Darren Beacher - Darrens's Excursions

Darrens Excursions at Go Goodwins Clwyd

Last week Darren made an announcement that due to a health problem he has had to pass his business to Go Goodwins.  Darren was concerned about very inaccurate rumours circulating so he wished to point out that he is hopeful that he can recover from the heart circulation issue he currently has but at this point of time he is unable to continue with his coach driving business.

His Van Hool Alicron coach BBZ232 has passed to Goodwins and he has ensured that all his customers have not been let down.

He and his partner Donna will still be involved with the transferred business and they will continue to take bookings and his programme of tours will continue.  He has been joining a number of the tours recently but not as a driver.

Darren started his own business in November 2012 and before that worked for a number years for Jones Motor Service in Flint.

He has created an excellent reputation and has a very loyal customer base and is well respected by fellow operators.  Whist he decided to limit his activities to one coach he worked extremely hard at building up the business and survived the very difficult period of Covid.

I would like to wish Darren a speedy recovery from his current health problems and I am sure that the dedication he has shown to the industry and his previous endeavours will result in his future success.  

 

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials)

 A few changes here

Acquired is YN14PNE a Scania K360EB6  /    Irizar I6    (C57FLt)  It was new in April 2014 to Craig, Campbeltown, Argyll,  by April 2024 it was with Greenslades Tours (Exeter), Exeter and by November 2024 it was with BAM Travel, Tredegar.

It is not clear at this stage whether the coach will join the operational fleet or be sold on.

 

Left the fleet are two Levantes

Y8KNE (FJ07DWO) came to Keanes in May 2024 from Davies Leeswood.  It has now gone to Bennett's Travel, Cranberry, Staffordshire 8/2026 

 

 K10BBT  (FJ56PAO)  Volvo B12B / Caetano Lavante came to the fleet in November 2022 

                                                             (Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 As indicated in the Blog relating to Straffords the firm has taken delivery again of 

YN54NYA    Scania K114IB4  /  Irizar    C70F    

It was new in November 2004 to Corbel, Edgware.  It originally came to  (11/20) Pats Coaches in November 2020 when it had a pink livery and it was sold to Windy Coaches, Pencader, Camarthenshire in July 2021 but returned to Pats in October 2021.  It was sold to Straffords in January 2023 and it has now returned to Pats.

 

Straffords Coaches, Minera, Wrexham

 The firms have one in and one out.

In is YN71ZTD  a  Scania K320IB4 / MOBIPeople Explorer 330    C74FL.  It was new in September 2021 to Plan Ahead, Borehamwood and in Sept 2012 was with Nash DJ, Cuffley, Hertfordshire.
 

Left the fleet but only gone down the road is YN54NYA    Scania K114IB4    Irizar    C70F    

It came to Straffords in Jan 2023 and has now returned to Pats. 

Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham

 A few changes involving this operator.  Two arriving and two departing.

Arrived is  BF63ZSD  a Volvo B9R  /  Caetano Levante    70 seater with a lift.  

It was new in Dec 2012 to Luckett, Fareham; Nov 2018 with Worthing Coaches, West Sussex; Dec 2022 with Llew Jones, Llanrwst.

As can be expected from this operator it has been given fleet livery and vinyls before entering service and is looking quite splendid.  It saw its first duties today

About to arrive is KN15XSZ  a   Mercedes Benz 513CDI / Treka Mobility+   ( B16FL)  It was new in June 2015 to London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.  This will also arrive in the firm's livery.

Left the fleet are :-

PCZ5691 reverted to KU13OKS before it left -    Mercedes Benz O816D  / Plaxton Cheetah 2 (C29F)    been with the firm since July 2023.  It has gone to Deveron Coaches, Kirkhill Farm, Boyndie, Banff

XIG7341 which reverted to YN12CZG before it left a Scania K320IB4  /  Irizar    (C68F).   It came to the firm from E Jones and Sons, Rhosllanerchrugog in April 2018.

