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M.B.S. AB 14 ( D III )

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The fourth model from the second series is the M.B.S. AB 14.
The frame of this control car was built in 2004, after the M.B.S. EL 103 D IV, with the

intention to build a real M.B.S. carriage.
It would take more than 16 years before the time came to build a superstructure for this frame.
The art of building was somewhat inspired by the construction method that I came across somewhere on the internet and have successfully applied as such.
In preparation for the construction of the accompanying power car, this control car was equipped from the start with working interior lighting and headlights, powered via the coupling cables between the carriage and the power car.
The pick-ups for power consumption from the rails is also connected.
The carriage has wooden benches in the 2nd class, still has the dividing wall between the 1st class and the optional 1st/2nd class and has no ventilation windows.
The sliding doors on the steering position balcony can be opened, on the other balcony they are fixed.

After completion, construction of the accompanying railcar started almost immediately.
The carriage has been in service since autumn 2020 successfully.

Construction report from M.B.S. AB 14

The construction of Maas Buurt Spoorweg AB 14. was more or less resumed in early April 2020, the frame

was already built in August 2004, but due to various circumstances further completion was halted for years.

After finding the right construction method for the superstructure, a model was ultimately created to my satisfaction.

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werktekening AB12-AB13-AB14 zijaanzicht.

A copy of the original drawing of M.B.S. AB 12, 13 and 14 were used to build the model.

 

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August 30, 2004,

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The frame of an M.B.S. carriage, not yet defined here as AB 14, is ready for constructing the superstructure.

It would take another 16 years before it was completed.

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August 27, 2004,

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During the R.T.M. Donors' Day in 2004, the opportunity was taken to take detailed photos of the R.T.M. AB 417 (ex AB 6).

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April 8, 2019,

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The structure is already starting to take shape, but would not last long.

The original was built in this way, but this is almost impossible to do in terms of model, it is very laborious and not rigid.

The carriage here still has the self-built bogies and is on the old workbench.

In the background the M.B.S. 220, on the right the R.T.M. M 1806 'Bergeend' and in front of M 1806 is the G.T.N. 32 under construction.

This G.T.N. 32 has the same construction problems as AB14; the superstructure and how to build it, which means the construction  of the AB14, but also from G.T.N. came to a standstill for some time, it is still waiting for further construction.

The frame of the AB 14 has already been brought to the correct length, it turned out to be a few millimeters too short.

In reality, the AB 11 - 14 were built longer when completed in 1916 than the AB 1 - 10 from 1913.

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May 18, 2020,

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The old superstructure was demolished in order to get a flat carriage floor again.

With a welcome tip from a fellow model builder about a different construction method (he manufactures the M65-ABPm422), I decided to

to approach it differently.
This 'sandwich' principle involves working with layers from the inside out.

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May 12, 2020,

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A few days earlier, the inner walls are cut out of 1mm plywood.

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September 14, 2020,

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These inner walls are glued with a 1mm lexan plate that will later form the glazing, it also serves to create a very rigid whole.

The partitions with the doorways are also built immediately and together they form the body for the carriage.

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September 21, 2020,

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The wooden teak slats that give the carriage the appearance on the outside are glued to the Lexan plate.

The carriage body is already a bit further constructed here, the benches have already been placed and the steering position in the front is starting to take shape.

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October 1, 2020,

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The steering position side is under construction, the headlights have not yet been installed

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October 1, 2020

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The headlights after installation.

It is important that the wiring for this is immediately installed during construction.

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Both headlights are concealed in the cabinets on the inside, which was also the case in reality.

The sandboxes for extra traction were located in the side benches on the left and right against the inner bulkhead. 

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October 1, 2020

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The benches have been painted in color and the floor has been painted gray, it won't be long before the roof can be put on.

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October 2, 2020

Fixing the roof.

For this purpose, the plywood sheet had to be wetted regularly

to be able to bend it flexibly.

This involved a lot of clamps, weights and elastics to keep it in place.

Once glued, it forms a solid whole again.

The wires for the interior lighting sticking out from the roof,

placed in advance.

The upper part of the bulkhead is sticking out between the two weights, indicating the shape of what will later become the light canopy.

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October 2, 2020

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After the wood glue has hardened, the recess for the light cover is cut out and can be placed.

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October 2, 2020

Installing the light cover.

The principle is the same as building the container itself: inner wall - lexan plate - outer wall (sandwich construction method).

However, the outer wall is now also made of plywood, with the folding windows recessed.

The connection of the lighting to the balcony is in the sloping part.

A 3x2 mm lime wood slat has been glued under the folding windows as reinforcement.

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Gluing the overhang of the light cover.

This roof consists of two side strips, front and rear above the balconies and the actual roof.

The photo shows the placement of the right overhang.

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October 5, 2020,

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The roof is on, the lighting is connected and the further finishing can begin.

The original bogies are still underneath, but will be replaced by standard L.G.B. bogies.

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October 5, 2020,

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The AB 14 during finishing, which mainly consists of installing various small parts and coloring the roof and wagon body.

Almost immediately after completion, work started on the accompanying motor locomotive M.B.S. EL 104 to form the D III combination as a couple.

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September 15, 2021,

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The AB 14 now has pick-ups on all axles, which are also beared.
The wheels rotate independently on the axle, so that smooth running is guaranteed.

This is important to be able to tow the AB 1 and AB 7 later, both carriages will have the same axles.

In the photo above, on the left, the head bogie is fitted with the new beared axles, on the right, the intermediate bogie has been removed for conversion.

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April 21, 2023,

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After the construction experience with the AB 1 and the AB 7, the AB 14 receives a small upgrade in the form of modified gaslamp outlets on the roof, more elegant handles at the balcony doors and refined inscriptions (the old ones were not so neatly applied).

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