60434 waits at the Hollinwood terminus with a Stott's Metrobus on the 427 behind, ready to follow as far as Grotton. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

On a Sunday working, 3405 is seen in Leesbrook. This bus later became 30242 under the national numbering system and has now returned to West Yorkshire (whence it came when virtually new), running from Bramley depot in Leeds.

Dart 40344 was an unusual vehicle for the 429. It is almost at County End in Lees, the border between the old rivals of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Jackson Street, to the left of the bus, is where Oldham Corporation's O route (later 28) used to turn round, on some land a short distance down the street. The pub behind the bus was originally the Railway and Commercial, reflecting the nearby presence of a large railway yard and engine shed. It is better known nowadays as "Front House", whilst The Commercial, about 200 yards away and just off the main road on the other side, is known as "Back House". Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

On the last day of 2001 Dennis Dart 6506 (now 40412) climbs Oldham Road in Grasscroft, picked out in the winter sunshine.

Wright bodies were just starting to become a way of life in the area with the arrival of this batch of low-floor Dennis Darts. 6505 is caught by the evening sun as it climbs through Grasscroft towards Lydgate.

On the last Sunday of 429 operation, yet another Wright Crusader Dart (40430) is seen approaching Greenfield station. In the short time since the photo was taken five of the bus services shown on the bus stop flag have stopped calling there.

The driver of 5188 was taking no chances with the road conditions and had gone the long way round to avoid Station Brow.

3314 was a Leyland Olympian new to Bristol Omnibus as their 9604. It came to Manchester in 2000 but, along with its sister vehicles, did not come to Oldham until just before this photograph in 2002.

3314 is seen again just before the previous shot and has just reached the top of the hill at Greenfield station. This batch of buses had an unacceptable display as, despite being electronic, First Manchester only seemed capable of making it show a route number. This situation lasted for several years, in fact I believe some were still like that when the batch left Manchester for Scotland in 2008!

The driver of 60438 seems to have stopped to let a passenger get off at the station, helpfully if somewhat unofficial. This was the last day of operation of the 429. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

40430, seen earlier, is now descending the hill past the station. Rebuilding work in 2008 has seen the tin hut, erected in 1974, replaced by a much more substantial stone building befitting the importance of Greenfield station today.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro 328 is seen negotiating the bend on the hill at Greenfield station. Although the whole batch of these buses was, at the time, based in Oldham, they were rarely seen in Saddleworth and even less so on the 429.

The low winter sun has caught Cummins-engined Metrobus 5206 nicely as it starts the climb up the hill at Greenfield station.

5188 gingerly passes Greenfield Conservative Club on a wintery day.

4640 passes the King Bill in Greenfield on its way to Hollinwood on the last day of 1996. The bus is carrying the "Greater Manchester" stickers which were the first visible evidence of First ownership.

Ex-Bristol Leyland Olympian 3314 has arrived at Greenfield Clarence and will shortly turn round at the roundabout. It became 30219 in the national numbering scheme.

5572 was one of several Mark II Metrobuses transferred from Yorkshire Rider, with whom it was 7572. It has arrived at Greenfield Clarence terminus.

The rear end advert on 5572 makes it almost disappear into the background in this location and would do so even more if there was a blue sky!

A most surprising appearance on the 429 was this Volvo Citybus. Two of the type had been based at Oldham but as they were specifically for working one route (the 408) they were only rarely seen in Saddleworth and I never managed to photograph one. It was something most unusual when 7009 turned up on this occasion, as it was by then a Bury depot bus and on this occasion I didn't let the opportunity pass.

Another view of 7009 at Greenfield Clarence with a Northern Counties Metrobus behind on the 180.

5403 rests at the Clarence Hotel terminus with the snow-covered Pennines behind. These former Glasgow Metrobuses were still something of a novelty in the area at the time, but they came to be amongst the last of the type running in Saddleworth.

5201 waits at the Greenfield Clarence terminus.

Buses have always turned round in this junction at the Clarence. It has been made easier and safer in more recent years since the mini-roundabout was put there.

5308 climbs above Greenfield towards Binn Green on the first journey of the day on the extension to Huddersfield.

6516 nears Binn Green on the long climb out of Greenfield, again on the first journey of the day to Huddersfield.

5201 is seen again on the 429, this time on the summer extension to Huddersfield and repainted in the First Manchester orange applied to buses before the introduction of the new corporate colours on older vehicles.

5314 is seen from an elevated viewpoint as it climbs Holmfirth Road with Dovestones reservoir visible behind. This reservoir was built in the early 'sixties and is used to regulate water flow in the River Tame.

5201 unloads a solitary passenger by the car park at Binn Green. The millstone in the background is the boundary marker for the Peak District National Park.

Conditions further down the valley were not the same as on the tops (see next photo) on the first day of operation for the 1998 season. Volvo 539 has an easy time of it with a very light load climbing above Binn Green.

Now this one takes some explaining. This is the first day of operation of the summer extension of the 429 to Huddersfield for 1998 on Easter Sunday and yes, that is snow on the ground! I had been quite keen to photograph this working due to the conditions and was even more surprised to find a standard Metrobus. This was the only time I saw one on these workings although other photographers have captured other occasions. It is rounding the corner close to the sadly infamous Hollin Brown Knoll.

5314 (seen in an earlier shot) had also been working the extended service the day before (it was a bank holiday weekend) and is crossing Wessenden Moor.

5308 is in unfamiliar territory as it passes through Berry Brow, between Holmfirth and Huddersfield.