All Aboard: 9 Railroad Cars Converted into Homes

This San Francisco home, made from two converted cable cars, is the sole survivor of the unusual Carville-by-the-Sea neighborhood of yesteryear. This unusual community, which enjoyed its heyday at the end of the 1800s, consisted of more than 100 homes made from upcycled cable cars and horse-drawn cars.

If vintage is more your style, you’ll love this restored UK train car. Lizzy and David Stroud carefully restored and refurbished this train carriage, which they rent to tourists in Cornwall, England. Take note of original features like the pull strap on the refinished train window!

How’s this for a Western train experience? This refurbished train car, sitting pretty in Montana, features a studded leather couch and chair that highlight the wood-grain floor and ceiling. Modern stainless-steel appliances balance the rustic charm.

From the outside, you’d never guess that a bright yellow industrial-style recycled train caboose hides a surprisingly comfortable home. Warm oak paneling and luxurious upholstery give this converted train car the illusion of opulence; a fireplace adds to the cozy ambience.

The Centennial Inn in Livingston, Montana, treats visitors to a taste of the 1800s Old West with its refurbished Northern Pacific train cars. This 900-square-foot example was a parlor car where travelers could socialize. It’s been restored to reflect the Victorian times in which it would have been used.

This delightful renovated caboose-turned-tiny-home was restored to provide a year-round residence for its owner. The 1909 Soo Line Train now boasts indoor plumbing and electricity, as well as a deck that enlarges the outdoor living space. Check out the nifty red metal ladder leading to additional sleeping space.

Hoogwoud, Netherlands, is the home of this converted train car which is part of the Controversy B&B, a bed-and-breakfast catering to tourists who want accommodations that are a little out of the ordinary. Quirky features in this bright and cheerful railroad car include a recycled tire as a sink and a boat upcycled into a bed.

This ultra-modern home is actually a retired subway train car. Sleek stainless-steel interior accents pick up the exterior color, while birch paneling and flooring add to the airy feel of the home. Lots of windows and recessed lights make this train car bright and cheerful.

Related: Home, Home on the Road — 10 Houses on Wheels

Don’t think that living in a converted train car means sacrificing comfort. This 807-square-foot railcar home comes complete with a full electric kitchen and an incinerator toilet. Living, dining, and sleeping areas are bright and modern.

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Want more unusual homes? Consider:

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