Hannah Doss, an educator and artist, used to move in and out of houses all the time, particularly when she was a college student until she finished her master’s degree.
She shared, “Every time I’d move, it would be to a new state, and I wouldn’t know anybody there. I found my roommates through Craigslist. I had a lot of interesting experiences with my Craigslist roommates, and I said, you know what, I’m not doing this anymore.”
She also realized that she needed to make a change since she was paying a lot of rent.
Hannah thought about building a tiny home. With the help of her father, Hannah was capable of converting a vintage railroad wagon into a unique, cozy tiny home.
Her father worked for the railroad for 20-years and told her about surplus auctions. She was able to bid $350.
Although it might seem like a small amount, it was enough for Hanna to purchase a 1985 vintage railroad trailer. Hanna felt that the vintage railroad wagon was just 232 sq feet.
Hannah quickly set about creating a home using the vintage railroad wagon trailer, which she named Journey.
The renovation took place in her parents’ backyard. Her parents hosted the renovation and were more than willing to help.
This reduced the cost of the build and the time it took to complete the tiny house project.
Hannah ended up spending around $9,000. Hannah said, “I had originally planned to spend $6,000, but ended up spending $9,000 on the entire project. It ended up costing me $9,000 in total to completely renovate and furnish the home..”
Her parents and friends were able to help her transform the old railroad trailer into a lovely home. A professional would have cost her another $10,000.
Although the journey may seem small, Hannah and her family worked hard to make the vintage railroad wagon a functional home.
The goal was to make a home so efficient that size would become an afterthought.
The tiny house on wheels has a cool, very light blue color with a beautiful mural of mountains. Hannah and her boyfriend have access to a fully functional kitchen, where they can prepare their meals. The small working area has a wonderful view of the outside.
A couch can easily be transformed into a bed for a couple to sleep on at night. The bathroom is as good as any bathroom in a traditional home.
The living room, on the other hand, has musical instruments and vinyls that reflect Hannah’s artistic nature.
The vintage railroad trailer has been transformed into an amazing home with its artistic design touches and budget-saving features.
Hannah shared that people often ask her to see the inside, and she was more than happy to show Journey.
She even wrote a children’s book about Journey the vintage railroad trailer, which was saved by a girl and was turned into something beautiful by the girl and her family.
Journey was finished and officially became Hannah’s tiny home three and a half years ago. She drove it across the country to Lake Tahoe, California.
Hannah, her boyfriend, now calls the former vintage railroad car home. “I work at California State Parks. I live in an employee housing unit. I live in a beautiful area just a mile from Lake Tahoe. This is somewhere I wouldn’t be able to afford if I had a regular job.,” she added.
The three of them love and enjoy their home, and have taken many adventures with Journey. Get a tour of Hannah’s home in the video below:
