Well hello there again WebTraveller!
After the previous post from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, the next part of my Railroad vacation was bringing me back to a place I had visited back in the summer of 2004. It was a family trip back then to the southern part of Pennsylvannia, that trip including a day in Strasburg and Gettysburg, PA. That trip the family and myself were staying in York, PA, which had made travelling to each of these areas easier. Gettysburg was to the West and Strasburg was to the East. It was on the trip to the East in Strasburg that I had the chance to experince the “Amish Country, ” which is a very peaceful place to visit for sure. Strasburg, PA is also where I decided to make a mini vacation and visit once again. So thinking back on that trip to 2004 is where I got the inspiration for the full day I had planned in Strasburg/ Ronks, PA. I wanted to recreate the day I had with family for memory purposes, and that was the plan, but the only challenge was that I needed a place to stay!
I will be the first to admit that I am a shutterbug and in this case I am so glad that I am, looking back in to the photos that were taken back in 2004, I had stumbled across a photo I took of the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant, which is the first picture posted with this post (Just up above).
Seeing that photo in the photo library I was sold and that is where the real inspiration behind my railroad trip was, to look at the trains from the days past, ride on a real live running steam train and stay in a CABOOSE! I remember when I had seen the hotel the first time from the Strasburg Railroad that it was a neat place back then but now I was gonna stay there!One has to love the modern age of the internet, I happen to plug the name into Google and discovered that there is a website to book a stay at the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant. On the website I saw the many different ways that the Cabooses were set up, like hotel rooms, and it seems they can accommodate different party sizes. If a party size goes over, just add another Caboose!
I had decided that I was going to stay for 2 nights, I wanted the opportunity to really experince the area and relive some memories, and of course make a few new memories! At the time that I had booked this for myself I decided on a “couples caboose”, which came with a full size bed, full bathroom, TV and Air Conditioning, and a fridge. These are the Caboose accommodations from the website.
The plan for the stay was after visiting the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, drive up to Lancaster County, PA (Strasburg area) on a Sunday Evening to check out the area and prep to spend all day Monday between the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvannia and the Strasburg Railroad. So that was the plan and it was becoming a reality!
Upon my arrival at the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant, it was like it was 2004 all over again. It appeared that the area has changed somewhat, however it was still the lush green area of Amish Country that I remember seeing. Funny how quickly a memory can come back to you! However it was one of those picture perfect evenings setting up and considering the day I had just experinced in Baltimore, I was just downright content.
I had parked the truck I was driving and walked up the on the porch to find that there is a player piano there playing some “Old West” tunes. On the left hand side of the check-in building, which is an attached passenger car, there is a Restaurant called “Casey Jones” and to the right side of the check-in, there is another passenger car that is an ice cream parlor. However it is all one building. Upon entering the check-in area there is a small snack area and behind the check-in area there is a gift shop.
I was greeted by Christine who happened to be running the front desk and the gift shop area. The check in process was very simple, since I had taken the liberty of booking online, I just had to present the method of payment and I was good to go. Christine gave me a map of the property, and to be honest I didn’t think it was that big, but there was more there that what meets the eye. She had pointed out to me what Caboose I was in, I was in #2, basically right behind the check in building. She told me all I had to do was drive up and park in front of the Caboose!
My first impression as I parked in front of the Caboose I was staying was it was gonna be cool that I had a Caboose all to myself! So I grabbed my key and went to enter the Caboose, walking into it I was literrally floored at how nice looking all the wood paneling was and the room that there was in the Caboose. I am sure if there were more than two people in the room it would be cramped, but it was just me and I was AOK with what I saw. In the room I was greeted by a wall table on the left with a refrigerator underneath. On the right of the doorway was a table with two chairs. In the room there was also a full size bed, and a 3 piece bathroom, Toilet, sink and shower. I took a stand in the shower and it was a bit tight, but doable. I was content, staying in a Caboose was defiantely a great idea for a railroad vacation! I decided to unload my things from the vehicle, grab my camera and head back up to the check in area. Christine had told me that there were 3 more trips that the Strasburg Railroad would make for the evening. Oh that’s right I didn’t mention that the train goes right in front of the motel, which makes for great rail fanning.
Here are a few views of the interior of the “Couples Caboose”:
So the Train had returned to the station just down the tracks from the motel, which gave me about 90 min or so to walk aroud and check out the layout of the motel. Christine had told me about the “silo” that was converted into an observation lookout. I thought it would be a good place to check out and over look the surrounding area. At the entrance to the silo, they did have a “gratuity” bucket, and at the time .50 wasn’t a bad price to pay to go up and take a look. Here are the pictures of what I saw on this wonderful evening. The area is VERY beautiful for sure! I have also included a video in a playlist towards the end of the post.
After spending a few minutes in the top of the silo taking the view in, the grumble started in my stomach. It had been such a busy day that I totally forgot to think about something to eat. I decided it was time to head back to the Caboose, jump in the shower and get cleaned up for dinner. On the way back to my Caboose I decided to check out the other Cabooses that were on the property. It was interesting to see all the different road names from the different Railroads that were there. Here’s look at that view on the way back to my Caboose:
Also on the way back to my Caboose I discovered that there are more than Cabooses to stay in, there is also an Inn, a railroad car that is used for movies, and a model Caboose to check out for interested parties. However, before dinner there was one last train for the evening, the 7 PM train. I decided that I would have to hold out for dinner, I had brought a light snack for the time being. The train departs the Strasburg Train Depot and crosses by the motel about 5 min after departure. The train then returns about 35-40 min after the hour for the return to Strasburg Train Depot.
