered around and then along to Kidderminster bus station. For places of despair, Kiddy bus station takes some beating. Since it was built (c.2002?), it's had virtually no expenditure. I noticed a panel missing in the roof of one shelter which I thought was the case last time I was there; it has been so since 2022 (according to Streetview). Times are on the wrong shelters (as some services have been moved) and it is a truly miserable and underwhelming place to wait. I was heading up the Severn Valley with a plan to head to Alveley, then walkthough the country park to Highley. However, this would've meant trying to buy a Worcestershire Connecta ticket from Select on the 297...and I wasn't confident that the driver would even know what it was. As it was, I tried Diamond and the driver hadn't heard of it either. I had to guide him on the ticket machine, and then he asked me about where it was valid!

Therefore, my first bus of the day was the 125 to Highley, with a former Rossendale/Transdev Streetlite. I'd travelled on one of these years ago in Rochdale but this was a much better vehicle. It didn't even rattle much and the emergency door handle not at all. That said, the route out of tortuous - 3.5 miles in 25 mins as the bus loops around Habberley (I'm guessing it replaced a local service) but we eventually passed through Bewdley and then into some rolling countryside as I reached Highley. I confess I didn't know this was a coal mining area but my path to the country park saw me passing some miners terraces and then down into the country park. I had to traverse the Severn Valley Railway which naturally follows the river which I then had to cross before a head up and into the country park. I even had chance to grab some sustenance at the visitor centre's cafe. It was then a long walk back up the hill before getting back into Highley. Oddly, there are no bus stop flags there but fortunately, there were some people waiting by the undertakers (!) which is apparently the stop. Historically commercially run, Diamond apparently deregistered this route and it was only saved by Shropshire Council using BSIP funds but there's absolutely nothing being done by operator or councils to try and actually restore its fortunes. The 125 back was a newer Streetlite but this did come with the machine gun rattle of the emergency door and the random gear changes. The older machine was much better!



The SVR, Highley, the country park and my newer but worse Streetlite in Bewdley

The Streetlite filled up quite nicely with about 20 passengers by the time we reached Bewdley though 2/3 were ENCTS pass holders. I got off there, not wishing to fully retrace my steps, and took a walk around this fine Georgian town. I've been here before and it's a lovely spot. I'm not certain what services the town had before but it's now the hourly 125, and then the 291/2 that run from Kiddy to Tenbury and Ludlow respectively but (as the photo shows) they aren't coordinated. Interesting to see Yarrantons do the 291 with a dinky Citaro.



However, I managed to wait time for the two hourly service to Worcester via Stourport which is another Diamond Bus. At this point, I might as well have got a Diamond day ticket rather than a Connecta. My bus was an e200 of dealer spec which bounded up but actually loaded at the stop across the road - more poor roadside publicity including the real time display! However, we headed off slightly late and then whizzed along noisily until we reached the Tesco in Stourport...where an e200 with 296 Worcester on the display was waiting. Clearly, this is a regular driver swap but actually the passengers swap buses not the drivers! Our new driver was even more speedy on what is a tightly timed route as we jinked around various estates before hitting open countryside. We then hit Worcester and the usual traffic congestion.


I love Worcester. I have friends who live nearby, and the cricket ground is no better place to watch the game.

The bus services are a constant misery though. In the mid 1990s, I would visit and it would be a hive of minibuses supported by some elderly Nationals and a fair number of new Lynxes or Lances. Then in the early 2000s, there was government funding that saw two park and rides, a large batch of new Varios (!) and e300s plus lots of bus priority. Even in 2017/8, it seemed that First (under Nigel Eggleton) might want to improve things just a little with its Salt Road and Elgar schemes. Now it's just depressing.

Some of the local routes are clinging on with indies like LMS and Astons with dealer white e200s. Even they look better than First's battered ex Cymru e200s and e300s, with some in Clipper colours having "Worcester" crudely applied. There's the odd one repainted in ultra violet but basically, its a load of filthy 2013/4 tat, with a council that hasn't cared for the last 20 years. The only credit I give First is that they had at least put new signage on the shelters so you know which route serves them. Otherwise, it is just awful.

