Operators based in North East Wales

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham.
YJ09CUU (Van Hool T916 / Alizee T9 Astron) and W20DGE (Scania K124IB4 / Van Hool Alizee T9) have both been sold to Orbit Travel, Enderby, Leicester.
FXI8838 [YR52OHE] Mercedes-Benz 311CDI / Frank Guy, Clay Cross now scrapped due to accident damage.
LIL8045 [YN06JXC] (Scania K114EB4 / Berkhof Axial 50) has had a little bit of a makeover and now has some gold in the livery. <PHOTO>
.

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
E Jones and Sons, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham
Newly arrived here is YT12YUL a Scania K360EB4 / Irizar Century - C51Ft it was new with Milligan, Mauchline April 2012, (by 7/2012) Scania, Worksop, (7/12) hired to Freestones, Beetley (for Megabus use), (1/13) Viking Coaches, Swadlincote, (2/16) Buzzlines, Hythe (who ceased trading in June 2019). It is being prepared for service which may include a re-spray and the application of the firms distinctive livery <photo>

Left in part exchange is YN06JXA / N7EJS (Scania K114EB4 / Irizar) which reverted to its original registration before leaving.

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
Routemaster 4 Hire, Llay, Wrexham
There have been changes to the fleet of this operator who operates mainly Routemasters.

Joining the fleet is RM471 which currently has the registration number of KVS601 but it was originally WLT471. It was new to London Transport in November 1960 and in April 1986 went to Scotland to join the Kelvin Scottish fleet. In 1994 it was sold for preservation but returned to service with International, Thornton Heath where for a short while it was given London Country green livery and given a rear door. In July 2004 it passed to Dr. Chris Dobbing of Peterborough and it joined his small fleet of London Transport vehicles that were hired out for weddings etc. and by which time it was restored to his proper red livery with no rear door.

Also joining the fleet is RM2213 (CUV213C). It is actually privately owned (Alan Jones) but he makes it available to Routemaster 4 Hire . This was one of the last Routemasters to be built when new to London Transport in May 1965. It left London in 2000 to a preservationist in Rahane, Helensburgh, Scotland and it was based at the Glasgow Bus museum for a short while. It went to another preservationist in Southampton before also joining the working fleet of Dr. Chris Dobbing of Peterborough.

<Photo of the three closed topped Routemasters inside the depot>

RM548 (SVS618 ex WLT548) has left the Routemaster 4 Hire fleet and was sold to an agency. It is soon to become a promotional vehicle.

Open top RM1783 (783DYE) is the regular vehicle used on the company's Llangollen tour which has operated 4 days a week during the summer <Photo RM1783>

BL88 (OJD93R ex OJD88R) the Bristol LH / ECW which was new to London Transport in April 1977 is well on its way to being available for public use. It has been seen at a number of rallies this year. It is also privately owned (Tim Hines) but is based at the Routemaster 4 Hire depot and will form part of the fleet available for hire. <Photo BL88 - OJD93R>

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham
The latest addition to the fleet is YN13XYZ a Scania K360EB4 / Irizar i6 Century - C53Ft. It was new in May 2013 to Shaw, Coventry and in Jan 2015 was with Cavendish Limousines, Porth. It is has been painted into the firm's colours and is seen <here> whilst awaiting for the vinyls to be applied.

South Denbighshire
From today (2nd September) Llew Jones of Llanrwst will no longer operate the Ruthin rural (72 / 77 / 95 ) and town services (73) or the Melyn y Wig and Llantysilio services (91 /98). These services will now be provided directly by Denbighshire County Council utilising 8 or 12 seater minibuses. Some of these service will increase from 3 days a week to 5 days and other services may operate on different days. There will also be some other minor timetable changes. Some of the services will require passengers to book in advance. Further details can be found on the Authority's website at <LINK>

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
D Jones and Son, Acrefair, Wrexham

DK07NPY (Solo) has been sold to United Coaches, Motherwell. Four buses remain to be sold.

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
Chevron Training, Flint
This firm, that trains future bus drivers, have recently purchased a new addition to the fleet in the form of IIG8309 a Scania K114EB4 / Irizar Century - C49Ft It was new as GT06LCT in April 2006 to Leons Staffordshire [166]; it returned to Scania, Worksop in 6/09; in 3/2010 it was with Golding, Wickham St Paul; in 1/2014 it was with Pride of the Clyde, Greenock. It is currently away being suitably converted and prepared for its new use.

