Getting down to the wire now…
Next step was installing the side door and the upstairs windows:
The second story would not have a detailed interior, just some lights. So I needed curtains for the windows. I started by building a simple frame out of styrene strips:
Then I glued layers of lace trim to the back of the frame, and then glued the frame into the building:
I did the same for the single window on the side:
Next I installed the two posts which support the overhang at the front of the building. I drilled holes into both ends of the posts. On the top of each post I glued a short piece of 1/16" brass rod, with only 1/8" protruding. This end was glued into the building first. Then I glued the bottom end, and inserted a rod up through a hole in the wooden sidewalk. This rod was then cut flush with the styrene:
Now for the lighting… I started by drilling holes through the bottom of the structure, right behind the side door. Two 1/16" diameter brass rods were inserted into these holes. The lower ends were bent over and cut short, then I soldered electrical leads to the rods:
The LEDs I use are from this supplier:
https://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/products/universal-solid-leds-for-transformers
Each LED is pre-wired to a tiny circuit that regulates the voltage and polarity, making them very easy to use:
I inserted LEDs into the light fixtures through holes in the top of the removable ceiling. Most are held in place with tape. On the two “recessed” style fixtures, I used poster putty to hold the LEDs and seal the opening:
Then the ceiling was put into place and secured with tape. The copper alligator clips were connected to the upper ends of the brass rods:
The remaining LEDs were installed separately. Two were inserted into the opening above the sidewalk, in front of the store. These were secured with poster putty. Three more LEDs were mounted on the interior walls of the upper level, again using poster putty to hold them in place:
I made and installed the two signs that are mounted on the rear wall of the bakery:
Here’s the back of the building with both of the removable walls secured in place with small, stainless steel screws:
The “swamp cooler” I built for the original building was still in pretty good shape, so I was able to reuse it. I had to clean it up, extend the two legs, and repaint the platform. Then it was sprayed with Krylon UV-resistant clear coat, and glued into place:
The bakery’s interior details were also salvaged from the old structure, cleaned up, modified slightly, and installed in the new building. The two window displays and the glass cabinet are held in place with screws inserted through the floor:
At last the building is finished, and installed on the layout!
The next building that needs repair is the stone drug store, to the right of the bakery. The plastic “glass” in the windows is almost completely fogged and yellow, and some of the styrene components need repainting. I don’t know yet when I will get to that project.
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