It has gone to Daves Coach Hire, Mountmellick, Co Laois, Ireland

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham

 A vehicle not previously reported but has been with the firm since May of this year is :-

BN11UGD    a Mercedes Benz Tourismo    C51FLt    

It was new in March 2011 to Clarke, Lower Sydenham; 

in December 2019 to Coach Travel, Farningham, Kent; 

in April 2022 to Elite Travel, Ipswich

By coincidence it is a sibling of BN11UGB which came to George Edwards in 2019 via P and O Lloyd
 

 

Wrexham Football Shuttle Service

 On match days when Wrexham are playing at home a shuttle service is now offered from Ruthin Road to the ground.

 

 

Arriva New Buses in Wrexham

 Arriva held an event in the Eagles Meadow, Wrexham today (22nd August) and was advertised as 

WREXHAM, IT’S TIME FOR SOME FREE FAMILY FUN!

We’re celebrating the launch of our brand-new bus fleet investment in Wrexham with a special family event at Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre Today from 10am to 4pm. 

 

Unfortunately whilst I am sure it was a special family event there were no new buses to be seen as it was decided the venue was not suitable for accommodating a bus.

 

However I was able to catch a glimpse of four of the new E200s at the Caego depot.

 

I understand that these should see service later next week.

 

 

 

 

 

Mold - Women's Tour of Britain Cycle Race - M & H Coaches

Today has seen some chaos in Mold with the visit of the Women's Tour of Britain Cycle Race which started from the town this morning.  The High Street and some adjoining streets were closed to traffic and unfortunately the signage was poor and many drivers were seen having to reverse from difficult areas because of lack of advance warning that the access was closed.

There was a Park and Ride organised but again the signage left a lot to be desired with signs for the car park after the turning and no indication at the County Hall site where parking was allowed with many visitors complaining that signs were indicating "permit holders only" at all locations. 

M & H Coaches provided the efficient free bus service from the County Hall Car Park into the town and two buses provided a 15 minute frequency service which did have a few passengers.

 

 

E Jones and Sons, Rhosllanerchrugog - the end of an era

The end of an era 

 

 Elias Jones was originally a coal merchant in his home village of Rhosllanerchrugog obtaining part of his business in the 1950s from Edmund and Charles Wright of Penycae who ironically decided to make their main business buses and coaches.  

Elias had in total five sons, David, Selwyn, Gareth, Gwyn and Barry and to various degrees they played a part in his businesses.

The bus and coach business began in about 1968 when an almost new Bedford CA minibus was purchased.  The business gradually grew with more minibuses and later with larger buses.  The work was primarily school contracts, factory runs with some private hire. The last two sons to join the business were Gwyn, who had served an apprenticeship as a fitter with Gresford Garage, and Barry, who had been a panel beater and he returned from Australia to join the firm when the business began to grow. 

Elias died in 1978 but the business continued under the name of E Jones and Sons (EJS).

Two significant firms were involved in the history of the growth of EJS.  Hughie Phillips, who traded as Phillips of Rhostyllen, retired in 1979 and whilst the service work was taken over by Crosville EJS purchased five vehicles and the work associated with the coaches was acquired.  In 1986 Clifford Evans who traded as M A Evans retired and the buses and routes of this firm were acquired by EJS.

1995 saw a split within the firm of EJS and the family.  Due to a disagreement as to how the business was to operate the firm split into two with David and Selwyn and David’s son Gary running one business and Barry and Gwyn the other part.  David and his son Gary eventually traded as D Jones and Son operating from Acrefair. Barry and Gwyn retained the name of E Jones and Sons.  The business of D Jones and Sons ceased in December 2017 and David died in 2022.

Selwyn died in 2000 and Gareth died more recently.

Barry and Gwyn concentrated on school contracts and private hire and have operated from their depot in the village of Rhosllanerchrugog where they have run a fleet of around 10 coaches. One interesting contract they have is conveying passengers on their the return trip on the Llangollen canal.

They have now decided to retire and although Barry will oversee the transfer of the business to Pats Coaches they will retain their premises in Rhos where they will continue to be involved with classical cars and motorcycles.  

