#AYearOfBuses 51: Rhyl – Denbigh & Wrexham
One of North Wales most scenic bus routes, Arriva’s 51 & X51 is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses.
Starting in the blustery coastal town of Rhyl, MAX 51 runs through the Vale of Clywyd, down to the picturesque market town of Denbigh, where it connects with the X51 to Wrexham. From Denbigh, the X51 passes through Rhuthin, through the Nant y Garth pass, and up into the highest village in North Wales, Bwlchgwnn, before making its way down to Wrexham.
MAX 51 uses a fleet of branded Wright Pulsar-bodied VDL SB200s, refurbished especially for the route. And what a stunning route – running through the heart of deepest North Wales with an end-to-end journey time of around 2 and a half hours.
Image credit: Railwaymedia
The MAX Pulsars are all elsewhere now and all were repainted. The X51 (and the 51 to Rhyl) use a range of old Sapphire Deckers now which used to do Wrexham to Chester route. One former MAX Pulsar was recently scrapped too due to a collision.