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 arrived at Caernarfon from Chester at 1328 before departing at 1402, with CRG106 arriving Caernarfon at 1528, departing at 1602.
Below are photographs of elegant and wonderful CRG106 on the day. 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.
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.