About
What is this website about?
Hop aboard our website, which provided a tribute to the once great Crosville Motor Services and ome of the coaches once owned by the company. CRG163—a Bristol RELH6G coach which represents the golden era of British coach travel. This is more than just a website and is a heartfelt archive chronicling the history and memories of Crosville Motor Services and the and pays homage to the valuable people that worked for the company; the on-going preservation of CRG163, the craftsmanship of Bristol Commercial Vehicles, and the legacy of National Express. Whether you’re a former employee, transport enthusiast, or simply curious about the past, this website blends rare photos, technical insights, and personal stories to keep the wheels of history turning.
CRG163: The Heart of the Journey
At the core of the site is CRG163 (EFM163H), a Bristol RELH6G Series 2 Mark 1 coach, bodied by Eastern Coach Works (ECW) and registered on March 6, 1970, by Crosville Motor Services. As part of a batch of four (EFM160H–EFM164H). From new it was based at the company’s Liverpool Edge Lane depot, debuting on the prestigious Liverpool-to-London routes, resplendent in Crosville’s cream and black livery with illuminated “Crosville Express Coach Services” side panels. In 1971, it adopted a simplified black and cream livery before being repainted in the ‘NATIONAL’ white livery with Norman Wilson’s iconic double N logo in December 1972, it served many long distance routes like the X1, X61 and X71 and many others across the North Wales coast before being downgraded and reclassified as ERG163 for dual-purpose duties in November 1979. Between 1979 and 1984 the coach would be based at the company’s Amlwch depot on the Isle of Anglesey and served every route operated from that depot, including the X10 Anglesey-to-Liverpool run.
Withdrawn in 1984, CRG163 was saved from scrapping by Gordon Bate, who restored its 1971 simplified cream and black livery. It ia true to say that Gordon saved a number of other similar vehicles from being scrapped, passing on to other owners in due course.
In 2002, Richard Lloyd Jones took ownership of CRG163, meticulously returning it to its National white livery by 2004—a restoration celebrated on the cover and article of the ‘Bus & Coach Preservation Magazine’. The coach’s legacy continued on through rally appearances and a 1:76 EFE model released in 2006. This website details this journey, from service to preservation, with photos, sounds of its Gardner engine, and stories of sourcing parts and mechanical overhauls.
In recent years CRG163 has entered its second restoration, but hindered for a time by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has subsequently seen significant investment including the complete rebuilding and re-coring of its radiator. However in early 2025 the vehicle’s original waist illuminated panel apertures from when new in 1971 was found, which unbeknownst to all had laid hidden by double panelling. This significant find has now set the future direction of CRG163 which will involve returning the vehicle to its original appearance when new in 1970.
The restoration continues, so come with us on the journey and follow all developments and matters close to CRG163 through our ‘Latest News’ page on this website.
Crosville Motor Services: A True Icon of Bus and Coach Travel
Founded in 1906 in Chester, Crosville Motor Services grew into a cornerstone of bus and coach travel across northwest England, north and mid Wales. From early routes between Chester and Ellesmere Port to its role in the National Bus Company (NBC) from 1969, Crosville’s cream and black coaches, like CRG163, symbolized reliability and pride. The website’s Timeline page traces key milestones—its embrace of Bristol RE coaches in the 1960s, integration into the NBC, and privatisation in the 1980s—offering a vivid portrait of a company that connected communities with style.
Crosville Memories: Memories That Bring History to Life
The “Crosville Memories” section is the soul of this website, capturing the experiences of drivers, staff, and enthusiasts alike. We remember Jack Cowap, who drove CRG163 on the Liverpool-to-London run when the vehicle was new and Bob “Moelfre” Roberts, who drove it when based in Anglesey. David Wilder recalls the “magical” glow of the elegant cream and black CRG coaches at dusk. Mike Lambden reflects on managing NBC express services, while Graham Warren poignantly remembers as a child travelling with his dear Dad, George Warren at the wheel of CRG163, one of the ‘legends’ of Edge Lane depot.
Paired with rare photos from dedicated pages remembering Amlwch and Blaenau Ffestiniog depots and staff, plus leaflets and timetables for routes such ad the X1, X10, and X61, these stories evoke Crosville’s professionalism and pride.
