The Sounds of the Optare Excel (X308 CBT) 

Well! What a surprise! Having vaguely wanted to catch an Excel for years, and thinking I never would after hearing of the demise of the Safeguard examples, this one appeared at the 2024 Scottish Vintage Bus Museum Open Weekend! I had no idea it had been saved, so I made sure to catch it when it went for a Dunfermline run. It's worth noting that the other two Safeguard Excels have been scrapped, so no parts remain to support this one. I therefore feel very lucky indeed to have got a ride! Oh yes, and it sounded really nice...
Includes high-power pullaways at 4:32 and 5:48.
Operator: Privately Owned
Chassis: Optare Excel L1070
Body: Optare Excel L1070 (10.7m/35ft 1in)
Registration: X308 CBT (1st of December 2000)
Fleet No.: 2
Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM906LA (6.4 litres, inline 6)
Gearbox: Allison B300R
Approximate Mileage: 550,000
Recorded on the 18th of August 2024.
I hope you all enjoy the video!