Unique PA Wilds Lodging: Stay in a Restored Train Caboose
- by LaKeshia Knarr
- August 3, 2018
- Share:
If you’re looking for a unique experience in the Pennsylvania Wilds between May and October, check out Clinton County and natural landscapes along the I-80 Frontier – and then spend your evening staying in a restored 1942 train caboose!
The Castanea Railroad Station was built in 1884 and by 1895 roughly 6,000 railroad cars passed through each week, many of which transported coal, as well as lumber and other products.
Today, travelers can reflect on the impact railroads had on rural Pennsylvania while spending the night in a caboose on the same property.
Made available by the Clinton County Historical Society, the caboose can accommodate two guests and features a full bathroom, a small kitchen, and air-conditioning. It’s only $60 per night – a rate that is hard to beat – and is located a couple miles from the City of Lock Haven, between Williamsport and State College, and only eight miles from Interstate 80.
Located at 15 Logan Ave., Castanea, the caboose is situated beside the old Castanea Railroad Station, home of the Clinton Central Model Railroad Club, and what will become a trail head for the new Bald Eagle Rail Trail forming in Clinton County. The station, which is not open during regular hours, provides a quaint backdrop to the stay and adjacent to it is a kiosk where people can learn about the railroading history of the local area.
A restaurant is within walking distance and there are plenty of sites to see – including breathtaking landscapes, historical assets and more!
- Check out the Historical Society’s other properties, including the Farrandsville Furnace, Barton Street School and Heisey Museum;
- Exploring nearby mountains and valleys, including Hyner View – a vista once featured on National Geographic and only half an hour away via the Bucktail Scenic Byway – and the West Branch Susquehanna River.
- Meander downtown Lock Haven, and spend some time viewing art at the Station Gallery – home of the Clinton County Arts Council, learning about local aviation history at the Piper Aviation Museum, or enjoying a meal at some of the great restaurants – such as Odd Fellas, Broken Axe Brew House and Avenue 209 Coffee Shop.
The Castanea Railroad Station is a member of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Learn more about the restored train caboose, and how to make reservations, here.
One of rural Pennsylvania’s largest networks of creative entrepreneurs, the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO) is the main program through which small businesses and nonprofits – from artisans to breweries to B&Bs to outfitters to retailers to restaurants to galleries to designers to videographers – engage with the Pennsylvania Wilds brand, networks and platforms. Functionally, the WCO is the listings backbone for the regional visitor site pawilds.com; the product supply line for the PA Wilds Conservation Shops physical and online stores; and the entry point for those looking to team up on PA Wilds licensed products in the market place. The PA Wilds Center promotes the WCO as part of the overall Pennsylvania Wilds experience. The PA Wilds Center promotes the WCO as part of the overall Pennsylvania Wilds experience. Visit WildsCoPa.org to learn more.
