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M.B.S. EL 102 D V (ex EL 103 D IV)

The M.B.S. After that silent period of five years, EL 103 D IV was the first model of the second series.

Learning from the building experiences of the first series of models, it was decided to work more precisely.

Built in 2003-2004 with more advanced tools, the locomotive has all-opening doors, real louvered grilles and is exactly to scale.
The locomotive was initially equipped with 4 separate suspension traction motors, suspended in self-built bogies, in accordance with reality.

As such, the locomotive did run, but was never in service, as the traction motors were too weak for this.
Since May 1, 2019, the locomotive has a wooden roof (originally made of copper), new better traction units

and a new improved blower has been installed for the smoke generator.

The electrical installation has also been revised and partly renewed.

As traction, two "Interurban" units from Hartland Locomotive Works have been installed under the locomotive, which perform well and are very maintenance-friendly.

The original power trucks are in storage and the locomotive is in service ever since.
As of February 17, 2023, this locomotive has been renumbered to M.B.S. EL 102 D V, due to the return of the M 67.
In order not to have administrative conflicts with the construction of all M.B.S. locomotives from the series EL 101 - 106

the D IV renumbered to D V.

Technically the D IV and D V were the same.

Construction report from M.B.S. EL 103 D IV

With the construction of Maas Buurt Spoorweg Maatschappij EL 103 (often referred to as D IV 'Diesel 4') was started in November 2003.

The drawing of R.T.M. M 67 was used as a guideline, after all it was the same diesel locomotive.

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Unfortunately, the older photos in this construction report are sometimes of less sharp quality, for which I apologize.

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On December 12, 2003, the frame and framework were completed and work began on the wooden side walls.

In the rear motor truck the traction motors still have to be mounted with the spoke wheels., in the front motor truck

these are clearly visible.

Each plank is secured to each post it rests against with a 1mm bolt with a 2mm nut (this is a really painstaking job..!)

The new slats of 5x1 mm are located on the stack of trays between the motor vehicle and the drawing.

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On December 20, 2003 we have already made some progress, the first door is hanging, albeit with 1 hinge and the front head is almost formed.

The air tank with valve hangs under the frame and in the back a photo of M.B.S. D I in war version with Imbert wood gas generator and darkened headlights hangs on the wooden back wall.

This model was already built in 1994 in the first series (see there) and was for sale in 1997

converted into R.T.M. M 65 - ABPm 422.

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More than a week later, the headlights were mounted in the front and the air lines were installed.

The wooden track sliders also are mounted to the frame.

It will come as no surprise to anyone that things could sometimes get messy in the workshop...

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On New Year's Day 2004, the other side also has its slides and the battery pack for the energy supply is visible.
The idea behind this was that the lighting and smoke generator would be powered by this battery, for this purpose

there were indicator lights on the switch boxes in the cabin.

Charging of this battery took place during a standstill using the switched on rail voltage of approximately 12 V.
This system was later removed, it did not meet the expectations...

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About an hour later the sloping profiles were placed in the front.
This required more work, the profiles have a larger angle than the 90° of the standard profiles.

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January 10, 2004: The first of the four air vents has been installed.
 

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The steel cable ties of 5 mm width were cut to length and stacked, after which a 2 mm hole was made on the left and right.

drilled through all the strips.

The strips were not allowed to shift among themselves during drilling, which did happen occasionally.

Then two pieces of 1.5mm² copper wire were placed in the work table and the strips could be stacked one by one with a small ring in between on the left and right.

These rings were cut from the figure-eight hooks, some of which are under the grid

lie next to the loose strips.

In this way the four required grids are composed.

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January 15, 2004

A self-built motor truck in 'exploded view'

The simulated leaf springs were made from contacts of a small relay, the bogie was made from 1.5mm brass strip.

This involved a lot of sawing and filing, the motors are from it

type Bühler 1928.915 of 12V with a reduction of 171/1, where the no-load current is 265 mA and load approximately 800 mA.

After adjusting the reduction (2 of the 4 stages have been removed), after a few test runs the engines turned out to be slightly too weak and the railcar ran at approximately 25 km/h scale speed at 12 V.

During the first ride on the Grootspoorgroep track in Zetten, someone shouted at me that the 'snail' should be taken off the track.

Apparently he didn't realize that I heard this and knew enough.

At home I had less than 3 meters of track and the railcar has not really driven with these motor trucks.

In 2019 they were exchanged with 2 pieces of Hartland Locomotive Works "Interurban" drives, which perform very well.

Below the rear truck completely assembled

with traction motor no. 3 and no. 4.

The pivot spot is a ring that is used in ship model building as a porthole, it can accommodate a larger version that is mounted on the wagon body.

Bühler Motor GmbH 1928.915 161013163 00
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January 16, 2004, the original photo has unfortunately been lost, this one with inset text describes the progress up to that moment.

The low speed is also mentioned here...

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January 16, 2004, the original photo has unfortunately been lost, this one with inset text describes the progress up to then.

In the background again the drawing of the M67 with a self-taken photo of the steering position in the M67 as an example.

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January 16, 2004, the original photo has unfortunately been lost, this one with inset text describes the progress up to that moment.

The cabin doors have not yet been installed and the handbrake was not as shown in the photo as a turning handle, but one

.floor standing lever handle.

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January 23, 2004,

In the meantime, the engine with generator has been installed and is still is...

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February 3, 2004,

Testing the blower with smoke generator.

The smoke above the exhaust confirms correct operation.

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February 12, 2004,

The painted and fully equipped steering position.

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February 23, 2004,

Stationary photo of the completed M.B.S. EL 103 D IV, complete with lettering in new condition.

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This is the first real and only test drive in 2005 with the original traction motors.

During this recording it was suggested that the locomotive was riding too slow, which in fact did.

Based on these findings, the locomotive stood still for a long time until 2019.

Real driving only came after replacing the original motor trucks for better ones.

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During the major overhaul in April 2019, the metal roof was replaced by a wooden one.

Both original motor trucks have been lifted to replace the traction motors with an American make from NorthWest ShortLine.

These drives were originally intended for scale 0 (1:32) and after conversion they again proved to be too weak.

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Initially it was the intention to use the above type of drive units from NWSL and if these were satisfactory,

to provide all models with it.

If it weren't for the fact that NWSL no longer exists and no longer can supply this type.

Almost all older trams had this type of drive, so it is called the 'tram suspension' in technical terms.

Perhaps self-build drive units will be a future option, but for now the HLW 'Interurbans' are excellent.

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For administrative reasons, M.B.S. EL 103 D IV renumbered in M.B.S. EL 102 D V.
Technically both machines were the same and with the return of R.T.M. M 67, the D IV and the M 67 are actually one and the same locomotive, hence the renumbering.
The series M.B.S. EL 101 - 106 was previously expanded with EL 101 and EL 104 D III, it is a logical step to renumber EL 103 for EL 102, so that this series can now be shown in four different appearances.

Above is the first photo on February 19, 2023, of EL 102 in the M.B.S. workshop, where the locomotive has also undergone light weathering and is being tested at full throttle.

This locomotive has not run since the closure of the garden railway in 's-Hertogenbosch...

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