Colorado Mountain Caboose
The Caboose Story
A Caboose with a Journey — and a View
​Originally built in 1962, this caboose has lived a full railroad life before finding its final home high in the Colorado mountains.
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After decades in service, the caboose eventually made its way to Washington State, where it operated as part of a tourist train. When that rail line closed, the train was sold off piece by piece — and that’s where this story truly began.
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In the fall of 2021, the caboose began an ambitious relocation. It first traveled to Denver, then to Golden, Colorado, before being loaded onto a truck and carefully transported up winding mountain roads to its current resting place at just under 10,000 feet. Today, it sits proudly on 40 feet of rail, surrounded by sweeping mountain views and open sky.
Railroad Roots & Character
The caboose is painted in the style of the Great Northern Railway, featuring its iconic mountain goat logo — a fitting symbol for a railcar now perched at alpine elevation.
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During renovation, care was taken to preserve the caboose’s authentic character while making it comfortable for overnight stays. Several original elements remain intact, including:
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The original floor, carefully refinished
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An original engineer’s locker, preserved as a nod to its working past
These details offer a tangible connection to the caboose’s railroad history, blending authenticity with modern comfort.
From Idea to Reality
The inspiration behind the caboose is refreshingly simple — and uniquely personal.
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During the quieter days of the COVID era, the question arose:
“What better use of spare time than figuring out how to get a caboose from sea level to 10,000 feet?”
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That curiosity turned into a multi-year project involving logistics, renovation, and a fair amount of determination. The result is a truly one-of-a-kind lodging experience — not a replica or themed space, but a real caboose with a real history, thoughtfully reimagined for guests looking for something unforgettable.
A Stay Unlike Any Other
Today, the caboose offers guests the chance to sleep inside a genuine piece of railroad history while enjoying the quiet, beauty, and expansive views of the Colorado mountains. It’s a place where story, setting, and creativity come together — and where no two stays feel quite the same.