After 10 years of operating train layouts in the Community Center lobby during the Christmas holidays, Ken Burling said this is his final year.

“I told [Community Center staff] that last year, too,” said Burling, owner of Burling’s Tons of Trains. “It’s getting to be too much for me,”

Burling said he spends two to three days setting up the three train displays for the month of December and repeats the process at the end of the month.

He knows the absence of his trains would disappoint youngsters and “the older” generation who enjoy reminiscing about the trains of their childhoods.

He’s recruiting volunteers to assist in operating the trains from 2 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16. On Friday, Dec. 22, the trains will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Burling said he bought his first model train set from a drug store in 1980 when he moved from Long Island, N.Y. to Arizona.

“I collected so much and when I started to clean out what I had, I decided to start a business.”

The retail store at 16924 E. Colony Drive is crammed with new and pre-owned rolling stock and accessories. Among the brands are Lionel, AM Flyer and Marx, Atlas and Pride Lines.

Yet, Burling said most sales come from items he advertises on eBay and a new website, burlingstonoftrains.com. In one month, he posted 6,000 items on eBay. He ships nationally and internationally to collectors and train enthusiasts.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by appointment on Saturdays and Sundays. The telephone number is 480-816-6501.