When the father Isaac French A native of Deerry, Idaho saw an abandoned train car in a neighboring farm and realized it was capable of something bigger.
According to 27-year-old Fringe, the neighboring farm wagon, built in the 1900s, had been sitting there for decades, according to CNBC. The wood was rotting and algae was growing all over it and there were about 20 cats living inside.
Car No. 306 originally operated on the Washington, Idaho and Montana Railroad from 1909 to the 1950s. It took several years; But in 2020, the French family bought this train car for only $3,000.
Photographer: Isaac French
“My dad had high hopes for this wagon and I’m so glad he did,” says French. “It feels great to take an old structure that was built with love and bring it back to life.”
Also, the French family spent a lot of time trying to find someone willing to move the 18.5-meter structure to their 145-acre plot of land. It’s just a beautiful, secluded place in nature, says French. We chose the highest point on our property to capture the beautiful views of nature. The cost of this transfer was about 10 thousand dollars.
Photographer: Isaac French
After moving the wagon, the French family spent $137,000 and six months to rebuild the structure. They planned to turn the wagon into a temporary accommodation on the Airbnb platform. Costs included decking, floor resurfacing, bathroom additions, landscaping and furniture.
Photographer: Isaac French
French, his parents and siblings did most of the work themselves, rebuilding the train car to resemble its original design. They got help from their contractor for the work related to air conditioning and electricity system.
Photographer: Isaac French
French hand painted the letters on the outside of the wagon based on an old photo they found of the wagon. This wagon even has its original windows. “In the summer, we open these windows and let the breeze blow through the wagon,” says French. During the alfalfa planting season, the smell of meadow grass spreads in the wagon.
To make the train car habitable, French and his family converted the passenger room into a living area and a small kitchen with a gas stove. They also built a bathroom and converted the train station wagon room into a bedroom with a large double bed.
CNBC
“Our guests absolutely love the wagon and its surroundings,” added French. They wake up in the morning and directly look at these beautiful scenery of nature. “It’s a really charming place to sleep and wake up.”
To enhance the experience, they added a mirrored sauna and hot tub, and a fire pit right outside the carriage. “The idea is to reflect the surrounding nature,” French continued. “Since we had these beautiful pine trees and this spectacular view, we thought it would be an interesting contrast between the new and the old.”
CNBC
Although the train car of the French family is not located in a touristy and busy place, it quickly became a popular place on the Airbnb platform. A stay in a “restored 1909 train car” costs between $325 and $350 per night.
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In the first year of its establishment, Farang Family Wagon had an occupancy rate of 90% and an income of $14,179. Since then, its income has increased to $75,000 to $90,000 per year. French predicts the wagon will make $105,000 this year.
In 2023, the train car was booked on Airbnb for 231 nights of the year. Its profit margin is about 65%. 30 to 35 percent of the total income is allocated to cleaning, maintenance, property taxes and insurance.
The French family knows that they can increase the accommodation price of this train car; But French says they don’t intend to do that; Because they know that it is satisfying for them to host people from all over the world who want to experience a part of history.
