Ferry-Morse Seed Co. -- HO/HOn3 Scale

Price: $3,874.95
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Brief Description

Detailed Description

Specifications

In the NMRA SSR Fall 1989 Convention, Ferry-Morse was awarded First Place Off-Line Dioramas, Best of Show for the Convention, and a Merit of Achievement.

"Ferry-Morse Seed Co." Est. 1888" Built 1988 by Richard E. (Ben) Bendever Ferry-Morse Seed Co. was first shown in 1989 at the NMRA SunShine Region Fall Convention. Ferry-Morse was awarded First Place Off-Line Dioramas, Best of Show for the Convention, and a Merit of Achievement. According to a Convention attendee a Ferry-Morse facility similar to this model actually existed at one time. I would be interested to see if this were true or not. This is probably one of the largest, and heaviest HO scale dioramas that I can recall constructing. The overall diorama size is 30"wide x 34" long x 30" tall and built on 3/4" marine plywood base and white pine framing. Although the Ferry-Morse competed in "Off-Line" I designed this diorama to have three spur tracks that could be installed at a later date. Additionally, the are areas this I never got finished including the combination steam/sail paddle-wheeler resting dockside.
This multiple segment structure consists of numerous components. Materials are Labstone wall castings, wood, plastic and metal. On the 9 story sides of the tallest building, the windows are "Hot Glue Castings" (NG&SLG, Nov/Dec 1996, pgs 72-76) as are the majority of the details on this model (including some of the vehicles). The windows on the 14-story side (waterside measurement) are Grandtline.
Ferry-Morse has 27 individual, serviceable lights inside as well as a Circuitron Strobe unit installed in the water tower. The patina green roofing shown in the opening photo is real copper formed into a standing seam roof which is turning a real patina weathering. A Ferry-Morse facility similar to this model actually existed and according to an SSR Convention attendee. This model realistically depicts a downtown river facility. The signage used on the waterfront side and the "Gold Medal" signage both come from a 1917 Ladies Home Journal.
This model is currently off-line, Ferry-Morse was constructed to have track added. The reason this model was constructed off-line was that I had another model almost completed that was on-line and I did not want to compete against myself in the same category.

I can recall transporting this model to the Convention in the back of my full-size Oldsmobile station wagon. Not only did I have to leave the Plexiglas cover at home, but in order to get the model in the back of the station wagon, I had to remove the roof of the water tower (it comes off anyway to service the electronics of the strobe unit). Because of its size, this model has never competed at a National Convention-yet. Atlanta has an NMRA Convention coming up in a couple of years.

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