February 1st brought one of the most energetic and enjoyable work sessions the Cedar River Valley has seen so far. The layout room was filled with good company as Thomas Heilman, Ron Copher, and Al Lesky from the River Rail Group joined fellow S scale modeler Charles Sherman for a full afternoon of hands‑on progress. With five sets of experienced eyes and steady hands in the room, the pace of work jumped forward in a way that simply isn’t possible during solo sessions.
The main focus of the day was installing leg brackets and beginning the wiring on the newly arrived module sections. By the end of the session, roughly half the modules had their brackets mounted and their initial wiring runs in place—a major step toward getting the full footprint of the Cedar River Valley standing and electrically alive. The teamwork made the work feel lighter, and the shared problem‑solving brought out the best ideas from everyone involved.
Of course, no good work session is complete without good food, and this one delivered. A pot of homemade potato soup simmered away in the kitchen, filling the house with the kind of warmth that only February in the Midwest can truly appreciate. The break for soup and conversation was as memorable as the modeling itself, giving everyone a chance to relax, laugh, and enjoy the camaraderie that makes this hobby so rewarding.
By the time the day wrapped up, the Cedar River Valley had taken another meaningful step forward—not just in construction, but in community. Having friends and fellow modelers in the room brought a sense of momentum and shared enthusiasm that will carry into the next stages of the build. With the modules standing stronger and the wiring underway, the layout is well on its way toward its next big milestone.