04 Chester

6th May 1906 to 25th October 1986

Chester was the capital city of the Crosville empire. Enthusiasts were drawn to the large bus station at Delamere Street [lots of "back row" photos here!].

The Central Repair Works were at Sealand Road, where vehicles could be seen from all over the company visiting for major repairs or refurbishment. This was the place where the first really effective installation of a Gardner engine in a Leyland National happened. New buses were delivered here, and fifteen years later they came here to die. On any given day, all of this variety could be seen, and photographs of this location are quite intriguing. I have very few, I have to say, since my visits were few.

The company headquaqrters were housed in another building, Crane Wharf, and a large depot known as "The Rink" was situated on Liverpool Road near the now defunct Northgate Station.

Visiting Chester nowadays, it's hard to imagine just what a significant part the city played in the establishment and operation of the Crosville company.

CRL307 Ellesmere Port 684x396	DVG481 and 483 Chester 739x493	ERL311 Chester 828x555	G166 ELL337 Chester 846x460
SPG699 Chester 665x441