A Sentimental Retreat

The Train at Riverwood is one of Alabama’s most unique rental properties

Words by Micah Harrison | Images by Justin Hunter

Don Earley has always had an interest in trains. That interest stems from his father's forty-year career as a conductor on the Southern Railroad, from 1941 to 1981. Earley and his children fondly remember riding the train with their grandfather on one of his usual routes from Meridian, Mississippi, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Over time, Don's passion for trains grew into a full-fledged collection, ranging from railroad spikes to train cars themselves.

After purchasing several train cars at auctions, Earley decided to house them on a lot at the top of “Green Top Hill,” near the Walker-Jefferson County line. There, some of the train cars were converted into functional spaces for his wife to operate a wedding venue. For many years, the cars surrounded a small wedding chapel off Highway 78. As Earley began to sell parts of the collection, he realized there was one car he could never part with: the St. John's River car. Formerly operated on the Florida East Coast Railroad, it held special meaning because his father had once ridden in that very car alongside Don and his grandchildren. A sleeping car designed for long-distance travel, it spans over ninety feet and originally featured ten single bedrooms and six double bedrooms.

When the Green Top Hill lot was sold, the St. John's River car needed a new home. It found one on the Early/Hollis 140-acre property on the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River in Sayre. Because there was no existing track at the site, a company was hired in 2020 to move the car and build a short section of track to set it on. Today, the car rests on a ridge that overlooks the river’s winding path.

Earley's daughter, Niki Hollis, saw potential in the car as a space for the whole family to Earley's daughter, Niki Hollis, saw potential in the car as a space for the whole family to enjoy. She removed all six double bedrooms and four of the single ones. At one end of the car, where four rooms once stood, she designed a spacious bedroom with a walkout balcony that looks out over the river. In the center are four remaining single bedrooms on each side, still equipped with original beds that fold down from the walls. At the entrance, the area that had been occupied by the double bedrooms has been transformed into a cozy living room and kitchen/dining space. The Western-themed décor throughout the car was handpicked by Hollis to give the space a style that is bold and distinctive.

As the renovation progressed, Hollis began sharing photos on social media. The posts drew significant attention, with many friends expressing interest in staying there and asking if she would consider renting it out. Though initially unsure, Hollis decided to list the train car on Airbnb in 2023. Bookings began the very next day. Since then, she has been amazed by the overwhelming response. A corkboard map in the train’s hallway now displays pushpins from dozens of states, with guests traveling from as far away as Hawaii and New York.

In the time since, Hollis has expanded the outdoor space around the train. One end features a large patio with a stunning view of the river. It is a perfect place to grill or gather around a campfire. Guests can enjoy games such as volleyball, putt-putt golf, and horseshoes. A short trail down the hillside leads to a riverside path that is great for tubing or kayaking. The nearby shoals offer a peaceful spot to read, relax, or explore the riverbank.

Expansion is still underway. Plans are in motion to build small cabins at the edge of the grounds and add a three-hole golf course built by Chuck Hollis. With these additions in progress, the Train at Riverwood is already one of the most unique and memorable places to stay in Alabama. 78