Retired BART Train Transforming Into a Unique Vacation Rental
A retired BART car has found a new home in the Sierra foothills and will soon be available as a short-term rental. The Sierra Train House, located in Jamestown, is a unique lodging experience that repurposes a decommissioned BART car into an overnight stay for visitors.
The project is led by Michael Lin, who was among a small group selected to receive a retired BART car when the transit agency retired its legacy fleet in 2024. The car was transported from BART’s Hayward Yard to Jamestown in mid-March, where it has been placed on a set of tracks as part of the new rental property.
The Sierra Train House is designed to blend elements of the original BART car with modern accommodations. Guests will enter through the back door, where they will find a small bedroom, a bathroom, and a bunkroom in the middle of the car. The front section features a common area with seating and an arcade table, including a Pong-themed game table. Pong was released in 1972, the same year BART began service, adding a historical connection to the space. The cab remains intact, allowing guests to interact with buttons and controls that will play BART sounds like “The doors are closing. Stand clear of the doors.”
The BART car is part of a larger property that includes a less-than-1,000-square-foot tiny home with two bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths. The entire setup can accommodate up to eight guests. Future additions to the property will include outdoor recreational features like a bocce ball court and footbridges made from railway materials.
The location in Jamestown was chosen for its proximity to outdoor activities, reservoirs, hiking trails, and historical attractions. The property backs up to active railway tracks used by steam trains at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, a site known for its role in film and television history.
While some of the retired BART cars have been repurposed in projects like the Sierra Train House, others have been donated to institutions for preservation. The Western Railway Museum is receiving three of these legacy cars as part of its efforts to establish a Rapid Transit History Center, ensuring that pieces of BART’s history remain accessible to the public.
While pricing details have not been finalized, the rental will be positioned as a unique lodging experience. The Sierra Train House is expected to begin taking reservations in 2026.
Read more at sfbayarearapidtransit.
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