The Red Caboose Motel

For train enthusiasts, there can be nothing more appealing than the idea of spending a night in a converted caboose.  I'll admit, even I was looking forward to it.  Most of all I couldn't wait to see the excitement on my sons face when we would arrive.

In this area, it didn't disappoint.  Charles was overjoyed when we pulled into the parking lot.  It helped that it was right next to the tracks and within view of the Strasburg Railroad.  We sat and just watched the steam clouds rising from one of the three steam trains used by the railroad before checking in.

I had reserved a caboose #41, a blue Norfolk and Western with a queen bed, loveseat convertible bed and a bathtub.  When we checked in, we were told that this wasn't available and so we ended up instead with a red New Haven caboose with a queen bed, chair convertible bed and a shower.  It may appear that I'm just being overly particular, but sometimes when traveling with a toddler, any amount of routine that you can manage to keep can become important - in our case, bath time is a very big part of our nightly routine.  We were offered free breakfast as a consolation, which was unexpected and at least a recognition that they messed it up.

The room itself was passable, although was dated and could use some deep cleaning.  The convertible chair pulled out to a bed narrower than a toddler bed but after the days activities, Charles was tired enough to sleep in just about anything.  Being on the train tracks, we should have anticipated the train rolling through at 6am, but Zach said he had checked the train schedules and we went to bed non the wiser.  It wouldn't have mattered so much except that Charles was upset that he missed it ;)

Breakfast the next morning in the dining car attached to the main building was Pennsylvania Dutch standards, although to the dismay of my husband they were out of scrapple.  The plates are large enough to feed an army, and I think the three of us together could have split Charles kid sized pancakes.  Our waitress was super friendly and great with kids.  The dining car itself has a special button that makes it shake like it's on the tracks.  She had Charles come over and showed him where it was and let him push it.  He thought it was pretty funny.

So over all, it was a good experience for one night - but I don't think I could do more than that.  If you are with a large group, it would probably be a great option because most of the cars are equipped with bunk beds so it would be reasonable in that instance.

http://www.redcaboosemotel.com/index.htm

And we're back - A quick update

So, we are back from vacation (okay, okay, it's been a month - I'm a bit behind....) and I have lots to write about so I'm going to try to space it out some.  Hopefully, you'll have lots to read about in the coming days.  I had originally planned to take the family up to Upstate New York to visit with some extended family, enjoy the local county fair and get some peace and quiet.  Somehow, my nice relaxing vacation got hi-jaked into our first Great Train Adventure (oh yes, I've been told that there are many more to come!!).

We started off in Strasburg, PA, home of the Strasburg Railroad, Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, and much more.  We stayed the night in the Red Caboose Motel, which as the name implies is a motel made from refurbished caboose cars.  I will go into more detail in another post, but I will say that it was quite an experience ;)

Next we headed north to Upstate New York for my few days of R&R.  Not train related, but we stayed at the most charmingly wonderful B&B called Handsome Brook Farm.  It's a small working farm raising berries, sheep, chickens, and pigs.  They specialize in farm vacations where you go and experience farm life, but are open to being just a B&B as well.  If you're ever near Cooperstown, I would HIGHLY recommend a couple day stay.  I only wish we could have stayed longer!!!  Here's a quick pic of Charles with the chickens.  Have you ever met friendly chickens?  We did!

And one more of the sheep grazing.  They act like dogs, love being pet and come when called by name. 

So back to trains...
There was an attempt made at some train viewing one night in NY.  We went to an Italian restaurant in Sidney, NY that was on the train tracks.  According to our waitress the trains do still run and come by once an hour - but alas, after waiting 2.5 with a toddler who was promised trains, we had to tell him they must have derailed and weren't coming :(  On the way back to the B&B, he made up the cutest story about the train derailing because it was going to fast and how it was now in the shop and just needed honey (it cures all according to my son) to feel better and get back on the track.

So next, we drove to Scranton, PA where the proud Steamtown National Memorial is.  We stayed in the Lackawanna Station Radisson, which used to be a the headquarters of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.  There is a lot for a train enthusiast to do while in Scranton - although if you're planning on a vacation, keep in mind that EVERYTHING shuts down on Sunday.  I think I'm used to being spoiled in our 24/7/365 NoVA world that I forget about this sometimes.

After Scranton it was on to Bryn Mawr to visit with a favorite relative from my husbands family.  We also managed to get in some train viewing here as he took us to a lovely restaurant on the train tracks.  Here my son was not disappointed as there was a train going by every 5 minutes.  He was elated and now whenever we go out to dinner he looks out the window expecting trains.

