The Cedar Valley “O” Scale Modelers, a hobby club, was formed in February 1996 for the purpose of promoting greater cooperation and fellowship among “O” scale model railroaders in the northeast Iowa area, and to construct, display, and operate an “O” scale model railroad. We currently have 10 active members. Although some of our members have been model railroaders for many years, we all continue to learn from each other. Not everyone in our club has their own operating layout, so the club layout provides an opportunity for them to operate their locomotives and rolling stock. The club owns no locomotives or railcars. Equipment operating on the layout belongs to the individual members. We meet every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. alternating work sessions with operating sessions. Our business meeting is always the first Thursday of the month.

The club was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Iowa on March 18, 1996.

In May 1996, the club members agreed to build a permanent model railroad display in the basement of the building at 301 Main Street, Cedar Falls. An area of approximately 946 square feet was available and the formidable task of repairs and general clean up of the premises began. The work progressed over a period of several months during which time obsolete pipes were removed, one wall replaced, another received major repairs, additional lighting installed, and a generous amount of white and blue paint applied. An outside stairway, which had been closed and sealed off for many years, was reopened and repaired. Members now use these stairs to access the clubroom during times when the first floor hobby shop is closed. The clubroom was formally leased to the club commencing October 1, 1996.

Construction of the layout began in September 1996. “L” girder bench work was erected, with lattice sub-roadbed on risers for the main tracks. Then Homosote roadbed was applied to the lattice, topped with code 125 flex-track with nickel silver rails on plastic ties. Yard crossovers were hand-laid on wood crossties. The minimum radius of the main track curves is 72 inches, which should permit operation of the largest locomotives now available in “O” scale.

The layout has approximately 220 feet of main line track, a 135-foot branch line, a large switching yard, engine facility with turntable and roundhouse and numerous storage tracks. Four power transformers and block control permits multiple train operations. Scenery on the railroad is based on generic Iowa landscape and will include both farmland and rural towns. As construction continues, special features will include grain- loading facilities, power plant with facilities for unloading coal, manufacturing plants, junk yard and other facilities.