CRG163

CRG163 / ERG163 - In Service: 1970 - 1984

CRG163 was the fleet recognition reference given to ECW Bristol RELH6G coach, registration number EFM163H by its original owner Crosville Motor Services. Crosville had a large fleet of vehicles and needed quickly to identify a specific vehicle, hence their development of the alpha numeric fleet recognition system. More information about this is available on this website by clicking HERE.

CRG163 was first registered by Crosville on the 6th of March, 1970 and would be owned and operated by the company until its withdrawal in 1984.

During its operational life with Crosville the coach would be based from the company’s Edge Lane depot in Liverpool, Merseyside between 1970 and 1979, before moving to Amlwch on the Isle of Anglesey and Bangor between 1979 and 1984. At Liverpool Edge Lane depot it would operate long distance prestigious coach services to London across the UK, including those that once operated under the ‘NATIONAL’ coach brand of the time between 1973 and 1979.


The four liveries carried by CRG163 during its operational days between 1970 and 1984.

At Amlwch it would eventually be downgraded in 1979 to a semi coach for dual purpose use on local bus services and express coach services and repainted green and white. It would operate local bus services during the week and the longer distance X10 limited stop service under the company’s Town Lynx network brand on Saturdays between Cemaes Bay and Liverpool. By this time the vehicle’s fleet reference was reclassified to ERG163, reflecting it’s now dual purpose use.

CRG163 would be driven by a number of drivers during its operational life including Jack Cowap, George Warren, John Embleton, Richard Lewis, Dewi Roberts, Robert (Bob) ‘Moelfre’ Roberts to name only a few.

Richard Lewis recalls ERG163 to be a very nice vehicle to drive whilst based at Crosville’s Amlwch depot and warm due to its Webasto heating system. He also commented that everyone wanted to drive ERG163.

A more in-depth view of CRG163’s ‘in service’ history is available on this website by clicking HERE.


Preservation (Gordon Bate) : 1984 - 2002

Following ERG163’s withdrawal by Crosville in 1984 it was purchased by Gordon Bate who lived in the Manchester area with the view to preserve the vehicle.


Photographs of CRG163 in preservation with Gordon Bate between 1984 and 2002.
Gordon Bate also purchased other similar Crosville vehicles on their withdrawal by the company. By 2002 Gordon Bate had fallen on harder times and was unable to continue the preservation of CRG163 which had ended up neglected on a farm in the Manchester area.


Preservation (Richard Lloyd Jones) : 2002 to present

On the 9th of June 2002, CRG163 was purchased by Richard Lloyd Jones and moved to North West Wales for active restoration and further preservation.


CRG163 as found on the farm during 2002; Gordon Bate top right; our trip home to North West Wales bottom left and having arrived home bottom right.
It took two years to undertake the work required around the vehicle’s restoration which included sourcing new hubs (wheels) from the Scotch Corner; new tyres; new air ride suspension air bags; mechanical work throughout; all round new window and destination rubber gaskets; re-coating of steering wheel; rebuilt side lockers; internal repaint throughout; sanding down of body as preparation for painting; listing only some of the work undertaken.


The restoration work commences in 2002 including the rebuilding of lockers; interior painting; sourcing new hubs (wheels); new window rubbers, destination boxes and side fleet panels; rubbing down of exterior body; sourcing of new air bags and fitting.

The decision was taken to repaint CRG163 into its National white livery carried between 1972 and 1979. Whilst recognising very much the beauty of the cream and black coaching livery it was decided that CRG163 would represent another era of such majestic vehicles. Whilst the dual purpose green and white livery is something remembered this would only denote a downgraded CRG163 to ERG163. For all these reasons the National white livery was chosen.


In for re-painting which was done professionally.  New vinyls produced to specific graphic designs used in 1972 including new Crosville panels created.  New embossed metal fleet plates produced to original specification.  My late Mum can be seen bottom right.

On completion of the restoration work, CRG163 was first unveiled at the Llandudno Extravaganza in 2004 and became a star on the bus show preservation circuit across North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside & Shropshire. In October of the same year CRG163 took part in the Wirral Bus & Tram Show which included an impromptu trip through the Mersey Tunnel to Liverpool Lime Steet. In itself this was returning CRG163 back to its initial home of Liverpool having operated there from Crosville’s Edge Lane depot between 1970 and 1979, and our way of paying respect to the Crosville staff of Liverpool depot.

CRG163 also took part in the Crosville 100 road run celebrations from Rhyl to Llandudno. A video of this event has been captured on You Tube. Please click HERE to see this.


 CRG163 is officially unveiled in the National livery and attends a number of events which included returning home to Liverpool. 
The vehicle also appeared on the front page of the Bus & Coach Preservation Magazine in July 2004 (Volume 7, Number 2) with a five page article within the magazine.


CRG163 hits the front cover of the Bus & Coach Preservation Magazine in July 2004 with a five page spread inside.

The vehicle was also subject to the first EFE 1:76 bus model of this vehicle type (Bristol RELH, ECW, MK1 coach) launched in September 2006. The model’s appearance was based as in preservation from 2004 onwards as the window rubber gaskets were black with X10 Bangor shown on the model’s destination boxes. When being restored between 2002 and 2004 original cream window rubber gaskets were not available hence black replacements ordered and installed.

