We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jennifer, the owner of Along for the Ride, to discuss her vision and the deeply personal journey of rebuilding after a natural disaster. We are incredibly grateful for her willingness to share her story with us.
Progress Log
- July 2025 — Cabooses arrive at J. Ross headquarters in Blountville, TN. Initial inspection completed.
- August 2025 — Exterior cleaning, pressure washing, and sanding in progress. Decal removal underway.
- Early September 2025 – Prep work complete. Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy transparent primer has been applied.
- Mid September 2025 – The first coat of white, blue, yellow, and black paint is applied.
- End of September 2025 – The final coat of paint before transportation is complete.
- Beginning of October 2025 – The cabooses are transported to Damascus, VA
A New Chapter Begins
At J. Ross Painting & Drywall, we’ve built our reputation on handling projects that go far beyond the ordinary. From delicate historic church steeples to large-scale commercial restorations, our team has consistently shown that expertise, craftsmanship, and attention to detail are what set us apart.
Now, we’re proud to be working on one of our most distinctive projects yet: restoring two vintage train cabooses that will soon serve as the centerpiece of Along for the Ride, a vacation rental in Damascus, Virginia. This project is about more than just painting — it’s about giving new life to structures with history while helping to rebuild a beloved getaway spot for families and visitors along the Virginia Creeper Trail.
A Vision Born from Family and Memory
For Jennifer, Along for the Ride was never just a business; it was a passion project built on a foundation of family and memories. “Our Damascus property was incredibly special to my family,” she shared. The dream of owning it began years ago while biking the Creeper Trail with her loved ones. The opportunity came after her father passed away from colon cancer, and she saw a way to use her inheritance to invest in a place where her own family could create new mountain memories.
Over the years, the home was continually enhanced to bring that vision to life—from adding French doors to a game room in the garage. For six years, Jennifer poured her heart into making guests feel welcomed and stress-free, often adding personal touches like a birthday cake on the table and ice cream in the freezer, with an obnoxious 40-foot birthday banner and balloons to celebrate a special occasion. She genuinely loved every minute of hosting families
The Circumstances — Hurricane Helene
September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated communities throughout Southwest Virginia. Laurel Creek overflowed its banks in Damascus, nearly sweeping away the original Along for the Ride home. The property that once welcomed guests from around the country was reduced to bare land after the floodwaters receded.
While the loss was significant, it created an opportunity for a bold new vision. Rather than rebuild what once was, the property’s owner chose to create something entirely new and unforgettable: two historic cabooses, fully restored, ready to welcome guests back to Damascus.
The Emotional Aftermath of a Storm
The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene went beyond the physical loss of a property. For Jennifer, the initial emotions were “surreal and numb.” The storm was a horrific event that took not only the Damascus home but also triggered a 500-foot mudslide at her primary residence. She and her family were trapped for days, eventually hiking out with just a suitcase.
When she was finally able to return to the Damascus property, the scale of the loss was overwhelming. The initial shock gave way to a feeling of helplessness after learning their insurance company, USAA, would not be providing any funds for the mudslide, deeming it a result of a flood. This emotional blow was compounded by the realization that many people in the area were facing the same challenge, receiving little to no help from their insurance.
A Creative Vision: Why Cabooses?
The idea of restoring train cabooses wasn’t just about novelty — it was about weaving history into the fabric of a town already rich in culture and outdoor adventure. Situated right on the Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus is known as “Trail Town USA,” attracting hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country.
By rebuilding with cabooses, Along for the Ride will stand out as one of the most unique vacation rentals in Virginia — offering families the chance to make memories in a piece of history. But turning that vision into reality required a team capable of handling historic restoration, industrial coatings, and the challenges of working with vintage steel railcars. That’s where J. Ross came in.
A New Purpose from a Family Joke
The journey to rebuild began with a creative spark born from a simple family conversation. As Jennifer brainstormed ideas—from A-frame houses to giant wine barrels—her husband half-jokingly suggested using trains. “He half jokingly said oh gosh, why don’t you just use trains since it’s on the creeper trail. They would be virtually indestructible and naturally higher off the ground.”
