US family buys 120-year-old abandoned railroad car for 3000 dollars. Once home to 20 feral cats, the accommodation now rents for 350 dollars per night

Some people see abandoned properties as forgotten eyesores, while others see an opportunity waiting to be uncovered. With creativity, patience and vision, owners can give a new life to places many would simply pass by. Along similar lines, one US family took on an unusual restoration project that had been forgotten for decades. A 61-foot train car built in 1906 spent years inside an Idaho farm shed, storing grain and feeding cattle, before Isaac French’s father spotted its potential and decided to bring the historic carriage back to life.

The forgotten rail car gets discovered

According to a report by People magazine, the abandoned Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway Car 306 was in a dilapidated state, featuring broken windows, rotten window sills, and layers of grime. Additionally, it was home to over 20 feral cats, roaming the property free. In 2018, Isaac’s family bought the train car, paying 3000 dollars and spending 5 months renovating the place into an Airbnb.

Isaac’s father, who was familiar with the region’s railway history, noticed remnants of paint and the numbers “306” near the passenger section. These clues helped establish that the abandoned carriage was Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway Car 306, constructed by the American Car & Foundry Company in Missouri in 1906. Isaac said the carriage had remained on the farm since the 1950s, after the railway tracks in the area were taken away.

Family begins an ambitious restoration

Getting the massive structure to its new location proved to be another challenge. For nearly 2 years, Isaac’s family struggled to find a company prepared to transport the deteriorating carriage. Several movers declined the job because of its enormous size and fragile condition. Eventually, in February 2020, the family managed to relocate it on a cold, rainy day.

Once the carriage arrived, the restoration could finally begin. Isaac designed a timber-framed shelter inspired by traditional railway depots, while his brothers constructed it around the carriage to protect the historic structure from harsh weather. The restoration continued for several months, with the family taking on different parts of the project themselves.

Historic carriage becomes a luxury stay

Isaac worked on sanding, epoxy finishes, brass details and lettering, while his father and brothers handled the plumbing and electrical work. A family friend even handcrafted a copper chandelier, while Isaac’s mother personally selected and arranged antiques to complement the interiors. Great care was taken to retain the carriage’s original character, including restoring its windows, polishing its brass fittings and recreating its distinctive gold lettering.

The finished space was eventually transformed into a one-of-a-kind holiday rental. The former mail compartment became a bedroom, while the cargo section was converted into a spacious bathroom. The passenger area now serves as a cosy reading lounge, complete with a gas-powered potbelly stove and a compact kitchenette cleverly incorporated into the original wooden interiors.

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Today, the restored railway carriage has become a sought-after stay, with the family charging more than 350 dollars per night. The unique accommodation reportedly maintains an occupancy rate of around 90%, turning a forgotten piece of railway history into a thriving hospitality venture.