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.
Indian Hill District
When I first started planning to build an S Scale module for demonstrating operations at train shows, this was the area I wanted to model. As a Chicago & North Western fan, I wanted something close to home. Thanks to Dennis Weber from the RiverRail group, I was able to gather some useful information on the industries served in the fall of 1968 by the Chicago & North Western.
The track plan below reflects all of the industries between Grand Crossing and St. Andrews Street (not modeled on this set). The plan is to build this at the same time as I am building the CNW La Crosse Yard module, which on the prototype would be to the right of this diagram. I will likely also need my curve modules to create a U-shaped layout for use at shows.
This module set is planned for 20 feet long with five 4 foot modules. The track at the Rubber Mills went behind the building on the prototype, but there is not enough room for this on a module, so I moved it to the front. I also reversed the switch for Trane Co Plant 6 to allow this module to be used as a standalone switching puzzle.
Module Specifications
- Type:
- Single Track
- Length:
- 20 Feet
- Width:
- 24 Inches
- Track:
- Tomalco Code 100 flex track on the main line, Code 80 on the runaround, Code 70 elsewhere.
- Turnouts:
- Number 6
- Scenery:
- Buildings and vehicles from the 1960s
Operations
This module will be switched by a local crew originating in a yard that will likely be placed to the right of the module. The short runaround will make it interesting to switch Continental Can and Trane Co Plant 6, but should add enough interest to keep potential new operators interested.
List of Industries
Industry | Description | Spots |
---|---|---|
Gateway Foods | Grocery warehouse. |
|
Continental Can | Produces tin and aluminum cans for the food and beverage industry. |
|
Gamble Robinson | Fresh produce warehouse. |
|
La Crosse Rubber Mills | Produces rubber and La Crosse Footwear products. |
|
Trane Co Plant 6 | Built heat exchangers for HVAC equipment. |
|
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 La Crosse Yard | CNW La Crosse | 20 feet | 1 | In Planning | Winter, 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 |