Chicago & North Western Winona Subdivision
Note: This is a work in progress. Check back often for updates. Last updated on September 29th, 2024.
The Chicago & North Western Winona Subdivision encompasses approximately 3 miles of track through Downtown Winona, Minnesota. The original start of the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, and the beginning of the Waseca Sub, the C&NW would eventually sell off track outside of Winona but remained downtown to serve the barge terminals and large grain operations. This became known as the Winona Subdivision. After the Winona Rail Bridge closed in 1977, the C&NW accessed this via the Milwaukee Road River Sub from La Crosse, Wisconsin. This subdivision is still active is currently operated by the Union Pacific.
Modeled Portion
The modeled portion of the Winona Subdivision will be a point-to-point layout with staging at each end. The layout will be a triple-deck design with the lower deck representing the line from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Winona. Once climbing the helix, the middle deck will be the heart of the railroad and represent the riverfront and downtown Winona. After leaving Winona, the railroad will climb the Stockton Hill to the upper deck which will represent the bluff country outside of Winona. The layout will be built in S Scale and will be set in October, 1980 something. The layout will be controlled with Digitrax DCC and will feature 100% sound-equipped locomotives.
La Crescent, MN
This will be the Eastern terminus of the modeled portion and will serve has a staging yard for both the Chicago & North Western and the Milwaukee Road. Trains will travel along the Milwaukee Road River Sub following the Mississippi River on the lower level of the layout. A 3 turn helix will carry trains up to the middle level into Winona.
Winona, MN
This will be the busiest part of the railroad and will be the heart of operations. It will take up most of the middle level of the layout.
Tower CK
Chicago & North Western GP7 4141 and 4117 at Tower CK in Winona, MN - July 13th, 1981. Photo by John Leopard.
Tower CK was the interlocking tower in Winona where the Chicago & North Western and the Milwaukee Road crossed.
Stockton Hill
After leaving Winona, the C&NW would climb the Stockton Hill to Rochester. This will be the upper level of the layout.