The clock struck 7 PM and I was already on the fence line watching the billowing smoke coming from the steam engine down at the Strasburg Train Station. The whistle had blown and the Strasburg Railroad was heading towards Paradise, PA (right past me at the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant). I was excited. In life there are many pretty view, but there is something about a steam engine chugging its way along the rails of steel that is awe inspiring! Truly majestic in my opinion!
The train passed and it was on it’s way to Paradise, PA, I had a good 30 min before the train return on the last trip of the day. I thought it was a good time to check out the gift shop. I’m glad I did, inside the gift shop there is a little G-Scale model train! Not to mention a littel preview of the Casey Jones Restaurant and the ice cream car. There is so much Railroad memorabilia around me. Just down right loved it! Checking the time it was jsut about 7:30 PM, time to head back track side to catch the train return!
WOW what a day so far! I had visited the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, travelled, to Lancaster County, PA, checked out the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant, AND had the chance to “rail fan” the Strasburg Railroad passing by the motel. Now that is a day, and now I was HUNGRY! So what was for dinner? It was finally time to head to the Casey Jones Restaurant and see what was on the menu! I mean I was on vacation, why not treat myself!
I decided on a house salad and meatloaf! Which from the description on the menu made it sound elish – “Ma’s Meatloaf” Just like Grandma used to make! Handmade meatloaf comes with smashed potatoes, gravy and vegetable of the day. A family style dinner was just what I thought would work, and it did! Now with a fully tummy of food it was time to head back to the caboose and reflect on the day that had transpired. Why? Because when it was time to wake up it was gonna be a very busy day, the next day! And why so busy? Well there was another Railroad Museum and a Railroad to see! As I mentioned before they will be the next posts to be written.
After dinner it was time to get settled in to the Caboose and call it day. Time to update social media on the day’s events. When morning would be upon me it would be a day to remember. All I can remember after turning in was falling asleep with the phone in my hand.
To conclude the first night at the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant here is a playlist of the videos I took while there. Some pretty country and view if I do say so myself:
The next day:
Morning had come and it was about 7:30 in the morning, I remember reading that the restaurant at the motel opened at 8 am. I had a few min to wake up a little and get freshened up for the day. It was back to Casey Jones restaurant for breakfast. Believe it or not I was a tad hungry and ready for some grub. Looking at the menu I had decided on “the Maine Central” which composed of stuffed french toast with blueberries or strawberries and cream cheese, served with warm maple syrup choice of meat and homefries and of course a lot of coffee. Here is what breakfast looked like:
After breakfast it was off to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Strasburg Railroad for the day (Those posts of the visit to each will be posted in the order in which they happened)
Due to the scope of how the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant fit into the trip I am going to condense the entire stay at the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant, it may seem a little out of order but there is a jump from breakfast to dinner, which is what happened next.
The day had concluded, the sun had already set as my visit to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvannia and the Strasburg Railroad had concluded. I can tell you that it was truly a remarkable day (and when the post is written you will see for yourself there WebTraveller) It was time for some dinner and it was back to Casey Jones Restaurant to treat myself to something special to commemorate the day. For the last night I decided on a house salad and Pot Roast – Tender pot roast with roasted baby carrots, plum tomatoes and mushrooms in a Marchand de vin sauce, served with smashed potatoes and strawberry cheesecake and coffee for dessert Here is a look at what that looked like:
After dinner I will admit I was pretty tired, it had been a grand day, but not just this day, but the entire trip to this point, in the morning I would have to start a return road trip back to Virginia which will in essence close out my trip to the Amish Country, a little peace, serenity and tranquility. I dont’ think I can truly find the words to express how I felt. A dear friend of mine had made the remark of how “content and peaceful” I looked. For now I will go with that.
I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed my stay at the Red Caboose Motel and Restuarant. The property is under newer management and to be honest I think they are doing a grand job. To be a lover of Trains and Railroads, to be able to spend time in a Caboose and wonder what “life” the Caboose had on the railroad made me wonder. I will say this though. I will return there for sure. I think by far this was one of the best vacations I could have cooked up for myself, but for those who are close to me and follow me on many platforms, I know this is one stay they were all shocked about.
Before I end this post and begin writing the next one, there are two people that I would like to thank for making my stay a grand one. The first is Christine from the front desk. This woman has a lot of things to take care of and was able to do it and still keep a fresh smile on her face. I did have ONE challenge with my door getting into the caboose, the key had broken off in the lock and there was a slight delay getting into it. I had gone to Christine at the front desk and showed her what happened, she was on the radio right away calling maintenance to drop by and see what was up with the lock. That brings me to the second person I would like to thank for adding more to my stay and that was crew member and that would be “Uncle Wayne” as his name tag read. After taking care of the lock situation on the we had gotten to talking about trains and railroads, and even stumbled upon a conversation of a common place we had worked. Now talk about a small world! Christine and Uncle Wayne, Thank you oh so much for the time we spent together and I will be back one day, both of you truly adding meaning to staying at the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant. Not to mention I loved both of their outfits! The Conductor and the Engineer! Which reminds me, I need to find a pair of those overalls to go with my Engineer’s hat!
This concludes the post on the Red Caboose Motel and Restaurant, now to start the other two posts!
Until the next post WebTraveller ….