SHERPA'R WYDDFA
Also can be known as Snowdon SHERPA is one of the greatest national parks and network of bus services that runs in between Pen y Pass, although to talk back in time when Arriva, Alpine Travel have gained contract and KMP of Llanberis and then since taken over by Padarn Bus and Express Motors with the S96. The operator when was based in Llanberis have had a selection of fleets containing Optare Solos, Volvo Olympians and of course had an open top East Lancs / Leyland Atlantean 401 ODV 208W . These vehicles had branded for Snowdon SHERPAs S1, S2, S4 and S6. Also some other types of vehicles that worked before were some Dennis Dart SLF ALX200s. Back in KMP days The Darts did used to brand for the SHERPAS and ODV 208W was only branded for the S1.
After the collapse of Padarn Bus the contracts were then handed by GHA Coaches for S1 and S2 routes and others were handed by Express Motors of Penygroes, since this was being a big operator that was based in Ruabon they have been using a lot different types of vehicles there they worked all over areas with North Wales and Cheshire. Back when I was 15 there was a former Brighton and Hove Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown working on the S2 and others have had Volvo Olympians and Dennis Darts. Since GHA have then stopped the S1 and S2s Express Motors of Penygroes have gained the two routes and aswell having worked all around Caernarfon, Beddgelert and Porthmadog. In 2015 Express have purchased two former Arriva London DLA DAF DB250 ALX400s LG52 DBO/U, DBO was only being converted to open top and DBU was only used for non SHERPA routes even this has worked on a 85 between Bangor and Llanberis and has worked on the 88 between Caernarfon and Llanberis, even so did the open topper! LG52 DBO since later gained the Snowdon SHERPA brands. In 2017 both of the Scania ADL Enviro 400s CY12/CX14 EMS have also branded for the SHERPA S1 but sometimes can be used on something else. Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown T813 CBW was also branded for the SHERPAs for the S2. By the end of 2017 Express Motors was sadly been defunct then the start of 2018 all SHERPA routes were handed by Gwynfor Coaches of Llangefni having brought 4 Optare Solos 2 Slimlines and 2 SRs. By March 2018 former Express Motors ALX400 LG52 DBU was brought to Gwynfors to be branded for the S1 and as well they brought other former Express Motors Solo CX12 EMS. As we now come to the present Gwynfors have made their fleet of buses even bigger.
Express Motors Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown T813 CBW was seen taken in Betws y Coed in 2017.
Former Express Motors DAF DB250 ALX400 LG52 DBU was seen taken at Llanberis Interchange since its first day working with Gwynfor Coaches in 2018. Also can notice the SHERPA logo was updated.
So to start this adventure off on getting to Pen y Pass mountain, since I began catching the S6 in 2021 there was an every hour school holiday. They start off by putting double decker's on it, Volvo B7TL Plaxton President LK04 NMX was one of them. But also worked on the S6 was Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini LF52 THV. But all every hour working was used with Optare Solos and Enviro 200s. With non school holidays the S6 was two trips only.
Before going into late Summer I basically went bus spotting in Llanberis and Betws y Coed areas. In 2020 during Covid 19 pandemic Gwynfors have loaned two Plaxton Presidents LK04 NME/X from Dawson Rentals for the S1/S2 and since were then purchased. By 2021 LX04 NMX has gained the Gwynfor fleet names apart from NME. NMX was had to rebrand the logo again from dark blue to white logo due to the livery for being still all over London red. These Plaxton's were new to Metroline as their VLPs.
By mid spring I had photos of LK04 NMX twice since it first had the logos on, it did appear most of the time on the S2s when I was out getting photos of her, LK04 NME was doing the S1 at the time too.
Gwynfor Coaches Optare Solo SR YJ17 FYG was seen entering Bangor on route S6 from Pen y Pass in 2021.
