Crosville - Cymru Coastliner - 60th Anniversary
The Cymru Coastliner ‘L1’ was a flagship limited-stop express bus service introduced by Crosville Motor Services on 5 September 1965, running hourly from Chester along the scenic North Wales coast to Caernarfon in under 3.5 hours.
Friday the 27th of August 1965 was the date of Crosville’s inaugural journeys on the Cymru Coastliner involving CMG520 from Caernarfon depot and CRG530 from the Chester end in the company’s beautiful cream and black coaching livery. The day was covered in Crosville’s Crosville United publication, number 60, September 1965, as shown above. Thankfully the elegant and beautiful CRG530 is still with us today under the safe ownership of Steve Graham.
Launched as a forward-thinking initiative to replace declining rail services amid the Beeching Axe closures on the North Wales main line, it featured luxury-seated vehicles like Bristol RE coaches in the company’s elegant cream and black coaching livery, and later Leyland Olympians in a distinctive livery based on the Welsh flag with a large red dragon appearing on vehicles used. Following deregulation of the bus industry outside Greater London on 26 October 1986, Crosville Cymru (the successor to Crosville Motor Services in Wales post split), continued to operate the route but faced challenges from deregulation and competition. This led to its full withdrawal on 8 July 1995, shy of 30 years of service. The branding has been revived in recent years by Arriva Buses Wales (successor to Crosville Cymru) for seasonal services between Rhyl and Llandudno, including a summer 2025 relaunch to boost tourism.
More details about the Cymru Coastliner can be found HERE.
Cymru Coastliner 60th Anniversary
Marking the 60th anniversary of the original launch of the service in 1965, a number of preserved Crosville vehicles recreated a commemorative Cymru Coastliner,’L1’ service on Sunday 7 September 2025, drawing former Crosville staff and bus industry enthusiasts to celebrate the route’s role in North Wales transport history. The day was arranged by our good friend Andy Hamer which included a commemorative booklet, cover shown below.
Commemorative booklet cover
The commemorative service operated predominantly between Chester and Llandudno by preserved CRG106, DFG65, ENL930, EOG207, ERG52, and OVG467.
ERG3 and CRG106 both operated through services to Caernarfon with ERG3 having started its morning at Llandudno to Chester. ERG3 was scheduled to arrive Caernarfon from Chester at 1328 before departing at 1402, with CRG106 scheduled to arrive Caernarfon at 1528, departing at 1602.
The anticipation of waiting to see CRG106 appear was like waiting as a young teenager again at Blaenau Ffestiniog all those years ago for the X9 service to appear. Suddenly CRG106 appeared and swept elegantly into Caernarfon. What a statement of arrival!
The following images are of CRG106’s visit to Caernarfon on the day which included a photo opportunity next to Caernarfon Castle, repeating the photograph of CRG530 sixty years earlier in service and in 2015 in preservation. Photos were also taken of CRG106 on the ‘Maes’, Caernarfon Castle Square, roughly at the location which served as the Cymru Coastliner’s departure point from Caernarfon to Chester for nearly thirty years.
The vehicle has now been owned by Steve Graham for over forty years.
CRG106 on arrival to Caernarfon Pool Side bus station from Chester.
CRG106 parked next to Caernarfon Castle, recreating an image from 1965 of when CRG530 had operated the Cymru Coastliner with a photograph taken at the same location. A photograph of CRG530 was also taken at this location ten years earlier to this image.
A rear view of the elegant and beautiful CRG106.
A lower level image of CRG106 parked next to Caernarfon Castle.
A close up image of CRG106 looking splendid in Crosville’s pre National Bus Company era coaching livery of Tilling cream and black.
Steve Graham is seen standing proudly in front of his wonderful preserved coach.
Another angle of Steve Graham and CRG106.
Steve and CRG106 next to Caernarfon Castle.
Steve behind the wheel of CRG106, parked next to Caernarfon Castle.
CRG106 recreating a daily occurrence back in the day, when the L1 Cymru Coastliner would depart to Chester from Caernarfon’s Y Maes (Castle Square) hourly.
Another angle of CRG106 at Y Maes (Castle Square) Caernarfon with the castle as a backdrop. A modern coach is also parked in the background but does not compare in any way with the elegance of CRG106.
A closer image of CRG106 at Y Maes (Castle Square) with side waist apertures lit, stating CROSVILLE - EXPRESS - COACH - SERVICES.
Steve Graham in front of his preserved coach CRG106 on Y Maes (Castle Square) with Caernarfon Castle as background.
Steve sitting proudly behind the wheel of his beautifully preserved coach, CRG106.
CRG106 parked at Stand A of the Caernarfon Pool Side bus station prior to its return departure to Chester. This is the stand that is used in modern times for all journeys towards Bangor and Caernarfon.
Geoff O’Brien photographs
CRG106’s return journey to Chester, recreating the L1 service was captured by Geoff O’Brien who had also driven the vehicle during its long journey on the day to Caernarfon. Geoff was a long standing Crosville driver at the company’s Liverpool Edge Lane depot and union shop steward. Geoff has also contributed very much to the new ‘Crosville in Liverpool’ book, which has included historical information and fantastic monochrome photographs not previously seen before. It was great to see you Geoff on the day, as well as Dave Forrest and everyone else on the coach. Below are Geoff’s photographs of CRG106’s return journey to Chester.
CRG106 is seen here at the Llandudno Junction fly-over stop next to where the old Crosville Llandudno Junction depot once stood. Steve Graham, the vehicle’s owner can be seen at the wheel.
Another angle of the Llandudno Junction fly-over stop which was used so often by such fine vehicles back in the day on the Cymru Coastliner. The Lidl store that now occupies the former site of Crosville’s Llandudno Junction depot can be seen on the right.
CRG106 is seen here at the bus station in Prestatyn.
Another angle of CRG106 parked at the bus station in Prestatyn. The photograph clearly captures the elegance and beauty of this fine vehicle.
CRG106 having returned to Chester, with the vehicle’s proud owner, Steve Graham seen smartly dressed on the right in a white shirt and green tie.
Cymru Coastliner 50th Anniversary
Below are two photographs of the beautifully restored and preserved CRG530 back in 2015. The photos have kindly been provided by Steve Graham.
CRG530 back in September 2015 at Llandudno Junction’s fly-over west bound bus stop heading to Caernarfon.
Beautifully preserved CRG530 parked next to Caernarfon Castle in September 2015, a sight recreated from 1965.
Below is a short video of CRG106 departing Caernarfon Turf Square, on its return commemorative journey on the L1 Cymru Coastliner to Chester.
Our aspiration is to restore CRG163 into it’s original livery and hopefully of a similar appearance to CRG106. Seeing and having a ride in CRG106 was certainly motivational and inspiring. Thank you Steve for a very memorable Sunday afternoon.