Click on any picture to view a full size version.

Moorsbus 2001

My last article on Moorsbus was in 1998, and I had planned to make it an annual feature.  Unfortunately, in 1999 I forgot my camera, and in 2000 I didn’t get an opportunity to even use Moorsbus.  Hence, this year I was determined to make amends, and travel early in the season.  The Moorsbus network is designed to allow a day out on the North Yorkshire moors without the need to clog it up with cars.  The trunk routes are as follows:

M1          Danby – Hutton-le-Hole – Pickering – Thonton-le-Dale

M2          Kirkbymoorside - Hutton-le-Hole – Pickering – Thonton-le-Dale

M3          Sutton Bank – Hemlsley – Kirkbymoorside – Pickering – Thornton-le-Dale

M9          Hemlsley – Chop Gate – Stokesley – Osmotherley

M10        Danby – Chop Gate – Stokesley – Osmotherley

Feeders run from Hartlepool, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hull, Redcar and York, while less frequent services operate to Rosedale Abbey, Dalby Forest, Rievaulx Abbey, Thirsk, and between Danby and Helmsley via Stokesley.  A further and significant bonus is the availability and validity of Moorsbus tickets on Scarborough & District service 128 Scarborough – Thonton-le-Dale – Pickering – Kirkbymoorside – Helmsley – Sutton Bank, and Arriva services 80/89 Stokesley – Osmotherley – Northallerton.

This year my journey began in Guisborough as I already had a valid Easyrider pass to take me that far, enabling me to take advantage of the reduced fare (£2.50 rather than £5.00) for passengers boarding in the central zone.  At 9.25am I boarded the M11 to Danby, worked by Arriva Durham County Dennis Dart SLF 1606 (R606MHN), complete with route branding for service 31 (Darlington – Mowden).  This included a run up the formidable Birk’s Brow, which caused the Dart no problem.  Leaving the A171 we stopped in order that the driver could disinfect the wheels, in order to reduce the risk of spreading foot and moth disease in this very sensitive area.  A punctual arrival was made at the Moors Centre in Danby, leaving me with 40 minutes to spare.  I decided to walk through Danby to the railway station to fill in the time.  The walk too just over ten minutes, and what I found was one of the best presented railway stations in the land.  I looked at the timetable, and found, to my surprise, that there are some fairly early trains on the Esk Valley line on a Sunday.  One was due in a little over ten minutes, but I decided that I didn’t have time to wait, so set off back to the Moors Centre.

Reaching the top of the steep bank in Danby I noticed the railway lines in the midst of the rolling scenery.  Then in the distance I heard a two-tone toot, and sure enough a Northern Spirit liveried class 142 appeared.  I took the opportunity and took a rare (for me) photo of the nodding donkey (class 101s are more my style, but sadly they left the Esk Valley long ago).  Back at the Moors Centre I boarded Leven Valley Mercedes / LCB 66 (P766BJU).  This provided a comfortable swift ride to Hutton-le-Hole.  About half way it looked as if we would be having lamb chops for tea, as a lamb darted across the road.  Luckily it was running very fast (faster than any lamb I’ve ever seen before!) and got out of the way in time. 

A couple of minutes standing in Hutton-le-Hole and East Yorkshire Volvo B10BLE / Alexander 315 (W415JAT) arrived on the M2 to Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale.  It’s smart traditional appearance was in keeping with the tranquil surroundings.  A very smooth ride into Pickering was had, in the clean comfortable surroundings.  Sister company Scarborough & District Volvo Olympian 586 (N586BRH) was my next steed, working the 128 to Sutton Bank.  It provided an excellent top deck journey through the countryside, with views only possible from a double decker.

A quick visit to the visitor centre looted me copies of two more North Yorkshire public transport guides, making a total of five out of seven in my collection.  I next had my second ride of the day on Leven Valley 66, back into Helmsley on the M4.  The opportunity was taken to have lunch in Helmsley, again, just as in 1998, from Thomas’s Bakery.  Onwards to Kirkbymoorside courtesy of East Yorkshire Volvo B10BLE / Alexander 317 (W417JAT).  It is notable how well kept all of the buses of the EYMS group are.

At Kirkbymoorside I took the opportunity to photograph the four Stephensons of Easingwold vehicles outstationed in a layby there.  The smart conditions of the Leyland Nationals was noticeable, while the presence of a Bristol VRT and a Duple rebodied Leyland Leopard was a real pleasure to see.  I then caught the 128 to Pickering, this time Volvo B10M / Alexander 220 (M420RRN), one of several which originated with the original Stagecoach Manchester operation which sold out to EYMS subsidiary Finglands.  From here I caught Reliance of York’s very well presented Volvo B10BLE / Alexander V293UVY to Thornton-le-Dale.  It’s traditional external appearance was complemented by the fitment of a traditional ornamental clock inside the vehicle.  A quick wander around, and I boarded Perry’s Mercedes “minibus” (van!) M726REF.  In the excitement, I managed to band my head while getting on – Ouch!!  The pain had more or less subsided by the time it arrived in Pickering.  As I disembarked the Moorsbus co-ordinator exclaimed “Mind you’re head!” – I already was, I’d had enough pain for one day!

A second journey was next made on the Reliance Volvo, this time through to Danby.  No kamikaze sheep on this trip though!  It was notable how scruffy the Reliance Volvo made my next bus, Arriva Durham County Dart 1641 (S641KHN), look.  1641 took me to Guisborough, where I ended my day’s adventure. 

Again, I can wholeheartedly recommend Moorsbus, for both the country-lovers and bus lovers amongst us.  There can be few such travel bargains, and fewer with such good scenery!

Arriva Durham County Dart 1606 (R606MHN) at Danby.

An Arriva Trains Northern class 142 leaves Danby on the Esk Valley line.

Leven Valley Mercedes 66 (L766BJU) seen in the company’s usual smart condition at Danby.

EYMS Volvo B10BLE / Alexander 315 (W415JAT) is seen in Pickering, well away from it’s usual use on Hull city services.

The Moorsbus co-ordinator at Pickering speaks to the driver of Scarborough & District Olympian 584 (N584BRH).

EYMS Volvo B10BLE / Alexander 315 (W415JAT) is seen loading in Helmsley

Sutton Bank plays host to Scarborough & District Volvo Olympian 586 (N586BRH).

Leven Valley Mercedes 709 / Alexander 77 (M677JFP) is seen in Helmsley.

Although I didn’t get a ride on it, I did photograph Reliance Volvo B10BLE / Wright X618WVR.

Outstationed at Kirkbymoorside is Stephensons of Easingwold Bristol VR PPH467R.

Smart Leyland National 2 HUF603X of Stephensons of Easingwold.

Duple rebodied Leyland Leopard LUI1659, again of Stephensons.

Smart Reliance Volvo B10BLE / Alexander V293UVY.

The interior of the reliance Volvo, complete with fancy clock!

Botterills Mercedes Sprinter T124KCH, providing the link to Dalby Forrest.

Mind you’re head!  Perry’s Mercedes M726REF.