Two coaches have been given new registrations;-
The former Bradshaw Scania K410EB6 / Irizar I6 has changed from N400BRA and is now 403BGO
The Van Hool T916 Acron that was DU61MVN is now BXI33
The VDL Luxuria coach has now received the intended number of PD25PAT
The new CC12 Cymru Coastliner service will start on Sunday 22 June. Today (19 May) there was a photo shoot of the buses to be employed together with a beautiful preserved Leyland Olympian that once worked the Cymru Coastliner service from Chester to Caernarfon in the days of Crosville Wales.
To carry passengers in a wheelchair an lift is installed and a clever arrangement occurs inside to make room for the wheelchair.
Voel Coaches have taken delivery of a new Neoplan Tourliner coach - OU25WKH
The spec of this Neoplan Tourliner P10 - 13.1m includes MAN 440bhp, ZF Ecolife auto , 53 seats, Toilet, USBs, Blind spot detection, MAN Attention Guard, Collision Warning
Photos courtesy MAN
Three vehicles have been disposed of mainly following the receipt of the two new Optare (Switch) Solos in March.
BU53DJS Optare Solo M920 which came from D Jones and Sons in January 2018 has gone to Davies Motors, Ruthin. for scrap
CX07AVM Optare Solo M950 which was obtained new in June 2007 has also gone to Davies Motors, Ruthin. for scrap
As reported previously Arriva intend to start a Limited Stop service from Rhyl to Llandudno on 23 June until 25 August which it is branding as the CC12 Cymru Coastliner.
The timetable has now been published on BusTimes and shows an hourly frequency from 0700 till 1800 leaving Rhyl and 0800 until 1900 leaving Llandudno. The stopping places are much less than the original Coastliner and the only stop in Colwyn Bay is at the Railway Station. It will not serve Abergele but use the A55 from Pensarn.
Tourismo coaches with a typical coach style external lift will be employed. Three have been acquired from Green Line but the PVR is only 2 but it is likely that there will be delays and it is anticipated that the 3rd coach will also be employed daily. They have been given a special livery :-
Yet again a fantastic trip with the Crosville Enthusiasts' Club yesterday (Saturday 7th June). An iconic 61 year old Bristol RE in brilliant condition and so comfortable. CRG530 (AFM 105B) took us to Newtown, Machynlleth (Lloyds Felingerrig depot), Dolgellau (to see the 1300 interchange and also to visit the depot), Barmouth (for lunch) and finally the Corwen Interchange at 1600 (involving 5 TrawsCymru vehicles). Many thanks to Steve Graham for allowing us the privilege of riding in this wonderful machine.
Joining the fleet is HR02BUS a Bova Futura FHD127-365 (C53FLt) [SF07LYV] New in March 2007 to Tait, Irvine as SF07LYV; Oct 2008 Prestige Tours, Renfrew; April 2010 Leons, Stafford; August 2010 Poppleton, Pontefract; Sept 2023 Gladman, Askern
Also relatively new to the fleet is a camper coach which is a Van Hool Astron T9 and was new in May 2006 to Eavesway, Ashton-in-Makerfield as YJ06LDO. It was with Hatts as Y4HAT before joining the Go Goodwin fleet September 2014. During that period with the firm it became C1ECB and received this new TX front. It was sold by Goodwins in March 2016 and it went to Cordery, Uckfield and became C1SSX. IT is currently registered WES19Y
The latest to join the fleet of Davies Coaches Leeswood is FJ12FYL Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLt
It was new in July 2012 to National Express; in Jan 2020 it was with JP Minicoaches, Forfar and in April 2021 with Kirkby Lonsdale, Morecambe.
The DAF SB4000 Van Hool Alizee II which until recently carried the number YJ03PPV has now been re-registered to WRZ6530
The two all electric Optare M9000SR Solos SR (B30F) YJ72EVF and YJ72EVG have been acquired by Llew Jones of Llanrwst.
These two buses were obtained by Flintshire County Council in September 2022 and during the 2 years and 8 months they were owned by the Council they have stood idle at their depots - first at Alltami and later at Greenfield. One of them was assessed to work the Buckley Town service but was soon confirmed to be too big for the streets involved and it could not even turn around at the Buckley Railway Station.
It is believed that the purchase price for these two buses could have been in excess of £600,000. It would be interesting to find out how much they were sold for.
It is not know at this stage the reason for acquisition by Llew Jones - they may be used in service or possibly sold on.
One of them was reported to be blocking a street in Llangollen on 10th May when it appeared to have broken down - or run out of charge.
Two vehicles that have left the fleet are :-
MX09GZM Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 - it had been with the firm since May 2015 having been new in March 2009 to West Sussex CC - operated by Heritage Travel, West Sussex. It has gone to A C Williams Coaches, Ancaster, Grantham
and
YX60EOS Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 which was new in October 2010 to Empark UK, Edinburgh Airport as B24D; before coming to P and O in Sept 2020 it was converted to B36F
It has gone for scrap via Ripley, Barnsley.
