E&N Malahat mountain range free-mo-N modules.

[Chris333]

I used something similar to your moss in a mini blender. I love the stuff. Not only is the color nice, but it looks like little tiny real plants. Used a bunch down in this hole:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vfT5sXNyN9oCf94v7

[craigolio1]

Hahaha thats brilliant. But it needs to be 1980s @craigolio1, in 1980s clothing. 

I have a different figure that you will also be able to use, its in the mail.... 

I can’t wait!  Anyone want a cool refreshing Kokanee beer?!

[craigolio1]

I used something similar to your moss in a mini blender. I love the stuff. Not only is the color nice, but it looks like little tiny real plants. Used a bunch down in this hole:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vfT5sXNyN9oCf94v7

Yeah that’s why I love it too! 

That scene looks great! I love that little water fall. Would be great to see some detailed pics of that.

Craig.

[CNR5529]

I can’t wait!  Anyone want a cool refreshing Kokanee beer?!

Gotta be a stubby though, for prototypical fidelity LOL

[craigolio1]

Gotta be a stubby though, for prototypical fidelity LOL

Here’s a shot from a 1984 commercial. I think it IS a stubby!  Fun.





And of course, immortalized in bronze, case of Kokanee in hand, outside the Columbia Brewing Company.

[craigolio1]

After drying all of the moss, the rest of the modules got covered in ferns, moss, and the same variety of foams.



Then after covering the right of way in tape, the whole thing got soaked in alcohol and scenery glue



That wet look on the rocks really looks like it’s just been rained on…. Because it has…. I’ll need to remember that.



Next it was finally time remove the plastic wrap from Arbutus’ bridge footings. I forgot how much I liked these.



With the plastic off I filled in the gaps with dirt.







Following this it was finally tree time!  I spent four hours today planting approximately 500 trees.

In this picture the rocks have retained a bit of a sheen from the matte medium. I guess it’s not completely matte, which is ok with me because that’s the look I want!



Here’s Niagara Canyon…









I even snuck a couple of Arbutus trees on the West side of the tracks where there is a bit of a clearing.



And Arbutus Canyon….













I’m very pleased with how this turned out. There are little windows in the forest edge where you can see into the forest and see the additional detail. I wanted this kind of depth to the scene.








Alas, I need probably the same amount of trees to finish the front. I thought I’d made enough. Ugh. Oh well this is fun!! 

Next up I’ll detail the ROW, rocks , and drainage ditches….. and make more trees.

[Scottl]

This is superb.  Amazing landscape realism.

[craigolio1]

This is superb.  Amazing landscape realism.

Thank you Scott. 

[dandopinski]

Brilliant landscapes. Spot on!

[craigolio1]

Brilliant landscapes. Spot on!

Thank you.

[grove den]

Beautiful landscape indeed!!
And those pictures .....
Ohw man  when watching them: I love to be an armchair modelrailroader

[craigolio1]

Beautiful landscape indeed!!
And those pictures .....
Ohw man  when watching them: I love to be an armchair modelrailroader

Thank you! 

I plan to do many trees following your tutorial for focal points on the aisle side of the ROW, primarily on each side of the river, around the MOW siding, and around the abandoned track.

[craigolio1]

This week the Malahat travelled to the first annual Rail Expo 2026 in Windsor Ontario, hosted by the Windsor Model Railroad Club, and largely spearheaded by Emerson Case

This is the farthest I’ve ver travelled with any modules and I don’t have a mini van anymore. I’ve crammed 16ft of railroad into my Santa Fe. Next time I’ll be renting a U-Haul truck or trailer.





In this picture the car / module are not upside down. The weather was good, the modules survived the 4 hour drive short of a few trees getting bent.



The show is located at the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village.

https://ctmhv.com/

Upon walking in the first think I saw was a fine 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia… my dream car!



Just this past October I was finally able to buy one of my own!! 



Clearly I was meant to be here!!!

Back to trains…. Our Toronto area Free-mo-N club was given a leg off of the main layout and here are my sections going in. For those in the GTA, We are N Scale Roadshow and we are always looking for new people to join ( @Rick112 )   Message me and I’ll use peer pressure to get you to build one two foot module. That’s how I got started.



More of the main setup , including the 20 track yard.



Another club member is showing up today to complete our leg, but in the mean time I couldn’t help but stage a passenger train. Here’s a big old consist of Amtrak Superliners with three locomotives, materials handling cars, and Roadrailers! 












The  Malahat is 14ft long and it barely fits. Perfect cause the turn around loops are 15ft!





The show looks like it’s going to be a huge success. Clubs from Windsor, Toronto, London, and Sudbury are in attendance. The venue is awesome, with space to grow for next year, which I can only assume will be larger. Special thanks to Emerson Case and the WMRC for putting this together.

More pics later.

[NorthWestGN]

The modules look awesome Craig, the trees and the rain soaked rocks scream Vancouver Island.

And you own a Ghia Cabriolet, awesome car , looks like a late 69 with the bullet signals up front and the glass rear window. I hand an signal orange / amber 70 Cabrio back in the late 80’s, had a blast in that car!

Okay , back to trains….

Brent

[craigolio1]

The modules look awesome Craig, the trees and the rain soaked rocks scream Vancouver Island.

And you own a Ghia Cabriolet, awesome car , looks like a late 69 with the bullet signals up front and the glass rear window. I hand an signal orange / amber 70 Cabrio back in the late 80’s, had a blast in that car!

Okay , back to trains….

Brent

Thanks Brent!!

Aha you know the Ghia’s!!!  So it’s a 1971. But it’s been backdated a bit to look like a 1969. Stock 1600 dual port engine from a Type 3, rebuilt to be upright. It’s also been lowered quite a bit. They decided it needed a bunch of louvers in the deck lid. Not what I would do but it’s growing on me. So it was someone’s project car for sure.  I love it. It’s had all of the modifications done that I would have done… except I put some cooler wheels on it.