An S Scale Modular Railroad based on the Driftless Region
An unaltered image of the first train to run on the Cedar River Valley.
The Cedar River Valley documents Shane Lambert’s S scale modular model railroad, a meticulously researched and individually built layout set in 1968 and centered on the Chicago & North Western’s operations in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The project features a detailed downtown district, a fully developed Zone 2 industrial area with multiple rail‑served industries, and a Zone 3 module showcasing the iconic Heileman Brewery complex. Through construction updates, operational planning, and historical accuracy, you can follow the evolution of a one‑person layout that captures the look, feel, and traffic patterns of the C&NW during the late 1960s.
Featured Post
Welcome to the Cedar River Valley website—a home for the ongoing construction, research, and storytelling behind my S scale model railroad set in 1968 La Crosse, Wisconsin. If you’ve followed the project through social media, or if you’re discovering it for the first time, I’m glad you’re here. This site brings together the layout’s history, photos, updates, and background in one place, making it easier to explore the railroad as it grows.