MODEL BUURT SPOOR
M.B.S. AB 1
The seventh model is M.B.S. AB 1, where, just like AB 7 and AB 14, the Allan factory image from 1913 of AB 1 and the original drawings served as examples.
This self-built coach has replaced the standard LGB factory coach Rh.B. As 1161.
Construction started on September 17, 2021 and completed on April 10, 2023.
Due to some interim projects and the relocation of the workshop, it was re-scheduled and resumed on March 5, 2023.
M.B.S. AB 1 has been in service since April 10, 2023.
M.B.S. AB 7
The eighth model is M.B.S. AB 7, where, just like AB 1 and AB 14, the Allan factory image from 1913 of AB 1 and the original drawings served as examples.
This self-built coach has replaced standard LGB factory coach Rh.B. B 2224.
Construction started on September 17, 2021 and was completed on April 15, 2023.
Due to some interim projects and the relocation of the workshop, it was rescheduled and resumed on March 5, 2023.
M.B.S. AB 7 has been in service since April 14, 2023.
Construction report from M.B.S. AB 1 and AB 7
The construction of Maas Buurt Spoorweg Maatschappij carriages AB 1 and AB 7 started on September 17, 2021 and was completed on April 14, 2023
Profiles for both frames were still in stock for these two carriages.
Both are a nice addition to tram set D III and the other tram equipment.
An example of this is the image below, where the D III with two additional carriages is on its way from Nijmegen to Gennep on July 1, 1940, near the Molenaarshuis and shortly before the stop in Molenhoek (this building still exists and the tram stop is now bus stop) photo: W.D.J. Cramer (N.V.B.S. archive)
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After the experience gained with the construction of the AB 14, work on the AB 1 and AB 7 was started expeditiously.
Many small errors were immediately corrected, including chamfering the teak planks, extending the roof completely down to the round corners, and connecting the shafts taking off separately.
Since the beginning of April 2023, the construction of a fourth carriage, the AB 12, has been announced.
A separate construction report will be written for this, as well as for the accompanying EL 105 motor car.
These two vehicles will together form the second tram set D II.
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A copy of the original Allan working drawing from M.B.S. AB 1 - AB 10 was used for the construction of both carriages and the dimensions were adjusted where necessary, the carriages AB 1 - 10 were in reality 20 cm shorter (in model this is 8.9 mm), in model AB 1 and AB 7 are the same as AB 14.
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September 17, 2021,
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Both frames of the M.B.S. carriages, already defined here as AB 1 and AB 7, are cut to length for construction.
The construction of both carriages will take place at the same time and in the same way as the construction of tAB 14.
One of the two long profiles of the AB 7 will consist of two parts welded together, this makes no difference for
the carriage itself, the stiffness of the frame and the end result it will not be visible.
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September 18, 2021
The second frame part of the AB 7 is welded together.
Two of these equal frame parts then together forms the frame.
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Both equal frame parts
Both frame parts are assembled into one frame, in this case that of the AB 7.
The same procedure has of course been applied to AB 1.
The connecting piece of the two profile pieces can be seen on the left in the middle of the frame.
The frame profiles for the AB 1 are ready on the roof of the AB 14...
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September 19, 2021
The frames of AB 1 (left), the AB 7 (middle) and the completed AB 14 (right) next to each other in the workshop.
AB 1 and AB 7 stand on their (not yet adapted) bogies with temporary axles.
As with standard L.G.B. carriages, these carriages have the couplings mounted on the bogies, not on the frame.
On AB 14, the couplings are fixed to the wagon body, but this has not caused any problems so far.
The rule then remains that the minimum curve radius of the track must be one meter (r=1000mm), this was a conscious choice.
Smaller curves will inevitably result in derailments.
In due course, both carriages will also have mounted axles with current collection.
The next step is to install the push and pull work, light gastank, extra weights, steps and many frame supports of the superstructure.
The necessary parts have been ordered and we are now waiting for their delivery...
