Tour of the Wirral in DKB476

 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.

 

Unicorn Travel, Llay - Straffords Coaches, Minera Wrexham

 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, Bagillt, Holywell

 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.

P and O LLoyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 BV25MJU

Tomorrow (April 1st) will see this brand new Tourismo hit the road.  It will be working an Alfa Travel tour from Saturday.  It has 53 seats, a toilet and has a lift for wheelchairs.

P70LLD

This Tourismo that came from the fleet of Bennets of Gloucester ( is also about to enter service having been given the firm's smart livery by their own staff.

                                               (Photo courtesy Richard Hughes)

SB09PEG

This Optare Solo M880SL that came from  Lloyds Coaches of Machynlleth has not only been given the fleet livery but has been given a seating upgrade - with new moquette and seat belts.

 

M and H Coaches, Trefnant, Denbigh

 M and H Coaches have taken delivery of 2 brand new Switch (Optare) Solos M8770 SR SLIM.

YJ25EGC and YJ25EGD

They will replace the two Solos currently working the Conwy contracts involving the 21 Abergele to Colwyn Bay (known locally as the Bws Bach) and the 43 Abergele to Llangernyw.

Apparently they were ordered 12 months ago.  Originally a 9 month wait but there were further delays of another 3 months.

They will be liveried similar to those they replace with mainly M and H Coaches and an indication  that they are working on the Conwy contract.

YJ25EGD which arrived yesterday (18th March) will commence service tomorrow (20th March).

 YJ25EGC which arrived just before my visit today was seen on the pits being inspected and will commence work soon after being fitted with cameras.

 

The replaced Conwy contract vehicles YJ16DZG and YJ65ETD will remain in the fleet and become spare vehicles.   Solos BU53DJS and CX07AVM are now withdrawn.  

Arriva Cymru - Chester (Manor Lane) depot

 An unusual vehicle currently working from Arriva Cymru - Chester (Manor Lane) depot is :-

YE74VGO    Yutong E9 (B26F)  It was new in November 2024  to Pelican Bus and Coach of Castleford who are the sole UK Distributors and Importer of Yutong. They still own the vehicle which is a demonstrator.

It commenced work with Arriva Cymru yesterday (18th March) and is seen on the return journey from Kelsterton College on the 11A service to Chester. 

It has been given the temporary fleet number 7940

                         (Photo courtesy John Baker)
 

Teithio Seren, GB Buses Limited - Simon Alexander and David McAulay

 As previously reported Teithio Seren was the trading name used by David McAulay when he had an operating licence for two vehicles with the operating centre being Bryn Rodyn Enterprise Park, Dolwen Road, Old Colwyn.

Following the revocation of this licence at the Public Inquiry in June 2024 a new licence was issued to the company GB Buses Limited with also an operating centre at Bryn Rodyn Enterprise Park for 2 vehicles. The two Directors of this company are David McAulay and David Banks.  The latter is the proprietor of the Llandudno Land Train.  However it is understood that GB Buses is now solely owned by David McAulay.

On 12th March an Operating Licence has been issued to the partnership of Simon Alexander and David McAulay for 2 vehicles at the Operating base of Lon Parcwr, Ruthin which happens to be next door to the former GHA Coaches depot which is now used by the two former Directors of that company, Gareth and Arwyn, who trade as Davies Motors,  Simon Alexander was a partner in the firm Vickys Coaches that traded from Colwyn Bay.  Apparently one intention of this firm, which is to trade as S&D Travel, is to provide Day Tours etc which Simon has extensive experience.

Vehicles involved with these last two firms are:-

 SUI3825    MAN 18.310 /  Noge N-4873    (C49Ft)  It was new to Hodson Coaches, Gisburn in 5/2008

SV08DHU    Volvo B7R /  Plaxton Profile    (C51FL)     New in May 2008 to Stagecoach (Bluebird Buses) Scotland; (3/22) Langcake (Big Coach Company) Garston, Liverpool

LIW1335    Mercedes Benz Vario O814D / Plaxton Cheetah   (C33F) new in 5/2008 to Hodson Coaches, Gisburn

 

In addition Simon Alexander has involvement with a couple of buses for preservation.

ODE182    Sentinel STC6 (new 2/1952)  and

 

TUG20  AEC Regal  /  Roe     C41C    (new 9/1954)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham

 The Iveco Irisbus Scolabus PO61BFK    has left the fleet and has been sold to Donoghue's of Galway

Go Goodwins, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm have taken delivery of a brand new Temsa HD13.   It has 57 seats all with belts, a toilet, a lift and is fully PSVR compliant.

It is currently been registered as YJ25CVX but it is likely to receive a cherished number soon.  It is intended that it will be entered into the Blackpool Coach Rally in April possibly before entering service.

 (Improved photo to appear soon)

 

Also arrived and joining the fleet are two Mercedes Varios:-

WEZ552 is a Mercedes Benz O815D /  Ferqui Toro (C29F) currently in silver It was new in May 2007 as YX07AYD.  It has been with (7/07) Staceys, Carlisle; (9/11) Forget-Me-Not, Otley; (3/16) Vowles, Shepton Mallet; (9/17) JR Travel, Copdock; (11/18) DTV Enterprises, Ipswich; (10/22) JP Minicoaches, Forfar.

