Richard F Vince ([info]thefounder) wrote,
2007-03-05 19:41:00
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  • Mood: geeky
  • Music: REM - Monty Got a Raw Deal

riding on city buses for a hobby is sad...

as seems to be the usual practice in our office, i've found myself with holiday entitlement to use up by the end of March. therefore, i took Friday off to go bashing in and around Burton on Trent* before Arriva implement a major network revision there from the 25th. improvising my way around a convoluted network of half hourly services was not easy, but it went surprisingly well, with the aid of several printed timetables as well as the essential maps. alas, there were fewer mid life/old double deckers in use than i hoped for, but i scored a Dennis Falcon, a type i didn't expect to see. i happened to see it while wondering what to do next, and probably said "my lords!" out loud. the Burton/Swadlincote local services are operated mostly with Dennis Darts of various forms, the majority being step entry examples. good job i've always enjoyed Darts rather.

Bashing Log: Arriva Midlands, Burton on Trent and environs, 2nd March 2007
Arriva Day Saver Midlands - £4.40
  • 99, Nottingham > Coalville, Scania L113/East Lancs
  • X2, Coalville > Burton, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer
  • 9, Burton > Woodville, Dennis Falcon/East Lancs EL2000
  • 69, Woodville > Swadlincote, DAF SB120/Wright Cadet
  • 5, Swadlincote > Burton, Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer
  • 15, Burton > Rolleston, Dennis Dart/Marshall - walk to Stretton
  • 14, Stretton > Beam Hill, Dennis Dart/East Lancs EL2000
  • 13, Beam Hill > Anglesey Road, Dennis Dart/East Lancs EL2000 - walk to Burton
  • 15, Burton > Swadlincote, Leyland Olympian/Northern Counties
  • 8, Swadlincote > Winshill, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer
  • 14, Winshill > Burton, Dennis Dart/East Lancs EL2000
  • X38, Burton > Derby, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer [TrentBarton]

return home from Derby by TrentBarton Rainbow 4, Scania L94UB/Wright Solar


over the years i have found walking between bus routes, particularly between outer termini, to be a very useful bashing device, and often a very pleasant one, depending of course upon the surroundings. since Rolleston and Stretton are fairly close to one another and joined by a country lane, i decided the best way to visit both was to walk from one to the other. when i saw a public footpath signed to the road to which i was heading, i decided it might usefully cut off a corner, so i made use of it. unfortunately, the gravel path soon gave way to a muddy track through a field that was pretty water logged in places. thankfully i managed to stay upright, though my shoes got very muddy. i shall remember for next time.
________________________________
*it is correctly "Burton upon Trent", but that never looks or sounds right to me.

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  • 9 comments

[info]bnb

March 5 2007, 21:55:13 UTC 5 years ago

Its interesting to note that Arriva are pulling the hourly link to Birmingham (112) completely! Unfortantly I havn't got a free Saturday to do Coventry -> Leicester -> Burton -> Birmingham on Arriva before they pull it :(

[info]thefounder

March 5 2007, 23:52:40 UTC 5 years ago

as it happens, the Midlands Day Saver isn't valid on the X6 between Coventry and Leicester, so. such a trip would cost you a fair bit. i'm not at all surprised about the fate of the 112, having made use of it in the past [including Burton to Birmingham on a Lynx - my lords!]. i'm surprised any of it is viable, to be honest.

[info]bnb

March 6 2007, 18:35:42 UTC 5 years ago

I've used the X6 quite a bit, it's actually quite well used. It commands a premium over the train (its £6.60 cheap day return on the train) because its quite considerably faster, and is my preferred way of getting to Leicester.

[info]thefounder

March 7 2007, 18:17:15 UTC 5 years ago

yes, i suppose it would be better as there are no longer many [if any] through trains between Coventry and Leicester. i still require Nuneaton to Leicester, so when i eventually get around to bashing in Coventry again i think i'll go by train. bizarrely, rebooking at Leicester costs the same as booking a Saver through. strange. perhaps CT tumbled to it when they last revised their fares...

[info]bnb

March 9 2007, 20:16:37 UTC 5 years ago

There are no through trains because the SRA wouldn't fund any points in Nuneaton. Hence Nuneaton is really two completely disconnected railway stations, the West Coast mainline, and the Birmingham to Leicester Line. To go between the two of them you have to leave northwards, go down the Birmingham branch (the only branch connected to both lines) a bit, and then reverse!

[info]alitheapipkin

March 6 2007, 14:28:17 UTC 5 years ago

Random 'it's a small world' comment

One of my old uni mates lives in Swadlincote - not a place I expected to crop up on my flist anytime... :)

[info]thefounder

March 6 2007, 18:15:58 UTC 5 years ago

Swadlincote

well, Swad really isn't especially far from where i live, so. i've not seen much of the town aside from the bus station, but i am under the impression that it isn't very nice. perhaps one day i shall find out if there's any truth in that.

[info]alitheapipkin

March 7 2007, 17:37:54 UTC 5 years ago

Re: Swadlincote

I wouldn't know really. She lives there 'cos her hubby grew up there and wanted to stay close to family. The estate they live on seemed pleasant even when i visited but I haven't been out around the town, we drove into Burton for shopping and lunch.

[info]thefounder

March 7 2007, 18:35:56 UTC 5 years ago

ah, dear old Burton. i don't know it very well either, but it seemed pleasant enough when i explored it. the cafe on High Street next to the Abbey Arcade [on the corner opposite New Street] is a bit horrible though. conversely, i have happy memories of visiting a superb pub with the Aston Transport Society once upon a time.
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