More information about CRG163’s preservation beyond Crosville can be found on this website by clicking HERE.


EFE 32302 model launched in September 2006 based upon CRG163 in preservation from 2004 onwards.
More details about CRG163 in EFE model form can be found on this website by clicking HERE.


The most important aspect of all - the human connection

Striving for the history of CRG163 also involves striving for the human connection, i.e. people who were associated with CRG163 / ERG163 when in service with Crosville.

During 2004 CRG163 was reunited with Jack Cowap who was 91 years old by then, when CRG163 made a surprise appearance on a Crosville Enthusiasts Club 1967 outing to North Wales. Jack Cowap once drove CRG163 in the 1970’s on the prestigious Liverpool to London service. He is captured behind the wheel once again from the top left photograph below.

Bob ‘Moelfre’ Roberts was also reunited with CRG163 on the same day who came with me for a ride out to Conwy. Bob drove CRG163 as ERG163 from Amlwch depot. It is understood that ERG163 was Bob’s vehicle which he would drive on the X10 Cemaes Bay to Liverpool service on Saturdays. This service was also driven by Richard Lewis, Dewi Roberts and others. On this very day, Bob drove CRG163 once again, many years after retirement with total skill and care around the Cibyn Industrial Estate in Caernarfon. It was such a magic moment without doubt captured through the photograph bottom left.

On a more poignant moment, John (Llanrug) Wyn Griffiths (pictured below right) also had the opportunity to drive preserved CRG163 around the same Cibyn Industrial Estate in Caernarfon. We arranged a day out with John, family, close friends and CRG163 one Sunday in early January 2009 to recreate some of the Crosville routes operated from Caernarfon depot back in the day which John would have driven as a Crosville driver. John was a friend to so many and distinguished driver from Crosville’s Caernarfon depot having driven local and long distance National Express routes across the UK. Unfortunately by now John was unwell and our day out with CRG163 was an absolute tonic. Unfortunately John passed away two weeks later from when the photo of him was taken raising his thumb out of CRG163’s cab window. This photo was later printed and framed and given to John’s wife in his memory and a positive memory of our fantastic day together.


The valuable human connection with CRG163.  Jack Cowap pictured top left; Bob ‘Moelfre’ Roberts and myself in front of preserved CRG163 at Bangor; Bob ‘Moelfre’ Roberts behind the wheel of CRG163 bottom left and John ‘Llanrug’ Wyn Griffiths bottom right only a few weeks before his sad passing.

Not only do we strive to restore and preserve CRG163, but equally we strive to find people who have been connected with the vehicle in some way over the years. This includes descendants of family members who have been connected with CRG163 but who are sadly no longer with us. We continue to strive to find such important connections to the vehicle. If you drove CRG/ERG163 back in the day or have had a family member who did then please do get in touch via e-mail to post@crg163.com.


Crosville Retired Salaried Staff Outing - 2007

In 2007 I had the privilege of providing and driving CRG163 on the Crosville Retired Salaried Staff (CRSSA) summer outing. The CRSSA came into existence following a suggestion at a Crosville staff meeting, held at Crane Wharf, Chester, the company’s head office on the 2nd of December 1965.

The CRSSA is a group that was formed back in 1964 (check) comprising of Crosville senior management. The group’s activities would comprise of a summer outing to a place of interest and Christmas dinner at Chester. The group would also meet at other times of the year to catch up and socialise.

Whilst recognising that the Crosville name has disappeared from our streets sadly for nearly 30 years by now, the group continue to meet in the same way. Generally group membership eligibility is based on having (1) worked for Crosville/Crosville Wales; and (2) having reached management status within the bus industry. I have been a member of the group since approximately 2005.

In 2007 the summer outing involved a trip on the Llangollen Canal and the Llangollen Heritage Railway. Pick ups were made from Llandudno Junction across the North Wales coast to Chester before a drive to Trevor where everyone joined the Llangollen Canal for a trip across the Poncysyllte Aqueduct by canal boat . Following a trip on the canal CRG163 transported all passengers to Carrog Railway Station for a trip on the railway to Llangollen with CRG163 returning by road. A meal then followed at the Pheasant Hotel before returning to North West Wales via Chester and the North Wales Coast.

On the day my passengers were top flight Crosville senior management from back in the day, including Clive Myers; Ron Holding (Crosville chief engineer); George Garston; Glyn Jones; Pat Reeson; Graham Turner; Mike Grant; Paul Hill, David Pool and many others. What was also really nice was the fact that Dianne Lavinder was also with us, who’s name is on CRG163’s original and official Crosville paperwork and subsequent movements within the company.

It was a privilege indeed to be amongst these people on the day and otherwise.


CRG163 used for the CRSSA summer outing in 2007, carrying highly respected top flight Crosville management from back in the day.  It was a privilege indeed to be involved.

Returning home to Amlwch - 2006

During 2006 CRG163 returned to its former home of Amlwch where it was based from 1979 to 1984 out of respect for the staff that once worked there. By now the former site of Amlwch depot was occupied by a supermarket which was so often the case of former Crosville depot sites when sold following deregulation of the bus industry outside London from 26 October 1986 and subsequent privatisation.

