Designer Nigel Brooke has transformed a 1895 Metropolitan Railway carriage into a luxury Airbnb stay at his converted railway station home. The carriage, which was originally used on the metropolitan railway line and decommissioned in 1940, was purchased for $10,000 and restored for $35,000. Guests can book the unique experience for about $260 per night, with its rustic charm and history drawing many travelers eager to experience vintage luxury.
Brooke, 68, lives in an old train station in England where he’s restored a Great Western Railway carriage from 1895. Although trains stopped running through the area in the 1950s, guests today can enjoy a night in the vintage carriage thanks to Brooke’s $35,000 restoration project. The carriage’s exterior has been repainted using original colors sourced from historic railway drawings, while the interior features period wallpaper, a bed, and a stove.
Brooke designed all the interior decor, but it was led by original pieces found during the restoration. The carriage originally ran on a metropolitan railway line before it was decommissioned in 1940. The restoration also involved carefully removing the rotten oak frame and replicating it using the original bits, which Brooke said was necessary to preserve the carriage’s historical value. He added that the carriage’s age – 1895 – means it was already approaching disintegration if not for the restoration.
The Airbnb offering has proved popular with guests who are drawn to its charm and railway heritage. Brooke is now planning to expand his offering by converting the station’s old waiting room into an additional guest space with an ensuite bathroom. ‘People absolutely adore it. There’s a lot of history here,’ Brooke told SWNS. The restored carriage is already drawing interest from travelers eager to experience a piece of the past in vintage luxury.
The station itself, which Brooke purchased in the 1980s when he was in his 30s, was a rare find. He described it as a fortunate acquisition, as many historic properties in the area had since been developed or demolished. The station’s original oak frame remained in good condition, allowing Brooke to rebuild it piece by piece, ensuring the carriage and the station as a whole would stand the test of time.
Brooke’s project has not only revitalized a piece of history but also sparked interest in similar heritage-based tourism in the region. The success of the carriage as an Airbnb has led to plans for additional conversions within the station, showcasing how historic properties can be repurposed for modern use without losing their past. As the station continues to evolve, it stands as a testament to the blend of past and present, capturing the imagination of travelers seeking unique experiences.
With the carriage now open for bookings and the waiting room set to be transformed into another Airbnb space, the future looks promising for the station’s continued transformation. Brook’s vision reflects a growing trend in the travel industry, where unique and historically rich accommodations are gaining popularity. As more travelers seek to experience the charm and character of the past, the station may become a model for how historical properties can be preserved and repurposed for the modern world.