I had a couple of trips many times before on the S2 between Llanberis and Betws y Coed and I find these routes very scenic as a country road. I basically caught a ride on SN15 LRA to Betws y Coed whiles we headed up through Pen y Pass and then onwards via Capel Curig. By the end of May after getting the T19 from Llanrwst I caught YY17 GPZ back down to Llanberis and having since arrived into Pen y Pass car park you wouldn't believe the amount of people coming on onboard after they have had their big days out. On a Saturday gets crowded with mountain walkers visiting the pass. As of this year the car park in Pen y Pass is bookings only but is also needs to be checked by security before going in as you booked. There's even a pay and display car park in Nant Peris as well as catching one of the park and ride buses from there.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 SN16 OSY was seen taken in Betws y Coed working on S2 for Llanberis in 2021.
Gwynfor Coaches Volvo B7TL Plaxton President LK04 NMX was seen by Victoria Terrace whiles leaving Llanberis on route S2 to Llanrwst in 2021.
Gwynfor Coaches Optare Solo SR KY63 VTF was seen bound to leave Bangor railway station on route S6 to Pen y Pass in 2021.
So going into late Summer whiles approaching to Autumn as I made a trip to Pen y Pass via the S6 from Bangor and here are some couple of shots I have taken so far whiles bus spotting up the Pass as seen below.
Photos of Gwynfor Coaches buses taken in Pen y Pass in September 2021.
Till we reached into October since the last time I took some photos of the SHERPAs until the clocks go backwards towards Halloween which I made my last trip to Llanberis before the SHERPA timetables are being decreased for the Winter times and putting their double decker's to sleep through out Christmas and comes the New Year until they are ready again for the next season. To be fair though these decker's have worked pretty hard with these runs, when I was spoken to the owner of Gwynfors and said that they can be heavy on the amount of diesel whiles having being able to reach to the top of Pen y Pass and back down again and so on.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 KX58 GUK was seen taken at Llanberis Interchange working a S2 to Betws y Coed since the beginning for October 2021.
These were the list of SHERPA routes until it has all now changed as of April 2022
S1: Llanberis - Nant Peris - Pen y Pass
S2: Llanberis - Pen y Pass - Betws y Coed - Llanrwst
S4: Caernarfon - Waunfawr - Beddgelert - Pen y Pass
S6: Bangor - Bethesda - Capal Curig - Pen y Pass
S97: Beddgelert - Porthmadog
To be honest though, the way I get to know about the operator, I have finded their fleet of vehicles quite interesting even I get to know of their drivers very well as they seen me taking photos just because its always me being a proper enthusiast for them. I take photos just to advertise for them, even I can just basically forward the pictures through to them too and can be seen on various sites. The drivers here at Gwynfors are friendly, polite even as I can just give them a wave as they drive past. This is what you get as you make such relationship with bus operators as I can make better contact to them to see what goes on with the buses to know and what goes on and such. It can also apply to other bus enthusiasts that can make contact with other operators all around. From the start they were mostly a fleet of small service buses till they was bigger service buses since they have tendered the services from previous operators.
But as we come into 2022 there are big things that is bound to happen!
This is what's now
S1: Caernarfon - Llanberis - Pen y Pass - Betws y Coed
S2: Bangor - Llanberis - Pen y Pass
S3: Dinorwig - Deniolen - Caernarfon - Beddgelert
S4: Pen y Pass - Beddgelert - Porthmadog
S5: Llanberis - Nant Peris - Pen y Pass
Also the S6 has since been stopped by end of October 2021 when they were introduced the TrawsCymru T10 linking Bangor - Bethesda - Capel Curig and onwards for Betws y Coed and Corwen since July 2021 which are both ran by K&P Coaches and Llew Jones. As of this year the T10 is now the new S6 which can serve for Pont Pen-y-benglog, National Trust and Llyn Ogwen, Capel Curig and for Betws y Coed to connect for the S1 onwards towards Pen y Pass, Llanberis and Caernarfon.
