HOLTS SUMMIT -- Christmas trees in homes across the country are decked to the hills with ornaments and glitter, many of them with a train chugging along around the tree skirt.
One mid-Missouri man has taken it a step further and is showing off 49 years of train collecting.
For the last decade, Arthur Kristofik and his wife have set up part of his collection in the hotel they own, the America's Best Value-Inn Hotel in Holts Summit.
They've transformed one of the rooms into a magical world of trains and Christmas wonders.
Six Lionel trains haul coal, passengers, and goods through a miniature amusement park, industrial area, and a Christmas tree village.
Arthur, the mastermind behind the exhibit, works on his display year-round, and said as soon as the holiday season wraps up in January he will start working on it again for next year.
"Most of the people are expecting to see just a small little train layout, and their mouths just drop wide open when they come in here and see an extremely large and complex layout," Arthur said.
Kristofik said he has always loved collecting Lionel trains.
He said he's glad he found a way to play with his favorite toys as an adult.
The display is open to the public from 1-8p.m. Thursdays through Sundays until January 2.
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