At this point, I was intending to head to Kiddy via Droitwich but then realised that the Droitwich to Kiddy service runs only three days a week. Was it daily at some time... I don't know. So it was a direct run back to Kiddy via Ombersley. This was my fifth Diamond bus - a 17 year old Eclipse in the remnants of Preston Bus colours. It was actually a decent machine but showing its age; a woman in front of me was dealing with a very nice driver as she'd been sold a First day ticket and not a Connecta... Yes, Worcestershire has a whole range of county and local multi-operator tickets but the drivers don't always know about them so what chance a passenger?

I sat back, enjoyed the countryside, and ruminated on how it's not great is some counties but at least they try (e.g. Gloucestershire) and next door, they've long since given up.

Hope I haven't depressed you too much. Over to you @RELL6L

 

[RELL6L]

New Trip Report

Been a few months since I got out and about but had chance for a mini trip out. The day started with a drive to Kidderminster and finding a place to leave the car. I then wandered through the town centre which looks quite depressed - the large Marks and Spencer which closed many years ago and had been split and tenanted is now empty again, and same for the former Woolworths. In fact, it's emblematic of many smaller towns where new retail developments and retail parks have exacerbated the overall decline of the high street with online shopping. I wandered around and then along to Kidderminster bus station. For places of despair, Kiddy bus station takes some beating. Since it was built (c.2002?), it's had virtually no expenditure. I noticed a panel missing in the roof of one shelter which I thought was the case last time I was there; it has been so since 2022 (according to Streetview). Times are on the wrong shelters (as some services have been moved) and it is a truly miserable and underwhelming place to wait. I was heading up the Severn Valley with a plan to head to Alveley, then walkthough the country park to Highley. However, this would've meant trying to buy a Worcestershire Connecta ticket from Select on the 297...and I wasn't confident that the driver would even know what it was. As it was, I tried Diamond and the driver hadn't heard of it either. I had to guide him on the ticket machine, and then he asked me about where it was valid!

Therefore, my first bus of the day was the 125 to Highley, with a former Rossendale/Transdev Streetlite. I'd travelled on one of these years ago in Rochdale but this was a much better vehicle. It didn't even rattle much and the emergency door handle not at all. That said, the route out of tortuous - 3.5 miles in 25 mins as the bus loops around Habberley (I'm guessing it replaced a local service) but we eventually passed through Bewdley and then into some rolling countryside as I reached Highley. I confess I didn't know this was a coal mining area but my path to the country park saw me passing some miners terraces and then down into the country park. I had to traverse the Severn Valley Railway which naturally follows the river which I then had to cross before a head up and into the country park. I even had chance to grab some sustenance at the visitor centre's cafe. It was then a long walk back up the hill before getting back into Highley. Oddly, there are no bus stop flags there but fortunately, there were some people waiting by the undertakers (!) which is apparently the stop. Historically commercially run, Diamond apparently deregistered this route and it was only saved by Shropshire Council using BSIP funds but there's absolutely nothing being done by operator or councils to try and actually restore its fortunes. The 125 back was a newer Streetlite but this did come with the machine gun rattle of the emergency door and the random gear changes. The older machine was much better!

View attachment 192398View attachment 192399
View attachment 192401View attachment 192403
The SVR, Highley, the country park and my newer but worse Streetlite in Bewdley

The Streetlite filled up quite nicely with about 20 passengers by the time we reached Bewdley though 2/3 were ENCTS pass holders. I got off there, not wishing to fully retrace my steps, and took a walk around this fine Georgian town. I've been here before and it's a lovely spot. I'm not certain what services the town had before but it's now the hourly 125, and then the 291/2 that run from Kiddy to Tenbury and Ludlow respectively but (as the photo shows) they aren't coordinated. Interesting to see Yarrantons do the 291 with a dinky Citaro.

