Red Caboose Motel

The Amish buggy ride available on the property was wonderful, informative, and really pleasant. The Casey Jones restaurant was very good, though a bit expensive, as expected. The Strasburg steam train passes right by the motel, which is lovely, and there's an on-site petting zoo with the cutest baby goats. If the little ones in your life love trains, this is a great place. It's amazing how they fit everything you need for a comfortable stay into such a small space. The hotel lobby's front porch is adorable, and there's a player piano that takes quarters. Bring change for the vending machines, a few games, and a little train ride on the porch.

The staff are friendly, and they called to ask if we needed anything. We did get room service one night, but were told there'd be none the second night. The seating by the farmhouse was covered in bird droppings. I get that it's the country, but they should clean it for guests. The mattresses felt like they were from 1980, bumpy, broken, and terrible. The bunk beds didn't have real mattresses, just something like a toddler bed mattress. It might be fine for a child under five, but not an older kid. The shower seemed suited to someone five feet tall and 80 pounds. Is it worth $250 a night? No. Get new beds in 28 and the next guest will be happier. It was an experience.

The restaurant had good food and service, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We've stayed at Red Caboose twice before with the kids, but this time our visit on 12/27 - 12/29/25 was just adults. The train cars are small inside, of course, but comfortable. It's a fun, cozy place, clean and well kept. In winter the floors get quite cold, so bring slippers and put towels down outside the bath or shower for when you step out. The shower and sink had very good water pressure. The kids loved the bunks on our earlier visits. We've started thinking of it as “our place” when we're staying over in Lancaster.

For a little two-star hotel, it's cute and very comfortable. I stayed in the Lionel lines caboose, which had charming toy train decor and was within walking distance of the toy train museum. I enjoyed looking at the historical road names painted on the sides. My caboose's room was clean, and the bathroom had been modernized and refreshed relatively recently. The caboose was just slightly slanted. You'd only really notice if you let a door swing freely, but if you get evening heartburn, the slope might cause trouble. I didn't mind the random signs with overt theological messages, though some people might want to know about them before booking.