The Coon Creek Railroad
of Bob & Alma Briggs
It was a nice day in the early part of Spring 1999, when Bob had a knock on his door. He opened it, along with a can of worms. This guy had drove by his house, saw his tracks and stopped. He went to talk with the owner about trains, because he liked them also. Little did Bob or Alma know that day when I showed up, exactly what I would get them in to…
Since that point, Bob and Alma have opened their track up to a handful of folks, who like them, enjoy the "riding scale" trains. Now Bob will say they are 1.5" scale models running on 7.5" gauge, but that’s another story.
Bob and Alma have built a 600 foot loop of track around their home, along with a siding and some spurs. Plenty of room to run Bob’s Atlantic, or his scratch-built Sperry Rail Service car. And with his string of freight cars, he has a nice train to pull.
The "SRS" car is powered by a gasoline engine and driven by the front trucks. The rear has brakes and the unit is equipped with a nice air horn. Bob built it so he can ride inside the unit.
One of the great pleasures about the track is the ample amount of shade. Here you get an idea of how many trees they have, and how well covered the riders are from the sun. Plus, you see a friend of Bob’s running the SRS and pulling a loaded gondola.
With the mini-meets we have had, Bob has enjoyed several visiting locomotives. Here is Steve Campa with his American, charging around the main line.
My son Jerry also enjoys a visit to Bob’s track. Only 5 years old and already running a train. Jerry is riding the frame of a future narrow gauge flat car (at this point, its my riding car). And behind him he is pulling my two second-hand, narrow gauge gondolas.
Ken Rhodes with his scratch-built electric switch engine, modeled after "Rusty" from ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’. The girls seem to be having fun, as this is a great track for running. This is another good shot of the ‘shaded tracks’ of the Cook Creek Railroad.
When I got started in the "riding scale", I was fortunate to have the loan of a
Cannonball brand, Super Mack. This is a great starter engine! It is electric, runs on one 12 volt battery and two people can pick it up and load it! In this picture, yours truly has to take a turn on the loop!
We have been very fortunate that Bob and Alma have hosted the mini-meets that I have promoted. And I must point out, for lunch, Alma really is a great hostess!
If you are serious about 7.5" gauge, and would like to attend one of our meets, please let me know… And stay in touch!
Last revised on 4/8/00.