The remote town of Deary, Idaho, where the population barely exceeds 550, has become a buzzing place to visit, thanks to a converted historic train car that’s a sought-after stop for travelers.
It’s a 120-year-old combination railroad that a man named Isaac French and his family restored, turning a decaying relic into a successful Airbnb that’s now raking in up to $350 a night. Sources say the accommodation is one of the site’s most profitable short-term rental properties.
“My father bought this 120-year-old train car [for $3,000],” French, 27, shared in a viral X link that has now been viewed more than 16 million times. “It was a rotting wreck, infested with cats. But after investing $149,000 and five months of work, we redeemed it.”
This Airbnb maintains a 90% occupancy rate throughout the year. French told The Post, adding that the stay “paid for itself in 18 months.”
The project began in an unlikely way.
Frances’ father, now 55, a lifelong train enthusiast, was helping a neighbor shovel snow from the collapsing barn roof when he ran into the forgotten railroad, buried under years of neglect and wind. evil of a cat.
“Approximately 20 cats had made their home and the smell was almost unbearable,” French said.
Despite the smell and the dilapidated condition of the car, French’s father saw potential where others saw junk. He struck a deal with the neighbor for $3,000 and then faced the daunting task of moving the 61-foot train car through winding, snowy back roads on the family property.
“The wood was almost completely rotted and the ground was slick with mud and snow,” French said. But with the help of a local truck, the car was safely moved.
The collective efforts of the family over five months in 2020 brought the railway car to life.
“My brothers and I each took different parts of the job, painstakingly restoring every part of the car,” explained French, who has seven brothers. “We reimagined the space… The mail compartment became a bedroom, the cargo area a bathroom and the passenger compartment a kitchenette and lounge.”
French told The Post more about the family’s DIY approach.
“We did it all by hand, and we did it in about five months,” he said. The result was an Instagram-worthy attraction that quickly caught the attention of travelers looking for a standout stay.
The rail car, originally built in 1906, was a combination car, used for mail, goods and passengers – a rarity in the world of movement.
“Most people probably wouldn’t know that, but that means it was used for three different purposes,” French told The Post. “So a US mail carrier, another section of it we use for freight and freight, and then the third and largest section was a passenger car.”
The French family also bought and restored the old train depot in Deary, converting it into a three-unit stay. This work took place next year, from January to October 2021.
And when they saw an old caboose on the side of the road, they couldn’t resist adding it to their collection. “And just like that, the ID train ecosystem was reset!” French added to his X thread.
The family’s restoration efforts have drawn visitors from around the world.
“It’s been a lot of fun to help bring life back to the city,” French told The Post. Their efforts have even inspired other locals to get involved, leading to the opening of a butcher shop, a bakery and a craft shop – all housed in lovingly restored historic buildings.
“So now we have all these pieces, a kind of new ecosystem of life for the city,” French said. “And it’s great because to get to Deary, Idaho, you really have to have a reason … so when people invest the time to come out and visit and stay in the train car or the depot, there are things for them. do”.
French and his family’s project has been featured on the Magnolia Network’s “Restoration Road,” giving them a much-needed boost.
But it’s the viral post X that really put Deary on the map.
“The thread has been viewed 16.3 million times,” French said. “So there’s definitely a lot of people who resonate with the story who wouldn’t know about it otherwise.”
Despite the current rate and exclusive appeal, French intends to keep prices static, with the hope that more can enjoy his property down the line.
“We want it to be affordable for people,” he told The Post. “We want those who really want to stay there … to be able to visit.”
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Image Source : nypost.com