The idea was a stroke of genius, and it also held a personal significance. With five children—four boys and a girl—Jennifer had countless memories of visiting train museums and taking day trips to local depots. The giggles and joy of her children during those trips made the idea of turning cabooses into vacation rentals even more meaningful. It wasn’t about rebuilding what was lost, but about creating something new and different, a fresh chapter for her family and her guests.
Arrival at J. Ross Headquarters
The two cabooses were sourced out west and hauled across the country to our Blountville, TN headquarters — a complex logistical effort in itself. Once they arrived, our restoration team immediately began the inspection and planning phase. Every project we take on starts with a careful evaluation of condition, surfaces, and required treatments to ensure the restoration will last for years to come.
The Restoration Journey & The J. Ross Difference
Finding the right partner to restore these cabooses was essential, and Jennifer connected with our team at J. Ross Painting & Drywall through a referral. What sold her on our company was our willingness to tackle a unique project like painting trains, but it was the personal connection that truly sealed the deal.
Jennifer will never forget the day the cabooses arrived in Blountville after a long haul from Illinois. She arrived at our shop at 7:45 AM, 15 minutes early, not expecting anyone to be there. But as she turned the corner, she saw the J. Ross team waiting for her. “Each walked up to me and introduced themselves, shook my hand and told me how excited they were to be working on this project,” she recalled. “I was holding back happy tears. In that moment, I could not be thankful enough for the people that were helping to take this vision and make it a reality.”
Jennifer was blown away by the team’s professionalism, willingness to think outside the box, and prompt communication. It was this human-centered approach that made all the difference.
Exterior Restoration in Progress
Our scope of work is focused on the exterior restoration of the cabooses — and while that might sound straightforward, it’s anything but. Restoring metal train cars requires an entirely different approach than residential or even commercial painting. Here’s how our team is approaching the process step by step:
Deep Cleaning
We began by applying a specialized cleaner (similar to a CLR-type product) to remove rust, scale, and years of buildup on the steel surfaces. This step breaks down contaminants that pressure washing alone cannot handle.
Pressure Washing
After the cleaner has done its work, each caboose is pressure washed to strip away loosened debris and provide a clean foundation. Pressure washing is critical for adhesion — ensuring that primer and coatings will bond properly to the steel exterior.
Sanding and Surface Preparation
Once dried, the cabooses are sanded down — a process made more complex by the rounded steel panels. Industrial sanding tools are used for broad areas, while hand sanding ensures details and edges are properly prepped. The goal is to create an even surface that will hold coatings for years to come.
Decal Removal
Both cabooses arrived with multiple layers of deteriorated graphics and lettering, including an old American flag decal and the original stenciled placards showing railcar information. These elements had historical value, but their condition made them unsuitable for preservation on the restored cars.
Our team used heat guns and scrapers to carefully remove the decals, graphics, and stencils from the steel surfaces. This method allowed us to lift old materials cleanly without damaging the underlying metal — a crucial step before applying industrial primers and coatings.
Removing every trace of the old flag, lettering, and placards ensures a smooth, uniform surface. It also prevents future coating issues such as peeling, bubbling, or adhesion failures once the Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy 920 primer and epoxy systems are applied.
Priming of Exterior Surfaces
Once the surface prep is complete, every inch of the caboose exterior is sealed with Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy® 920 Pre-Prime. This high-performance epoxy primer is engineered specifically for steel, offering exceptional adhesion while blocking rust and corrosion. It’s designed as a protective backbone that ensures long-term coating performance, even in demanding outdoor environments.
By choosing Macropoxy 920, our team isn’t just priming — we’re building a protective barrier that will extend the life of these historic cabooses, making sure they remain vibrant and durable for decades to come.
Protective Coating
For the finish coats, J. Ross selected Sherwin-Williams Sher-Cryl HPA, a high-performance acrylic coating, for the bright white stripe running along the lower section of the caboose. Sher-Cryl HPA is formulated to bond exceptionally well to metal and to resist fading and gloss loss in harsh weather conditions. This is crucial for a project that will sit outside year-round in the Appalachian climate, where it will see everything from summer sun to winter freeze. We chose to roll the Sher-Cryl rather than spray it. A sprayed finish would have highlighted every dent, weld, and imperfection in the metal surface. Rolling gave us a smoother and more forgiving result, allowing the caboose to look refreshed and professional without hiding its character and history.
