John and Travis' Train Module Page
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Module One (Lakeside Campground)
John Congdon (dad) and Travis Congdon (son) built two
modules for "Pikes Peak 'N'gineers" N scale club. The first module was called "Lakeside Campground". Travis built the bridge over the lake even before the club actually decided what to do as of a layout. He scratch-built the bridge from a design of a bridge in a kit by Heljan "Arch Bridge w/piers". He made it out of Plastruct. and the piers he made from plaster. He actually carved each stone on each of the piers. (the kit only had one arch and was brick not stone) He spent about 50 hours on it.
The module was longer and wider then the average modules. Travis started the module and later his dad join the club and helped him out. He built it in two sections. A four foot and two foot section. As he progressed the lake started looking like a lake and the mountains started looking like mountains. The lake is "Trackside Lake" and the campground is "Lakeside Campground". The module is to N Trak standard with two main lines, a branch line and a mountain line.
The log cabin, the cow fence (around the campground) and the picnic tables were all scratch-built from little tiny sticks by John Congdon. The pines tress and aspen trees was made by Travis. The background behind the lake and dam was paint by Margaret Afkhami. After Margaret painted the background, she carefully sprayed using a stencil with light coats of white paint to very effectively simulate distance in the backdrop. Travis' wife Nancy also helped make trees and do painting. Travis also made a fire tower (no picture) from sticks.
John also scratch-built a N scale Pioneer Zephyr. Which are shown above on bridge.
Module Two (Mollie Kathleen Mine)
The Mollie Kathleen Mine module was named after the "Mollie Kathleen Mine"
John scratch-built the mine from the original mine by Cripple Creek, Colorado. The mine is still used today as a tourist attraction. As you can see from the pictures, It is almost an exact duplicate.
Travis scratch-built the Independent mine which is still standing today. He had permission to get close and take pictures of it. He never finished it before he sold the module. The Independent Mine was going to be an operating mine.
The falling wall in front of the Mollie Kathleen Mine (built by Travis) is not a duplicate but from an idea from a wall between Victor and Cripple Creek that is no longer there. As you can see from the pictures, They are both a little different.
The rock used on the module is actual tailings from the Cripple Creek area and broken into tiny pieces then sifted to get the size we needed.
The little cabins on the module is by Travis made from toothpicks, he filed each toothpick to fit each other just like a real cabin is built. The one on the left has a tin roof, while the other has a wood roof. The one on left has a fireplace made from real rocks. All hand clued in place. Please check out Travis' Santa Fe page.
John and Travis sold both modules and are no longer with the Pikes Peak 'N'gineers. But do keep in contact and love to go to their open houses. Ann Foster and Kirt Bailey bought the Lakeside Campground module and made no changes to it and keeps it up. John Roberts bought the Mollie Kathleen Mine and it has not been changed since we sold it.
[N Trak][Pike's Peak N'Gineers][Travis' Santa Fe Page]