East China University's Train-Themed Coffee Shop

Most college students look for a quiet place to study or hang out between classes—but few find it inside a real train. At East China Jiaotong University’s northern campus, however, that’s exactly where hundreds of students gather daily: not aboard a moving locomotive, but inside a decommissioned, 100-meter-long railcar turned into a buzzing multi-use café and cultural hub.

The answer is simple: a 670-square-meter former train carriage, divided into four connected sections across three functional zones—including a working coffee shop, a retail space for local goods, and an entrepreneurial activity area—opened for trial runs in early September after a July crowdfunding push and mid-August renovation launch.

What Is the ‘Train Coffee House’?

The so-called “Train Coffee House” isn’t a café with train décor—it’s an actual renovated railway carriage, repurposed into a student-focused social and retail space. Located beside the northern campus of East China Jiaotong University, the structure immediately draws attention not just for its size (over 100 meters long) but for its authentic railcar origins. Inside, visitors find an eclectic mix of student-oriented items: detailed train models, custom-designed ceramics, and university-branded T-shirts, all reinforcing a strong on-campus cultural identity.

How Did the Project Come Together?

According to Tong Xu, the project lead (referred to in the source as the “coffee house owner”), the transformation was a carefully planned student-led initiative. The team launched a crowdfunding campaign in July to secure initial funding. By mid-August, physical work began on renovating the disused carriage, and just weeks later—on September 1—the space opened for soft operation. The entire process moved from idea to trial run in roughly two months.

What’s Inside the Train Café Complex?

The transformed carriage isn’t just a coffee shop. Its 670-square-meter footprint is divided into four connected sections that make up three distinct functional areas:

• Train Café: The main coffee-serving section, offering students a place to relax with drinks.
• Cultural Boutique: A retail space featuring locally made items such as train models, custom porcelain ware, and school-themed apparel.
• Entrepreneurship Activity Zone: A dedicated area for student startups and creative projects.

These zones occupy a total of four connected segments within the original railcar structure, creating a multifunctional destination that blends dining, shopping, and entrepreneurial support—all in one iconic location.

Why a Train?

The choice of a decommissioned train as the base for this student hub wasn’t arbitrary. The striking visual of a real carriage, combined with its nostalgic and symbolic connection to movement and journey, made it an instantly recognizable landmark. More practically, the existing structure offered ample interior space (670 square meters) that could be partitioned into multiple functional zones without needing to build from scratch. Its location near the university’s northern campus also ensures high visibility and easy access for students.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Train Coffee House open?

The Train Coffee House began trial operations on September 1, following a July crowdfunding campaign and renovations that started in mid-August.

How big is the space?

The entire renovated train carriage covers 670 square meters, providing ample room for multiple uses.

What are the main areas inside?

The space includes a train café serving drinks, a cultural boutique selling student-made and themed goods, and an entrepreneurship zone for student projects.

Who led the project?

Tong Xu, referred to as the coffee house owner in the source, led the crowdfunding and renovation effort.

How long did the renovation take?

From the start of crowdfunding in July to the soft opening on September 1, the project took roughly two months.

Where is the Train Coffee House located?

It’s situated next to the northern campus of East China Jiaotong University, beside a real decommissioned 100-meter-long train carriage.

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