 WEZ553 is a Mercedes Benz O816D / Plaxton Cheetah 2 (C24Ft) currenlty in white.  It was new in November 2007 as YN57MBY to Logan,Dunloy (NI); it has has been with  Swans, Chadderton; Simpson, Rosehearty and JP Minicoaches, Forfar.

FJ12FYK  Volvo B9R /  Caetano Levante (C70F) which was part of the Mayne fleet is being given the standard smart Goodwins fleet livery, it is to be re-registeerd to WEZ556 and the fleet number has changed from M9 to M6.

WEZ669 [SM06SOU] Volvo B12B / Plaxton Paragon (C70F) has changed its fleet number to M5 from M11

WEZ667 [YN57BWX] AD Javelin  / Plaxton Profile (C55F) is now back in service.

YJ64AUR Van Hool TDX29 Astromega    (CH38/17Dt) which at one time carried the number 33EXG and was part of the Goodwins Manchester fleet but transferred to North Wales has now been sold to Proctors Coaches, North Yorkshire.

The firm are in possession of T519PYD  Volvo B10M-55 / Van Hool  (previously C46Ft).  It has been with Goodwins in Manchester since April 2022 and is in process of being converted to a Car Transporter.

 

Goodwins previous car transported WES19Y (HSK645; MV08HVY) was sold to  P and D York, West Midlands.in late 2024.

FD54DHN    (Volvo B12B /  Plaxton Panther (C70F) which has not seen service since joining the fleet in November 2024 is to be scrapped.

M4YNC [DC54EYC] Volvo B12M /  Berkof Axial 50 (C51Ft) which transferred to the Goodwins fleet from the Mayne fleet is to be converted to a car transporter (like T519PYD)

 

 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 Pats Coaches took delivery today of PC25PAT a brand new Temsa MD9. And yes I was present at the depot when it arrived - so privileged. 

It is C34FTL and to a high specification. It was just as well I was there when it arrived as it was soon out working on a school then college duty.

 

Strafford Coaches, Minera, Wrexham

 The latest arrival to the fleet is a Scania K410EB6 /  Higer Touring   (C57Ft) which is to be registered as N123STF.  It has come from Astons Coaches, Earls Croome, Worcester

It is believed that it was originally YN17ONU and has recently been registered a HYY3.

It was new to Bullock, Cheadle in April 2017 and went to Astons in June 2021.

 

Before entering service the coach will be given the firm's special livery.

Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham

 The latest arrival (from E Jones and Sons, Rhosllanerchrugog)  YN12CZG Scania K320IB4 / Irizar
  has been re-registered to XIG7341

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham

 OXL988    Alexander Dennis Javelin / Plaxton Profile   (C53F)  which came in October 2017 from Lakeside has been scrapped and went to Davies Motos, Ruthin

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell - 100th Anniversary Bus

 What a day makes - P and O Lloyd's E400 YX24OVY has now been given the vinyl livery which celebrates the 100th Anniversary.  It has also had its destination equipment updated and is now ready for service next Monday when it is expected to work a school service from Connah's Quay

 

Unicorn Travel, Llay Wrexham - Pats Coaches

 A few changes to the Unicorn Fleet to report.  For the second day running I was able to observe the arrival of a vehicle to the fleet.

YN56FGO    Scania K340EB4 / Berkhof Axial 50 (C55F) arrived today.

It was new to Luckett, Fareham, Hampshire and due to Luckett being owned by National Express it had a fleet number of [494455].  In May 2023 it went to Jones Coach Sales in Llanrwst which is the dealer side of the Llew Jones business.  The coach has not been used by Llew Jones.

It will receive the fleets new livery shortly and is expected to be re-registered to A18UTW
 

 

The previous A18UTW Volvo B12M / Plaxton Paragon  (C53Ft) that has been with Unicorn since Feb 2024 has been re-registered to its original number of CU53AEG and has been sold to the Gatewen Training Services firm in Llay.  It is now a training bus.

 

Also joining the fleet is former PC20PAT a Temsa MD9 Executive (C34Ft).  It was new to Pats Coaches in March 2003.  It has now received the number R27UTW and the new fleet livery.

 

 

The former R27UTW Scania K360EB4 / Irizar i6 (C32Ft) has been re-registered to its former number YN14MVR  and sold to Grange Travel, Gravesend, Kent.

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 I was fortunate today to observe the arrival of YX24OVY an Alexander Dennis E40D / Alexander Dennis E400MMC    (H51/34F)    It was new in March 2024 to Lochs Motor Transport, Leurbost, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.  It is low mileage, has 86 seats all seat belted and has a variety of additional features. It has been used on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland mainly on cruise ship shuttles.

It has been painted into the firm's normal cream coach livery and is about to receive special vinyls to celebrate the centenary of the business.

Also joining the fleet from the fleet of Bennets is Merecedes Tourismo which carried the cherished number EV10BUS.  It was new in March 2010 to Evobus, Coventry as a demonstrator.  

It is currently being painted into the firm's livery and is thought to be given the number P70LLD.

.The new Turismo that arrived in January will be given the number BV25MJU and is expected to enter service in April.