The newly updated brand
You can even check out their website for more information on here: https://www.gwynforcoaches.co.uk/snowdon-sherpa-r-wyddfa
Recently since about early 2022 Gwynfors have purchased an ADL Enviro 400 LK08 DXU that was new to Metroline as TE882 and has also spent sometime with Stagecoach as a loan bus. This is currently being away to be repainted into the new special livery for the new SHERPA. Once this site is updated there will be pictures of it as being done into SHERPA livery.
The SHERPA'R WYDDFA leaflet that contains timetables and map of Snowdonia.
This is what the Enviro 400 will look like as shown on the leaflet.
Another two leaflets each alongside with one of my model buses that I have designed to brand them as Snowdon SHERPA.
So to start off with the big change as I went to Llanberis to get some pictures on their first day workings that can now link for Bangor and Caernarfon, I caught on the way down on the S2 service from Bangor on YX11 AEJ and the same bus heading back before I then went up to a concert up in Sioe Mon for a night away with friends. The next day I went over to Caernarfon since Dilwyns Coaches have now got the tender for the Sunday service Caernarfon Clipas, I also went to get pictures of the new S3 although it was running every two hours on a Sunday for a start, apart from the S1 and S2 that are running daily service hourly as 24/7. The next day again from the start of Monday after finishing with work I went to hang around Caernarfon again for more pictures. Also stopped by back in Bangor for a few pictures of the S2. With the S1/S2 getting into Llanberis Interchange they can get up to 5 minutes of pause before they drive along as can be viewed through the timetable.
A few pictures of the Gwynfor buses working on the new SHERPA'R WYDDFA routes.
On behalf during that week whiles hanging around Caernarfon bus station again I made my next trip to Betws y Coed on the S1 on SN15 LRA through Llanrug, Llanberis and Pen y Pass. Quite a long distance route I have ever been on with Gwynfors which I just don't have to change onto anything. Since getting off in Betws y Coed I waited 10 mins for the next T10 back to Bangor which was currently on time.
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Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 SN15 LRA was seen in Betws y Coed working a S1 from Caernarfon in 2022
From the start of the Easter Holidays I went on my next adventure back up to Pen y Pass and then down to Nant Peris before catching the next S2 to Bangor. From the start of Good Friday I caught KX58 GUO from Bangor on the S2 to Pen y Pass. Since I arrived to the top I quickly stopped over to the cafe for a hot brew before I began photographing. I don't really come here often but as only in weekends and school holidays I go there as the S5 normally runs during these terms. Pen y Pass is of course a marvellous bus activate to go to even on a good sunny weather from morning to afternoon can be good aswell. I can obviously attend to go back again but for a change to not doing bus spotting as I can just plan a trip out on the bus to the top of the pass and go for a big walk all the way to the top of the summit (Even I can be brilliant on doing mountain walk too). So after I finished photographing I then caught LK04 NME to as far as to Nant Peris and hanged around there before catching the next S2 back to Bangor. On Easter Monday I went back to Pen y Pass and this time I tried on another spot to photograph far below, but I then walked back up via the road before catching the next S5.
Photos of Gwynfor Coaches buses taken in Pen y Pass and Nant Peris over the Easter holidays in 2022.
Click on the video to watch the route coming down from Pen y Pass to Nant Peris whiles traveling on the S5
Having to go onto my next adventure I went back over to Llanberis on the S2 from Bangor and then went onto the S1 to Caernarfon my next destination is catching the S3 to Beddgelert, not been to the place in ages! Would have last been there as a child. So having caught KX15 BMV on the way I only spent an hour in Beddgelert, I even walked over to see Gelerts Grave the legendary dog, even been hearing the story about Gelert and Prince Llewelyn the Great back in the 13th century, In the present to where we are now Prince Llewelyn is now a pub owned. After I visited the grave I went back over to the village until I catch KX15 BMO heading back to Caernarfon, so at least there's been small amount of pictures taken so far of the buses.
Gwynfor Coaches Optare Solo SR KX15 BMV was seen taken in Beddgelert working on route S3 back to Caernarfon in 2022
Gwynfor Coaches Optare Solo SR YD63 UZF was seen taken in Beddgelert working on route S4 to Porthmadog in 2022
Back into Caernarfon I then caught a ride on YY64 TXX on the S3 heading to Dinorwig and back to Caernarfon until I catch the next Arriva 5C bus heading back to Bangor.
