| Railway Replacement bus services are a relatively new phenomenon. Memory tells us that in the good old days the railways kept running, but it is more likely that the less frequent services combined with greater variety of alternative routes meant that when the trains were not able to run, the service was simply suspended if it wasn’t diverted.
The local train service currently operates from Manchester to Huddersfield and when the line is closed a bus service is provided calling at all stations and giving a most uncompetitive journey time. Such services have run most commonly late on Saturday night (and occasional weekdays) to give the civil engineers a longer overnight possession. Less common is replacement for a full day, but it does happen as the pictures show. It became more common when the Sunday service was restored to Greenfield and Mossley stations in December 2006 - the lack of Sunday service had given a level of immunity to the effects of network maintenance. Trans-Pennine express services don’t stop in Saddleworth and in the event of engineering works can be diverted via the Calder Valley route instead of over Standedge. However, the need to serve Stalybridge and Huddersfield stations usually results in a coach service passing through Saddleworth between these two places. The nature of the services means that any operator may be used and a wide variety of vehicles can appear. Paul’s Travel of Huddersfield was for a time a favourite for local services but no longer operates. The latest round saw First in Oldham provide the vehicels, which as a consequence were of types quite familiar already in Saddleworth. |
In the livery of The Coachmasters is NIL 4989, seen here on Standedge. I know nothing else about this coach and would welcome further information.  999x644 RR199904_15566.jpg |
Working for Fraser Eagle on Trans Pennine rail replacement is this coach which is either JBZ 7218 or 7219. Again, I would welcome further information. 976x644 RR200411_15840.jpg |
This shot was taken by Mark Amis immediately following our first meeting. The rail replacement bus at Greenfield station was unexpected and it was only the last train at night that was affected, this being a Tuesday night. Another illustration of the benefits of always having the camera with you! This Scania with Irizar coachwork carries the First express livery, very rarely seen in the area. Photo courtesy Mark Amis. 799x533 RR200502_50082 First 23016 Greenfield Station.jpg |
|
On this occasion most buses were travelling between Greenfield and Mossley through Greenfield village instead of using Well-i-hole. This will have contributed to the extraordinary long journey time from Huddersfield to Manchester. The buses were provided by Paul's Travel and this vehicle is one of their unusual BMC Falcons. 800x531 RR200609090_25418 Paul's Travel BX55 NZT Greenfield Royal George.jpg |
This time the driver HAS used Well-i-hole and Shaw Hall Bank Road and is almost at Greenfield station. Note the way the paintwork has turned the front of the bus into some sort of beast with fangs! 800x531 RR200609100_25411 Paul's Travel BU05 EKO Greenfield Station.jpg |
A rear view of the same BMC Falcon waiting for time at Greenfield station (and also waiting for a passenger!). One of Paul's Mercedes minicoaches can be seen in the shadows on a late-running journey in the opposite direction. 800x531 RR200609110_25414 Paul's Travel BU05 EKO Greenfield Station.jpg |
|
The rear of the Mercedes and the front of the BMC, trying between them to cause a traffic jam! 800x531 RR200609120_25413 Paul's Travel L922 JFU Greenfield Station.jpg |
On this occasion Hunter of Moortown provided this vehicle for replacement services. It is a Volvo B10M-60 with Van Hool bodywork. It had been new as F140 UMD and had also carried registrations PSV 223 and GIL 3564. I have to thank Peter Relf for coming to my aid with the history of this vehicle, which is seen opposite the entrance to Greenfield station. 968x644 RR200811_26706.jpg |
Seen on Well-i-hole on the first day of the Sunday replacement service which ran from 13th September to 6th December 2009 (inclusive) is 66876. 968x644 RR200909100_28415.jpg |
|
On Saturdays for a couple of weekends in September 2009 the local services ran as far as Greenfield, then going up to Diggle to reverse and back to Greenfield to start back to Manchester. The replacement bus ran as far as Huddersfield but kept to the main road. 66892 (MX55 LDJ) is seen waiting at Greenfield station in the failing light. 968x644 RR200909120_28413.jpg |
Northern Rail 150143 waits departure time at Greenfield, whilst 66892 can be seen on rail replacement duty in front of the station. 968x644 RR200909125_28414.jpg |
66868 is seen on Standedge Road, Diggle. I suspect this was actually a Trans Pennine replacement service as this vehicle followed immediately behind the replacement for the local rail link seen in the next two photos. 968x644 RR200909200_28421.jpg |
|
66858 seen on Standedge Road, Diggle on the Sunday local service replacement. 968x644 RR200909210_28420.jpg |
A more distant view of 66858, not on a bus service but a rail service passing a bus stop that's not a bus stop! The stop hasn't been used since 2004 when the 365 was replaced by the 184 which was diverted through Diggle village instead of this road. 968x644 RR200909220_28418.jpg |