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September 22, 2021
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The weights of both frames (+/- 300 grams each) are fixed to ensure good running properties.
Because the carriages have a wooden structure, their own weight is not sufficient.
The bogie bowls and pivots have also been installed and the bearing axles ordered.
One set of bearing axles, required for a single bogie, costs €44.90...
This is 4x for two carriages, nevertheless the running properties will be more than excellent.
The bogies now have been adjusted (the bushings for the current collection pins have been removed) and the couplings have been installed.
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October 16, 2021
Both frames in the next stage, where the frame of AB 7 now has all the small details soldered.
Today this will happen for tAB 1, after which next step will be installing the floor plates.
Both frames first will be painted black.
I am using this new method for the first time, so that clean woodwork of the carriage does not get black paint smears, which
is difficult to remove afterwards.
Both carriages also have their definitive axles with bearings, as indicated earlier.
Each axle for each bogie has a connector that is connected to a PCB, so that nothing needs to be soldered loose for maintenance.
The buffer plates will be mounted later on, but before painting (the buffer sleeves have not yet been custom-made).
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October 17, 2021
M.B.S. AB 7 is the first to be ready for further finishing with mounting the steps and frame supports.
With the exception of the light gas tank and the buffer plates (these are on backorder), the superstructure can be build.
M.B.S. AB 1 will follow soon...
Behind AB 7 stands EL 104.
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October 21, 2021
Detail photo of the electrical installation under the car floor of M.B.S. AB 1.
The PCB actually contains only through connections and two connectors (on the left of the printed circuit board), to which both axles with pick-ups are connected.
Blue Rail +, Gray Rail -, Red lighting + and Black lighting -.
This scheme was chosen to simplify maintenance, both carriages are likewise.
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October 21, 2021
M.B.S. AB 1 is upside down and M.B.S. AB 7 stands behind, ready to build the superstructure.
Both frames are already painted black.
Behind AB 7 stands EL 104.
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October 24, 2021
Drawing and cutting out the (inside) side walls and partitions of AB 1.
The outer two end partitions in teak are added to the six partitions.
These end partitions are visible on the balconies.
All sliding doors will be closed, it is pointless to make them movable, especially if the roof will be permanently glued to the car body.
The balcony sliding doors to the outside will also be fixed.
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October 30, 2021
The walls of AB 1 have already been mounted, aside of it stands an empty AB 7.
The construction is the same as AB 14 (diagonally behind it), this method of construction is clearly visible.
First the inner walls and partitions, then the diamond plates against the inner walls (this gives the car body it's strength) and
lastly the teak exterior (sandwich principle).
These internal walls and clear panels of AB 7 already finished, the partition walls still need to be cut.
The follow-up shipment of a previous order for profiles, delivered this week, provided the opportunity to also order the buffer plates
Can be mounted on both carriages.
The necessary profiled wooden plates for the benches have also been supplied, so these also can be made.
One extra double bench has been made for AB 14, which will be placed in one of the two carriages (this is located with the order form on the roof of EL 104).
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January 21, 2022
After completion of B.S.M. 10 construction continues for these two M.B.S. carriages.
The superstructure of AB 1 was 2 mm too much in height, so everything had to be dismantled from the chassis to make this adjustment.
During this disassembly, the chassis lost all steps, which will have to be remanufactured and installed.
Now that the workshop has access to better processing machines, the construction process will also be slightly faster.
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April 30, 2022
The move brought all work on both carriages to a standstill.
Now that the workshop has been rebuilt and equipped, work can be resumed.
First, the steps of AB 7 will have to be replaced, as they were destroyed when the height of the superstructure was lowered.
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March 4, 2023
After more than 11 months, the workshop has resumed work on AB 1 and AB 7.
Both carriages have been given priority over any other work or project.
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March 6, 2023
The dividing walls of AB 7 with sliding doors have been installed, the end walls will follow soon, as will the side walls.