View attachment 192405View attachment 192407

However, I managed to wait time for the two hourly service to Worcester via Stourport which is another Diamond Bus. At this point, I might as well have got a Diamond day ticket rather than a Connecta. My bus was an e200 of dealer spec which bounded up but actually loaded at the stop across the road - more poor roadside publicity including the real time display! However, we headed off slightly late and then whizzed along noisily until we reached the Tesco in Stourport...where an e200 with 296 Worcester on the display was waiting. Clearly, this is a regular driver swap but actually the passengers swap buses not the drivers! Our new driver was even more speedy on what is a tightly timed route as we jinked around various estates before hitting open countryside. We then hit Worcester and the usual traffic congestion.

View attachment 192406View attachment 192408
I love Worcester. I have friends who live nearby, and the cricket ground is no better place to watch the game.

The bus services are a constant misery though. In the mid 1990s, I would visit and it would be a hive of minibuses supported by some elderly Nationals and a fair number of new Lynxes or Lances. Then in the early 2000s, there was government funding that saw two park and rides, a large batch of new Varios (!) and e300s plus lots of bus priority. Even in 2017/8, it seemed that First (under Nigel Eggleton) might want to improve things just a little with its Salt Road and Elgar schemes. Now it's just depressing.

Some of the local routes are clinging on with indies like LMS and Astons with dealer white e200s. Even they look better than First's battered ex Cymru e200s and e300s, with some in Clipper colours having "Worcester" crudely applied. There's the odd one repainted in ultra violet but basically, its a load of filthy 2013/4 tat, with a council that hasn't cared for the last 20 years. The only credit I give First is that they had at least put new signage on the shelters so you know which route serves them. Otherwise, it is just awful.

At this point, I was intending to head to Kiddy via Droitwich but then realised that the Droitwich to Kiddy service runs only three days a week. Was it daily at some time... I don't know. So it was a direct run back to Kiddy via Ombersley. This was my fifth Diamond bus - a 17 year old Eclipse in the remnants of Preston Bus colours. It was actually a decent machine but showing its age; a woman in front of me was dealing with a very nice driver as she'd been sold a First day ticket and not a Connecta... Yes, Worcestershire has a whole range of county and local multi-operator tickets but the drivers don't always know about them so what chance a passenger?

I sat back, enjoyed the countryside, and ruminated on how it's not great is some counties but at least they try (e.g. Gloucestershire) and next door, they've long since given up.

Hope I haven't depressed you too much. Over to you @RELL6L

Thank you for this report. I am depressed because I have not been able to get out recently due to work and family commitments! Your trip report and pictures from a sunny day have helped. I almost was able to go out yesterday - sunny but it was jolly cold - but couldn't quite make it.

You certainly went to a very pleasant part of the country, but a depressing area for bus travel which has deteriorated over the years. I last visited in 2022 with a trip Cleobury Mortimer > Ludlow >train> Hereford > Ledbury > Great Malvern > Worcester > Stourport > Kidderminster > Cleobury Mortimer. It seems bus services have declined even since then. There definitely used to be a local hourly service from Kidderminster to Bewdley, I think the 2, which probably took in the Habberley section. On top of that was the 125 and 292. I note that the 292, which used to be every 2 hours through to Ludlow, is now every 75 minutes - a rare improvement. This joins with the hourly 125 between Kidderminster and Bewdley to produce a right horlicks of a combined schedule on what used to be a relatively 'trunk' section of route. I have done the 125 and 297 to Bridgnorth but never alighted on the way nor visited the Severn Valley Country Park, although I have done the railway. The park looks worth a visit. A walk from Alverley to Highley through the park would have been interesting but challenging to time correctly. Bewdley is a lovely small town, great architecture plus the river, although the flood defences have reduced some of the visual appeal. Worth an explore, including the east side of the river.