Nonetheless CRG163 had returned home and displayed ‘X10’ on its destination display out of respect for Crosville’s Amlwch depot and staff. CRG163 as ERG163 once operated the X10 service from Cemaes Bay to Liverpool on Saturdays in the early 1980’s when based at Crosville’s Amlwch depot.

Once again CRG163 can also be seen at Menai Bridge, a location it so often served as ERG163 when based at Crosville’s Amlwch depot.

The photographs below are dedicated out of respect for the staff of Crosville’s Amlwch depot which included Bob ‘Moelfre’ Roberts; Dewi Roberts; Richard Lewis and others; with the evening photos dedicated to our dear friend Dave Wilder.

Our intention is to return CRG163 again to Amlwch when our latest restoration has been completed out of respect for Bob ‘Moelfre’ Roberts; Richard Lewis; Dewi Roberts and all other staff that once worked at the depot.


Preserved CRG163 returning home to Amlwch, 22 years after it’s operational days at the town’s Crosville depot, now occupied by a supermarket.  CRG163 proudly displayed ‘X10’ on it’s destination out of respect for the staff at Amlwch depot.

Further restoration - 2020 onwards

However due to the throws of life the vehicle was mothballed from 2009 until 2019, compounded by parking and access issues (which can be problematic to such large preserved vehicles) until further restoration work could be undertaken.

Further work was planned to commence at the beginning of 2020 however Covid halted any possible progress.

Beyond Covid restoration work has again commenced but now involving two very special people to me, my two young sons who are 12 and 14 years of age (as at April 2023). CRG163 will be passed to them one day in the future.

To date new trafficators (side indicators); new front fog lights have been sourced with the trafficators fitted; all six wheels have been sandblasted, treated and painted; new tyres have been purchased and fitted all round; nearside lockers have been restored with new strengthened wooden frames to each locker and along the vehicle itself; replacement of some of the air pipes; removal and professional testing of the vehicle’s alternator; continued road testing; a new electrical regulator; and the radiator has been removed and rebuilt as new.


Further restoration of CRG163 commences with further significant investment.
To keep up with CRG163 news and developments you can click HERE.  This link will take you to our ‘News Page’ on this website,


A new website for CRG163

A new purpose built website for the vehicle was launched during 2021 which charts the vehicle’s 50 year odd history from operational to preservation as well as restoration developments, the website address being www.crg163.com. The website was initially commissioned and launched to source vehicle parts but has quickly grown.


CRG163’s purpose built website is launched linking the old with the new.
To go to our website ‘Home’ screen please click HERE.


Further continued restoration 

There are also a number of articles on the website that have been written by those that have either travelled on CRG163 during the vehicle's operational days or Crosville management involved in the vehicle’s operational allocation.


Further restoration continues again with significant investment.

Further restoration of the vehicle will include restoration of the offside lockers; fitting of the new front fog lights; internal painting; assessment of water and air pipes replacing those that will need replacing; general assessment and maintenance; and then exterior appearance -sanding and painting.


Recent photographs of CRG163 and our restoration journey from the beginning of April 2023 as the restoration continues.  Fleet plates are proudly carried.
To keep up with CRG163 news and developments you can click HERE.  This link will take you to our ‘News Page’ on this website.

To go to the Home page of CRG163;s website click HERE.


Contact details

If you have any photos or related information about CRG163 or any information on the parts presently required then please e-mail us at post@crg163.com .  Many thanks in advance.


Please note

There are some photos on this website where copyright is unknown. If these photos are yours then please let me know by e-mailing post@crg163.com so that they can either be removed immediately or copyrighted to your name accordingly. Thank you.

All photographs have been watermarked on this website and should not be reproduced elsewhere without prior consent. Unfortunately some private photos previously shared on line have been copied without permission and have subsequently appeared for sale by third parties on e-bay.

You can also subscribe to this website by entering your e-mail address into the white box below, bottom right and click the subscription button ⬇️

What is CRG163?

CRG163 is a preserved historic 47 seat coach, vehicle registration EFM 163H, which was originally registered on the 6th of March 1970 by the Crosville Motor Services Limited bus and coach company.

The Crosville Motor Services Limited bus company had It’s headquarters in Chester, operating bus services from it’s bus depots across Cheshire, Merseyside North and Mid Wales. Crosville operated local registered bus services, coach trips as well as long distance express coach services to London and other major UK destinations.

CRG163 consists of the superb Bristol RELH chassis and is fitted with a Series 2, Mark 1, Eastern Coach Works (ECW) coach body. RELH stands for R = Rear; E = Engine; L = Long; H - High.  The vehicle is fitted with the impressive Gardner 6HLX 10.45 litre engine.

Vehicles entering the Crosville fleet would be allocated an alpha numeric fleet number. For further details about Crosville’s fleet allocation system click on the following link which takes you to the appropriate page on this website: Crosville Fleet Numbering.

