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The best places to sleep for train enthusiasts:
Ardent train-spotters and rail fans both require a good night's rest after long days spent on the rails or photographing the best cabooses. So, wouldn't it be amazing if the enjoyment could continue to where you sleep? From converted train stations, carriages, and cottages to themed motels and hotels with excellent rail connections, we've compiled a list of 30 one-of-a-kind stays in the UK and abroad that guarantee remarkable experiences for locomotive enthusiasts.
Alton Station, Staffordshire, UK:
Alton Station, which was originally erected by the North Staffordshire Railway to conduct services from Stoke-on-Trent, has been meticulously restored by the Landmark Trust and is now available for rent. It can accommodate up to eight people, with one bedroom in what was originally the ticket office and the others in the Stationmaster's House, as well as historic waiting rooms converted into kitchen and eating areas. Families with young train enthusiasts may want to visit nearby amusement park Alton Towers during their stay in the Churnet Valley, which, among other things, features a 'Runaway Mine Train' ride.
Bellevue des Alpes, Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland:
The Bellevue des Alpes is one of the last remaining magnificent hotels from the nineteenth century, open throughout both the summer and winter seasons and only accessible via the Wengernalpbahn due to its alpine location. To get to the hotel, guests can take a train from Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, or Grindelwald to the Kleine Scheidegg station. Don't miss the train ride farther up the Eiger Mountain to Eigergletscher station, where you can transfer to the legendary Jungfrau Railway and arrive at Jungfraujoch, the continent's highest railway station.
The Ammunition Wagon, East Sussex, England:
As the name implies, the Ammunition Wagon was employed during WWII to transport items such as explosives and military ammunition behind a working steam engine. It has since been repurposed into a modern holiday home with a cosy carriage that can sleep two people and two children. It is located near to the Northiam heritage station on the Kent and East Sussex Railway line, offering excellent train-spotting prospects from its tiny leafy patio. Northiam station serves the towns of Bodiam, Rolvenden and Tenterden.
Tatamagouche Train Station Inn, Nova Scotia, Canada:
Tatamagouche Train Station Inn accommodations are made up of numerous Canadian-built cabooses and boxcars, with several double-occupancy options and a brand-new caboose that can seat five people. The station was built in 1887 and presently features a souvenir store, dining-car restaurant, café, and the Baggage Room bar, as well as live music on the old platform. The former rail bed is now part of the Trans Canada Trail, a long-distance hiking route that runs across the country, and visitors can follow it over Campbell's railway bridge into Nelson Park.
The Railway Carriage, Hampshire, England:
The Railway Carriage, located beside the West Somerset Steam Railway, is a purpose-built authentic replica train carriage that sleeps four people in two beds. It has self-catering facilities, a hot tub, and stunning views of the English countryside. Trains travel by the property on a daily basis and may be heard chugging along from a distance, frequently emitting a hearty "choo-choo" as they pass. The West Somerset Railway line runs 20 miles from Minehead to Bishop's Lydiard, stopping at various stops along the way in an incredibly scenic excursion that takes approximately an hour and 20 minutes to complete.
Namsen Salmon & Train Experience, Overhalla, Norway:
The Namsen Salmon and Train Experience, suspended above the Namsen River on an abandoned railway bridge deep in the Norwegian countryside, consists of sleeping in a renovated 1960s train carriage. Active locomotives stopped traversing the bridge in 2005, and it then fell into ruin. It now houses ten two-bed compartments, each with its own washroom and river views, as well as separate carriages for dining and toilet/shower cubicles. Accommodation is arranged on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with lunches and dinners prepared with local ingredients available for pre-order at an additional cost.
Three Hares Carriage, Hampshire, England:
Three Hares Carriage, which has been in the same family for generations, is a Victorian third-class carriage that was once used by the London and South Western Railway in the 1880s and has been repurposed as a charming rural bolthole for up to two people. It has retained some old elements and been lovingly renovated, while adding a touch of modern elegance. The cathedral city of Exeter is only three miles (5 kilometers) away, and true rail enthusiasts can take the newly restored ancient Dartmoor Line to Okehampton, the gateway to Dartmoor National Park.
Stow-Away, London, England:
Stow-Away, an eco-aparthotel made of stacked shipping containers, overlooks London Waterloo station and was developed on land previously owned by National Rail. It's an excellent place to stay in the capital for train enthusiasts and rail travellers, with sleek studio-style flats that combine efficiency, utility, and environmentally conscious design. Each features a kitchenette, blackout shades, a marble-tiled bathroom, and Molton Brown amenities. Waterloo will lose the title of 'Britain's busiest station' for the first time in 17 years in 2021, due to a drop in passengers during the pandemic. Nonetheless, it remains a key transportation center, with National Rail and London Underground trains transporting passengers throughout the city and southeast.