Year in Review
The Cedar Valley "O" Scale Modelers have had an excellent 2005-06 year. The Club has maintained a busy schedule with active participation of its ten regular members. This year the Club celebrated its ten-year anniversary with a special dinner. The addition of a website appears to be attracting attention and interest in our Club. We have been pleased to have many out-of town guests during the year.
Members regularly worked on improving the layout. A three-stall roundhouse complete with scenery has been added to the engine terminal area. With the operation of the turntable, locomotive movement during operating sessions has become very realistic. Scenery has also been added to the small town of Prairie Crossing. The branch line cut near the town of Sturgis Falls is near completion. A beautifully built coal fired, power plant has been added on the north side of the layout. Several new buildings, automobiles, figures, and trees have also been added to enhance the realism of the layout. Plexiglass and handrails have been added to portions of the layout to provide protection, while an addition of a cloth skirt provides a professional touch to the appearance of the layout.
Regular operating sessions on the third Thursday (and occasionally on the fourth Thursday) have been well attended and enjoyed by members. Several guests have also attended and participated in several sessions. Thanks to the assistance of member Larry Alger, operating sessions have become more organized, sophisticated and smoother.
The Club hosted major open houses in conjunction with three Cedar Falls events - a meeting of the Rock Island Technical Society in March, a Narrow Gauge Retreat in October and the Caboose Stop Hobbies Railroad tour in November. A total of 267 guests attended the three open houses held in 2006. Guests have commented on the progress and realism of the Club layout.