Stan Pirzchalski is an artist. He spends hours prepping andbrproducing masterpieces throughout a 67' x 27' room that is filled with abrminiature interactive railroad.
In 1987, Stan and his wife Karen moved into their cozybrColleyville house and transformed a simple hobby into what is now a truebrtestament of their love for each other and the community. Set in the 1940's,brthe My Darling Angel Karen (MDAK) Railroad is a one-way ticket to transportbrvisitors back to a time when steam trains were the spectacles of America.
The MDAK Railroad layout is not a replica of a specificbrlocation, but encompasses the decade from the Pirzchalski's point of view. Forbrinstance, many of the buildings and cities have family, friend and childhoodbrmemory acronyms listed throughout the layout.
“It's like being an artist. Model railroaders are similar tobrexhibitionists in that they like to have people come see what they've done,”brPirzchalski said. “It's insured for $1.2 million because it's a piece ofbrartwork.
Roughly 17 years ago, Stan and Karen decided to open upbrtheir home so visitors could experience the MDAK Railroad first hand.brInstead of charging admission, the Pirzchalski's decided to ask visitors tobrbring one unwrapped toy as a donation to the Grapevine Relief and CommunitybrExchange (GRACE) Charities, a nonprofit relief agency that provides thebrnecessities to struggling families.
The first year the MDAK Railroad opened to the public, 35 people attended. Nearly 20 years later, the numberbrhas more than tripled, with roughly 135 people attending last year.
About six years ago, Karen passed away. Stan continues to offerbrthe MDAK Railroad tour once a year as a way to pay tribute to what he deems as Karen's 'bright idea.' This year, the 16th AnnualbrPirzchalski Holiday Open House will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday,brDec. 8 at 4832 Lakeside Dr., Colleyville, TX 76034.
Upon arrival, patrons will receive a notecard that explainsbrthe layout and history of the MDAK Railroad. To make things interesting, abrscavenger hunt is also listed on the notecard for families to try and find various items located throughout the railroad. Visitors will catch abrglimpse of a wedding, interactive workers, mooing cows, airplanes, boy scoutsbraround a campfire and a carnival.
The MDAK Railroad is a do-at-your-own-pace event, with thebrtypical family spending on average 30 minutes or less exploring the layout.
“Most people think it's a Christmas tree with a trainbrrunning around it, but they are flabbergasted with what is actually upstairs,”brPirzchalski said. “You have to come see it for yourself.”
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