Woke up, got ready and drove over to Carlisle's Willowholme Bus Depot (in light drizzle all the sodding way) where I'd meet some members of the Carlisle Bus Group, owners of preserved Leyland Olympian 1005 F805FAO. We went across to Carlisle Airport for some of the members to have a go driving it off-road which was good fun.
After getting a coffee from the Café Stobart (whilst watching the small planes take off and land) we then returned to Carlisle and had a circle of the depot, seeing the stacks of parked up Enviro 200s and some spare Optare Solo SRs. After thanking them for the outing, I got back into my car and drove to Lowther Street Car Park where I kept my car for the afternoon.
I was bursting for the loo at this point so dived into Debenhams' toilets for a quick slash. Then went to Greggs where I got a pasty and a doughnut (free of charge as a birthday present from Greggs as I am on the Greggs app
) before catching my maiden chariot Solo SR, 47963 from the Market (West Tower Street) to The Courts (English Street) where Dan was only 5 minutes away.I ate my Sausage and Bean Melt as I noticed the Solo come into view. After arriving at the stop, I waved to Dan and stood waiting to board, however there was a driver change (always is on the 1310 76 from The Courts). As they were faffing on for ages, Dan bailed and we ran for the next-but-one Solo in the stand ahead, 47941 on the 60 to Sandsfield Park.
We caught this and I was really impressed with the legroom on the rear seats! Dan was nattering on about the brakes but I wasn't really paying attention really - I was looking out of the window at the pretty women outside (sorry!). We caught this bus to Sainsbury's where Dan was wanting to go to Willowholme Depot for some bus fots. As we walked past, CumbrianJosh stopped his car and we had a bit chat before proceeding to take some pictures then going down this very small footpath (where a car actually came along..!!) taking pics of the buses, some on Willowholme's 'Death Row'.
After this, we both went to Sainsbury's where I wanted to collect some Nectar points, and where I got some cookies and Dan got some of the Sainsbury's own brand sweets (me getting one of them, 3 for £1) and faffing on with change for about 10 minutes.
Finally walked to the bus stop again and caught an Enviro 200 on the 67; 37097. Got this up to the Infirmary for some bus fots there, however we'd just missed the four buses per 15-20 minutes so had to wait! Eventually boarded 47959 on the 60 up to Sandsfield Park and then back down to the City Centre. Very nice ride I thought, was busy when we first boarded but soon quietened down.
Eventually got back to the Market where we were about to catch a 62 to Lowry Hill however it closed its doors and was away. We alighted nonetheless and took a quick couple of pictures of 47959. The footy bus (37103?) then came along on a 400 for Silloth where Dan ran to get a picture of it. We then crossed the road again and caught 47945 on the 61 to Harraby East. I noticed one of my friends, Alan, driving so said a quick hello and we were away, but not for long. The thing sat in traffic on Botchergate for ages (usual bottleneck though). This is where I properly started to notice the brake squealing, not just on this but on every new Solo - thanks Dan!
Alighted at London Road (Eden Park, opposite Aldi) where we waited for the next bus back into town, although Dan fancied a ride on the 15:13 104 into Carlisle Bus Station, after me falsely saying it could've been an Olympian (realised both were in the depot we'd seen just hours ago, do'h!). Eventually, a good 6-7 minutes late, came a bit of a rarity - E200 37125. Enviro 200s don't usually end up on this route, I think it's preferable for Stagecoach to swap out an MAN 18.240 from the 79/179/279 for the 104, with E200s going to Scotland instead.
It was boiling at the back of this bus with no windows open whatsoever. However the driver was spot on, couldn't have been friendlier.
Jimmi then posted on the forum that he was lingering around the Bus Station so we alighted and took some pics of some buses around with the deafening and annoying gay pride parade nearby. Jimmi then walked up to us (I think we stood out) and he joined us in taking some fots. I then spotted a white Solo SR on the 76 going to Durranhill, which got me thinking it could've been a Honister-spec one and, in which case, would've definitely been worth a shot of!
Dan went to get some chips from Home & Away chippy whilst Jimmi and I went to get some more bus pics on Warwick Road. I was about to get a cracking shot of 4663 in the sunlight when three women crossed the road and got into my shot. >
4663 eventually rolled in and I waved goodbye to Dan and Jimmi. Seeing as my car's parking time was almost up, I walked back to it and drove to St Annes (Belah) where I got some shots of the previous service. I then returned to my car with my feet up (albeit with two annoying 6-7 year old girls screaming and shouting on) for 15 minutes before I seen across the green another Solo SR, this time a white one!
I walked over to my fot spot and took some pretty cracking pics of it. It was 48001; a Honister spec one! After teasing Dan with the pics I got I then drove to Richmond Green where I got some pics of a 60-branded vehicle. Teasing Dan with this pic I then set off again up to Lowry Hill (where both 62s do a loop) where I got one of the 62-branded ones. However my luck stopped when I forgot the alternating south/northbound services ran behind each other; I noticed the other one just as I was driving away. Bugger! I tried to remember the 62 route however got it wrong. After going in various cul-de-sacs without joy I noticed the first of the two buses leaving. I then stepped on the gas a bit, trying to find a decent location for the one behind but, alas, the sun was in the wrong position and there it was, flew past me.
I called it a day there; I drove out of the estate and headed back home. Went over to Haltwhistle where I got some fish and chips and that's my day done.
Out of 25 Solo SRs I have got 4. Good start!
Thanks to Dan and Jimmi for making the day even better.
Log:
Drive Home - Carlisle Depot
1005 Carlisle Depot - Carlisle Airport
1005 Carlisle Airport - Carlisle Depot
Drive Carlisle Depot - Lowther Street
47963 1258 62 Market to The Courts
47941 1310 60 The Courts to Sainsbury's
37097 1325? 67 Sainsbury's to Infirmary
47959 1423 60 Infirmary to Sandsfield Park to Market
47945 1450 61 Market to London Road, Eden Park
37125 1513 104 London Road, Eden Park to Carlisle Bus Station.
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