I understand that the service from Bewdley to Stourport is the one that goes through to Worcester and therefore it isn't possible to stop off at Stourport except for two hours. That is a shame, in that the canal basin area is really lovely. The town centre is nothing much but another time it is worth wandering around the canal area. The main bus from Kidderminster to Stourport is still every 15 minutes so this must attract some custom.

Worcester - oh I agree it is a lovely city. A walk along the river, the cathedral and area - they are great. But the traffic is terrible and the bus service seem to be in terminal decline, neither First nor the council seem to care at all. There is an exception - the X50 to Evesham has gone from an hourly service to every 30 minutes mainly with double deckers, I don't know how this has happened unless it relates to the college near Pershore. Other routes, such as the Salt Road (144), the Malverns (44) - both now every 30 minutes when they used to be every 15 minutes, are a shadow of their former selves.

It is a shame you weren't able to take the 133 from Droitwich to Kidderminster as I recall this as being attractive. I stopped off at Chaddesley Corbett and took the next bus on the main 52 from Bromsgrove, which would have been an alternative. In fact I was able to combine the 133 (MWF) with the 580 from Kidderminster to Kinver (TThF) by going on a Friday. Kinver is good too, but off your route.

Coming back to Kidderminster. Now a depressing place, although again the area by the canal just west of the town centre is OK, if you like canal architecture. Or perhaps it always was a bit depressing. It doesn't sound like the buses were that interesting either, rattly Streetlites and boring E200s. Oh for an RE or a Lynx!

Still hope to get out myself, probably now not until early next year, but keep travelling and posting!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thank you for this report. I am depressed because I have not been able to get out recently due to work and family commitments! Your trip report and pictures from a sunny day have helped. I almost was able to go out yesterday - sunny but it was jolly cold - but couldn't quite make it.

You certainly went to a very pleasant part of the country, but a depressing area for bus travel which has deteriorated over the years. I last visited in 2022 with a trip Cleobury Mortimer > Ludlow >train> Hereford > Ledbury > Great Malvern > Worcester > Stourport > Kidderminster > Cleobury Mortimer. It seems bus services have declined even since then. There definitely used to be a local hourly service from Kidderminster to Bewdley, I think the 2, which probably took in the Habberley section. On top of that was the 125 and 292. I note that the 292, which used to be every 2 hours through to Ludlow, is now every 75 minutes - a rare improvement. This joins with the hourly 125 between Kidderminster and Bewdley to produce a right horlicks of a combined schedule on what used to be a relatively 'trunk' section of route. I have done the 125 and 297 to Bridgnorth but never alighted on the way nor visited the Severn Valley Country Park, although I have done the railway. The park looks worth a visit. A walk from Alverley to Highley through the park would have been interesting but challenging to time correctly. Bewdley is a lovely small town, great architecture plus the river, although the flood defences have reduced some of the visual appeal. Worth an explore, including the east side of the river.

I understand that the service from Bewdley to Stourport is the one that goes through to Worcester and therefore it isn't possible to stop off at Stourport except for two hours. That is a shame, in that the canal basin area is really lovely. The town centre is nothing much but another time it is worth wandering around the canal area. The main bus from Kidderminster to Stourport is still every 15 minutes so this must attract some custom.

Worcester - oh I agree it is a lovely city. A walk along the river, the cathedral and area - they are great. But the traffic is terrible and the bus service seem to be in terminal decline, neither First nor the council seem to care at all. There is an exception - the X50 to Evesham has gone from an hourly service to every 30 minutes mainly with double deckers, I don't know how this has happened unless it relates to the college near Pershore. Other routes, such as the Salt Road (144), the Malverns (44) - both now every 30 minutes when they used to be every 15 minutes, are a shadow of their former selves.

It is a shame you weren't able to take the 133 from Droitwich to Kidderminster as I recall this as being attractive. I stopped off at Chaddesley Corbett and took the next bus on the main 52 from Bromsgrove, which would have been an alternative. In fact I was able to combine the 133 (MWF) with the 580 from Kidderminster to Kinver (TThF) by going on a Friday. Kinver is good too, but off your route.

