The Cedar Creek module highlights a distinctive piece of Milwaukee Road history near Winona, Minnesota. Once a double‑track bridge, the structure now carries only a single track across the creek, a reminder of the railroad’s evolving operations in the Driftless Region. Modeled to Free‑mo standards, the bridge scene captures the heavy steelwork of the girders, weathered from decades of service, and the natural setting of Cedar Creek below. The module balances historical accuracy with scenic detail, showing how railroads adapted infrastructure over time while still maintaining vital connections across waterways.

From an operational perspective, the single‑track conversion adds character and realism to the layout. Trains must negotiate the narrowed crossing, creating opportunities for dispatching challenges and authentic traffic flow during exhibitions. The Cedar Creek bridge module becomes a focal point for operators and spectators alike, illustrating both the engineering heritage of the Milwaukee Road and the living history of railroading in southeastern Minnesota. By blending technical precision with regional storytelling, it stands as a tribute to the resilience of local rail lines and the artistry of Free‑mo modeling.

The Chicago & North Western’s La Crosse yard was a modest but strategically important facility, serving as a link between regional commerce and the Mississippi River corridor. It was not as large or dominant as the Milwaukee Road’s presence in La Crosse, but the yard played a crucial role in handling freight and interchange traffic during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The yard was situated near the riverfront and connected to the broader C&NW system through Grand Crossing, which tied into lines heading east toward Milwaukee and Chicago. Its tracks were primarily used for freight car classification, storage, and interchange with other carriers, including the Milwaukee Road and Burlington lines that also operated in the city. The facility allowed C&NW to move lumber, grain, and manufactured goods from western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota into its network. While not sprawling, the yard was a vital node in the company’s regional operations, reflecting La Crosse’s role as a transportation hub.

By the mid-20th century, the yard’s importance began to decline as rail traffic consolidated and trucking gained ground. The Milwaukee Road’s dominance in La Crosse overshadowed the C&NW’s smaller footprint, and eventually the yard was reduced in use and later abandoned. Today, nothing remains of the original infrastructure, but its historical presence underscores how multiple railroads competed for space and influence in La Crosse, shaping the city’s industrial and commercial growth. The C&NW yard stands as a reminder of the layered railroad history that once defined the Driftless Region’s connection to national markets.

The railroad spur at Donehower, Minnesota is a modest but important feature along the line south of Winona. Originally built to serve local agricultural and industrial needs, the spur today functions primarily as a siding and storage track. Its location near the junction of rural roads and the mainline makes it a practical spot for staging equipment without disrupting through traffic. The spur’s quiet setting in the Driftless landscape also provides a convenient place for crews to work away from busier terminals.

In modern operations, the Donehower spur is most often associated with maintenance‑of‑way (MOW) equipment. Ballast regulators, tie inserters, and track geometry cars are frequently parked here between assignments. Because MOW work is seasonal and often requires staging equipment close to upcoming projects, the spur serves as a flexible base of operations. Its length and accessibility allow multiple pieces of machinery to be stored together, ready to be dispatched when track work is scheduled along the corridor.

For railfans and local residents, spotting MOW equipment at Donehower has become a familiar sight. The spur reflects the ongoing upkeep required to keep regional rail lines safe and efficient, even in areas where freight traffic is relatively light. By hosting these specialized machines, Donehower plays a small but vital role in the broader network of railroad maintenance, linking the heritage of local rail service with the practical needs of modern infrastructure.

The Homer Creek module captures a striking scene just outside Homer, Minnesota, where the waterway cuts through the Driftless bluffs. Designed to Free‑mo standards, the module features a double‑track mainline that spans the creek on a steel through girder bridge, a structure chosen for both its engineering realism and visual impact. The bridge’s riveted girders rise above the track, framing trains as they cross, while the creek below is modeled with flowing resin water, riprap banks, and native vegetation to reflect the natural character of the Driftless Region.

Operationally, the double‑track arrangement adds flexibility and drama to the layout. It allows for simultaneous movements—freight and passenger trains passing in opposite directions—while maintaining the double‑track philosophy at the module ends for full Free‑mo compatibility. The Homer Creek bridge becomes a focal point during exhibitions, offering railfans and operators alike a glimpse of how real railroads solved the challenge of spanning waterways in rugged terrain. By blending technical accuracy with regional storytelling, the module stands as both a showcase of Free‑mo craftsmanship and a tribute to the railroading heritage of southeastern Minnesota.