"The idea was to transport the train, minus its locomotive, via car ferry to wilson's point, Conn., where the connection with the Housatonic Railroad could be made."
"The New York and New England Railroad, joined with the Long Island Rail Road, to form the Long Island and Eastern States lines. This company acquired the steamer Cape Charles, which had been built by the Harlan & Hollingsworth Co. for the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad Co., to transfer passengers and mail across Chessapeake Bay"- Steel Rails to The Sunrise- the Long Island Rail Road- by Ron Ziel and George H. Foster
The Island side of the ferry route was Oyster Bay. Thius was around 1891. The model looks like a " selectively Compressed" version of the prototype, which had the name "Cape Charles", and, "Long Island & Eastern States Lines" was under the name.
Bill, Your friend did a splendid job with that car ferry, and it was neat to be able to find the information on the prototype.
Pete