Abandoned Train Car Transformed Into Airbnb Hit: 'It Took $150,000 And A Lot Of Love, But Now It's Making $105K A Year'

In the rolling hills of Deary, Idaho, a forgotten piece of history sat quietly on a neighbor's farm, collecting dust, rot and the occasional cat colony. Train car number 306, once a proud fixture of the Washington Idaho & Montana Railway, had been out of commission since the 1950s. 

For decades, it remained parked and forgotten – until Isaac French's dad spotted it and saw a glimmer of something extraordinary.

"My dad bought this 120-year-old train car for $3,000," French, 27, shared in a viral X thread with over 16 million views. "It was a rotting, cat-infested wreck. After $149k and five months, we redeemed it."

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In 2020, after years of pondering, the family bought the 61-foot-long train car for a mere $3,000. But getting it to their 145-acre property was another story. Moving the beastly structure cost $10,000 and finding someone willing to take on the job wasn't easy. 

"We chose the highest point on our land for epic views," French explains, "but getting it up there? Not exactly a walk in the park."

Once the train car was in place, the real work began and the family transformed the derelict car into a stunning Airbnb getaway. French and his siblings rolled up their sleeves, tackling most of the work.

They refurbished the floors, preserved the original windows and even recreated the historic lettering on the side, inspired by a 1906 photo of the train car in its prime. Subcontractors handled the trickier parts, like HVAC and electrical, but the heart of the project was all French family grit.

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Inside, they turned the passenger room into a cozy sitting area with a gas potbelly stove and added a kitchenette. The old mail room became a bedroom with a plush king-size bed, while a sleek bathroom with a barn door completed the transformation. 

To elevate the experience further, they added a mirrored sauna, hot tub and firepit outside. "It's the perfect mix of old and new," French says. "Guests wake up to these incredible panoramic views. It's magical."

Apparently, travelers agree. Listed at $325 to $350 per night, the train car hit a 90% occupancy rate in its first year, bringing in $14,179. Since then, business has boomed, with annual revenue climbing to $105,000 in 2023. 

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The French family keeps about 65% of that profit, with the rest covering cleaning, maintenance and insurance. According to AirDNA, between 2020 and 2024, the number of unique Airbnb stay listings – such as yurts and train cars – increased by 123%, outpacing the growth of traditional listings.

Despite the train car's viral success, the family has no plans to jack up prices. "We love hosting people from all over the country," French says. "There's so much joy in sharing this piece of history."

As for the train car, French sees it as a symbol of what's possible. "There are so many old treasures just waiting to be rediscovered. All it takes is a little love to breathe life back into them."

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