South Cambria Area Tour Report – 11June 2022

by Iain Cruickshank

Saturday 11 June 2022 dawned bright with a reasonable weather forecast and Chester was soon reached from my relatively new home in Malpas on a still quiet A41.

It was with a sense of some expectation that I made my way from my car via Chester Bus Interchange to my habitual boarding point in Victoria Road at the rear of the former Crosville Chester depot. As I rounded the corner into Victoria Road passing the retaining wall which is all that is left of Chester Northgate Station, I found Steve Graham’s immaculately restored ex-United Counties “ERG” TBD 278G waiting with a number of fellow members already on board.

I had seen various photos of TBD since its restoration but it was still almost miraculous to see it “in the flesh” having witnessed the condition the vehicle was in on club visits to the Penygroes premises of the erstwhile Express Motors over the years. I noted an interior “Bws Gwynedd” poster as a reminder of previous ownership.

At 0845 we made the short journey to Chester Station to pick up the bulk of the passengers and then made our way out of the City over the Grosvenor Bridge emulating many journeys I made on Chester City Transport Guy Arabs in the 1960s and 70s with my late mother passing the Roodee where a race meeting was to take place that afternoon.

We then continued south along Wrexham Road bringing back my memories of journeys to and from school on the former Crosville C66 service, some of which were made on coach seated FLF Lodekkas in between their duties on the Cymru Coastliner L1. We crossed the A55 Chester southerly bypass before gaining the dual carriageway A483 thus diverting from the Arriva Chester – Wrexham service 1 – formerly the D1, of course. Progress was good, shadowing the railway, with light showers now intruding as we skirted Wrexham. As we joined the Oswestry bypass, we crossed the still intact track of the former GWR Gobowen to Oswestry branch and passed to the east of the town which was once the HQ of the Cambrian Railways.

South of Oswestry the A483 reverts to single carriageway through the villages of Llynclys and Llanymynech before Welshpool is reached. A number of Tanat Valley vehicles were observed on the premises of Welshpool Livestock Sales, presumably out-stationed there.

The Welshpool bypass unusually passes between the old Cambrian Railways Station building – which is now a craft centre - and the current basic island platform. We were now on the route of the X75 – formerly Crosville D75 – and pressed on south past Berriew and bypassing Abermule, the latter village being the site of an outstation whose history has been comprehensively covered in recent Reviews.

South of Abermule the railway and road run in parallel and my thoughts always turn to the Abermule train crash in January 1921 caused by two trains colliding head-on on the single-track section which resulted in seventeen deaths and a number of serious injuries. I must admit to possessing a book on the disaster entitled The Deadly Tablet.

North of Newtown we encountered the northern end of the Newtown bypass and soon entered the town itself and parked in the Car and Coach Park adjacent to the Bus Station. Members availed themselves of the refreshment and other facilities available but I was sad to note that the site of the bowling green was now occupied by a building, though an unexpected bonus was the presence of a Miniature Railway.

Our halt afforded the opportunity to observe Owens Travel Solo YJ13 HKO on 86B town service and more notably Celtic Travel Volvo B8s BV18 YCE and BV18 YCD departing for Shrewsbury and Llangurig respectively on service X75. We then headed off again, seeing the arrival of Tanat Valley Optare Versa 282 from Welshpool via Montgomery on service 81 - with our number swelled by the arrival of Tony Moyes and Glyn Jones.

As ever, we were able to benefit from Tony’s extensive knowledge henceforth, as we joined the A489 southbound passing the southern end of the Newtown bypass. We were now on the route of the former Crosville S22 Newtown – Machynlleth and S23 Newtown – Brecon services. We crossed the Cambrian main line at Caersws and passed through Llandinam with Tony pointing out the statue of Lord Davies of Llandinam who was a prominent nineteenth century industrialist.

We were now in the midst of a brief sharp shower which passed over prior to our reaching the – new to me - depot of Celtic Travel on the Parc Hafren Industrial Estate in Llanidloes. 

The depot occupies an elevated split-level position with splendid views over the surrounding countryside. As anticipated, a number of Volvo coaches used on school/college contacts were present together with three Wright-bodied Volvo B7RLE saloons formerly used on the X75. The ex-Barrow Corporation Leyland Titan PD2/40 open topper CEO 952 utilized by the CEC for a trip to the Clywedog dam on a previous tour was not present, as she is usually kept at the New Street Garage in the town. One unusual feature observed on the site was a bus shelter complete with timetable for Aberystwyth service 526.