From Crosville’s fleet numbering system, vehicle EFM163H was allocated the alpha numeric fleet number CRG163, standing for C = Coach; R = Bristol RE; G = Gardner engine.  The 163 numeric element of the fleet number was from the vehicle’s actual registration number.  This wasn’t always the case with Crosville.

initially CRG163’s fleet number would be displayed on the vehicle by embossed metal plates situated on the vehicle’s front grill; above the front nearside wheel; under the driver’s cab window and on the boot. A smaller plaque would also be displayed on the vehicle’s internal destination door above the windscreen. All Crosville vehicles would be treated as such until metal plates were replaced in the late 1970’s by grey stickers. When restored between 2002 and 2004 new metal fleet plates were produced for CRG163 in order to restore her back to coach status as would have been the case back in the day with Crosville.


A scan of the cover of ’Crosville United’, no’ 57 from 1964 - cover and page 5.  Page 5 describes the introduction of such fine vehicles as the CRG’s in 1963 with a descriptive of their specification.  The image shows brand new CRG495 & CRG496 parked at Pier Head, Liverpool.  My grateful thanks to my good friends Elwyn and Elsbeth Thomas, once Crosville staff/summer employment for providing me with many Crosville United publications.

CRG163 history summary

In essence CRG163’s 50 year old existence can be summed up as follows:

• 1970 - new to Crosville Motor Services Limited - registered 6th March 1970
• 1970 to 1979 - operating main line coach work, vehicle fleet classification with Crosville as CRG163 based at the company’s Edge Lane, Liverpool depot
• 1979 to 1984 - August 1979 the vehicle is downgraded to dual purpose status by Crosville and would then operate on local bus and coach work with the company.  The vehicle’s fleet number is designated to ERG163 with new fleet stickers applied. The alpha code being replaced from ‘C‘ to ‘E‘ to represent the vehicle‘s new dual purpose status.  It would then be based predominantly at the company’s Amlwch depot, Isle of Anglesey, North West Wales
• 1984 - 13 April 1984 the vehicle is withdrawn from active service by Crosville
• 1984 to 2002 - vehicle enters bus preservation with Gordon Bate
• 2002 to present - vehicle purchased by Richard Lloyd Jones for further restoration and preservation

CRG163 history timeline with further details







50 year anniversary

On 06 March, 2020 CRG163 celebrated its 50 year anniversary since the date of its first registration of 06 March 1970. It was therefore a special year for CRG163 and very apt as we enter the next chapter. Unfortunately any restoration progress or celebrations were hindered by the pandemic emergency.






50 year anniversary

On 10 April 2022 the famous NBC logo celebrated 50 years since it’s first introduction on 10 April 1972.




CRG163 - next chapter

In 2020 CRG163 enters its next chapter of further restoratiin. New photos and more will appear on this website as it continues to grow in charting CRG163’s on-going journey.


Covid19 impact

Unfortunately in March 2020 a worldwide emergency emerged in the form of the Covid19 pandemic which impacted on everything. In order to reduce transmission rates various UK and Wales lockdowns and guidance were introduced from March 2020 onwards. This unfortunately halted any restoration progress on CRG163 until restrictions were lifted.


Contact details

If you have any photos or related information about CRG163 or any information on the parts presently required then please e-mail me, Richard Jones at post@crg163.com .  Many thanks in advance.


Please note 

There are some photos on this website where copyright is unknown.  If these photos are yours then please let me know by e-mailing post@crg163.com so that they can either be removed immediately or copyrighted to your name accordingly.  Thank you.

All photographs have been watermarked on this website and should not be reproduced elsewhere without prior consent. Unfortunately some private photos previously shared on line have been copied without permission and have subsequently appeared for sale by third parties on e-bay.



Photos

• The black and white photo of CRG163 in her original cream and black livery is unknown unfortunately. If anyone knows rhw owner please provide so that credits can be provided.
• The photo of ERG163 in it’s green and white dual purpose livery departing from Amlwch is being reproduced with thanks to the photographer, our good friend Don McKeown.
• The third photo is of CRG163 in her first phase of preservation with Richard Jones as restored in her 1970’s NATIONAL livery.

You can also subscribe to this website by entering your e-mail address into the white box below, bottom right and click the subscription button ⬇️

Initial preservation : 1984 - 2002 (Gordon Bate)

Following ERG163’s withdrawal by Crosville in 1984 it was saved from potential scrapping and an uncertain future by passing into the world of vehicle preservation through the new ownership of Gordon Bate. Gordon lived in the Manchester area and saved and preserved many other Crosville vehicles in his time including now preserved CRG106, CRG111 and CRG530, which would also eventually pass to other owners for further restoration, safekeeping and preservation. It is safe to say that Gordon played an instrumental interim role in saving and securing such vehicles from their ultimate demise.


ERG163 enters preservation and is repainted in CRG163‘s more simplistic cream and back livery under the ownership of Gordon Bate.  The vehicle’s fleet classification during its time with Crosville is applied in standard National Bus Company grey stickers.
ERG163 initially passed to Gordon in the dual purpose green and white livery as operated by Crosville. During his tenure of the vehicle he later adopted a derivative of the original cream and black livery but to a far simpler design, reapplying through sticker format the fleet designation of CRG163. Initially Gordon would attend many bus and coach rallies with the vehicle but over time began to withdraw. Over time the vehicle was withdrawn from any public appearance and mothballed, parked up at an unknown location for many years to come, rumoured to be on the outskirts of Manchester, somewhere.


