Jack and Paulette Lantz share their Pasadena home, a Buff & Hensman beauty, with a collection of Asian antiquities and with Jack’s beloved model trains. He’s happy to let others in on the fun. Here, from left, Tex Meyers, Ryan Purdy and Christian Gropper get down to rail level to watch trains move through the yard. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
At unloading time, a precious cargo -- Christmas-colored M&Ms -- is safely delivered. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Mikaela Magtoto watches a train advance through the Lantzes’ yard. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The Lantzes’ living room comes alive with a combination of Asian antiquities and Christmas decorations. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Jack and Paulette Lantz love music. They also are fond of Asian art, as is evident in Genji prints hung near a Tang dynasty statue. The couple met 35 years ago near Tokyo. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Paulette and Jack Lantz make themselves at home on the piano bench. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
In the Lantz home, a Teddy bear nestles near Chinese tomb pottery tiles from Sichuan, which date from sometime in 100 B.C. to A.D. 100. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Jack Lantz derived his love of trains from his father’s holiday use of them. Here he shows part of his collection to, from left, Christian Gropper, Ryan Purdy, Tex Meyers, Mikaela Magtoto and, half-hidden, Tess Gropper. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
