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Amy Corbett is a member of All Belong Collective, a local hosting business in Virginia that runs several unique vacation stays. One is “James Station,” a renovated Southern Train Caboose that overlooks a river and train factory!
Below, Amy shares the inspiration behind the caboose renovation and how they chose to lean into the train theme. The space is a favorite of locomotive enthusiasts, and it’s easy to see why. It has 4.97 stars on Airbnb.
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Stay in a Train Overlooking the Tracks! Virginia
It’s located overlooking the James River less than half a mile to downtown Lynchburg, VA.
Funny story- we owned this land that overlooked a river, so we wanted whatever we put there to be awesome…
BUT the land is on a cliff that also overlooks a factory and train tracks.
We knew trains going by would be an issue for guests that we would have to disclose on our listing.
But when a friend gave us the idea to purchase a train car, we loved the idea of leaning into the “downside” of a place and making it an attraction.
If you’re staying in a train car, watching other trains is now part of the excitement!
Naturally, I found our caboose on Facebook Marketplace.
It was a kids’ concession stand in West Virginia 3.5 hours away.
The cost to transport and install the caboose was over twice as much as the actual caboose itself!
We used a lot of repurposed items in this project (obviously, the whole train is a repurpose project!).
The wood ceiling, $5 light fixtures from the Habitat Re-Store, original sink and lockers from the caboose, and more are all repurposed.
We offer a kids’ package (conductor hat, bandana, branded train whistle & sticker book).
Our guests love the experience!
Highlights:
- All aboard! Welcome to James Station, a train caboose overlooking the James River.
- Large deck, Solo Stove fire pit, pollinator garden & gas grill
- Hammock swings inside + porch swing overlooking river
- Watch the trains + factory action below!
- 1/2 mi walk to Blackwater Creek nature trails & downtown Lynchburg dining
- Keurig + local coffee, fast wifi
- Full bathroom w/ rain head shower & Public Goods soaps
- 12 min to Liberty Univ & Univ of Lynchburg
- BEDROOM
- queen bed
- reading lights
- white noise machine
- smart TV
- small dresser
- remote controlled LED lights that illuminate the ceiling in different colors
- blackout pulldown blinds
- LIVING/DINING:
- loveseat + twin sleeper sofa
- coffee table
- built in walnut table/bar w/ 2 swivel seats
- optional clip-on hammock chairs
- KITCHEN:
- quartz countertop w/ sink
- fridge w/ freezer
- large toaster/convection oven with air fryer
- portable 2 burner cooktop w/ induction pots and pans for cooking
- Keurig, French press, coffee grinder, reclaimed closet for hanging clothes
- BATHROOM
- shower w/ Public Goods products
- original stainless caboose sink
- toilet
- towels + hairdryer
- DECK
- outdoor bistro table & chairs
- gas grill
- sitting benches
- OUTSIDE
- Fire pit w/ Solo Stove & chairs
- porch swing
- hammock
- pollinator garden
- PARKING: up to 3 cars may park at the caboose (off-street driveway for 1-2, street parking for 1-2)
- HEATING/AIR: ductless heating & air with remote
- TV SERVICES – No cable. Smart TV streaming services only (guests must use personal login credentials)
- POTENTIAL FOR NOISE: You will hear the sounds of trains going by, construction forklifts beeping, etc. The factory works through the night.
- The caboose has sound-proofing and double layers of insulation around the bedroom area, and we provide a white noise machine and portable fan for your added comfort.
- *You must be 25 years or older to reserve James Station.
Learn More:
Related Stories:
- 1950s Train Car Tiny House in Australia
- Get Cozy in the 32 ft. Caboose: A Tiny House with a Main Floor Master Bedroom
- WWII Troop Train Kitchen Car Turned Tiny Home
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Natalie C. McKee
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