If you’re looking for somewhere quirky to stay, we’ve got the inside track on an Airbnb that could be just the ticket.
Near Decorah in Iowa is the CR Station Train Caboose Airbnb. It’s a former caboose – an American railway car that was used to transport train crew. Usually the conductor or brakeman at the end of a freight railroad.
It has four bedrooms, including a double and bunk bed. The original conductor’s chair and overhead rails are also included.
Near Decorah in Iowa, is the CR Station Train Caboose Airbnb.
This is before the Airbnb converted it into a caboose. Caboose refers to a caboose, an American railway car used for carrying train crew at freight trains’ end.
Jim Dotzenrod (and his daughter Danielle), who reside in Decorah, discovered the Airbnb when their friend saw the caboose at a salvage yard just 30 miles (30 km) from them.
The family doesn’t know where this caboose came from, but they did find a photo of it taken in Clinton, Iowa. It dates to the early 1980s.
MailOnline Travel’s Danielle says that the caboose’s specific design is known as an “extended-vision” or “wide-vision” caboose. This is due to its cupola which is a tiny window-like protrusion at the roof.
She adds that some of the train conductors who travelled in the caboose would have ‘used the cupola windows to monitor the train’.
Jim and Danielle splashed out $8,000 (£5,864) on the salvaged caboose, and Also purchased original railroad tracks for use as a base.
By semi-tractor, trailer and crane they transported the caboose onto the Airbnb site. They then lifted it up on tracks using a crane.
Throughout 2016, it took six months and $4,000 (£2,925) for the father and daughter team to transform the caboose into the ‘charming and cosy’ rental it is today.
Pictures show a crane lifting the salvaged caboose into position on to a set of original railroad tracks
Jim Dotzenrod and his daughter Danielle bought the caboose for $8,000 (£5,864). The interior of the caboose is shown before renovations.
Danielle says: ‘My father was a carpenter by trade. He is now retired, but when we renovated and began renting the caboose he was still working full time so only able to work on it nights and weekends.’
The biggest challenge of the renovation was ‘cutting out and removing the old iron’ that they were not able to repurpose in the railroad car, such as the iron stove and the iron platform that the conductor’s cupola seats sat on.
Danielle explains: ‘We did repurpose both cupola seats, however, which are reversible. They now sit in front of the main windows and can be flipped to face the sitting area or out the window facing west overlooking the horse pasture, which is particularly nice at sunset.’ The pair also built a staircase leading to the sleeping area.
The staircase that leads to the sleeping space was created. It took six months and $4,000 (£2,925) for Jim and Danielle to repurpose the railroad car
This is the renovated caboose. The biggest challenge of the renovation was ‘cutting out and removing the old iron’ that they were not able to repurpose in the railroad car
The caboose was now available to be rented out. ‘The caboose was very popular from the beginning,’ Danielle reveals.
You will find a fridge, microwave and a double-burner gas stove. What’s more, there’s a toilet, a six-gallon water heater and a shower, as well as Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and a TV.
The fruit of the strawberry bushes or the apple tree can be enjoyed by guests. A horse pasture is located opposite the caboose, so guests can take their horses over to see it. Jim provides carriage rides in the country and through Decorah.
The seats of the conductors that were once in the cupola are shown. Danielle says that the conductor’s seats now face the main windows. They can also be turned to face the seating area, or the west-facing window overlooking the horse pasture. This is especially nice during sunset.
You will find a microwave, refrigerator and a microwave in the Airbnb kitchen. There are also dishes to cook with.
Pictured is the Airbnb’s barware for mixing cocktails. There’s also a toilet, a six-gallon hot water heater and a shower
‘Nearby Decorah (pictured above) offers guests a lot to do,’ says Danielle. Photo courtesy Creative Commons
A second, unrelated Airbnb is also owned and operated by the family near the caboose. It’s called Silo on the Ridge (pictured).
Danielle adds: ‘Guests really enjoy barbequing or having a glass of wine [on]The large attached deck overlooks the horse pasture. Horses are an attraction and most of our reviews mention them.
‘Nearby Decorah offers guests a lot to do… hiking and mountain biking trails as well as a popular 10-mile bike trail that encompasses the town, kayaking and tubing the Upper Iowa River, and award-winning breweries to name a few.’
The Airbnb’s reviews are overwhelmingly positive – one recent user wrote: ‘The caboose was the perfect mix of cosy and unique!’
While a second added: ‘Our son loves trains so this was really exciting for him! They did a great job converting the caboose into a cute cabin.’
Silo on the Ridge is a nearby Airbnb that the family owns. This silo, which has been repurposed into a barn silo, can be rented out to guests.
The caboose costs around $135 (£100) a night. Visit the for more details. CR Station Train CabooseOn Airbnb