Three of the E Jones and Sons coaches will transfer to Pats Coaches and their contracts, current work and the goodwill of the firm will transfer to Pats.

Barry and Gwyn are offered very best wishes for their new era.

Go Goodwin, Bagillt, Holywell

 This company has been featured in a number of Trade and Enthusiast publications of late and in particular the August Edition of Buses has an 8 page article written by Graham Ashworth that offers a brilliant history of this very interesting firm.

Recently joined the fleet are - 2 vehicles that have come from Roadrunner which carry the orange livery of that firm.

B12PSV is a Volvo B12M / Plaxton  (C53FLT).    It was new to Park,Hamilton in March 2006. In May 2009 it was with Trathens Travel Services, Plymouth.  In August 2011 it was with Hartley Travel, Aintree and it was with Roadrunner, Warrington since March 2023.  It has previously carried the numbers KSK978, SF06WDY, and LSK612.

A22RRT is a Volvo B9R /  Caetano Levante  ( C70FL). It was new in July 2012 to  Edwards,Llantwit Fardre. In October 2019 it was with Go-Goodwins at Eccles [Fleet no.10] and it transferred to Mayne Travel, Warrington in October 2023.  It went to Roadrunner, Warrington in December 2023 and has returned to Goodwins.  It has carried the numbers FJ12FYG, WSV553 and WSV487.

 

Pats Coaches - Wrexham Football Club

 For a number of years Pats Coaches have provided passenger transport for the Wrexham Football Club.  As the success of the Wrexham team has grown and changed so has the vehicles used.

 The main team coach carries the number 111WXM and is a Van Hool TDX21 / Altano    (CH34/5Ft) and was new in July 2016 to Kingsferry coming to Pats in January 2024. It has a high specification of additional features with monitors at all locations, a fully fitted kitchen and very much more.

Recently given a similar livery is V11PPC a Van Hool TX16A Acron  (C40Ft).  It was new in April 2014 as JK10JNK to Brazier (Jay and Kay), Crayford, Kent.  It has been with Pats since July 2021 and was a great favourite of the greatly missed Keith Davies.  

It has numerous tables and a fully fitted kitchen with many other facilities.

V11PPC is now the first choice of the Wrexham Association Football Club Women,  and are a semi-professional women's football club that competes in the Adran Premier, the first-tier of women's football in Wales.

 Two other vehicles used by the Club involve J60MKD a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516CDI with an    Ilesbus high specification C19F body.  It was new in July 2019 as MR19ABC and came to Pats in September 2025.  Also used is WP25HTN which is an Mercedes with an extremely high specification Ilesbus body.  It has four seats inside with the wow factor of extra luxury equipment that any VIP would be delighted with =  Digital screens front and rear, power driven tables, power driven fridge with drinks cabinet, foot rests, blacked out and curtained windows, leather luxury upholstery and top of the range mood lighting. 

An unusual Arriva bus around Wrexham

 This week an unusual Arriva vehicle has been seen around the City. 

                                                                      (Photo courtesy Richard Hughes)
 

Arriva 2776 (YY74LWA) sports the Liverpool Metro Livery.  It is on loan and is providing driver familiarisation for the AD 200.  The Wrexham depot is about to receive a fleet of these types of vehicles but presumably in normal Arriva livery.  This fleet of new buses is expected to replace the fleet of  Enviro 400 Citys double deck buses which have been in Wrexham since June 2017.  It is suggested that the replaced deckers are going to Milton Keynes.

Prestatyn fflecsi

 For some time the Prestatyn local bus service has been in the form of a 'demand-responsive' facility where passengers who wish to avail themselves of local journeys need to book the trip either by using an 'app' or by calling a call centre.  

The service in Prestatyn has until recently been operated by Llew Jones of Llanrwst and the main vehicle used was a 16 seater Mercedes Sprinter that was capable of carrying a wheelchair and shopping buggies.

