The story of how a vintage railcar ended up on Cherrywood Lane in Seward, Alaska, is a tale of ingenuity, reuse, and a touch of Alaskan charm. This isn't just any old railcar; it is a relic of World War II, built in 1945 to transport troops across the country. After the war, their service didn't end. Instead, they were surplused to the Department of Transportation and subsequently transferred to the Alaska Railroad. There, they served a vital purpose, housing and transporting workers and materials for track and right-of-way maintenance. Over time, many of these troop cars were retired, relegated to languishing on storage tracks. That's where Tanya Sandefur came in. Spotting an opportunity, she bid on four of these vintage Pullman cars at auction. Thinking two 52-foot cars would fit nicely into her boat storage yard, she made a bid and then tossed in a cheeky additional bid of $1,000 each for two larger 82-foot sleeper cars " just for the heck of it." To her surprise, she won, becoming the proud owner of four gray WWII railcars for just over $10,000. Tanya had a grand vision. She envisioned arranging the cars in a square, creating a central courtyard with a wooden deck. In September 1995, she and her husband Ron rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Underground utilities were installed, concrete foundations were poured, and the arduous task of stripping the cars began. Showers, toilets, bunk beds, heaters, fuel tanks, carpentry cabinets, and doors were all removed, creating a growing mountain of debris that earned the business the local nickname "Train Wreck." Amazingly, in just three months, Tanya and her crew transformed the trains, hauled away the scrap, and built the immense deck. One of the 82-foot troop sleepers was designated "Whistle Stop Lodging," while the other three cars were leased out to various businesses. Car 37, a 52-foot Pullman Mud car, became home to the Seward Bike Shop. Car 20, a 52-foot Pullman Kitchen car, served as a deli. And Car 51, the other 82-foot troop sleeper, truly blossomed into Whistle Stop Lodging. The legacy of "The Train Wreck" continued through the years. In October 2021, Liberty Miller, owner of 13 Ravens Coffee & Books, purchased the compound. The Train Wreck housed the Seward Bike Shop, the Smoke Shack restaurant, and Miller's own 13 Ravens. Miller even spent a winter renovating the fourth car into a stylish, 400-square-foot Airbnb, complete with a sleeping area, kitchenette, and full bathroom. However, the story wasn't over. In 2024, Liberty Miller sold The Harbor Train Station to Tom Tougas, who needed the space to expand the neighboring Seward Harbor 360 Hotel. Mary Krull of Whistle Hill in Soldotna purchased the Smoke Shack, Car 20. Willow Hetrick-Price bought Car 37 and relocated it to Moose Pass to serve as rental lodging. And what of the other "Whistle Stop Lodging" car and its sister? Rodney and Marcelle Roemmich purchased railcar #51 and moved it to Cherrywood Lane in Seward, continuing the tradition of offering unique rental lodging. This historic car is currently undergoing an amazing renovation, preserving its history while creating comfortable and stylish accommodations. Scheduled to be ready for rental by May 2025, it represents the latest chapter in the remarkable journey of these WWII railcars, a testament to the ingenuity and spirit of Alaskan repurposing. From transporting troops to housing travelers, these cars have truly come a long way, and their story is far from over. Cherrywood Lane Trains:
|