That was the trip.   As always, vacations are great but it's so hard getting back into the routine of life.  I hope to go into a lot more detail on all the train stops in the next few days so stay tuned.....

Wilmington and Western

 When my husband told me he had already booked tickets for a Saturday morning trip on the Wilmington and Western, I was dubious.  I wasn't sure how an hour and a half trip would be for a two and a half year attention span.  I also wasn't too pleased with the idea waking up early on Saturday to make the two hour trek to Delaware.

We've been on small train excursions before at the B&O Railroad Museum.  While they were nice, they aren't much for a toddler and didn't really hold my sons attention.  The trips are only 20 minutes and there isn't much to look at for scenery.  He much preferred watching the train pull out of the station and return than he did riding in the passenger cabins.

When we pulled into the gravel parking lot of the station at 9:30am for our 10:30am trip, my initial doubts started slipping away.  The station was already bustling with activity.  There were a few antique cars all primped and polished in the front for viewing and the food vendors were setting up for the afternoon.  The old water tower stood to the side next to the small museum building.  The station was open for those needing to purchase tickets, had a picture taking station and a gift shop where I spent too much money :)

The train pulled in just before 10:00am.  I couldn't do my sons reaction justice, so I'll just put in the video.

The Wilmington and Western is an all volunteer railroad.  You can tell as the staff love their jobs and are smiling from ear to ear.  The total trip is approximately an hour and a half; 30 minutes up to a picnic area, a 20 minute stop (this can be made longer should you want to stay for the next train) and 30 minutes return.  The train crosses several streets, so you get to hear the whistle blow often as well as the ding-ding-ding of the railroad crossing.  There were entertainers on hand to fill the space just in case there were any down moments - we saw a banjoist during our ride out and a magician on the way back - although we would have been fine with nothing as the scenery is spectacular.  My son loved going over the many creeks and streams we passed along the way and while there are no tunnels there is a deep gorge that gives almost the same effect.  During the summer, the windows are open as the cars have no air conditioning, although the do have heat for winter trips.  There is an open air car in the back, and you can rent the caboose for parties.  There were two cabooses on our trip, both rented so we couldn't get on to check them out.

The stopping point was rudimentary, but the location would be perfect for a beautiful day picnic.  There is a stream there, although the conductor does ask that you keep kids away from the edge.  There are bathrooms on the train so if you're planning on staying at the picnic area for awhile I would suggest making sure all little ones go before they get off.  If you do choose to stay for a picnic, the next train is another two hours off.

We had a wonderful experience, and hope to go back again with family and make a day of it with a picnic.  It will be beautiful in the fall, so if we manage it, I'll be sure to be posting pictures.

More information on Wilmington and Western can be found here : http://www.wwrr.com/default.aspx

And of course - PICTURES!!!!

Charles and Me

Zach and Charles

Wilmington and Western Train

Charles was a little freaked out by the steam at the beginning of the trip.

Charles mugging for the camera.

Train Wheels

The Cabin

Hi Daddy!

We had to keep reminding Charles not to lean too far out the windows.

So excited!

The banjo man

Charles at the picnic area

He wanted to see the bell

Shoveling coal

Pretty picture :)

Charles and Zach on the return trip

Our friend Mike

Choo-Choo!!!!!!

Chugga-Chugga-Choo-Choo!!!!!!  This was my sons first phrase and he repeats it endlessly.  He is enamored with trains.  Not your normal toddler fare of Thomas and Chugginton, although he likes them well enough, but what really excites him are the real Iron Horses.  At two and a half, he knows the difference betweens a steam train and diesel, a monorail and a maglev, a trolly and a streetcar.  Not much makes his eyes light up more than the sound of the train whistle.

My husband has always had a fascination with steam trains but never took the time to pick up the hobby.  I remember when he had to go to Omaha for a work trip.  He was dreading it, as he was traveling alone, and didn't know much about the area.  When he got there, he discovered it was the home of a Big Boy and a UP Challenger and kept me on the phone for hours explaining why this was a Big Deal.  It's still his favorite train and he now longs to go back to Omaha for another glimpse.

So now, we have trains in my sons bedroom, in our living room and in our basement.  We go on train vacations, listen to train music and read train stories.  We buy every toddler train t-shirt we can find.

My world has become all about trains and I love it.  There is nothing better than seeing my husband and son bond over this shared love.  I hope it continues for many years and these pages are my attempt to continue to foster this love.