A New Chapter - Preservation 2002 onwards (Richard Jones)

In the year 2000 I got to know Gordon Bate through the vehicle preservation movement and came across 163 as a part of this. I understand that many had attempted to purchase 163 from Gordon over the years through failed attempts either before or during any acquisition process. It is understood that Gordon would meet would be purchasers in the middle of nowhere but never actually taking anybody to the secret location of 163.

However in early 2001 everything changed. Gordon contacted me and offered the opportunity to purchase the vehicle. I remember accepting his offer to visit with excitement.


CRG 163 - Initial recovery and rescue

In June of the following year a date was set, that being the 9th of June, 2002 and I dully travelled with others to a location on the outskirts of Manchester to meet Gordon. Again as with others before I was to meet him at a location in the middle of nowhere. When we met we chatted for a short while before being invited to follow him for a number of miles along country lanes to the hidden location of 163. I remember entering a farm before suddenly seeing 163 appear silently from behind a barn.

Top left images is CRG163 parked on the farm before recovery.  Top right is Mr Gordon Bate inside CRG163.  Bottom left image is of recovered CRG163 on the way home to North West Wales.  Bottom right image is of CRG163 safely home in North West Wales.
Unfortunately by this time the vehicle had deteriorated as it had not moved for a number of years. The vehicle was thoroughly checked over by a mechanic friend for any issues such as air pipe or water issues as well as other roadworthiness checks. On receiving the green light from my mechanic friend the deal was done. Before we departed I remember Gordon affectionately placing his hand on the front of 163 and saying “look after yourself old girl”. Suddenly we were homeward bound returning 163 once again to North Wales.


Ex CRG163 heading westbound near Chester - homeward bound (photo courtesy of Ray Jones).
Her recovery did not pass without incident, but through engineering support from a friend and perseverance she travelled home from Manchester to North Wales.

At this time I must pay homage to Gordon Bate for saving so many Crosville vehicles including mine from a more unstable future. Sadly Gordon is no longer with us unfortunately, however 163 lives on as well as his initial efforts of preservation.


The restoration work begins...

CRG163 undertook a rigorous restoration process with Richard between 2002 and 2004 with grateful support from his father, late mother and others before being unveiled in June 2004 in her restored NATIONAL white livery.




A lot of travelling was undertaken across the country, tracking down and sourcing parts.

This included but not restricted to:

• a complete mechanical overhaul including the fitting of new air and water pipes throughout and the repair of air bag levelling valves;  vehicle entrance door mechanisms and driver cab electrics;
• securing a full set of six rims (wheels) from the Scotch Corner on realisation that six different sized incorrect rims were fitted by the previous owner
• six new tyres;
• recasting the steering wheel - north of Manchester;
• repair to vehicle alternator - Liverpool
• rebuilding the wooden frames of all side lockers - nearside and offside;
• New window rubbers supplied from a specialist company - all round including destination displays and side panels above front wheels - nearside and offside to hold the ‘Crosville’ name once again
• complete sanding down of the entire body work (with grateful support from my Father);
• complete respray of the vehicle to NATIONAL white;
• deteriorated water pipes replaced;
• complete internal repaint;
• Sourcing of original coloured green external beading all round on all bright work;
• Sourcing of new metal grey and black fleet plates re-created exactly to the original design and specification of CRG163 down to the detail of the text font and dimensions used thus reinstating 163 to its original CRG fleet status.  This replaced the stickers used by the previous owner;
• Sourcing the correct paint and colour match of grey for the vehicle rims (wheels);
• Sourcing the design specifications for the ‘NATIONAL’ branding as well as all vehicle legal lettering to the original design including font.  This included the ‘Crosville’ fleet name on the reinstated panel above the front wheels.  163 was now repainted in the NATIONAL livery and included all correct styling of legal lettering.  I was extremely lucky as my friend Derek Thompson who once worked for Crosville at its Caernarfon depot had retained the original specifications who kindly shared this with me.  Sadly Derek is no longer with us.  Thank you Derek so much for your kindness and friendship.

Completion of restoration and unveiling

The new livery chosen for restored CRG163 was kept a secret from everyone and was unveiled at the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza Transport Festival in May 2004.




Llandudno Transport Festival

On 01 May 2004, CRG 163 is publicly unveiled for the first time following restoration at the Llandudno Transport Festival. By now CRG 163 has been restored and repainted into the National white livery the vehicle carried between 1972 and 1979. CRG 163 would also proudly carry new bespoke traditional metal fleet plates and as carried when new.

The initial four photographs below were taken early morning on Saturday the 01 May as final preparations were being made to publicly unveil restored CRG163 for the first time later in the morning. Final touches included final visual checks of everything and the application of the orange show sticker on CRG163’s nearside windscreen.
This was extremely exciting as two years of restoration work culminated to this very point where only a few hours later CRG163 would be unveiled to everyone. CRG163’s livery was kept as a secret and surprise to everyone. It must be remembered that twenty years ago we didn’t have such things as the internet and social media platforms as we have today.