Regrouping, we pressed on with the terrain being increasingly hilly until we reached Llangurig where we effectively started to head west. Tony had pointed out the earthworks of the abortive Manchester and Milford railway which left the Mid Wales Railway south of Llanidloes and had grand and ultimately unfulfilled plans. We were able to observe the interchange at Llangurig where the terminating X75 connects with the X47 from Llandrindod Wells to Aberystwyth – the latter service also being operated by Celtic Travel. Also, of note in Llangurig was the Black Lion pub where in 1948 W. J. Crosland Taylor had lunch consisting of two lamb chops followed by apple tart – credit to “State Owned Without Tears” (1987 reprint).

Heading west on the well-engineered A44 we passed the track leading to the summit of Pumlumon (Plynlimon) which was used by a tractor bus in Western Transport days. By now the Aberystwyth bound X47 had caught us up but it then diverted into the village of Ponterwyd. We started the descent to the coast now and passed through Capel Bangor and on to Gelli Angharad where the annual Aberystwyth Show was taking place. Eagle-eyed members noted Mid Wales Travel open-top Bristol VR UWV 622S on the field acting as a support vehicle. Some members may recall enjoying an extensive tour of the Llyn Peninsula on a glorious June day on this vehicle when it was operated by Express Motors.

We were now on the outskirts of Aberystwyth and crossed the Vale of Rheidol Railway to access the premises of Mid Wales Travel on the Glanrafon Industrial Estate at Llanbadarn Fawr. From a personal perspective, the most notable vehicle present was Scania OmniCity decker N230 LX08 ECY still in London red. Again, a number of Volvo coaches were present, in addition to ADL Enviro 400 decker, SN65 OFH.

It was now time for lunch and it was only a short journey to the town centre but nevertheless a rather melancholy one, passing the still undeveloped site of the former Crosville and latterly Arriva depot on Park Avenue. Inevitably thoughts turned to numerous previous visits to the depot with my own first CEC Tour to the area having been in July 1978.

We duly unloaded in the Bus Station and I obtained refreshment in the Spartacus Cafe in Terrace Road just down the street from the former Wimpy Bar where I had my lunch in 1978. I then had my customary circular walk around the town to the Pier and back to the Station. I resisted the temptations of Yr Hen Orsaf - the Wetherspoons outlet situated at the Railway Station - but some members who shall remain nameless succumbed.

We now had a bonus in the form of a trip to Clarach on Mid Wales Travel Dennis Dart MPD 252 (SX52 MYS). The village of Clarach used to enjoy a seasonal service but has not done so in recent years. We followed the route of the former Crosville S9 through Cwm Woods before arriving at a very bracing Clarach with the temperature being more akin to late Spring than early Summer. We reversed near the beach and made our way back to the A487 where we rejoined TBD and bade farewell to the MPD at the reopened Bow Street Station noting some bizarre graffiti on a nearby house.

Heading north we encountered Lloyd’s Coaches Volvo B8/Evora MP20 BUS on the last leg of the lengthy T2 from Bangor to Aberystwyth. This vehicle had only recently been acquired from MP Travel and still wore Runcorn Busways livery. The clear air afforded excellent views over Borth and towards Aberdyfi and a splendid array of foxgloves adorned the roadside. Lloyd’s ADL Enviro 400 LC61 WYN was passed heading south on the X28 near Glandyfi and the footpath to Dovey Junction station was noted. We were soon in Machynlleth turning right at the famous Clock Tower onto Heol Maengwyn (A489) and shortly after leaving the town we found the Felingerrig premises of Lloyd’s Coaches. This was my first visit to the premises and – while clearly a work in progress – I was impressed by the scale and potential of the site, as befits the needs of such a prominent local operator. Daniel Lloyd was present to greet us.

Returning to the town, we now turned right at the Clock Tower and paused outside the former Crosville depot still currently occupied by Lloyd’s opposite the impressive railway station. Solo M850 NHG 541 was on the depot forecourt, while Dart ADL RIG 3820 was on the station forecourt laying over prior to departure on the X29 to Tywyn, as was Optare Tempo YJ10 MDF waiting to head south for Aberystwyth on the X28.