Coming back to Kidderminster. Now a depressing place, although again the area by the canal just west of the town centre is OK, if you like canal architecture. Or perhaps it always was a bit depressing. It doesn't sound like the buses were that interesting either, rattly Streetlites and boring E200s. Oh for an RE or a Lynx!

Still hope to get out myself, probably now not until early next year, but keep travelling and posting!

I think you're right about the Kiddy to Bewdley route. I had a check and I did the 2 in 2018 to Bewdley before getting a 291 to Tenbury so that checks out. I have visited Stourport before but I do prefer Bewdley and it was nice to wander around Worcester. However, the whole bus network in the county is just abject. Diamond are arguably the best major operator but that's a low bar. First's offering is dowdy and half hearted with it being managed from Bristol nowadays. The council are equally complicit and whilst they do fund some services, it is all depressingly dull.

I hope you do get out soon @RELL6L and regale us with some more exploits. I have another mini-trip to share at some point.

 

[RELL6L]

I hope you do get out soon @RELL6L and regale us with some more exploits. I have another mini-trip to share at some point.

Thank you!

As it happens, the stars aligned for a day out last Tuesday so I took advantage of this and as the sky started to lighten I was crossing the original Severn Bridge on my way to Coleford in Gloucestershire. I was finally able to set out on a long-planned revisit to the Forest of Dean. From parking in Coleford I took the Stagecoach 23 through the edge of the forest to Lydney. This was a standard Stagecoach Scania/E400 but a ‘distance livery’ yellow one from the most recent 21-plate batch branded for the Gloucester 10 service. The Scania/E400 is very much the workhorse of the Gloucester fleet, including the base at Berry Hill, near Coleford. There are several batches of these Scanias distributed around the empire, the oldest being 09-plates with several batches over the following years and then the 21-plate batch of 20 arriving over three years after the previous batch, Gloucester being a major location for them. They seem to be pretty robust and reliable and I haven’t seen any signs of the oldest ones being withdrawn except in small numbers.

The 22 and 23 form a circle from Gloucester to Coleford via Cinderford (22) or Lydney (23) with a three-hour round-trip time so requiring six buses to run hourly each way round, most of the buses coming from the Coleford base. Oddly some journeys in the busy evening rush hour tend to be single deckers, I don’t know whether this is based on specific demands elsewhere or as a means to cycle both double and single deckers between Gloucester and Coleford.

My journey had earlier been a school run to the school near Coleford but was pretty lightly loaded through the villages on the western edge of the forest as we headed south to Lydney. The bus did divert to a school but I alighted just before this and stocked up with a coffee and bacon roll. There is very little to see in Lydney and the town and bus station are pretty depressing. I had somehow been expecting more. The town is some way from the station and docks further south.

From Lydney I took a Newport Bus vehicle, an electric Yutong on the 72 to Chepstow. This was smart and clean and we had a fair number of passengers. The route was extended fairly recently to Cinderford and Mitcheldean with Gloucestershire BSIP money even though the operator is in Wales. The route now serves Lydney station but nobody boarded or left there, then goes down the A48 to Chepstow. I had planned to have 12 minutes in Chepstow before heading up the 69 to Tintern and back – I have passed through Tintern on the main Monmouth route but not stopped off there. However this was not to be as we came to a halt about three miles outside Chepstow. No, not a kill-switch initiated in China but a traffic jam. It soon became apparent that I was not going to make a 12-minute connection and we stopped and started along the road. No sign of any roadworks or accidents, I don’t know why this queue was there. We diverted to serve Tutshill and then rejoined the queue to cross over the Wye and then the traffic freed up, but we were 20 minutes late arriving in Chepstow. The bus was quiet and rattle-free and seemed very refined.

