{"id":7193,"date":"2026-01-30T07:41:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=7193"},"modified":"2026-01-30T07:42:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:42:20","slug":"people-living-in-train-cars-its-a-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/people-living-in-train-cars-its-a-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"People Living in Train Cars? It\u2019s a Thing."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It certainly is. Some train car homeowners live in them, as with the picture here. Others rent them out as novelty vacation rental homes. You can even stay in one to try out the lifestyle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not even a new idea. The concept of living in a train car has attracted people for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

A Tiny Home? Art? Or a Little of Both?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One creative couple, Dan and Annabel, spotted an old railcar at a scrap yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turns out they\u2019d stumbled onto a World War II train car<\/a>, brimming over with rich historical value. The pair offered full price for the train car. So the dealer agreed to move it to their Colorado land. Now, it\u2019s the couple\u2019s dream home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some renovators might be inspired by a German couple who got attention on the internet a few years back, having fashioned their stylish home out of a pair of train cars. They even repositioned the roof to build a second floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, turning part of a train into a home depends on having plenty of resources. Just ask the Frenches. They\u2019re an Idaho family that picked up an antique train car for $3,000\u2014and spent $150K renovating<\/a> it. Their reward, beyond pure satisfaction? They managed to successfully rent the home out as an Airbnb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Lakefront, Refurbished with Local Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s the historic railcar Airbnb on Skaneateles Lake in Homer, New York<\/a>. The railcar is nearly a century old. The restoration of the structure included panels made of cherry and oak wood from the grounds. It now features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen with water sourced from the lake, a sitting room and a dining area. There\u2019s a beautiful view from the outdoor deck. We know, because the railcar gets plenty of praise from guests, for both its interior charm and its outdoor amenities. It\u2019s spacious, sturdy, and secure in any weather, the owner and fans point out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great place to stay overnight in a train car is in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. It\u2019s called the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant. Ride a train, then stay the night. Located beside the old Strasburg Rail Road, the attraction is described as \u201cthe ultimate railfan experience.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Yourself a Home? Pick Your Railcar.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Railcars come in various styles. Those dreaming of making a railcar into a home of their own could consider recycling one of these train car types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n