London and North Western Railway
L&NWR
This Milnes - Daimler bus with Dodson bodywork was No 1 in the fleet (Registration number LC1306). It is seen in what is believed to be in 1906 at the Mold Railway Station. The bus, which seated 18 on the top deck and 16 on the lower deck, was new in 1905 and withdrawn from service 8 years later in 1913.
BACKGROUND HISTORY
This Railway Company was formed in 1846 and from 1859 took over the operations of the former Mold Railway which had been linked to the Chester and Holyhead Railway. In addition to providing railway links around Mold the L&NWR also operated motor bus services. In fact it first ran a number of horse-bus services in the latter part of the 19th Century.
July 1905 saw the first motor bus service in North Wales and the route was between Connah's Quay and Mold visiting Flint and Northop. The second service was a real test for the bus involved as it travelled up the Well Hill (gradient of 1 in 9) from between the the station on the main line between Chester and Rhyl to the centre of the town of Holywell. At this time the branch line had not been constructed and did not open until 1912. A further service was introduced in 1906 between Mold and Holywell via Halkyn.
The buses used were both double deck (open top) and single deck and were initially kept at a garage under the arches at Holywell Station. In 1912 the service between Holywell Station and Holywell Town was withdrawn after the branch line opened. The bus depot was then transferred to Mold. A service was also run between Mold and Buckley.
Another route that was started in 1910 was between Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn using a double deck vehicle with 32 seats which was garaged at the Llandudno Junction station. Further routes followed down the Conwy valley in 1911 from Llanrwst to Penmachno, via Bettws-y-Coed and Conway Falls with evening journeys extended to Cwm for the benefit of local miners. In 1913 a service was established between Llanrwst and Abergele and the buses on this service was garaged at Llangernyw. In 1913 the last depot in Wales to be opened was at Holyhead and the bus here ran a service to Rhoscolyn.
The company also operated motor buses from Euston station together with area of Staffordshire, Watford and Tring.
The Great War resulted in a large amount of the services being withdrawn as the buses were commandeered. Most service ended in 1915 but a few involving essential workers continued until 1917. In Wales this was only between Betws Y Coed and Cwm.
The bus service did not resume after the end of the War.
HISTORIC FLEET LIST
The table below gives a list of all recorded vehicles known to have been with this operator. I am indebted to David Donati for his dedicated work in compiling this data and enabling me to present it.
In the right hand column - where available - there is a link to a photograph of the vehicle. The photo will open in a new window. Links in CAPITAL LETTERS suggest the vehicle is seen when with the operator.
Chassis and body numbers are to be found on the right hand side of the table below. You may need to scroll to see them.
© Ron Hughes and David Donati - any reproduction should give credit to the originator and may require permission.
