TrawsCymru Route T51

 The former 51, X51 (Rhyl - Denbigh - Ruthin - Wrexham) services now run under the route number T51 and are part of the TrawsCymru network.  The service is still being operated by Arriva Cymru.  The principal change apart from the route number is that the frequency between Ruthin and Wrexham has reverted to hourly which is what the situation was prior to Covid.

The service has a PVR of 7 and next year a new fleet of TrawsCymru liveried double deckers are expected.  In the meantime one StreetDeck 4725 (DG71VGT) has been transferred by Arriva from Merseyside to the Rhyl depot and has been given the TrawsCymru new livery.  This is the first double deck vehicle to receive this livery.  All other buses operating the new T51 service are from the Rhyl depot and will remain in Arriva livery until the new buses arrive next year.

The T51 service commenced on Sunday 28th September.  One glitch was that despite the regular Arriva vehicles showing T51 on the destination the liveried StreetDeck 4725 still showed the old X51.

On Monday 29th September this had been remedied and as can be seen it was displaying T51. However there clearly was an issue with the StreeDeck as throughout the day it was continually running late anything up to 45 minutes.  None of the other vehicles suffered this problem. The StreetDeck was able to gain some time by not laying over but nevertheless each departure was late.

Today (30th September) it has not appeared so it is presumed any problem is being addressed. 

 

 

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham

 Further to the posting of last week the latest coach on hire to the firm from Llew Jones is YT19KUO

 The Irizar I6 was new in May 2019 to Kings Ferry. 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

The firm are currently operating a Neoplan demonstrator  OY25ZHC and its first task is taking Wrexham football supporters to the Leicester ground for tonight's match.

( Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

 

 

The Mercedes Sprinter / Ilebus recently acquired has had its registration number changed from  

V22JRP to J60MKD.

 

( Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn

 The firn have had on loan from Llew Jones, Llanrwst a former National Express  Scania / Caetano Levante II  BG65TGK.  It has now returned and a second loan vehicle was expected to arrive.

 

Oares of Brynford, Holywell

 A new arrival is Ford Transit BG12HPY.  It was new in June 2012 to Hertz; September 2018 it was with Clarke, Hemel Hemstead and in August 2023 it was with Podmore Weston Super Mare Somerset,

 

Goodwins, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm have purchased two BMC Falcon 1100FE, BX07OPR  and  BX56XBJ  from P and O Lloyd.

OPR was new to  P and O Lloyd in April 2007 and XBJ was a demonstrator with BMC when new in September 2009 and came to P and O Lloyd in September 2006.

 

The Neoplan Starliner recently acquired from Arvonia has been re-registered to 25EXG from OU15ZVZ and is to soon be painted into the Goodwin livery.

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm have recently taken delivery of another brand new Mercedes Tourismo.  BV75HSK is the first to arrive and a second, believed to be BV75HSL, is also expected to arrive in due course.

                                                               ( Photo courtesy David Lloyd)

Three vehicles left the fleet and were entered into Wilsons Auction House at Queensferry but did not sell and have returned to the firm. BMC Falcon 1100FE, BX07OPS  and  BX56XBJ  have however been sold to Goodwins also of Bagillt.   Solo MX07NTO may be sold soon. 

S W Transport (Wayne Oare) Brynford, Holywell

 The firm now has a second Mercedes-Benz O813D Vario / Mellor.  MX08VNP is a month younger than sibling MX08UJY being new in June 2008 and they both were new to the London Borough of Merton.  VNP has until recently been with Williams of Brecon.

The former Price's Coaches Vario DH04EBJ as been sold to D P Owens, Rhiwlas.

S W Transport now have three Ford Transits the latest being HV22HJK which was new to South Pennine Community Transport, Honley

 

                                                   (Photo courtesy Wayne Oare)

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

Joining the fleet is V22JRP a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516CDI / Ilesbus  (C19F)   It was new in July 2019 to ABC Travel Reading as MR19ABC - In Jan 2022 it was with JRP Direct, Heathfield.

One of its tasks is to be the Wrexham Ladies Football Team Coach.

Vario SF57JSU has been with Pats Coaches for a very short period working only a few days.  It has been with Clynnog and Trefor and is believed to be now going to Anglesey.

 

Crosville Cymru Coastliner

 In September 1965,  60 years ago, Crosville started a limited stop service running from Chester to Caernarfon.

To celebrate this important anniversary of this interesting service 60 years ago a special event was organised on Sunday 7th September where seven former Crosville buses ran on the route.  There was a complex timetable for the event (see below).

Whilst a number of people were involved in the achievement of the day the event was planned by Andy Hamer who has to be congratulated for the success of the event.

He produced an excellent Souvenir Brochure and these can still be obtained by emailing him at 

cymrucoastliner60@gmail.com

 The buses involved were:-

 

 

 

ENL930 (HFM186N) - the Leyland National is owned by Andy Hamer - see leaving Rhyl Bus Station.  It was driven by Matt Davies.

 

DFG65 (875VFM) is owned by Clive Myers seen at Prestatyn Bus Station. It was driven by Keith Valla and conducted by Owen Sadler.

 

CRG106 (AFM106G) was a last minute replacement for CRG530 (AFM105B). 530 was actually one of the coaches used for the inaugural journey in 1965.  They are both owned by Stephen Graham. CRG106 was driven by Geoff O'Brien on the day.

 

EOG207 (C207GTU) is another bus owned by Andy Hamer.  As can be seen from the livery 207 was used on the Coastliner for a number of years based at Llandudno Junction.  It is seen at Rhyl Bus Station driven by Andy.

 

A last minute visitor to the event was former DVG467 (WTU467W) which is now owned by Philip Higgs and has returned to the North West from a long stay in the West Country.  IT is seen leaving Llandudno. A few brave souls did ride on the top deck despite the unfortunate weather.

ERG52 (UFM52F) is seen at the roundabout near the Palladium and it is owned by Carl Richards and was being driven by Glyn Plevin.

 

ERG3 (OFM3E) is seen laying over on Gloddaeth Avenue, Llandudno just about to depart for Rhyl.  EOG207 can be seen behind.  ERG3 is owned by Clive Myers but was being driven by Tim Hines on the day and he was accompanied by a conductor Steve Jones. 

Go Goodwin, Bagillt, Holywell

 Goodwins have acquired OU15ZVZ a Neoplan N5217SHDC  Starliner IIC    (C53Ft) which has come from Arvonia of Llanrug who had it new in April 2015.

It is about to be given the Go Goodwins livery, be given a cherished number and will be used on tours.

                                                                            ( Photo courtesy Richard Glaister )

 

Leaving the heritage fleet is WSV553  a DAF MB200DKFL600 /  Jonckheere P50  (C49Ft)2020/01    [] It was new in Feb 1984 as A375UNH to Roman City, Bath.  It was with various owners before coming to Goodwins in January 2020.   It has been sold to an individual who will keep it in preservation.  

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials), Eryrys, Mold

Keanes Coaches have now taken delivery of a second Tourismo which is a sibling of the one that arrived recently.   K121MPR was new in Aug 2015 to Kings Ferry [424]  as BT15KNB. In December 2019 it was exported to Ireland to  Kavanagh, Urlingford as 152-D-30313.  In April 2023 it was back in the UK and was with  MPR Park Royal, London NW10 having been with Llew Jones of Llanrwst but it was never used by them.