By Tommy Wells Don Pierson would probably be surprised at the impact of the gift he gave to his daughter, Marilyn, in his adopted hometown all of those years ago. Nearly 100 years after it was built – and near 60 years after it made its way to Eastland – “The Train” is still alive and well.
And, thanks to the work of Brandon and Cricket Abbott “The Train” is ready to make memories for another generation.
The Abbotts are nearing the completion of a long renovation process to Pierson’s “gift” and breathing new life into the former 1930-era Pullman passenger rail car as an AirBnB. The couple have spent much of the past 3 years – and more than $70,000 – into rehabilitating the longtime landmark, which has gained its own legacy over the years as it sits on the corner of Pierson’s former residence on West Plummer for almost 60 years.