For the roof, undercarriage, wheels, and door trim, we used Sherwin-Williams Industrial Enamel Alkyd in a gloss black finish. This product is known for its toughness and ability to stand up to abrasion, foot traffic, and constant exposure to the elements. It also provides excellent coverage on steel surfaces, creating a strong protective layer that will help prevent rust and corrosion. The glossy black finish brings out a crisp contrast against the white stripe, giving the caboose a sharp, finished appearance. By combining brush-and-roll techniques with careful spray applications where needed, we ensured that every panel, weld, and corner was properly coated for long-lasting protection.
Caboose Paint Colors
Red – SW 7405 International Red
Blue – Custom Match to Ford Blue
Green Stripe – Custom Match to Haze Gray
The J. Ross Difference — Expertise in Historic Restoration
Why trust J. Ross with a project like this? Because restoring a caboose isn’t just a painting job — it’s a historic restoration. It requires the kind of expertise we’ve honed through years of working on one-of-a-kind projects: historic churches, tall steeples, and heritage structures that demand care, precision, and the right products.
Our team understands the difference between simply applying paint and delivering a restoration that lasts. The curved steel walls, riveted panels, and industrial construction of these cabooses make this a highly specialized project — exactly the type of challenge where J. Ross shines.
Looking Ahead — A Future Landmark for Damascus
When the restoration is complete, the cabooses will be transported to Damascus and placed on the property where Along for the Ride once stood. There, they will serve as unique vacation rentals for visitors from across the country.
Damascus already draws thousands each year for the Virginia Creeper Trail, trout fishing tournaments, hiking races, music events, and outdoor festivals. Soon, visitors will also have the chance to stay in one of the most creative and historic rentals in the region — a pair of beautifully restored cabooses made possible by expert craftsmanship and a shared vision for community renewal.
Transportation Day: Bringing the Cabooses Home to Damascus
After weeks of surface preparation, priming, and painting, the time finally came for one of the most exciting milestones of this project: transportation day. Each caboose was carefully loaded onto a flatbed semi-truck at our Blountville headquarters to begin its journey to its new home in Damascus, Virginia.
Watching these restored cabooses travel down the highway and through downtown Damascus was a moment to remember. Residents lined the streets to wave and cheer as the trucks rolled through town. It was more than just a move; it was a celebration of progress and community pride.
For Jennifer, the owner of Along for the Ride, seeing the cabooses arrive was a dream coming to life. Many locals stopped by to offer encouragement and share how meaningful this restoration is for their community.
For our team at J. Ross, transportation day represented more than just another job completed. It was the reward of months of craftsmanship and teamwork, and the joy of seeing these historic pieces of rail history safely delivered to their new home where they’ll soon welcome guests once again.
Moving from Rebuilding to Hosting
For Jennifer, this project is about much more than a financial investment. It’s a deeply personal mission to find her way back to the life she had before the storm. Since that day, there hasn’t been a single day that hasn’t involved “cleaning up, cutting down, screwing in, or sanding off.” This project represents a shift from the difficult, continuous task of rebuilding to a new focus: hosting.
“I hope to bring us back to a day that instead of rebuilding, I can focus on hosting and return my life to the point it was before the storm,” Jennifer shared. She is excited to contribute to the Damascus community by creating a unique experience for guests. Most importantly, she sees the project as a way to give back, particularly by participating in the Creeper Trail Ride to End Cancer, an event that is very dear to her heart because of her father.
This is a story of resilience, vision, and the power of a caring community. It’s a testament to how the right partners can help turn a difficult situation into a new and exciting beginning.
Closing
At J. Ross Painting & Drywall, we don’t just restore structures — we restore stories, dreams, and community landmarks. These cabooses are proof that with the right expertise, even loss can be transformed into something unforgettable. And for us, being part of that journey is what restoration is all about.
