Wasn't originally going to make this public as it's fairly substandard, but O405N2s have a special place in my heart, and the sweet spot for ZF and diff noise is towards the front, so I may as well.
Gebrüder Hellinger/Hellinger Brothers are a Koblenz-based independent who do contract work for DB Regio Rhein-Mosel-Bus, and their main vehicle is this gorgeous Mercedes-Benz O405N2. It was delivered new to ASEAG Aachen in 1999, numbered 877 with registration AC-L 397. In 2010, it was purchased by Aachen-based independent Glückauf Reisen, where it gained the reg AC-GN 404, before finally being bought by Hellinger in 2014, where it now bears the reg KO-ST 231. It had the 'honour' (lmao) of being my first ride on the type in 12 years, and the hunt was so, so worth it.
I got a quick clip of it reaching its top speed, while sounding superb getting there even without kickdown, on route 370 from Mülheim-Kärlich to Koblenz on Monday 21st September 2020.
Gebrüder Hellinger GmbH KO-ST 231
Mercedes-Benz O405N2
Daimler OM447hLA Euro 2/ZF 5HP590
