rail car 306
Project Description
Salvaged a 120-year-old rail car, restored & reimagined it as a one-of-a-kind immersive train stay in rural Idaho
Year Built
2020
Project Results
Rail Car 306 is one of the most unique & exclusive train experiences in the world. Featured in Discovery+, Vice, Fast Co., Business Insider, The New York Post, more...
About This Project
In the Spring of 2020, my father discovered this train car in an almost unrecognizable state of disrepair.
We purchased it for $3,000, moved it to a beautiful hilltop in the Idaho countryside and began its transformation. Over five months, my brothers and I meticulously restored every detail, breathing life into this forgotten piece of history. To protect it from the elements, we designed a canopy structure inspired by traditional depot architecture.
Our work caught national attention when it was featured on Restoration Road on the Magnolia Network. This exposure catapulted the car to national fame, booking it solid almost overnight for the first couple years. We’ve since added a sauna and wellness area.
When visiting, we encourage our guests to explore our other restored buildings in the charming town of Deary, Idaho, including the original train depot & caboose, a bakery, creamery, quilt shop, and butcher shop.
This was my first venture into hospitality, and it showed me just how rewarding restoration can be. Read the whole story here.
How many other unloved train cars, grain silos, barns, homes, and storefronts are out there waiting to be discovered and loved? Far too many to count — but each one holds the potential for something extraordinary.