After this, you can start with the teak exterior cladding.
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March 8, 2023
The side wall of AB 1 is covered with vertical laths, each 47x5x1mm in size.
The other side already has finished.
At the top, the finishing lath of 1.5 mm thick covers the transition between the windows and the roof over the entire length.
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March 8, 2023
On the other side, the transition slat between the window and the roof is between the adhesive clamps.
AB 1 has now progressed to the point where the balconies can be built.
But first AB 7 must be provided with these vertical planks....
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March 9, 2023
Detail shot of the side wall of the AB 7, clearly showing the transparent Lexan plate as a load-bearing part that shapes the car body.
The vertical laths on the outside and the plywood on the inside are for decoration only.
This construction works well and makes it possible to build precisely that type of carriages that are usually ignored due to the complex construction method.
Also the R.T.M. Metallurgique carriages, for example, easily can be built this way.
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March 12, 2023
A boring rainy Sunday afternoon can be used for the necessary sawing work to make the many seats for AB 1 and AB 7.
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March 12, 2023
Some of the benches of carriage AB 7 have already been placed in 2nd class, the rest is ready.
After this, AB 1 undergoes the same procedure.
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March 14, 2023
Both carriages now have placed their interior.
The floor of the 2nd class compartment of AB 1 is slightly greener than AB 7.
The next step is the construction of 4 balconies.
AB 1 on the left, AB 7 on the right.
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March 16, 2023
The construction of one of the balconies of AB 1.
The prominently visible block of wood above the doorway bridges the sliding door to the eaves.
The fixed part next to the sliding door has already been glued, the sliding door itself stands unprocessed against the dividing door to the 2nd class compartment.
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March 19, 2023
M.B.S. AB 1 now has one closed balcony.
To get an impression of the carriage numbers, the number has already been applied.
These letters are painted by hand, because the printer does not print white letters (unfortunately).
Because the numbering is final, numbers are painted directly onto the bare wood.
When painting, it will be protected by clear varnish.
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The influence of the clear varnish on bare teak wood is clearly visible here
March 19, 2023
On the carriage plenty of work still has to be done, but to protect the wood against discoloration due to greasy fingerprints and damage, it has already been given the first layer of varnish
The company nameplates have also been applied on both sides, glued to the bare wood.
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March 22, 2023
AB 1 still without a roof and with the first layer of varnish, is temporarily parked between other M.B.S. equipment, in order to make room in the workshop for the further completion of AB 7.
Until AB 7 is as far along as the AB 1 in the photo, the roofs of both carriages are placed, after which the second layer of paint is applied.
Once this is completed, delivery follows...
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March 26, 2023
The last balcony door of coach AB 7 is installed, after which the work with teak wood is completed.
This is followed by the installation of the brake line with shut-off valve and the steam heating line with shut-off valve on the 1st class side (left in the photo above).
The class indications and carriage numbers are then applied, followed by applying the first layer of varnish to the teak.
March 27, 2023
Both carriages are now ready to put the roof on.
Both have their first coat of paint and all fittings have been applied, but still need to be painted black.
The black paint for this is on order.
Once the roofs have been finished and the black paint has been applied, both carriages will receive the 2nd final coat of paint and can be delivered.
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March 28, 2023
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Customizing the roof panel of AB 7
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March 28, 2023
The same roof sheet, now clamped between two metal strips to create the bending of the roofline.
The most important thing in this phase is to regularly wet the top of the roof sheet.
The curvature is a little more than is necessary for the carriage, but wood is a natural product and will always bounce back slightly
to the original form.
After a few hours of regular wetting, a night of drying follows.
The wood is then wet again, after which it is quickly dried with a warm hairdryer so that the wood retains its shape a little more.
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March 28, 2023
A series of images of the fitting and shaping of the roof panel on both the carriages.
The image above shows the fitting of the roof panel, leaving a slight overhang
This didn't happen on AB 14.