Pats Coaches have acquired the Ford Transit SM17OAH from Wayne Oare.
It was new in June 2017 to North Lanarkshire Council; in Feb 2023 it was with Bott, South Normanton; and it went to S W Transport (Wayne Oare) in January 2024.
Pats Coaches have given it the fleet livery.
The Leger Luxuria VDL Futura that arrived here new last month was not able to given the special number PD25PAT as expected. Instead it has been given YG25GWN but will shortly be given a cherished number.
Delivered today (30th April) to Pats Coaches is PD25PAT a VDL Futura 2 (C31F).
It is liveried for the Leger Luxuria tours and has a very high luxury specification. It is similar to PC17LUX which arrived five years ago and is remaining in the fleet for a little longer.
It only has just 31 Class 500 VIP seats in a 2+1 layout, six of which are located around tables. All have additional padding and they come with Funtoro seat-back entertainment systems that incorporate connections for headphones and laptops.
Pats Coaches Scania K114IB4 / Irizar (C55F) has lost its cherished number 403BGO and has reverted back to YN03DDK. It is anticipated that its life with the firm is now limited.
Arriva have registered a new service CC12 which will run limited stop from Rhyl to Llandudno from 22 June until 25 August. It is believed it will be called Coastliner. This year sees the 60th Anniversary of the commencement of the Crosville Cymru Coastliner that ran from Chester to Caernarfon.
Three Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches are being obtained from Arriva The Shires where they previously worked Greenline services.
BV20HRE having just arrived at the Rhyl Albion Works on 16 April -
(photo courtesy Richard Hughes
In March the latest arrival to the fleet was reported. Scania K410EB6 / Higer Touring (C57Ft) N123STF has now been prepared for service and given the firm's special livery and is just about to enter service with its new regular driver James Masters.
It was originally YN17ONU when new to Bullock, Cheadle in April 2017. It has come from Astons Coaches, Earls Croome,Worcester where it went in June 2021.
Arriving with Keanes today (7th April) is YT24BRF a Scania K360CB4 / Higer Touring (C51FLT). . It was new in April 2024 and has been used by Scania as a demonstrator. It comes fully PSVR compliant.
YN24BRF arriving today
On Saturday 5th April I had the great pleasure of joining other members of the Crosville Enthusiasts’ Club for a brilliant tour of the Wirral in the absolutely fabulous former Crosville 1953 Bristol KSW DKB476 (OFM 634). A real tribute to its owner Graham Thorogood.
Our first run was from Chester to Ellesmere Port which was the first ever route that Crosville worked in 1911. We stopped at Port Sunlight for some fantastic photos and then we were able to enjoy a depot visit at Rock Ferry. Currently used by Stagecoach it was built and used by Crosville from 1932. We were made most welcome and given a conducted tour of the depot and even treated to a ride on their Scania Enviro 400 15743 (KX61 DLF) which the company had given a livery that marked the 90th Anniversary of the Rock Ferry depot and being a tribute to Crosville.
We then visited various other places such as Birkenhead Woodside, Liscard, West Kirby, Heswall and Parkgate following old Crosville routes and ones that DKB476 would have run on during its working life. For all of its service it was allocated to the Wirral Division mainly at West Kirby.
An absolutely enjoyable day with a very special vehicle and spent with many friends.
SC08GAS has been acquired by Unicorn Travel from Straffords Coaches.
The Scania K480EB6 / Irizar PB (C57Ft) was new to Straffords in April 2008.
There will be some Unicorn logos applied shortly as a temporary measure and the coach will be re-sprayed in June.when the firm's new livery will be applied.
It will be re-registered to K30UTW very soon.
Goodwins have made two interesting and unusual purchases.
PHA370M is a Ford R1014 / Plaxton Derwent II which was new to Midland Red in May 1974 and was originally B45F. It was converted in September 1983 to be a DP23F by shortnening the chassis. In June 1993 it went to the BaMMOT museum at Wythall but is now about to be scrapped unless anybody wishes to undertake a project of restoration. If so they need to contact Goodwins.directly.
YJ06LDO is a Van Hool T916 Astron T9 and was previouls owned by Go Goodwins in September 2014 when it carried the number C1ECB. It was new to Eavesway, Ashton-in-Makerfield in May 2006 and has also been operated by Hillier, (Hatts Travel) Foxham, Wiltshire.
Work has been started to convert the bus into a mobile home and Goodwins intend to continue this work and it may be used as a Racing Accommodation vehicle.
Two vehicles that have left the fleet are YN57BWX and YN57BWY which until recently were WEZ667 and WEZ668 (fleet numbers M3 and M8). They are both AD Javelin / Plaxton Profiles and they were new to Mayne Travel in September 2009. It is believed they have gone to Davies Coaches, Cwmgwili.
