Chicago & Northern Western in La Crosse, WI
A group of single track modules built by Shane Lambert that represent the Chicago & North Western (CNW) railroad operations in La Crosse, WI around the fall of 1968. This set begins after the CNW crosses the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q) and the Milwaukee Road (MILW) at Grand Crossing.
Downtown La Crosse Yard
This module is based on the Chicago & North Western yard in downtown La Crosse, WI as it appeared in 1968. The module includes the C&NW Depot, Freight House and team tracks. It is designed as a 20 foot long scene using five 4 foot modules, but could be expanded by adding additional sections in the middle. The prototype used the main line for a switch lead as this yard was a dead end yard.

The design of this yard will also allow it to be used as a staging yard for operations, or a crew can be assigned here to build up trains for crews to switch other areas. I chose to model this yard instead of the much larger Chicago, Burlington & Quincy yard due to space consideration on the module. To facilitate switching Max Beml Scrap, the lead was moved to connect to the end of the Depot track so the storage tracks can be used as needed.
Module Specifications
- Type:
- Single Track End Module
- Length:
- 20 Feet
- Width:
- 24 Inches
- Track:
- Tomalco Track Code 100 flex on the Free-mo end to the first turnout, then Code 83 all other tracks.
- Turnouts:
- All turnouts are #6 and will be built using Fast Tracks jigs.
- Scenery:
- Detailed representation of the Downtown La Crosse, area as it was in 1968.
List of Industries
Industry | Description | Spots |
---|---|---|
CNW Freight House | The CNW Freight House track is used for general freight and perishables. |
|
Team track | Double track team tracks with side and end ramps for loading and unloading of freight cars. |
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Platform Track | Platform track for mail service. |
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Storage Tracks | Storage for inbound and outbound cars. |
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Max Beml | Scrap yard |
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Check Out My Other Modules
Below is a list of modules that I am planning to build. Click on a module name to learn more about it. See all of my Modules.
Module | Group | Length | Industries | Status | ETA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ready Mix Concrete | CNW La Crosse | 5 feet | 1 | In Progress | Spring, 2025 |
C&NW Indian Hill District | CNW La Crosse | 20 feet | 5 | In Planning | Summer, 2025 |
End Modules | 2 feet | 0 | In Planning | Spring, 2026 | |
Curve Modules | 6 feet | 0 | In Planning | Summer, 2026 | |
Second Street, La Crosse, WI | CB&Q Zone 3 | 15 feet | 9 | In Planning | Fall, 2026 |
West Avenue - La Crosse, WI | CB&Q Zone 3 | 15 feet | 5 | In Planning | Winter, 2025-2026 |
Heileman Brewery | CB&Q Zone 3 | 20 feet | 9 | In Planning | Spring, 2026 |
Los Angeles Produce Terminal | 18 feet | 1 | In Planning | Spring, 2027 |