There are worse places to spend an unexpected hour and I wandered round the attractive small town of Chepstow, over to the castle and to the old bridge across the river to England, which for some reason was closed to traffic. Then I headed back to the bus station which is now dominated by Newport Bus services. There were large and small electric Yutongs looking smart in Newport green with newer E200s in plain white plying the local and rural services, all complicatedly interworked with drivers taking breaks here and swapping between buses. A 63 from Cwmbran arrived about 40 minutes late with the bus then going to Monmouth and the driver switching to another bus on a local service, both of them somewhat late. I had been tracking my incoming bus and this arrived on time but also had a driver change. Certainly seems some complex scheduling!

As I said, I had been from Chepstow to Monmouth on the 69 via Tintern, but I had not taken the 65 to Monmouth via the more westerly rural 65 route. This was Newport Bus again but a small plain white E200. I wonder whether these vehicles are perhaps leased just for the contract periods of the Chepstow rural services. All the other passengers who boarded with me were gone within 10 minutes as we proceeded up the B4293 with occasional attractive views to the west towards the Brecon Beacons. After Llanishen we turned off down narrow lanes round a village called The Narth and then Pen-Twyn, a very forested and remote area. No passengers here either but a pretty scenic section all the way into Monmouth.

I have visited Monmouth several times and as we approached the centre crossing the river parallel to the historic Monnow Bridge it all looked serene and normal. But alighting at the bus station and walking into the High Street it very much was not serene and normal. The catastrophic flooding only a couple of weeks ago had affected everything in the main street from the river to some way up the hill. Skips and debris were everywhere by each shop, inside dehumidifiers were very much in evidence with stock and furnishings clearly beyond redemption. As well as white vans and small-scale builders everywhere, loss adjusters in T-shirts advertising their insurance companies’ names to show their responsiveness were very much in evidence.

My next bus was the Stagecoach 35 back to Coleford. The incoming bus was not tracking but looking at BusTimes this seems pretty unremarkable for the route so I was not concerned, although I did have a plan B. Not required though as, on time, a standard E200 came into view down the main street and arrived at the bus station where several passengers were waiting. We left with quite a few on board although the windows on this bus were very dirty and it was difficult to take photos due to the dirt. A shame because the run out of Monmouth is uphill – and therefore pretty slow in the underpowered E200 - with some great views across the Wye valley.

Soon we were back in Coleford but I was not finished yet. My next leg was on another standard Stagecoach Scania/E400 on the 22 to Cinderford. This route, continuing to Gloucester, has its roots in the 31 going back decades to the time of Red and White, but now runs via Joys Green and Ruardean. This bus was even dirtier and photography virtually impossible, even though the climb from Lydbrook up to Ruardean and along the ridge there has some great views. A few passengers joined as we went along. The original route to Joys Green was run by an independent, Cotterells Coaches I think, through Mitcheldean rather than Cinderford while the 31 kept through the forest. There was an independent based in Joys Green too (Edwards?) and I remember they had a Daimler Freeline in the 1970s, a very unusual beast.

A very long time ago I spent about four weeks working in Cinderford and did some bus trips. These were the days of Leyland Nationals on the main routes but still Bristol REs and MWs on other National Welsh routes plus the then common mix of Bedfords and Fords among the independents, as well as the aforesaid Daimler Freeline – not a decker in sight. The town was not great then and it isn’t now, although there is a new building in the town centre with a café together with memorials commemorating the area’s mining heritage. From here I took another standard Stagecoach E200 on the 24 to Mitcheldean, a small town I had previously been through but not stopped at. A reasonably pleasant small place but it was now in the shadow of a hill to the west and school ending time so busy with children, traffic and several old Tridents and B7TLs (I think) on school runs. My last leg was back on the 24 to Coleford through Cinderford and the forest proper, past Speech House, again on a Stagecoach Scania/E400. In fact this was the same bus that had taken me from Coleford to Cinderford not long before, oddly this journey being run by a bus from the all-day 22 and 23 rota which steps off to take this 24 journey, being replaced on the 22 by an E200 from other Gloucester work. There were quite a few on board, mostly alighting at Cinderford, but not enough to justify a double decker. Just able to see as we took our way through the forest proper, but by the time we looped through some northern villages and got back to Coleford it was dark.

