THROUGH A TOURISTY HOTSPOT

We start this post just south of Wrexham (we'll be going there eventually) at a place called Johnstown, where a builder's yard belonging to a Mr Gittins housed a former Yorkshire Traction Leyland Tiger Cub and a rare Seddon bus.

In nearby Rhosllanerchrugog we find another Seddon PUN 273H, belonging to Wright's of Penycae.

On another occasion, a visit to the depot reveals PUN 273H again and a Ford/Plaxton coach.

Just a reminder that you can see the route we're taking on the map here. We now pass through Acrefair, with a GWR train on the viaduct.

Right, now we are about to descend into the Vale of Llangollen.

 

As we approach Llangollen, we pass the depot of Williams Coaches with a motley collection of vehicles.

So, let's hit the town first stop, a ruin, called Castell Dinas Bran.

Here's a multiview postcard of some of Llangollen's attractions.

Perhaps the most famous structure is the bridge over the River Dee.

From the bridge, a fine view of the railway station, now in the hands of preservationists.

Here are a few scenes at the station over the years.

A few hundred metres away is the old goods yard, now the main depot for the preserved line. Here's Flying Scotsman and a few other interesting items.

Llangollen Goods Junction signal box controls the area.

Here's Llangollen Wharf on the canal (it's actually a "feeder" that is navigable - just).

Just below the canal was the depot of Bryn Melyn Motors. Here are three vehicles there and another two in the town.

Other operators have included Wrights of Penycae and Vale of Llangollen.

Being a tourist town means that Llangollen gets plenty of visiting coaches. Here's a pair of examples, from Glenton Tours of London and Red & White from South Wales.

There are several pubs worth seeking out in Llangollen. In a great position is the Bridge End Hotel, a Robinson's tied house.

The Corn Mill overlooks the River Dee. It has real ale, though it caters more for the food trade.

The Wynnstay Arms is now closed.

Never mind, the Sun Inn has plenty of beer to imbibe.

Let's take a ride on the Llangollen Railway, seen here crossing the viaduct at Berwyn.

In 2003, the line terminated at Carrog (it's since been extended to Corwen). Foxcote Manor has just arrived.

Here's the old bridge at Carrog.

Over the bridge is the Grouse Inn at Carrog, a lovely pub owned by Lees' Brewery.

Right, that's yer lot for now. Further into deepest w ales next time.

A RETURN TO WALES - CROESO I GYMRU

Well, in this post we return to Wales, but there's a bit of Shropshire (England) to do first. Don't forget, you can follow the route here. Now, we're back on the Shropshire Union Canal at Grindley Brook.

Further west and still on the Shropshire Union - Ellesmere Wharf.

Welsh Frankton next. Here, the Montgomery Canal joins the Shropshire Union.

At Gobowen we come across the Wrexham to Shrewsbury railway line, where a traditional signal box looks after the crossing.

Here's All Saints Church in Gobowen (Creative Commons License).

It appears that the Cross Foxes in Gobowen no longer serves cask beer.

Thank goodness that the Last Inn in Upper Hengoed has plenty of great beers.

Another fine pub nearby is the Cross Keys at Selattyn.

There are some great views to be had around Selattyn.

So, as promised, we enter Wales, first finding the castle (of sorts) in the small town of Chirk.

GWR 6392 seen arriving at Chirk in 1932 (HC Casserley).

Chirk was where there was interchange with the long lost Glyn Valley Tramway.

Here's Chirk station and some of its traffic in 2010.

At Chirk the Llangollen Canal crosses an impressive aqueduct and then there's a short tunnel.

Further north on the Llangollen Canal is Pontcysyllte Acqueduct, over the Dee Valley, built by Thomas Telforda and his mates.

Just beyond Pontcysyllte Acqueduct is Trevor Basin, junction with the branch to Llangollen.

A short walk away is Cefn Mawr, the home of DC Jones Coaches.

Also in Cefn Mawr, the yard of Vale of Llangollen Coaches.

Back to the railway now and preserved GWR 6000 King George V is seen passing through Ruabon station.

There's a brilliant pub near Ruabon station, the Bridge End Inn.

The Wynnstay Arms is a Robinson's hotel and has beer and accomodation, therefore a good place to conclude this post.

Next time...... we dig deeper in Wales.