Full kickdown | Mercedes Citaro G (Daimler OM457/Voith) BL57OXJ

One of a very rare type in the UK - most of our Citaros, even the articulated ones, tended to have the smaller OM906 engine in them rather than the 12-litre OM457 - and from a batch that has spent most of its life trundling around at a leisurely pace on the 453 in London and 25 in Brighton. Here is former MAL108 getting a good leg-stretcher on SWR replacement. This thing packs some power!
This bus was serving South Western Railway replacement between Twickenham and Barnes via Hounslow.
Replacement Bus Hire
BL57OXJ - formerly MAL108 with Go-Ahead London and 125 with Brighton & Hove
Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro
Daimler OM457hLA
Voith 4-speed

[@issa7700]

Great driver, some good kickdowns

[@5Dale65]

I think there was a moment he hit the rev limiter on the highest gear. Great driver!

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great Video.

[@lawrencediangana]

Great Kickdown :)

[@gabrielstravels]

Not just Brighton & Hove, First York & Aberdeen also have Citaro Gs with OM457hLA engines. Difference being that the ones in York & Aberdeen are ZF, whilst the Brighton ones are Voith
Although yes they are very rare compared to Citaros with OM906hLA engines

[@gamingthroner]

A small question, so every other Citaro, articulated or normal like the batch at MG GAL and London United RATP, are the 'Smaller engine' but this particular bus in the vid is EX London which is the only one with a different engine?

[@gloriouswater538]

So most Citaros in the UK, including what you mention, have the OM906, yes, but there are a few batches that have the 457 like this one. Ones I know of are these ex-453 and Brighton bendies, the ones First had in York that are now in Aberdeen which have a ZF Ecomat in them, and I'm fairly sure Diamond North West had some OM457/ZF Ecolife rigids that I've seen a video of!

[@gabrielstravels]

@@gloriouswater538 which one at Diamond North West is OM457hLA?

[@FM60260]

@@gabrielstravels DBNW have OM906hLA in the Euro V Citaros and OM936LA in the Euro VI Citaros.

[@westlondonerstravels578]

Great catch. Have all of Brighton's Articulated Citaros been sold now?

[@gloriouswater538]

They haven't all gone yet but I don't imagine there's long left for them!