 

 

From the beginning of this month the operator of the Prestatyn fflecsi service has changed to Denbighshire County Council.  Apparently a suitable 8/9 seater vehicle has been acquired for this service but due to a technical issue it has yet to see service and to date the vehicle used is a Ford Transit CX70YBP which requires passengers to use steps to board.  This has resulted in wheelchair users not being able to use the service,

 

Go Goodwin, Bagillt, Holywell

 Main Fleet

One of the three Van Hool Astron TXs that was recently acquired from Parrys International, Staffordshire has been given the smart Goodwins fleet livery and has had its registration number changed from YD17WYX to 295LAG.  It is used by the principal director of the company, (Driver of the Year) Louis Goodwin.

Heritage Fleet

There have been some very recent changes to the heritage fleet with two additions and one leaving the fleet.

Recently arrived is an extremely interesting vehicle AEC Regal (rebuilt) / ECW FC35F body  MXB733.

This vehicles was one of five buses re-built in May 1952 from 11 former Bristol Transport EC Chassis that originally had Duple bodies that had been removed. These chassis were new during the period May to July 1938.  The full front ECW coach bodies were added in 1952.  This example worked for Tillings until May 1959 when it then moved to the Eastern Coach Works Sports Club, Lowestoft.  By April 1972 it was at the East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville. In 1974 it was kept as preserved but was in not in the best of conditions. By 1997 it was beautifully restored with Tilling fleet logos. It has come from Stephen Morris of Wiveliscombe, Somerset who has had it since September 2024.  

 It is an absolute beauty inside and out.

 

 

 

Arrived today is a vehicle that the firm once owned and have re-acquired.  MBU534L is an AEC Reliance  with Plaxton Panorama Elite III  C55F body that was new in April 1973 to Field, Hounslow. It had various operators until it joined the Goodwins fleet when it was at Eccles in July 2014.  They sold the coach but have re-acquired it from Proctors. 

The vehicle that has left the fleet is WS4522  the  Leyland Tiger TS7 /   Cowieston which has gone to Stephen Morris of Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

 

M and H Coaches, Trefnant, Denbigh

 I am pleased to be able to report that M and H Coaches have successfully won the contract to continue to operate the TrawsCymru T8 service that runs from Chester to Corwen.  They have earned this reward having built up the service to the current well supported and thriving route.

The new contract , which starts on the 6th September, will involve use of  4 Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRas which will be supplied to them on loan.  It is understood that one of these will be a '26' plate and the other three '24' plates.  These should arrive during August and may be see use before the end of August.

The new timetable, yet to be registered, will probably be subject to a few changes mostly minor but the most significant change will be that there will be a Sunday working involving two vehicles. 

 

Fleet News

Joining the coach fleet is ex S W Transport   TAM Vive   KC15FDY which has been given the cherished number of M300MNH.

It was new in August 2015 to Comet Car Hire, West Drayton, London; (3/24) THZ, Sutton, London and since December 2024 has been with Wayne Oare trading as S W Transport, Brynford  and came via Llew Jones, Llanrwst

Leaving the fleet is the Mercedes Benz Tourino O510 which was the former M300MNH which is now ton paper BU56MCL.  This had been with M and H since May 2014.

 

 

Go Goodwins, Bagillt, Holywell

 Joining the heritage fleet of this firm is RHC 51S

 which is an   AEC Reliance /     Plaxton Supreme    C53F    

It was new in Aug 1977 to Killick & Vincent, Dallington, East Sussex; 

It has been with 

(2/86) Stanbridge, Turners Hill, West Sussex; 

(6/91) Vaughan, Salfords, Surrey; 

(8/92) Nostalgiabus, Mitcham; 

(2/04) Marshopper, New Romney, Kent; 

(1/20) Atkins, North Owersby Lincolnshire

 

 

 

It attended the Kelsall Rally at the weekend and will shortly receive a cherished number. 

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials), Eryrys, Mold

 The latest coach to join the fleet is YS25UVE,  another Scania / Higer Touring former demonstrator.  It was new in August 2025 and is known to have been operated by O'Hara, Rochdale and Coast to Coast, Ardrossan.

It commenced work as soon as it arrived and has worked on a journey to the North East for Alpha Travel.