Early morning images of CRG163 before setting off to the Crosville vehicle gathering at the Llandudno Transport Extravaganza - 2004. This was our first public outing following the completion of two years of restoration.

Following an early start of excitement , CRG163 arrives at the Llandudno Transport Festival.
Following the static show of vehicles at the Llandudno Festival of Transport a road run took place of most of the vehicle through Llandudno and around the Great Orme.  CRG163 is seen here driving through Llandudno as a part of the road run.  Following the road run CRG163 parks alongside fellow preserved Crosville vehicles for an impromptu early evening photo shoot.


Returning home to Liverpool








Preserved CRG163 returning to Liverpool Lime Street Station on the 3rd of October, 2004.  CRG163 was originally based at Crosville’s Liverpool Edge Lane depot back in 1970.

CRG163 in preservation circa 2004 - taken by Derek Thompson.
By then CRG163 had become a celebrity in the bus preservation movement.


Preserved CRG163 at Glynllifon Estate circa 2005.

Bus & Coach Preservation Magazine - June 2004

Bus & Coach Preservation magazine front page - July 2004.
The cover photo was taken of preserved CRG163 passing through one of the famous arches of the Menai Suspension Bridge linking the Isle of Anglesey and the main land.

In June 2004 CRG163 during its preservation become the star on the cover and within a five page internal article of the Bus & Coach Preservation Magazine.


Bob Moelfre, once of Crosville’s depot at Amlwch.  Now retired but once again driving CRG163 but this time in preservation many years later.  In memory of Bob.










Crosville 100 celebrations, 2006 at Rhyl with me behind the wheel and my late Mother sitting behind.  Photo courtesy of Martin Pinnington with thanks.

Pictured again at the Crosville 100 celebrations, 2006 in Rhyl.  Photo courtesy of Martin Pinnington with thanks.

Preserved CRG163 returning home to Amlwch during 2006.  The Crosville depot is sadly demolished, making way for yet another supermarket which became buyers of Crosville sites when vacated and sold.  CRG163 returned to Amlwch displaying route number X10 (the route once operated by CRG163 when ERG163 back in the day between Cemaes Bay and Liverpool) on its destination blind, paying homage and respect for the old depot and staff.
An evening shot of preserved CRG163, parked at the bus interchange at Menai Bridge, Anglesey on its return from Amlwch.

TV Appearance

The EFE model of preserved CRG163 on BBC iplayer
The EFE model of preserved CRG163 has also appeared on BBC iplayer in the programme: Timeshift: Series 10, 7 - The Modern Age of the Coach. The programme is also available on You Tube via the following web link: https://youtu.be/WQMDp2tVV-k 


CRG163 preservation - 2020 onwards

For details of our recent restoration and preservation endeavours please click HERE or our News Page for details.



Contact details

If you have any photos or related information about CRG163 or any information on the parts presently required then please e-mail me, Richard Jones at post@crg163.com .  Many thanks in advance.

You can also subscribe to this website by entering your e-mail address into the white box below, bottom right and click the subscription button ⬇️

Why is Bristol RELH, registration EFM163H referred to as CRG163 and ERG163?

This is all down to the vehicle recognition system that Crosville devised and introduced that would allow employees within the company to recognise a vehicle quickly by simply its allocated fleet number.

A summary of the company’s fleet recognitions systems over the years is described below.



A summary of Crosville’s fleet numbering system

Crosville had adopted four methods of vehicle recognition through fleet numbering over the years.

1910 - 1915

Method one around 1910 involved naming buses with such names as ’The Alma’ and ‘Busy Bee’.


Pictured outside the works of Henry Eaton (of Manchester) presumably when new, is Crosville No. 2 (FM387), a 1911 Dennis named ‘The Alma’. It was later numbered 4 and withdrawn in 1913. (LTHL collection).

1915 - 1934

Around 1915 method two was introduced and simply involved numbering vehicles such as ‘1’; ’2’ and so fourth between 1 and 1000. Crosville being superstitious never used the number ‘13’ but used ‘AC’ instead.

1934 - 1958

Around 1934 an alpha-digit numeric system was introduced. Simply a letter was assigned to the type of vehicle such as ‘C’ for a Leyland Lion LT1. Some vehicles used two characters as the fleet grew followed by the assigned number. The number did not correspond to the registration of the vehicle.

1958 onwards

The fourth and final method the company adopted was the alpha-numeric system comprising of three letters denoting the vehicle type then between one and three numbers replicating the vehicle registration number. The numbers used were not always replicated.

In terms of CRG163 this was the fleet numbering system used.

Crosville had a significantly sized fleet of varying vehicle types in specification from engine type, make, model. They tended to be delivered new to the company in batches of the same type. The company adopted an unique alpha-neumeric fleet recognition system that would allow all company vehicles to be easily and quickly identified for the purpose of internal processes through its unique fleet number. No two vehicles would hold the same fleet number at any one time. This was especially useful for the Engineering and Traffic divisions of the company when dealing with internal maintenance regimes and traffic operational allocations.

