As many exterior details were added to the model as possible. The finished 314 and photos of the Florence were consulted to see which details would be best to add for the AE&C era. The same underbody for the 300-308 series of cars was installed.
After detail were added, the body shell was painted in the same manner as the 314. The following photo shows additional details being added after painting. Note the required CRT rear-end red lamp on the door. Thread was used to tie the wire for the bulb in the markers together. The wire was installed using the same hole to hold the marker lamp. Tying the wire to itself guarantees the wire will not pull out of the bulb plus the size of the loops can be made the same. It looks like some re-touching is required.
The markers will be added last. After the markers are glued on, the lenses will be added to them and the rear-end red lamp.
Roof
Another tip - when you have a model built for yourself by someone else. If the roof has a clerestory know what you are going to get. The roof can be either solid or made in a way in which the clerestory is open. You'll have to fill in the glazing of the windows.
The other part of this is if the roof of the prototype had a clerestory with glazing, how are you going to glaze the solid roof. Once again, be very specific when talking to the individual who you expect to make the model for you. The more specific you are the more satisfied you will be with the model. It is difficult to go back after the fact to have misunderstandings, or better yet, lack of instructions corrected.
My model came with an open clerestory to be glazed by me. Many years ago I prepared a sheet of clear plastic as green-white milk glass. It was so long ago the exact sequence of how it was made is long forgotten. I think the sheet was given a thin wash of a wavy refrigerator white. When the white was dry a thin spray of a medium green was applied over the white. When looked at from the shiny plastic side, the sheet looks like old milk glass.
With age this sheet of plastic has become brittle and must be carefully cut with a sharp blade. Much to my surprise the sheet of plastic has also become slightly "wrinkly" making it look much more like green-white milk glass then when it was made.
The model came with a tight fitting roof. For this reason there was no reason to use any screws, bolts, etc. to hold the roof in place.
Wiring and lighting was installed in the roof. This photo shows the finished interior of the roof.
The green plastic strips in the clerestory was attached only between the window openings. The 2 small connectors (at the ends of the black wire) are the connections to 1) bring the track voltage to the Dallee constant voltage unit from the trolley poles, and 2) bring the constant lighting voltage from the Dallee unit to the lights.
Finally, the red wire is to connect with the other car, 314, for track voltage. The bulbs off to the side of the light stick are in the aisle between the parlor and dining sections.
This photo while it shows the above mentioned red wire is included to show the bulbs. The bulb on the left is in the passenger section of the car. The bulb on the right is in the vestibule. The vestibule bulb has less bulb shown to control and lessen the amount of light given off.
You can also see the wires from the vestibule light to the light stick. BTW - the interior of the roof was painted a gloss white.
Interior
The model came with a floor and walls for a lavatory and buffet on the side where the 2 oval windows are located. I had Jim Osborn add the partitions approximately where a single stack is shown in an exterior photo Florence. Which walled off area is the lavatory or the buffet is unknown. One of these walled off area will be where the Dallee adjustable constant power supply will be stored.
The interior was built up on the floor. Passengers and trainmen are from various vendors which had the appropiate figures for the era. The dining car seats were old Walthers castings. The "wicker" seats are available from Ed Skuchas.
The car was completely assembled and photos taken from the exterior. The end of the car with markers at night time.
The interior at night time is next. The vases and tumblers on the tables are bead items from Michaels Crafts.
The Florance as it sat on a siding.
The Florance and 314 together in a train.
Finally, Greg King from Australia identified one of the passengers in the parlor section of the Florance as Alfred Hitchcock.
Cheers,
Ed
