WHAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR...... A LITTLE PUB CRAWL

Yes, we'll soon have a pub crawl, but first we've some buses to look at, in the village of Deiniolen, where Deioiolen Motors had their premises. We arrive in the village in a former Ribble Leyland Tiger Cub.

Here's a former Trent saloon in the depot yard.

William's Coaches were also based in Deiniolen.

In the next valley to the east is Bethesda, which once had a railway station. Here's what's left in 1961 (Ben Brooksbank  Creative Commons License).

Purple Motors (associated with Deiniolen Motors) had a yard and depot in Bethesda.

A few vehicles at home over the years.

Another bus operator called Williams was found in Bethesda.

D&G International once served Bethesda, as seen in 1995.

Now, we're looking towards Penrhyn Quarry from near Tregarth.

Penrhyn Quarry once had an extensive narrow gauge rail system, which ran down to the harbour at Port Penrhyn. At the quarry, we see Hunslet 0-4-0ST Jubilee 1897 (Photograher unknown - photo in my collection).

Across country now (see the map here) to the Cefn Coch stone circle (Christopher Hall - Creative Commons License).

That route takes us nicely into the small town of Conwy. Here's the quay, some time around 1900.

Conwy Harbour from Marine Drive, circa 1970.

Pleasure boats there in 2014.

Conwy is known for its castle. The railway passes it and breaches the walls. This is in LNWR times.

A Virgin Pendolino is dragged past, the loco being out of shot.

The recently re-opened Conwy station, seen through the arch in the early 21st century.

175 009 arrives in 2014.

The bridges across the River Conwy in 1975.

However, we've already visited the other side (Llandudno Junction is there), so we'll remain in Conwy town and look at the buses. First up, Royal Blue CC 3701 in 1928.

Alpine of Llandudno operated open-top tours of the area in 2014.

First stop on the promised pub crawl, the Blue Bell.

A locally brewed beer can usually be found in the Castle Hotel.

Finally, ignore the Ansell's sign, the Albion Ale House usually has 8 real ales on offer.

That's a great place to finish this post. Next time, we'll head westwards along the coast.

IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM SNOWDON

Let's start at the summit of Snowdon and we're looking down in 1961. The weather's rather gloomy.

Two early postcard views around the summit showing the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Sometime around 1970, no. 8 is seen in the clouds at the summit station.

Clogwyn station features on this postcard view.

The first station out of Llanberis is called Hebron, seen in August 1984.

The morning freight train, servicing the summit facilities, is seen between Hebron and Llanberis in 1984.

No. 7 hard at work about a mile uphill from Llanberis.

Llanberis SMR station, circa 1920.

No. 6 being serviced outside Llanberis shed, 1977.

Loco no. 4 photographed leaving Llanberis in 1984.

These days, diesel locos also operate certain trains (Andrew Fieldsend).

Llanberis town is on the banks of Llyn Padarn.

The Llanberis Lake Railway runs along the north bank of Llyn Padarn. Here are some ex "Quarry Hunslet" locos at Llanberis station and shed.

Diesel locos are used for works trains and by contractors.

Beside the station is a long disused incline serving the slate industry.

There's a slate museum by the Llanberis Lake Railway loco shed. A broad gauge crane sits outside.

Inside, some tough looking machinery for cutting the slates (Nicolas Pike).

Wagons full of slate stand outside (Nicolas Pike).

By 2003, the Llanberis Lake Railway had built an extension further into Llanberis town centre. Thomas Bach crosses the newly constructed river bridge.

Here's the new terminus, again featuring Thomas Bach.

There was once a standard gauge railway station in Llanberis.

Close to the town, Llanberis Falls.

Here's a postcard view of what Llanberis has to offer.

Crosville Motor Services ran the majority of buses in Llanberis.

Other operators have included DP Owens and Gwynfor Coaches (Andrew Fieldsend).

KMP Coaches had a yard not far from the town centre. A couple of Bus Eireann coaches are parked up here in 1995.

This Dennis Dart is seen in Llanberis conveying tourists to the underground power station.

Leaving Llanberis (you can see the route map here) we pass the old slate workings at Dinorwig, as seen on this postcard from my collection.

At the village of Llanrug, a KMP Coaches MCW Metrobus passes by in 2003.

Finally! A pint! The Glyntwrog pub is a welcome sight.

Next time, a meander towards Conwy.