Basically the principles of allocating an alpha-numeric system to new vehicles entering the Crosville fleet involved three letters (unless classed as auxiliary/supportive vehicles such as cars or engineering vehicles denoted by ‘A’) followed by the majority of times the corresponding numbers displayed on the vehicle’s registration number plate. Not always though did the same registration number correspond especially if another vehicle in the fleet was allocated these numbers.

The three letters applied was specific and based upon vehicle characteristics on the following principles:

• First assigned letter denoted the body type e.g.

• C = Coach;
• D = Double Decker (low height);
• E = dual purpose/Express vehicle that would normally be fitted by semi coach seats but also fitted with a driver cab door and ticket machine and could also be used on local bus services as well as coach work;
• H = Double Decker (high bridge);
• M = Mini bus;
• O = Open Top;
• S = Single Decker;

• Second assigned letter denoted the vehicle chassis type e.g.

• L = Leyland Leopard / Bristol LH
• N = Leyland National;
• O = Leyland Olympian
• R = Bristol RE;
• V = Bristol VRT

• Third assigned letter denoted the engine type e.g.

• G = Gardner;
• L = Leyland;
• M = Mercedes

• The numeric element of the fleet number would generally correspond with the  numbers displayed on the vehicle registration, but not always the case as explained above.

The following are examples on how the company applied the alpha-numeric fleet numbering system to actual vehicles in the Crosville fleet:


Dual purpose = multi use on local bus and express longer distance services
In respect of EFM 163H, the allocated fleet number was CRG163, simply equating to C = Coach; R = Bristol RE (rear engine); G = Gardner engine; followed by 163 from its registration of EFM163H.




At that time all Crosville vehicles proudly carried metal fleet plates which were placed on the vehicle’s front panel, normally on the grill if available as well as under the driver’s offside cab window and below the nearside front passenger window externally as well as on the boot in some cases. Vehicles would also have a much smaller fleet plate inside the driver’s cab area, normally above the driver’s offside window.




In relation to CRG163 this was the vehicle‘s first fleet designation in recognition of coaching duties. However in 1979 the vehicle was downgraded to dual purpose use, i.e. the vehicle would be used on any service which would include local bus service operation as well.

The ‘E’ letter would replace the ‘C’ letter in the vehicle’s classification. Fleet numbers would be applied with stickers to National Bus Company specification of font and size and shade of grey.

Reclassification from CRG to ERG would also involve the fitment of a ticket machine and fixed holder as well as a change in livery to white (roof to below the passenger window line) and leaf green below this. This livery of white and green would always be associated with a dual purpose vehicle in Crosville’s fleet.



Contact details

If you have any photos or related information about CRG163 or any information on the parts presently required then please e-mail me, Richard Jones at post@crg163.com .  Many thanks in advance.

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CRG163 is a Bristol RELH6G.  What does this mean?

CRG163 is a rear engined vehicle with a Bristol Commercial Vehicle chassis to the long, coach high configuration.

Simply RELH6G means a Bristol RE to the Long, High chassis configuration with a 6 cylinder Gardner engine - Bristol RELH6G.




Bristol Commercial Vehicles

The Bristol RE was a rear engined single deck bus or coach built by Bristol Commercial Vehicle between 1962 and 1982.

The Bristol RE is considered to be one of the most successful rear engined vehicles and has a huge following to today, and includes many examples preserved such as CRG163.

Bristol was wholly owned by the nationalised Transport Holding Company (THC) with the Bristol RE only supplied initially to subsidiaries of the the THC. Leyland purchased 25% of Bristol in 1965 which led to the Bristol product being made available to non state owned bus and coach operators. Municipal bus operators including the British Electric Traction Group (BET) were also customers.



Sales to the National Bus Company (NBC) however began to dry up from 1972 as the Leyland National product was also available. The NBC had taken over the operations of the THC and BET.

Unfortunately the Bristol RE was only available for export to Christchurch, New Zeland as well as Ulsterbus and Citybus in Ireland from 1976.



Sale statistics

The sale statistics for the Bristol RE was as follows:

• 4,629 Bristol RE’s were built
• 3,242 of which were sold to NBC Subsidiaries
• Bristol Omnibus Company was the biggest single customer at 439 orders
• Crosville Motor Services at 288
• Ulsterbus & Citybus in Ireland combined at 620
• United Automobile Services at 470
• West Yorkeshire Road Car Company at 259
• 148 were sold to members of the Scottish Bus Group
• 405 to British municipalities and PTE’s
• 834 to other operators

Vehicle Body - Eastern Coach Works

The most common fitted body to any Bristol RE was Eastern Coach Works (ECW) of Lowestoft. Other manufacturers also built on the chassis such as Alexander; Duple; Plaxton.

Interestingly the Bristol RE was available in five variants from vehicle length to height (bus/coach).