The Bristol RE: Engineering a Legacy
Introduced in 1962, the Bristol RE (Rear-Engined) revolutionised coach travel with its robust chassis and Gardner 6HLX engine. CRG163, a RELH variant, was built for long-distance comfort, featuring a high-floor layout and sleek ECW bodywork. The site celebrates its engineering significance as one of Bristol Commercial Vehicles’ most successful designs (1962–1982), with articles exploring its construction and enduring appeal among preservationists.
The impressive Gardner engine
Find out more about the superb Gardner engine, produced by L. Gardner and Sons Limited, is renowned for its exceptional reliability, fuel efficiency, and longevity, earning a legendary status in automotive, marine, and industrial applications. Originating in Manchester, England, in the late 19th century, the company’s diesel engines, particularly the LW and LX series, powered buses, trucks, luxury cars, and even naval submarines with unmatched smoothness and economy, achieving up to 30 miles per gallon in heavy vehicles like Bentleys. The 6LX and 8LXB models, with their robust cast iron blocks and innovative alloy crankcases, delivered high torque at low RPMs, ensuring durability and minimal wear, with some engines from the 1940s still operational today. Despite their dominance in the mid-20th century, Gardner’s reluctance to adopt turbocharging and adapt to stricter emissions regulations led to their decline by the 1990s, yet their legacy endures through reconditioned engines and a cult-like following among enthusiasts.
The National Express Story and the Distinctive Double N Logo
In 1969, the National Bus Company (NBC) unified Britain’s bus operators, and designer Norman Wilson’s bold double N logo became the centre piece within the overall branding approach, launched in 1972. CRG163 became a part of this, sporting the all-white NATIONAL livery and serving routes like the 850 and 853, inspired by America’s Greyhound coaches. The site marks National Express’s 50th anniversary in 2022, connecting CRG163’s story to this transformative era. Special permission from National Express in 2003 allowed the double N logo to be applied and used on CRG163 on completion of its restoration, adding authenticity to its preservation.
This website includes many features:
- CRG163 Service History: Trace CRG163’s career through Crosville’s routes across Cheshire, Merseyside, and Wales supported by many photographs and scans from the Crosville United magazine.
- CRG163 In Preservation: Learn about CRG163’s subsequent life in preservation from 1984 onwards
- Crosville-CRG163 Timeline: A standout interactive chronicle blending CRG163’s milestones (1970 debut, 1972 livery change, 1984 preservation, 2004 restoration) with Crosville’s evolution.
- The CRG’s of 1970: Delve into the history of the final batch of CRG’s that came to Crosville as well as further information about the CRG class in general.
- Crosville Fleet Numbering: Learn about various fleet recognition systems applied by Crosville over its operational existence.
- Pictorial depot tributes: Two separate web pages providing a pictorial tribute to Crosville’s Amlwch and Blaenau Ffestiniog depots and staff.
- Leaflets & Timetables: Browse 1960s–1970s leaflets showcasing Crosville’s network.
- Sounds of CRG163: Hear the coach’s magnificent Gardner engine, from idling to acceleration.
- Photo Gallery: Enjoy historical images, from CRG163 at Victoria Coach Station in 1973 to its rally appearances post-restoration in 2004.
- Care and respect: Care and respect has been taken to put this website together in memory of so many people who worked for or had a connection to Crosville Motor Services and/or CRG163.
New Book: Crosville in Liverpool – July 2025
A new book titled ‘Crosville in Liverpool‘, will be published and available from 15 July 2025 - this year. It details the proud history of Crosville Motor Services in the city of Liverpool from 1922 and its operations at the iconic Edge Lane depot, CRG163’s home when new. It charts the sad withdrawal of the company from Liverpool in early 1987, the loss of 270 jobs and the impact this had on real people and families, caused by regulatory changes in the way bus services would be provided across the UK outside London from the mid 1980’s.
Unlike previous books written about Crosville Motor Services that has mainly concentrated on bus routes and vehicles, this places real people front and centre of the story, written with utmost care and respect. The story is supported by rare photographs, personal recollections of staff as well as operational details.
The book can be pre-ordered by clicking HERE. For further details about the book please click HERE.
Why visit this website?
This website provides the legacy of CRG163, Crosville Motor Services, and the history of National Express. From the roar of the Gardner engine to Norman Wilson’s NBC double N logo, this is your ticket to a bygone age of travel. Browse the Timeline, savour old photographs, and pre-order the upcoming book today!
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Accessing the website
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You can also access the specific Crosville in Liverpool page directly via www.crosvilleinliverpool.com.
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