Driftless Free-mo

Planning

Status: Planning

Modules in the "Planning" status are modules that members are still researching or are finalizing the plan. The next step is to start construction.

3 modules with this status

Cargill Salt
This module will be the first industry module created by member Shane Lambert.  It was inspired by the Cargill Salt plant in Savage, MN, just outside of the Driftless Region. The sole purpose of this build is to find a home for the Atlas SD35 painted for Cargill # 606 that I ordered on a whim in January, 2024 and arrived in December, 2025. While this locomotive was originally assigned to the grain elevator in Pipestone, MN, in my world it was reassigned to the Savage salt plant when the elevator was sold to CHS.

Cedar Creek Bridge

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.

Homer Creek Bridge

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.