ECW’s logo as shown on vehicles

Chassis variants

The variants available were as follows:

• RELL - long vehicle length at 36 foot, low frame bus body fitted
• RESL - short vehicle length, low frame bus body fitted
• RELH - long vehicle length at 36 foot, high frame (coach or dual purpose body normally fitted). CRG163 would be the coach variant.
• RESH - short vehicle length, high frame (coach or dual purpose body normally fitted)
• REMH - long vehicle length at 12m, high frame coach body fitted

Engines

The Bristol RE would normally be fitted with a Gardner 6 cylinder engine or a six cylinder Leyland diesel engine, either a 0.600 or 0.680. As such the variant codes above would be suffixed by a code indicating the engine fitted such as RELH6G in the case of CRG163. The codes would be:

6G would refer to the Gardner 6 cylinder engine, for example the 6HLX in the case of CRG163. The engine would be a Gardner 6LX vertical engine, however in the Bristol RE the engine would be fitted horizontally denoted with a ‘H’ in 6HLX.

The Gardner 6HLX engine in CRG163 is 150 hp @ 1700 RPM and a Natural 6-cylinder diesel. It’s cylinder capacity is 10,450 cc

6L would refer to the Leyland 6 cylinder engine, normally the 0.600 or 0.680.





L. Gardner and Sons Ltd was a British company specialising in the building of diesel engines. founded in Manchester in 1868. It started building engines around 1895 and used in many forms from stationary, marine, road in lorries and buses and rail. The firm ceased engine production in the mid 1990’s.

The Gardner 6LX vertical engine, referred to as 6HLX in CRG163 for its horizontal position

The following images are from the Gardner service manual and provides images of the 6LX as it would appear in its horizontal (HLX) form in CRG163.








Bristol RE - Pre production models

Bristol Commercial Vehicles produced three prototype RE chassis in late 1962 and early 1963.

The three prototypes were based upon an RELL bus chassis; and two based upon the RELH chassis.

The RELL prototype was a 54 seater bus delivered to United in December 1962 in its Tilling red and cream livery. The chassis reference for this vehicle would be REX.001, vehicle registration 7431 HN.

REX.002 followed in April 1963 and would be the RELH, C47F seat high floor coach chassis. This vehicle would be registered 521 ABL, delivered to Thames Valley Traction’s South Midland in the maroon and cream livery between Oxford and London. It would have the stepped wait rail (bright work) a feature carried from the Bristol MW.

A second pre production model/prototype of the Bristol RE RELH was given the number REX.003 built in July 1963. This would be a coach body built by ECW and used as a test bed by Bristol Commercial Vehicle (BCV) until February 1967 when brought up to service standard, fitted with a Gardner engine.


West Yorkshire 1014.  Photographer unknown - but reproduced here through kind permission of Neil Halliday from his own collection.
This laterally became West Yorkshire CRG1 and then 1014, registration OWT241E, entering service from Harrogate depot on 01/03/66, withdrawn on 30/09/78.


Most popular models

The most popular models sold were as follows:

• RELL - 2,839
• RELH - 976 with CRG163 being one of them
• RESL - 698
• REMH - 105
• RESH - 11

The REML, a sixth model variant was advertised in 1968 but none were built. This would have been a 20 foot wheelbase of the REMH but with a low frame for a bus body.





From 1972, the sales of Bristol RE’s to the National Bus Company (NBC), which had taken over both THC and BET began to dry up. This was due to the introduction of the Leyland National. The Bristol RE remained in production from 1976, but only for the Northern Irish state owned bus companies Ulsterbus and Citybus and for the Christchurch Transport Board, New Zealand which continued until 1983.


Contact details

If you have any photos or related information about CRG163 or any information on the parts presently required then please e-mail me, Richard Jones at post@crg163.com .  Many thanks in advance.

You can also subscribe to this website by entering your e-mail address into the white box below, bottom right and click the subscription button ⬇️

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following people for allowing the use of their photographs on this website. Without the time and trouble taken by the following people we would not have such valued photographs depicting the history of CRG/ERG163 as well as Crosville and the wider bus industry. Our grateful thanks to you for documenting the history of transport and that of CRG163 in context of our website. Thank you.

• Andrew Hamer
• Andrew Marks
• Arwyn Herald
• Clive A. Brown
• Derek Thompson
• Dewi Roberts
• Dominic Eaton
• Don McKewon
• Duncan Roberts
• E. A. Allison, Crosville Motor Services Ltd
• Geoff Smith
• Gethin Jones
• Gordon Bate
• Graham Senior
• Graham Warren
• Grahame Wareham
• John Carter
• John F Baker
• John Buchan
• John Lee
• Malcolm Cowtan
• Martin Pinnington
• Mike Street
• Neil Halliday
• Robert Brian Humphreys
• Robert J Montgomery
• Stephen Monaghan

The origins of some of the photographs are unknown and have been depicted as such. However please do get in touch through e-mail if you have any details such as location, dates or if you are the photographer so that the correct acknowledgements can be added or the photos removed if preferred by the owner.

Thank you.

Richard

In memory of the late and great Derek Thompson from Crosville’s Caernarfon depot, sitting behind the wheel of preserved CRG163.  It was Derek that supplied me with the ’NATIONAL‘ corporate design specifications for me to use with CRG163.  A life long dear friend to so many of us from the Crosville family.

Contact details

If you have any photos or related information about CRG163 or any information on the parts presently required then please e-mail me, Richard Jones at post@crg163.com .  Many thanks in advance.

You can also subscribe to this website by entering your e-mail address into the white box below, bottom right and click the subscription button ⬇️