The Train Wreck Lodging is a Seward gem. Resting mere feet from the harbor, this lodging is located inside a historic WWII rail car made by American Car and Foundry in 1944/45.

This unique lodging was lovingly renovated during the winter of 2021/22 and awaits its place on your list of "favorite places I've stayed". Neighboring the lodging, with a spacious shared deck, is the Smoke Shack restaurant, 13 Ravens Coffee & Books, and the Bike Shop.

The space
Located in a retired WWII rail car! This space is part of The Train Wreck, a complex of four retired Alaska train cars that initially served during WWII. You will have one half of an 82’ long rail car that was a troop hauler. It is roughly 400 square feet. The sleeping area and kitchenette are one space. There is also a full bathroom. The bathroom has a door to your own private deck overlooking the harbor.

Other things to note
There is no smoking (anything) or vaping on this property. Smoking is allowed on the sidewalk just down the steps from your private deck. Please do not leave cigarette butts on the ground.

What this place offers
Bedroom area with one queen bed
Bay, beach, harbor, mountain view
Kitchenette with refrigerator and coffee maker
Full bathroom
Free parking on premises

History
What began as a spur-of-the-moment question, grew into a successful commercial complex that caters to tourists as well as railfans.

The Harbor Train Station began its life as a boat storage yard owned and was operated by Tanya Sandefur.  During a visit to the Alaska Railroad Real Estate Department to secure a lease, Tanya spontaneously asked if there were any rail cars for sale.  As luck would have it, there were four troop cars out for public auction to closed bids.

These rail cars were built in 1945 and used to transport troops during World War II.  After the war ended, these cars were surplused to the Department of Transportation who in turn transferred a number of them to the Alaska Railroad.  They were then put into service to transport and house men and materials as part of track and right-of-way maintenance. Over time, many of these troop cars were placed out of service and languished on storage tracks.  It was later discovered the fire extinguishers inside these particular four rail cars were last certified in 1979 thus indicating the cars had sat unused for about 15 years.

Looking over these passenger cars, Tanya determined that the two vintage 52 foot Pullman cars would fit easily into her boat storage yard.  Tanya submitted a bid for these two rail cars and just for the heck of it, bid $1,000 each for the other two 82 foot sleeper cars.

Tanya's was one of only three bids.  As luck would have it, Tanya had the highest bid and became the proud owner of four gray World War II rail cars for just over $10,000.  Now Tanya would have to determine how to wedge in four troop cars where only two were intended.  The best solution was to lay out the cars into the shape of a square and install a wooden deck in the middle.

Tanya and her husband Ron rolled up their shirt sleeves in September of 1995 and went to work.  Utilities were installed underground and three of the concrete foundations were poured.  Adding to the historical flavor, original 1904 rails were acquired and installed.  These rails were originally part of the Alaska Railroad where the Alaska Sea Life Center now stands.

In March of 1996, the cars were gutted in preparation for meeting city building codes.  Showers, toilets, bunk beds, heaters, fuel tanks, carpentry cabinets and doors were removed and piled nearby.  In preparation of the forklifts moving the cars to their new location, the undercarriages were removed and added to the scrap pile.  As local residents viewed the ever growing mountains of debris, they nicknamed the business the "Train Wreck."

Amazingly, it only took three months for Tanya and her crew to remodel the trains, haul away the scrap and build the huge deck that serves as a court yard.  One of the 82 foot troop sleepers was slated to become "Whistle Stop Lodging."  Tanya soon found businesses to lease the other three cars.

Car 37, a 52 foot Pullman Mud car, houses the Seward Bike Shop.  Owner Karl Mechtenberg rents, sells and repairs bicycles from mid-April until mid-September.  The Bike Shop itself is now in its 25th year of business and is the longest running business at The Train Wreck. This troop sleeper still uses the original oil burner stove for heating and original bathroom.

Car 20, a 52 foot Pullman Kitchen car, serves as a deli.  Owner JoAnn serves up sandwiches, ice cream, coffee and Alaska Railroad souvenirs.  The original box refrigerator and cast iron stove are still in use.

One of the 82 foot American Founder sleeper is home to Quarter Deck Charters.  Toni operates the office and handles baggage storage for Alaska Railroad cruise ships customers.  Greg operates the fishing charter boat.

Car 51, an 82 foot troop sleeper was transformed into the Whistle Stop Lodging.  In May of 1999, Tanya converted this car into two rooms that face south with the fantastic views of the Seward Small Boat Harbor, snow capped Mount Marathon and Resurrection Bay.  Each room has a private bath, refrigerator, instant hot water coffee maker, TV/VCR with videos, clock radio and heater     One of the rooms has a kitchenette while the other has handicap accommodations.

In October 2021 13 Ravens Coffee & Books owner Liberty Miller purchased the compound. The Train Wreck houses the Seward Bike Shop and Smoke Shack restaurant and Miller’s own 13 Ravens. Miller has spent the winter renovating the fourth car as an AirBnB. It features a 400-square foot. accommodation with sleeping area, kitchenette and full bathroom.

I was told that Liberty Miller sold The Harbor Train Station in Seward to Tom Tougas. Tom needs this area to expand the Seward Harbor 360 Hotel (website) located next door. All the rail cars are to be gone by September. Both the lodging car and 13 Ravens Coffee will continue to operate through the summer, as well as the Bike Shop.

Mary Krol of Whistle Hill in Soldotna purchased the Smoke Shack, car 20. It is believed the owner of the Bike Shop would like to keep his 52-foot car if he can find a place to relocate it and afford to move it. Another gentleman would like the lodging car, and has property for it 5 miles out of town. Again, he is hesitant regarding moving costs.

This contradicts with what Liberty Miller told me April 6, "I sold, and the new owner is operating it exactly as it is. He has signed leases with the tenants, so everything will stay the same. He’s in a better position than me to put the money it needs into it. It was the right choice for the sustained maintenance of the train cars. "

Stay tuned for more information.....

Also see:

1. ARRC Board of Directors Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, February 8, 2023, "Mr. Kubitz stated that we anticipate a new lease would be brought to the March Board meeting that would consolidate all of the Seward leases for existing customer, Harbor 360, a company owned by Tom Tougas, which operates a hotel and other visitor amenities in the vicinity. The consolidated lease premises would include the parcel currently occupied by the Train Wreck, which Mr. Tougas plans to improve. Mr. Kubitz also noted that we are discussing with Mr. Tougas the removal of the Seward Yacht Club building which he acquired several years ago."

2. Tourists and cruise ships are ready to return to Seward. But is Seward ready for them?

3. City of Seward Planning and Zoning Commission, Rescheduled Regular Meeting, February 19, 2019

Page created 9/27/02 and last updated 9/25/23.

Further information is available at abnb.me/x4cGf74v9ob.