10/14/2026
You guys have waited the long wait the Cobblehaus Caboose is celebrating its GRAND OPENING this Saturday 10/17/26
MERCER, Pa. - A rare piece of American railroad history has found a new home in Mercer County. After a journey
from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania and an extensive renovation, historic Frisco caboose #801 has been restored and repurposed as the Caboose Cafe at Cobblehaus At The Falls.
Built in the early 1920s, caboose #801 operated during an important period in American railroading, from the steam era into the early
diesel era. It remained in railroad service until approximately 1975 or 1976. After retirement, the car changed hands several times and
was used for private and community display purposes, including Frontier City Amusement Park and Cimarron Valley Railroad Museum.
From Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Over the years, the caboose was moved away from its active rail lines and spent time in the Cushing and Drum-right areas of Oklahoma. At different points it surfaced in private ownership and in listings that contemplated partial restoration or adaptive reuse, including possible conversion to a tiny home or guest house. Instead, #801 has entered a new chapter centered on preservation. In 2026 the caboose was transported from Oklahoma to Mercer, Pennsylvania, and installed at Cobblehaus At The Falls, where it has been carefully renovated for visitors while retaining the distinctive character of the historic railcar.
A Rare Wooden-Sided Survivor
Wooden-sided Frisco cabooses such as #801 are rare survivors. Unlike the steel cabooses that became common in
later decades, these cars reflect an earlier style of railroad construction and provide a tangible connection to the
transition from steam to diesel railroading. That rarity makes surviving examples especially meaningful to
preservationists, railroad enthusiasts and collectors.
Introducing the Caboose Cafe
Today, caboose #801 has been transformed into the Caboose Cafe at Cobblehaus At The Falls. The restored
interior combines original railroad character with period-inspired furnishings, railroad photographs and memorabilia.
Visitors can relax inside the historic car while enjoying self-serve coffee and beverages, snacks and pastries.
The public is invited to celebrate the caboose's next chapter at its Grand Opening on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Cobblehaus At The Falls.