Local Woman Tackles Second Train-Car Tiny Home

La Grange’s Charlie Brewer said she’s not necessarily a big railroad fan.

“But I am a big fan of saving history,” Brewer said.

And that’s led her to an amazing series of projects in her front yard on Bednar Lane in La Grange.

Brewer is in the middle of renovating her second railroad caboose into a tiny home.

“In June I turn 70 and I probably have one more in me – I’m looking for a third one,” Brewer said.

Brewer renovated her first one about three years ago, and had so much fun, made a little money when she sold it – and she was hooked.

She’s found her cabooses online on Facebook Marketplace, but they are not cheap.

The first one she bought was in Moravia just south of Fayette County.

The 1957 Burlington Northern caboose she’s currently renovating was in San Antonio. She bought it for $19,000 and has also had to pay a lot to move it and reposition it on some rail wheels she found for $500.

Craftsman Gary Gillentine, and Carlie’s boyfriend Lee Kimbrell are helping to bring Brewer’s vision to life.

She’s got grand visions of ornate fixtures and a clawfoot tub perched on a elevated area of the caboose.

The trio are lovingly bringing many of the original features of the car back to life.

Brewer said it may take a couple more months until the caboose is ready to go on the market. Near the caboose is the large old Von Minden house (now Brewer’s home) that dates back to the 1880s which she bought and renovated, making it a magnificent sight for those driving through La Grange on Highway 71, where it is perched on a hill near Von Minden Road.

“Before I bought it the city inspector said he was going to tear it down,” Brewer said, Brewer said she has renovated about 20 historic home since she moved to the area back in 2002. And now that total includes two cabooses – and counting.