An enjoyable day visiting some old haunts but also some new sections of routes and new places. A shame I hadn’t been able to get to Tintern but nobody’s fault. Newport Bus’s electrics seemed very high quality and clean. Almost all the Stagecoach buses except the first one were filthy, maybe the depot near Coleford hasn’t got a good bus wash? The Stagecoach Scanias are good reliable workhorses but Stagecoach didn’t have quite the feel of quality they used to. Apart from the traffic on the A48 all the buses I used were on time. I feel for the good folk of Monmouth with the flash flood a couple of weeks ago, I hope they are able to dry and clean their premises quickly - although I gather more flooding is threatened.

Some photos:

Forest of Dean near Bream


The old bridge in Chepstow


View towards the Brecon Beacons from near Llanishen


Monmouth - evidence of flooding


From the road between Monmouth and Staunton


Coleford


View from near Ruardean


Cinderford


Mitcheldean, dusk approaching

 

[ian1944]

Reference to Mitcheldean reminded me that in 1976, working for PO Telephones before the birth of BT, I was seconded to Gloucester Telephone Area (temporarily shorthanded) for a few weeks and stayed with a nice old dear in Hawker Hill there. Each morning I was picked up by van from Cinderford and we spent the day on repair jobs all over the Forest and beyond. The next Area west was Cardiff so presumably the boundary was at the England-Wales border. Mitcheldean had a nice pub but I can remember neither its name nor exact location. Any way, back to buses.

 

[JKP]

You remembered correctly @RELL6L the operator in Joy’s Green was Edwards Coaches.

Sounds like you had an interesting day out. It has been many years since my last visit to that area. Possibly not since the days of Red and White. The church at Mitcheldean looks interesting for a visit.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks @RELL6L for sharing that with us. Being not far from me, the Forest of Dean is a place I've been to many times but not too often to have an explore by bus. In fact, I was in Chepstow yesterday... well, I was actually in Bulwark and parked in the yard of what had been the old National Welsh/R&W central works! I've intermittently had trips to all the places you mentioned and on the same routes but it seems that in the last 25 years, the routes have been rearranged and renumbered to try to manage the coverage as best they can with increasingly scarce council resources. There has also been a waxing and waning of Stagecoach at various times too. My trips don't span the NW years, starting only in 1994 at the same time Stagecoach bought Western Travel so it's generally been a lot less interesting, though it did get slightly more so when Stagecoach elected to buy Dukes Travel.

I really do agree with your perceptions of the places. Lydney should be more engaging as a place but it isn't with no real discernible centre IMO. Cinderford does have a centre but feels isolated and very parochial. I like Coleford and it really is heartbreaking to see how Monmouth is looking after the floods. It's not like it doesn't have flood defences but they were just overwhelmed. As for Mitcheldean... a funny little town tucked away that was once so dominated by the Rank Xerox factory, it comprised about half the town - it apparently had 4500 employees in a population of 2500 so it drew in many from across the area.

I also agree with your concerns on Stagecoach. The business suffered from a lack of investment as they battened the hatches down in 2020-2 but it feels that there is something more troubling. Hard to put my finger on it but even whilst they've had old fleet before (I remember Stagecoach Midland Red with +20 yr old Nationals), it used to look reasonably tidy. Nowadays, it just feels that Stagecoach no longer has the same commitment to service, presentation, etc that it used to have, and West used to be quite a decent firm.

For Stagecoach West, I know that the outstation at Milkwall has no facilities but they closed the site at Ross and now everything goes via Gloucester which might explain the grime. You were fortunate to get a 21 plate (though it's not unknown) but the 13 plate Scanias were new for the Forest and are still going strong - perhaps the new EVs due for Gloucester and Cheltenham might allow some rearranging of the fleet to enable some of the mmcs to take over on the Forest routes.

Thanks again for a lovely trip report