You’re looking for the ultimate experience: Maybe you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the real world, maybe you want to release your inner child, or maybe you want to do all of these things … all while entertaining your family! Lucky for you, all of this (and more) is possible at Lancaster County’s Paradise Station (312 Paradise Ln., Ronks).
This unique and iconic motel, restaurant, event venue, and gift shop allows guests to sleep in a caboose at the Red Caboose Motel, eat in a train car at Casey Jones’ Restaurant, and even see an original show at The Barn at Paradise Station, and shop, play and watch the Strasburg Rail Road’s steam engines go right by their front porch. And as Paradise Station celebrates its 55th anniversary (1970-2025), the beloved family destination shows no signs of slowing down.
A Legacy on the Rails: From Vision to Iconic Destination
In 1969, Donald M. Denlinger, founder of Mill-Bridge Craft Village, placed a bid on 19 surplus N-5 cabooses from the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Hauling 475 tons of steel through a storm was no small feat, but with faith and perseverance, he transformed them into the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant along the Strasburg Rail Road.
On Mother’s Day 1970, the motel opened to 4,500 visitors in just five hours. Since then, it has welcomed millions of visitors, becoming one of Lancaster County’s and the nation’s most unique tourist destinations.
Under the ownership of the Prickett family since 2016, they have worked tirelessly to restore and preserve the property. Father and son team Todd and Tyler Prickett, along with their wives, Debbie and Katherine (Kat), take pride in providing an exceptional experience for every guest, every time, and strive to honor Denlinger’s legacy.
Among the extensive updates to the property include a new name and menu for the restaurant (Casey Jones‘), new room aesthetics (including a fully ADA-accessible caboose), an all-new gift shop with must-have merchandise, and a state-of-the-art theatrical and wedding venue. The Barn at Paradise Station was restored in 2023 and is now a top destination to host weddings, concerts, and community events.
The Barn at Paradise Station
The Barn at Paradise Station is located on the same nine-acre property as the Red Caboose Motel and is a meticulously restored and technologically enhanced 19th-century Pennsylvania Bank Barn hosting weddings, events, inspiring musical entertainment, and more.
Kat Prickett explains that renovations were essential for the property’s original dairy barn, dating back to around 1812; however, the family took great measures to retain the historical integrity of the structure:
“We worked hard to seamlessly integrate modern amenities, making it one of the most technologically advanced barns in Lancaster County — yet you’d never know it. It’s fully ADA-compliant, temperature-controlled, and beautifully designed, with all the modern conveniences hidden from sight. We believe guests truly appreciate the balance of historic charm and contemporary comfort.”
The restoration process began in December 2021, and the family worked with B&D Builders, the same team behind the Star Barn in Elizabethtown. The 18-month project transformed it into a stunning event space, which opened in June 2023. Now, The Barn hosts weddings, special events, and concerts.
On the note of entertainment, Kat elaborates that The Barn at Paradise Station places a great emphasis on their line-up of entertainment and strives to always have a full calendar of shows and special events to “wow” guests.
“We offer year-round original musical programming, attracting both locals and bus tour groups for a meal and a show,” she stated. “This April, Jim Brickman will be performing, and in the summer, we host a Jazz on the Patio series from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This year marks our second Jul. 3 Patriotic Celebration, a huge community event with food trucks, live music from the incredible New Holland Band, and our vocal trio Perfect Harmony, a choir, and culminating with a 15-minute fireworks show by Schaefer Fireworks. Last year, we drew about 3,000 people, and we’re excited to do it again!”
Dine at Casey Jones‘ Restaurant
Open every day of the year except for Christmas Day, Casey Jones’ Restaurant offers dine-in, carry-out, and room service to best suit the needs of your stay at Paradise Station. The restaurant’s menu is extensive, offering a breakfast menu; a lunch and dinner menu; take out; and even group dining options for large parties and bus groups.
The restaurant is in two original P-70, 80-ton dining cars that once rode the rails of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the early 1900s, and guests will find ample seating indoors and outdoors. You can even grab a window seat (come early!) to watch trains leave from the Strasburg Rail Road station.
Spend the Night at the Red Caboose Motel
The Red Caboose Motel includes 38 Cabooses, a Mail Car, a Baggage Car, a four-room Farmhouse, and the luxurious Conductor’s Quarters. And while young children of course will be mesmerized at the prospect of sleeping in a train, Kat guarantees that adult are just as thrilled.
“It’s not just for kids — it’s for kids at heart, too!” she said. “Train lovers of all ages appreciate the unique experience of sleeping in a piece of history. It’s not just another motel room; it’s a real, working train car that once served countless travelers.”
And for those that are a little skeptical about leaving the modern world behind to sleep in a train car, Kat assures that all 38 cabooses are just as comfortable as actual modern-day motel rooms, complete with heat, AC, WiFi, micro-fridges, coffee makers, etc.
As she further explains, Paradise Station is an iconic part of Lancaster County tourism that has been creating special memories for 55 years. Many guests return year after year, sharing traditions that span generations, including previous honeymooners who are now able to share the Paradise Station experience with kids or grandkids.
“For us, hospitality is more than a business; it’s a passion,” said Kat. “Whether guests come from down the street or across the country, we want every visit to be a memorable, meaningful experience. Our goal is for them to leave feeling like they’ve been part of something truly special and that they have made memories that will last a lifetime.”
For more about Lancaster County getaways, visit Discover Lancaster.
