The Red Caboose, Ronks

I loved the idea of this place and my 3 year old son was of course thrilled to be around all the trains. However, our room was 1 out of 4 rooms created in the mail car, very tiny and VERY noisy. We could hear every word being said on the tvs in the rooms on either side of us. The worst thing about the room had to be the heat though. It was like a sauna and there was no way to even turn it off. We ultimately had to turn the window unit AC in the bathroom on and have both heat and AC running all night. The restaurant was absolutely awful. Had to wait more than 15 minutes before even being acknowledged, then waited still longer for them to clear empty tables. Food took awhile, some of order was incorrect and was never corrected despite repeated promises. Worst thing was that I left my e-reader behind. When I called them to mail back, they said they would, for a $10 charge (because they have to drive to the post office!). When I hadn't received it a week later, I called again and was told that they were waiting for me to ok the $10 charge, which they now said was for "special packaging," which turned out to be a cardboard mailer with the e-reader wrapped in 2 sheets of newspaper. Needless to say, it arrived damaged. The ONLY thing this place has going for it is the trains. The petting zoo (not really) and playgrounds were not enough to make up for the horrible stay.

we went to this diner for lunch. the diner had three tables only with people eating. nobody around to sit us. finally after 15 minutes we had a table. we were there with two kids under 4 years old. usually diner tend to serve faster people with kids so they avoid confusion. we waited one hour and half for two hamburgers and chicken finger. when the hamburger arrived they were frozen inside and the bun was fridge cold. we had felt sick for the entire night. save your money don't eat there.

This place charges top dollar for a room with no phone, no chair, no dresser, a closet for the hot water heater and no hangars, a 12" TV, no blinds or drapes in the ceiling windows, harsh towels and cheap pillows, no bathroom counter, one trash can needed to hold bathroom door open, had to go outside to access the interned, but has a fly swatter to kill the continual flow of bugs and found a dead one smashed in microwave door!! Room cheaply refinished!! A real disappointment

What a great place. The kids loved it so much they didnt want to leave. The click-clack of the amish buggys, the whistle of the railroad, the peaceful atmpsphere of farmland. On top of that the Caboose was very unique. We were in #11 Santa Fe. I will miss being there until the next time we show up. Just down the road from Rt 30, and just off the Railroad strip it couldnt have a better location. We left 12 hours ago, back in Maine again. I hope to go back there in Fall. 8 Thumbs up.

We take our grandchildren age 7& 10 on an annual B.D. present vacation and this year came to the Amish country. We went to Red Caboose because we were there 30 years ago with their father and uncle . It was everything that we expected and more The kids loved the caboose and the petting farm and playground . Everyone was very accomodating and Larry the owner ( even though he is an Eagles fan)was very nice to all of us. A special treat was the movie that they showed on the side of the barn one night. It is right next to the Strasburg Railroad and surrounded by Amish farms. The food was good and I particularly enjoyed the fresh turkey dinner.

We made the mistake of going to the Red Caboose Restaurant. I thank God we didn’t stay in their Motel. We drove all over Strasburg and finally decided to give the Red Caboose Restaurant a try. We arrived at 6:30PM and the dining car was practically empty, (in hindsight we should have left and gone somewhere else). The food is horrible. Even the French fries taste bad. When we got back to our Hotel my son in law looked up the reviews of this place and all I can say the negative reviews have to be right on the money. If the motel is anything like its disgusting restaurant the place should be closed down by the authorities.

First I want to say, Larry the owner is such a great guy. He really wants to make sure that you and your family are having a good time. Since he took over he did alot of renovations including the wooden playset which the kids love. We are repeat customers and can't wait to go back, especially now the weather is getting nicer. Our children just love sleeping on the caboose and love all the open grounds. We brought scooters, bikes and baseball gloves. They also have a great little petting zoo, where we fed and petted the animals. Another one of my childrens highlights since they love animals. We ate at the Caboose Resturant and highly recomend it!!! It really gives you the feel of being on a real caboose, they even have a button that makes the train shake.....just like the real thing. The staff was very friendly and helpful with finding attractions in the area. Our family highly recommends it and only have these words to say ALL ABOARD!!!!!!! ~The Whitehead Family~ We will see you soon, we plan on going back this summer!!!!!!!

My wife, son(4) and I have gone 2 years in a row(late April,early May) and have had a wonderful time. You are not visiting a 5star hotel with turndown service but you are experiencing a rare opportunity of staying in a caboose. Room was clean and functional, hotel is in great location and restaurant was great. My son is nuts about trains and has gotten my wife and I into them as well. We plan on doing it all again next year.

We loved the location, very quiet and peaceful. The owner and all the staff are very friendly and always willing to satisify all your needs. The kids just loved our caboose and the petting zoo. Its a nice place to relax and enjoy the surroundings, theres alot of land for the kids to roam and play. While the cabooses vary in appearance they are all very clean and thats a big plus when you have kids! We are all so excited to come back next year.

I've stayed at the Red Caboose three times now. Each time the accommodations varied, largely because each caboose is unique. One of the 3 times the caboose wasn't as nice as we liked and the owner moved us right away. I LOVE the location - right in the heart of Amish country and on the railroad tracks. Trains go by often and you hear the gentle 'clip clop' of Amish buggys all day and evening. Its fun to watch them and you can easily imagine yourself transported back to the 1850's, when life was simpler. The property is surrounded by Amish farms and you can see them doing nearly everything the same way it was done 150 years ago. I enjoyed their restaurant - it's diner food, simple and tasty. While there is no pool, telephones or Internet access there is a fun petting zoo, 3 small playgrounds, buggy rides, pony rides, an observation tower and a zillion nearby attractions including the Strasburg railroad and the PA Railroad Museum. This property clearly isn't for everyone, but its great for train lovers of all ages and well worth the visit.