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