February 27, 2025 ... I purchased a second Canadian Pacific 21" 2-Pack in order to add another Dome Lounge Car to my previously detailed passenger Train. The Dome is the low style Dome Roof with less clearance for the Seated People in the Dome. It is necessary to remove the Dome Seat Posts, grind them out of the way, and then glue the Seat directly to the Dome Floor.
After opening the car by removing the four corner screws from the body shell, I disconnect the plug for the wire to the LED roof light bar. I tis necessary to remove the eight small screws holding the four light bar sections in the car. Be sure to put all screws in a zip-lock bag to prevent losing them.
After removing the light bars, unscrew the two pan head screws holding the Dome Floor onto the body shell. It is important to spread the shell walls apart, so the Dome Floor does not scratch the protruding window glass in the body shell when the Dome Floor is lifted out of the shell.
Lowering the Dome Seats - While the seats are still on the posts, paint the seats with two coats of paint. Allow time for drying between coats of paint.
When lowering the Dome Seats, leave one side of seats in place to use as a guide for aligning the seats when they are glued back to the Dome Floor. Remove one side of the Dome Seats. Using a Dremel sanding drum, grind the lift post off the bottom of the seats. Using the remaining Seats as a guide, Re-glue the Post-less Seats onto the Dome Floor. Running the bottom of the seats on sandpaper before re-installing will remove any debris that could tilt the seats when they are re-installed. After the one side of Lowered Seats is completed, remove the other side of seats and repeat the process.
Allow the glue to dry before adding Seated People to the Dome Seats. Significant grinding of Feet and ankles may be necessary to lower the figures into the Dome Seats. Remember the glass roof above has less clearance for heads that are too high and might hit the glass Dome Roof. Grinding the bottoms of all people will be necessary to lower them. Allow the glue to dry before returning the Dome Floor to the body shell.
Fastening the detailed Dome Floor back into the Body Shell - After the Dome Floor is completely dry, spread the body shell walls and lower the upside-down Dome Floor back into place in the Body Shell. The two pan head screws should secure the Dome Floor back in place. Re-install the LED Light bars into the roof of the body shell and Dome Floor. Set the completed Dome and Body Shell aside while People are added to the lower level of the Dome Lounge.
Installing Seated People on the Lower main floor - Avoid using the same people that were used in the Dome on one side, on the same side of the lower level. If a person appears in one side of the Dome, use them on the opposite side of the main floor lower level. When the lower level is completed, let the glue dry for several hours. Before plugging the LED plugs together, hold the body shell up to light to check for dirt on the inside of the body shell window glass. Use a Kleenex to wipe away any dust. Complete the project by installing the four corner body screws.
Have a good evening. Sincerely, John Rowlen
