Ronks - Paradise, Pennsylvania - Red Caboose Motel

The Red Caboose Motel, with its 40+ vintage, cabooses and rail cars, is being renovated by new owner Larry DeMarco, who recently took possession from the bank that had foreclosed on the property. The motel operated since 1970, offering customers the luxury and novelty of sleeping in a 25-ton caboose. DeMarco intends to fix up the assemblage of rail cars, to add more vintage caboose rooms, and to create a more family-friendly destination. He's consulted with the original owner/creator, Don Denlinger. The plan is to reopen the dining car restaurant in May -- years ago on a visit we noticed every once in a while it rocked back and forth and made train noises. The motel opens in June; the gift shop is currently open. Note: Mapping location is the town of Ronks; postcards and other literature have placed the motel in Strasburg or Paradise Township, Pennsylvania. [Roadsideamerica.com Team, 04/16/2005]

On Route 741, is the Red Caboose Motel, appropriately located right next to the Strasburg Railroad and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This tasteful assemblage of numerous cabooses [all of which used to be painted red] is now a great tourist attraction. Unfortunately, the caboose interiors are not original, and have been modified into motel-style rooms. Each caboose is painted with a different railroad insignia and some are in railroad colors. Don't miss the meatloaf at the restaurant, located in two former Pennsylvania Railroad Pullman cars next to the gift shop which sells the usual assortment of "authentic" Pennsylvania Dutch Kitsch. [Tom McGuire, 01/21/1999]

[RA: We enjoyed our stay, too. There are similar establishments in Dunsmuir, CA; and Waterloo, NE.]