I finished-up a postponed project ... to improve a MTH Country Church. I added these extra features:
* Cut and glued small pieces of "stained glass" acetate to all its gothic-style windows for a better, church-y look. I purchased the acetate sheet online from a vendor in the UK; several designs were available. I chose one without liturgical symbols or images of saints for a "generic Protestant" look.
* Installed two add'l light bulbs to the interior in order to "light-up" the stained glass windows. The MTH factory-installed single light bulb was not enough illumination. Now when the train room is darkened, the stained glass glows!
* Replaced the plastic cross atop the steeple with a fancier crucifix; a jewelry piece, actually.
* Installed a small transformer as a power supply for the sound board.
* Installed a sound board that plays the sound of a church bell and a music excerpt from "Here Comes the Bride." I placed a small speaker in the attic space of the building for playback. I can activate the sound effects with a Lionel #90 control button mounted on the nearby fascia board.
* These add-ons make the church an accompaniment to a wedding in progress at the Pergola on the lawn outside, where the bride and groom, the dog of the groom, the wedding party, a priest and two nuns, and family/friends as the audience are present. A Caddy convertible is parked nearby with strings of tin cans attached to the rear bumper.
I know -- it's not a "railroad" accessory with RR-related sounds and motion. Nevertheless, it contributes to the acoustic environment of a scene, athough a visitor wouldn't recognize these improvements at first glance.
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
