Change Becomes Normality
For most of its life, the 56 to Wybourn had a stable route from the bus station (it has enjoyed all three of Sheffield's bus stations!) via Cricket Inn Road and Maltravers Road to perform a large loop through the estate. The terminus time point has always been at the former Windsor Hotel. In fbb's more youthful day it left from its own stand at the northern end of platform D of the second bus station.
The first thing to happen under First's ownership was that the service was linked cross-city. This offered some advantages to the more recent batch of passengers. With the decline and eventual demolition of the superb Castle Market ...
... it allowed better access to the city centre and Moor shipping.
The 56 went to Herdings then ...
... Nether Edge but renumbered 22 ...
... and as present to Nether Edge as 56.
fbb cannot remember (or maybe never knew), where the number 22 came from and why - equally why it reverted to 56! Who understands deviations from the sensible aim of consistency?
For the record, Nether Edge was once the 63, then the 97 and 98, then route 3, route 22, route 56 and possible a few more that fbb has forgotten!
In passing, we note that the ancient 56 ran every 10 minutes, then reduced to every 15, then down to every 20 and it is now every 30 minutes.
But two route changes (one very recent) have shocked the vibes of the stable 56.
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Duke Street used to be a major bus artery in the city but nothing alse now leaves that way until the 120 enters further up the hill.
It uses to carry the frequent 95 and the equivalent tram before that; plus numerous suburban and out of town services. Much of the housing was low grade with high occupancy. It is very different now.
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Or maybe the 56 was re routed to serve that infill development that fbb has dubbed "Manor Oaks"?
And here is one doing it!
But the very latest change is more interesting. After a largely stable route history the 56 has been extended to Manor Park Centre.
It runs beyond the former Windsor Hotel, beyond Manor Castle ruins ...
... and via Manor Park Crescent where there is a large swathe of new housing.
But why, muses fbb? The road is already served by the hourly 10/10A.
One possible thought is that the extension is "political". Recognising the near terminal decline of shopping on the Wybourn estate, maybe there has been pressure on First to offer passengers the option ot riding to Manor Park Centre.
There you will find the Merrie Monk pub ...
... a wide range of small shops ...
... plus a Co-op.
This is vastly superior to anything that Wybourn ever had to offer.
Despite this abundance, fbb and chum David were the only takers for Manor Park when they travelled a week or so back at about 1000. 
The 56 left empty on its way back via Wybourn.
The practicalities of this new extension have, as is fairly normal, been badly ordered by Travel South Yorkshire and not much better by First.
First uses the PTE network map but, sadly, has not updated it; so the extension to Manor Park is not shown.
The timetable heading also shows the route as running only to Wybourn.
... although the on-line timetable does admit to Manor Park.
Travel South Yorkshire is equally confused, poor thing. The departure list at the bus station doesn't mention Manor Park at all ...
...whilst the minimalist route diagram does show the correct terminus.
However, the line diagram mentions Skye Edge - which is not served by the 56.
Most buses on the route were showing Manor Park on the blinds ...
... but fbb spotted at least one bus that just said Wybourn.
As usual, it was poor service all round!
The Lavender Line
The more wide-ranging railway press has carried articles about the latest train operated by Belmond - they who run The Orient Express and other luxury rail touring stock.
This is the Britannic Explorer.
If you've got the money you can book a suite ...
... and enjoy "fine dining", a euphemism for "not much to eat!" ...
Last Thursday there was a "lavish" launch party at Euston Station hosted by Keira Knightley ...
... (who apparently is famous) and joined by other beautiful people.
This was a precursor to its first commercial trip to Cornwall at the weekend.
Only it wasn't!
The explanation was not convincing.
Oh dear!
The train was due to be hauled by a very distinguished locomotive (NOT) ...
... namely a Railfreight diesel, seen above on a test run. In case you wondered, it is the second train that passes by! At least fbb hopes so.
Actually, it does appear that the lads from Railfreight have painted a loco in a fetching lavender hue to match the coaches.
That will make the whole very expensive trip worth while, won't it!
Next Bridge That Isn't blog : Wed July 9th
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