Member Layout Spotlight: Ted Ericson
One of the great things about model railroading is that no two layouts are exactly alike. In This Member Layout Spotlight, we're taking a look at the impressive collection of layouts built by Topeka Model Railroaders member Ted Ericson. Photos Attached at the bottom of the post!
Ted's current railroad room is home to three separate layouts, all of which were moved from Lincoln, Nebraska to Topeka about a year ago. The move presented its own challenges, with several sections requiring their legs to be removed for transport, but all three layouts made the journey successfully and are once again operating in their new home.
The largest of Ted's layouts stretches an impressive 21 feet in length and consists of five sections. Its origins date back roughly 45 years, when Ted began work on the original 4-foot by 5½-foot section. Early photos show the layout taking shape with hills formed from plaster over foam. Following his retirement ten years ago, Ted rebuilt the original section with new track and began expanding the railroad with additional modules. Eventually the layout reached its current size, filling the available space.
Of course, that didn't stop the building bug.
A castle kit inspired Ted's next project, a mountain spiral layout that he refers to as his "excursion layout." Featuring dramatic scenery and winding trackage, it provides a unique contrast to his larger railroad.
After completing the spiral layout, Ted turned his attention to a trolley line. This layout remains a work in progress and has become a showcase for the many structures that make up its growing town. While landscaping continues, much of Ted's recent effort has gone into constructing and detailing buildings to bring the scene to life.
More recently, Ted has focused on weathering rolling stock and structures. Graffiti-covered freight cars and carefully aged buildings add an extra layer of realism to his railroads and demonstrate the attention to detail that many modelers enjoy pursuing.
With three layouts filling the available space in his Topeka home, Ted jokes that there is definitely no room left for another railroad. Then again, most model railroaders know that "finished" is often just another word for "what we're working on next."
We thank Ted for sharing his layouts and modeling journey with the club and look forward to seeing what new details and improvements continue to appear across his railroads.
Photos Provided by Ted Ericson.