The overhang is eventually removed again, so that the side wall merges seamlessly into the roof.
To support and attach the light hood, the dividing walls protrude through the roof sheet, forming a very sturdy whole.
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After gluing and the glue curing overnight, the carriage and roof panel are one piece.
The sloping parts above the balconies were subsequently glued, after which the entire sheet was adapted to the shape of the carriage.
While bonding on AB 7 is curing, the roof sheet for AB 1 is bend with water between two iron bars.
This is followed by a repetition of the previous, after this we are again 24 hours further...
March 30, 2023
Carriage AB 1 has had a crucial change in the shape of arches for the side wall reinforcement.
For this update, the already attached roof on AB 7 will have to be removed and re-installed.
In reality the carriages did not have this reinforcement.
Some kind of reinforcement had already been made on AB 7, but without satisfying results.
Next to AB 1, the now curved roof panel is ready for processing.
March 30, 2023
The first roof of AB 7 was removed without significant damage in order to install the additional transverse trusses, also was done on AB 1.
This reinforces the light hood, as it has support from these trusses.
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March 30, 2023
Gluing the roof part above the 1st class balcony, on the other side this has just been done, considering the clamps.
The roof recess seems a bit strange, but this is the minimum that had to be removed to get a nice and sturdy finish.
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April 4, 2023
Both carriages are ready to place the light hoods on the roofs after the lighting has been installed.
The lighting concept is likewise to AB 14, six LEDs distributed over the compartments, buffered with a 470 µF electrolytic capacitor.
For the light hoods, four side walls must be cut from 1mm plywood sheet, added with four equal strips of Lexan for the windows.
This is also a very laborious job, but the result are worth it.
Since stock in a warehouse is actually dead capital, the workshop is waiting for the ordered parts again.
In this case the scroll saw (this was not yet present), the previously requested black paint for the chassis parts and some other things.
When this phase is completed, the final step arrives; the strip of roof on top of the light hoods.
This consists of three parts, two strips on the left and right with the middle over the wide strip.
In the photo above, tleft of AB 1 are four strips from which 32 small windows have to be cut out.
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April 8, 2023
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On the left AB 7 and on the right AB 1, with the roof plate for AB 1 in between bars being bend.
Both carriages have the skylights, the last phase is the middle roof panel.
April 9, 2023
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AB 1 is finished, except for some small details and painting, finally the roof is completely installed.
This last phase is quite laborious, because it involves quite a bit of bending and you also have to keep an eye on the straight roof line.
Once glued and cured, no further changes are possible.
April 10, 2023
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M.B.S. AB 1 has been completed and is ready to put in service.
AB 1 is the second self-built carriage from the M.B.S. workshop after AB 14, the third (AB 7) is waiting for the roof to be finished
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April 14, 2023
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M.B.S. AB 7 has been completed and is ready to put in service.
AB 7 the third self-built coach build by M.B.S. workplace, after AB 14 and AB 1.
With the completion of M.B.S. AB 1 and M.B.S. AB 7 has completed this project after almost 19 months.
They were not the easiest coaches to build, partly due to the light hood on the roofs, but...
the result is accordingly.
The skills gained with the construction of M.B.S. AB 14, visibly has been applied.
It shows in a straighter roofline, reinforcement (roof and side wall support), couplings to the bogies and fixed doors, only the doors on the steering position balcony of the AB 14 can be opened.
The next project, M.B.S. tram set D II, the EL 105 will be built as a power car and the AB 12 as a control coach.
This AB 12 will (for the time being) be the last M.B.S. coach, which is provided by the M.B.S. workshop and EL 105 the last power car.
After completion it is possible to swap AB 14 and AB 12 as steering coaches, although this was not actually done, EL 105 never was short-coupled with AB 14 and EL 104 not with AB 12.
Unlike the other Allan coaches, AB 12 is the only one equipped with improved ventilation windows.
More information about this in the construction reports of the D II.