 

 

Another arrival to the fleet but not yet in use is BK14LGA.  It is a sibling to NCZ855 being an 85 seater Scania K410EB6 / Caetano Levante II.  It was new in Aug 2014 to National Express; (11/23) Endeavour, Aston; (8/25) Nash, Handsworth

 

 

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 Two brand new Volvo B8RLE  /  MCV eVoRa  (B37F) service buses,  BU26WLE and BU26WLJ, are now being used by P and O Lloyd on the Deeside Shuttle services.  They are owned by Flintshire County Council and have a livery similar to TrawsCymru but have the Flintshire logo with the name Lleol meaning local in Welsh.

They both have cameras and screens inside the cab instead of rear view mirrors.  They will replace the two ADL 200s SK24CWJ and YX24OZM which will return off lease.

                    BU26WLE leaving the Deeside Industrial Estate on Friday 12 June 

                                                 BU26WLH at the depot on Friday 12 June

                                                                            Inside BU26WLH
 

The 4th Caetano Levante to join the fleet is OSU386.  It was new in October 2013 as YY63OEJ.  It initially worked National Express work until it was converted to 70 seater by July 2022.  It has not yet entered service with P and O. 

Arriva

 From 1st June Arriva have taken over the 34 Service from Wrexham to Trefalyn via Llay, Burton and Rossett.  This service has been operated by Wrexham Taxis, D Jones and Sons and GHA in the past.

Short Solos 658 and 659 have joined the Arriva Wrexham fleet from Arriva Northumberland as suitable vehicles for this route.  I observed the first journey of the day on Monday 14th June and was disappointed to find that the destination was not displayed when the vehicle departed King Street some 5 minutes late.  By the time it arrived at Trefalyn it was 30 minutes late.  Tracking of other journeys suggest that running late is not regular.

                      Solo 658 (YJ61JFF) at Trefalyn running 30 minutes late on a 45 minute journey.

 

Arriva Rhyl depot have now received a fleet of 8 brand new Wright StreetDeck Ultroliners all  TrawsCymru liveried and intended for the 51 Rhyl - Denbigh - Wrexham corridor. There appears to have been technical difficulties with these vehicles as they have taken their time to enter service.  The first one arrived at the end of April and to date it is common still to see other vehicles working the service.

                                           4750 (BF26 ZTG) at Llandegla on 26th May

Go Goodwins, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm and their Director Louis Goodwin were very much winners at the Blackpool Annual Coach Rally this year.  They won not just one award but eight - The Alan Goodwin Trophy for the highest placed coach operator in all classes, the Peter Bostock Trophy for highest placed driver in the Saturday tests, the Rita Dalziel Trophy for top coach aged 25 years or older, the Jonckheere Trophy for top Jonckheere
the Fred Bibby Award for best-loved coach, the Gwynn Williams Trophy for highest placed in all classes from Wales, the Top Executive Coach and the John Fielder Memorial Trophy for top coach from a small fleet.

Louis aged only 22, is beleived to be the youngest-ever holder of the Coach Driver of the year. The weird thing is that he won in a vehicle older than him. 

The display of Goodwins coahes at the Llandudno festval.

Some five coaches have recently been acquired.  YD17WYU, YD17WYX and YD19GSO are Van Hool TX17 Astrons nad have been purchased from Parrys International of Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire.  

They are C48Ft and each has a kitchen, screens at all seats and very many luxury features.

Also acquired is YC02DJU    Volvo B12M-62 / Jonckheere Mistral 70    C70F.  It was new to Wallace Arnold (490) in May 2002 and came from P and O Lloyd Bagillt.

The fifth vehicle acquired is MR09FEN  a Van Hool T917 Astron T9    C48Ft.  It was new to Fenn, March, Cambridgeshire who was the last operator.

As will be seen from the Townlynx photo the two BMC Falcons that Goodiwns purchased last September BX07OPR and BX56XBJ  have passed to Townlynx.  They did not see much use with Goodwins 

Also left the fleet is GO22LOU the Neoplan Tourliner 2    C53FLt.