About the Red Caboose Motel

What started as a dare has become a one-of-a-kind Lancaster County motel which are made from fully restored 25-ton cabooses. You can sleep in a real caboose in the heart of Lancaster County Strasburg Train Country.

The Red Caboose offers a unique Strasburg, PA lodging experience for families, couples, or train history enthusiasts. The Red Caboose Motel is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We are surrounded by Amish Farms, The Strasburg Railroad, The Railroad Museum, Choo-Choo Barn and many more Lancaster County attractions. The Red Caboose Motel features 38 cabooses (many newly restored), two dining cars, and two baggage cars.

It all started in 1969 when Don Denlinger was dared to bid on 19 old cabooses being auctioned off by the Pennsylvania Railroad. To his surprise, he won them for $100.

He moved them to a parcel of land near the Strasburg Railroad and turned them into unique train lodging in the heart of Amish countryside. He continued to add to his collection of train cars over the years, and the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant became fun, family-oriented Pennsylvania lodging offering the chance to sleep in real railroad cars.

Lancaster County’s Red Caboose Motel is now owned by Larry Demarco. The Red Caboose offers a little bit of train history tucked away among the peaceful Amish farms of Strasburg, PA. Under Larry's care, the railroad cars have been restored and repainted to feature the authentic colors of the railroads they represent.

The Red Caboose was named Best of Baltimore 2005 for kids and has been mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most singly owned cabooses.

Climb aboard for a unique train lodging experience that you won't ever forget!