We headed off under the railway bridge and were again indebted to Tony for pointing out the former Corris Railway Station as we left. The foundations were already in place for the new Dyfi Bridge as we turned right having crossed the Dyfi on the current bridge. We now began the steady ascent to Corris following Crosville route S25 noting the Centre for Alternative Technology on the hillside. We passed King Arthur’s Labyrinth and continued to climb for a while until we began the descent to Minffordd where the S30 branched off to Tywyn. We climbed again with the magnificent vista towards Talyllyn Lake behind us. The slopes of Cader Idris were on our left and having breasted the summit we descended to Cross Foxes and the junction with the A470. We turned left and began the lengthy descent to Dolgellau - noting a number of long-distance runners - on a road which has been improved considerably in recent years. We entered Dolgellau along Arran Road passing the Lloyd’s Coaches depot – formerly Crosville and Arriva until recent years. We soon reached Eldon Square where I alighted while some members remained on board and returned to observe the contents of the Depot.

I find Eldon Square to have a reassuringly timeless feel punctuated by periods of activity when the interchange between services occurs. Our visit was impeccably timed to coincide with the mid-afternoon interchange and I (and others) noted the following Lloyd’s Coaches vehicles:

We departed Dolgellau at 1630 having said farewell to Glyn and Tony and joined the A494 to head north east. The first few miles are largely wooded but the countryside opened up as we passed Drws-y-Nant affording glimpses of the former GWR Ruabon to Morfa Mawddach railway including the remains of the staggered platforms at Garneddwen Halt. Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) came into sight after we passed the turning for the village of Llanuwchllyn – where the T3 does a double run and reverse.

We were soon in Bala itself which always has an air of bustling activity. YJ17FYZ was noted waiting time on the T3 as we passed though the town and pressed onwards. We stayed on the A494 which was previously served by Crosville D93 rather than taking the B4401 which is now served by the T3 (previously D94). We soon reached the junction with the A5 at Druid and turned right and after a couple of miles entered the town of Corwen. The former Crosville depot was observed – in use as a car wash but still recognizable as its former role. Also of note was the nearly completed Corwen railway station which will ultimately form the western terminus of the Llangollen Railway.

We were now in the scenic Dee Valley with the railway on our near side following the course of the river. Progress was hampered slightly by a tractor – an occupational hazard in North Wales – but we soon emerged from the wooded section beyond Glyndyfrdwy and saw Berwyn Station and the Chain Bridge. Llangollen was still busy in the early evening and rolling stock was observed in the Station. Lloyd’s Optare MetroCity YJ62 FTN was observed heading for Barmouth on the T3.

Having crossed the Dee we turned right onto the A539 and headed north east with the tracked of the railway and the Llangollen Canal often close by. Arriva Buses Wales ADL Enviro 400 City 1009 was passed in Acrefair on service 5 to Wrexham.

We soon reached the outskirts of Ruabon and joined the A483 for the last leg of the journey to Chester. A steady stream of coaches was observed heading south carrying punters home from Chester Races – probably with considerably less in their purses or wallets than when they arrived.

All too soon we reached Chester and entered the city via the Grosvenor Bridge again. VDL 300/Wright Gemini2 4481 was observed heading for Holywell and Rhyl on the 11 and Pulsar 2662 was destined for Mold with a healthy load on the 4S.

Chester Station was reached spot on time at 1830 and - having said my thanks and goodbyes - I headed swiftly for my car in an attempt to avoid the inevitable post-Races meltdown.

I hope you will permit me a moment or two of reflection now. As I indicated earlier, my first CEC Tour was in July 1978 to South Cambria with the ultimate destination of Aberaeron utilizing ENL 945 to Dolgellau and then an ERG of the YFM xxx L batch for the southern leg. I can well remember my sense of anticipation that Sunday morning as I made my way into Chester on a Chester City Transport Fleetline and I still experience similar feelings prior to a Tour now despite all the changes that have occurred in the former Crosville operating area in the intervening 44 years. There were a number of members present on both the July 1978 and June 2022 Tours and - encouragingly - a number of faces who were new to me on this Tour. I would encourage any new member who is considering booking on a Tour for the first time to do so – you would be made most welcome and assured of an interesting day, although not necessarily guaranteed of good weather!

It only remains to thank Steve Graham for providing and driving TBD, Mid Wales Travel for providing the MPD, Tony Moyes for his background material and commentary on the day and everybody else responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Tour.