Dart KU02YTW is still with the firm but is being withdrawn and is likely to be sold (possibly for scrap).

Townlynx, Greenfield.
Trident KV02URY is now beck in use. Of the seven deckers in the fleet three are in use, the other two being KU02YBP and S260KLG. The four double door Trident purchased in 2018 are withdrawn.

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
M and H Coaches, Trefnant, Denbigh.
The latest arrival is BD60XST a Mercedes Benz Tourismo - C53F - new in January 2011 to City Circle, Hayes [55]; (12/13) AAA, Kirknewton; (5/16) Mayfair, Kensington. It is currently in all white <PHOTO BD60XST> but will shortly get new vinyls and a company related cherished registration number.
An unusual event today when most of the coaching fleet was at home awaiting the afternoon school runs. <photo MandH>.

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham
Leaving the fleet is K7WXM a Scania L94IB4 / Van Hool T9 Alizee - C57F which has gone to a private individual who is converting it to a mobile home. It has regained its original registration number W381UEL. The cherished number K7WXM has now been transferred to SJ04KAX (Volvo B12M / Jonckheere Mistral).

Voel Coaches, Dyserth, Rhyl
The former Shearings coach NH06NEH (originally MX06AKY) which arrived at the beginning of the year has been converted to a 70 seater.

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
Voel Coaches, Dyserth, Rhyl
Arrived here last week are FJ11GMO and FJ11GNO two Volvo B9R / Caetano Levante. They have been converted to 70 seaters before their arrival here. They were both new in April 2011 to Edwards, Llantwit Fardre and were at one time in National Express livery. From June 2018 and April 2019 they both went on loan to West Midlands Travel for a special contract.
M2OVC (Scania K113CRB / Van Hool T8 Alizee) which had been withdrawn has left and gone to the dealers Davies Motors in Ruthin.


Coastline Taxis (JWS {Cars} Limited), Rhyl
The following have been sold:-
Denbighshire liveried Solo YJ18CZL and Metrocity YJ18CZG are going to Sargeants in Kington, Herefordshire, later this week.
Solo YJ61JGX has gone to Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire, Morecambe.
Solo MX08MYM has gone to Scotland to be stripped for the engine
Volvo B7R / Jonckheere SF53MGO has gone to Angelsey for spares and repairs.

Two coaches are left for sale - FJ08BZN Volvo B12B / Sunsundegui and HF06ETK Temsa Safari


M and H Coaches, Trefnant, Denbigh
The recent Tourismo that arrived last month has been re-registered to M400MNH from BD60XST.


Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham
The Scania K360EB4 / Irizar i6 Century that arrived in August has been re-registered from YN13XYZ to VMW353.

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham
This firm currently has on loan BF62JYO a Setra S416GT-HD (C53Ft) whilst their newly acquired Scania has some warranty work carried out. The Setra was new in September 2012 to Horton (Majestic Travel), Shareshill, Staffordshire and in 6/17 went to Poynters Coaches of Northampton [14]. <PHOTO BF62JYO>

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
.
News
December has been a very quiet month for news although a number of Operators have been buying vehicles but to the best of my knowledge they have not yet arrived. I will give further details shortly at the start of the New Year. Those believed to be receiving vehicles soon are:

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham :- A '11' plate team coach - Scania K400EB6 / Iriza Century PB

George Edwards Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham :- A '11' plate Tourismo with lift (PSVAR compliant)

Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham :- A '09' plate Volvo B7R/Plaxton Profile (PSVAR compliant)

Straffords, Minera, Wrexham 2 x '56?' plate yellow school buses (PSVAR compliant)

M and H Coaches, Trefnant, Denbigh a service bus (now believed to be a Versa) as they have won a new contract to operate the 29 Mold to Wrexham (via Penyffordd) service.

BusTimes.Org
I am sure most enthusiasts are now familiar with the website BusTimes.Org - but for those that are not or those that may wish to learn a little more about it I have written an article for the Crosville Enthusiast Club which can be downloaded or read HERE.

Merry Christmas
As usual I have made an attempt at an e-card which can be seen HERE - it comes with best wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year