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Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 YY64 TXX was seen resting in Dinorwig working on route S3 in 2022
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 SN65 OHJ was seen turning for Belmont Road, Bangor working on route S2 to Llanberis.
So it has comes to a tip since we hear this!
Thats right, Gwynfors have recently purchased an ADL Enviro 200 KX12 ATO but is now reregistered to H14 GWY and shes being the first single decker to receive into the new SHERPA'R WYDDFA livery but wasn't due to be used on the road for the time being. So I made my visit over to the depot in Gaerwen and they have asked me if I can get a photo and then I said "yes" so they have kindly pulled the bus out for me to get pictures when I walked round the bus. The livery on this bus was 100% top job!
Now this has sort of reminds me abit of Stagecoach Cumbria or Hulleys of Baslow with Snake X57 livery (but that was in all over pink) but that service no longer existed and having their bus being sold on, the operator that runs in the Peak District. But like I can say with this new livery for Gwynfors for the SHERPA contracts I'd give this a 10 out of 10, hopefully some half of their fleet will soon follow on.
Photos taken around H14 GWY showing its new look.
Livery design of the actual mountain, flowers, blue sky, green grass.
A network map shown on rear of the bus.
Since after my visit to the depot, the next day it was then been used out on the road on its first day out in service working on the S2 between Bangor and Llanberis. After coming back towards Bangor I quickly got off at Capel y graig to get my camera ready wating for it to approach towards me to photograph turning down on the A487 heading for Llanberis. After I photographed the bus I then carried on onto the next bus 40 minutes later to head home cause haven't noticed that my camera battery was running flat so I recharged it. An hour later till my battery was charged I then left the house to walk up to Belmont Road for pictures of it again but this time took it with the mountain shown in the background. First time lucky I got to see her out on the road.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 H14 GWY seen by Capel y curig on route S2 to Llanberis and Pen y Pass in 2022.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 H14 GWY seen coming up Belmont road towards Bangor city centre working on the S2 in 2022 (from the mountains).
On Saturday morning I made another trip down over to Llanberis to get more pictures of H14 GWY before it heads onto Pen y Pass, I then came on a ride on her heading back home and hang around by Bangor getting plenty of more photos looking garden as ever.
A Saturday sunny morning photo of Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 H14 GWY seen at Llanberis Interchange on route S2 to Pen y Pass in 2022.
So that is apparently being the first bus captured when the rest will eventually get done, there wasn't any sign of when their Enviro 400 to be collected back from Stoke after its respray and wrap up, what I am told so far that there's going to be up to eight buses getting done into SHERPA livery.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 H14 GWY seen in leaving Bangor on route S2 to Llanberis and Pen y Pass in 2022.
Here are some few other pictures below that I've taken so far whiles mostly being around the Caernarfon areas.
Gwynfor Coaches Volvo B7TL Plaxton President LK04 NME was seen in Caernarfon working on route S1 to Betws y Coed in 2022.
Gwynfor Coaches Optare Solo SR KX15 BMV was seen photoed in Caernarfon working on route S3 to Dinorwig in 2022.
The next bus in line having also done into SHERPA livery is YX11 AEL, when visited over at Gaerwen depot it was currently getting the wrap up. The next 2 days later got tipped off that its out on the road working on the S2 so went with a friend this time going down over to Llanberis for a ride on YX11 AEL and since we got there got a few snaps of her there and headed back to Bangor. I then took another photo of her during the evening at Ysbyty Gwynedd grounds whiles heading back to Bangor on the very last S2 run of the day.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 YX11 AEL was seen outside Gaerwen depot workshops awaiting in line for SHERPA livery in 2022.
Gwynfor Coaches ADL Enviro 200 YX11 AEL was seen pictured at Llanberis Interchange which now gains the SHERPA livery in 2022.
