Woman Turns Old Railway Carriage Into Beautiful Off-Grid Tiny Home
July 4, 2022
source: YouTube/Living Big In A Tiny House
I’ve seen tiny homes made from school buses and sea cans, but I can safely say that this is the first time I’ve ever seen a tiny home made from an old railway carriage. Mandy and her ex-husband completed an 8-year restoration of two old railway carriages which are situated in the Central Otago region in the South Island of New Zealand. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful restoration – let’s take a look!
Having completed many restorations on boats and yachts, Mandy and her ex-husband were ready for the immense challenge of restoring these two old railway carriages.
Walking into the first railway carriage, you’ll find the cozy living room complete with a wood-burning fireplace. The fireplace is the main heating source, and is a complete necessity for the cold winters out here. Mandy and her ex-husband restored the tin ceiling and sanded all of the paint off the original wood paneling.
Right next to the living room is the small yet functional kitchen.
Check out that incredible tin ceiling!
Mandy’s bedroom has windows on both sides to let in an abundance of natural light. There is also an en-suite bathroom with a shower and sink. There is no toilet inside, but an outhouse right next to the carriages.
The second railway carriage is home to “the library,” an additional living room and sitting area painted in this wonderful sage color.
This carriage also features a built-in bed with storage, which Mandy uses as a guest room when she has company over.
I don’t know what’s more beautiful: the outside of the railway carriages, the charming and character-filled interior, or the striking views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.
For a full tour of Mandy’s amazing railway carriage restoration, check out the video below:
Mandy estimates the total cost of the restoration was around $50,000. Pretty impressive for such an amazing transformation! I hope Mandy enjoys the results of her dedication and hard work. This is truly a unique and amazing home.