"It started out with a small village, then I've expanded it every year," said Lifferth.
Along with the three train tracks Lifferth has battery-powered cars on a track with rails running alongside the house. Street lights are also a part of the set to create effect.
On the lake is a pirate ship and the Statute of Liberty. A hot air ballon also spins in circles above the body of water.
In the middle is the Salt Lake Temple, with a light pointing directly on it. At the entrance of the garage he also has a nativity set out year-round.
Also included in the set are people, a working windmill, moving skiers, spinning ice skaters, a roller coaster, and a model of the old Bamberger train.
To be able to continue to work on all parts of the set Lifferth has built tunnels under the tables that hinge open.
Lifferth's first hobby was restoring antique cars. However, since cheating death through five bypass surgeries he moved on to another hobby.
"If you got a hobby and everybody else has to do it with you, what good is the hobby?" he said.
Before Lifferth retired he designed homes. He said he designed a good share of the homes in Bountiful.
Lifferth even built a model of his Bountiful home in the furthermost corner of the train set.
Most of the mountains in the set are made with plaster of paris. Lifferth is constantly cleaning the train tracks of dust and plaster, so they will run.
A handful of children who came over to see the train set buzzed about the room to soak everything in.
It was difficult for the younger children not to reach up and touch the moving pieces, trains and cars; however, Lifferth set out rubber circus animals to satisfy their urge to touch everything.
He also has pedestals for the children to stand on and a steel bar for them to lean on to be able to see the set better.
The retired home contractor works on the set three to four days a week for a couple of hours a day.
"It's been a fun project," he said. "It gives an old man something to do."
sclarke@davisclipper.com
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