LEBANON, Ohio — The future of a Cincinnati-area heritage railroad is in doubt because of infrastructure needs that could reach $2.5 million over the next decade.
WXIX-TV reports the Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad is operated by the non-profit Cincinnati Scenic Railway, using track owned by the city of Lebanon, which also provides funding, as well as Genesee & Wyoming’s Indiana & Ohio Railway. With the current operating agreement set to expire on Jan. 1, 2023, the city and Scenic Railway are negotiating a new agreement, but the estimated $2.5 million to replace the route’s bridges are an issue.
A representative of the LM&M said the railroad is “aggressively pursuing” grant opportunities to help fund the repairs, but without funding, the contract will not be renewed and the railroad — which attracts up to 40,000 riders annually — will cease operation at the end of 2022.
City manager Scott Brunka said negotiations over the new agreement are in their early stages and no decisions have been made. But he characterized support for the railroad as “a sound investment in Lebanon’s future, as well as the right thing to do.”
More information on the railroad is available at the Lebanon, Mason & Monroe website.
Actually, the LMM railroad is part of the of the Cincinnati Railway Company, a for-profit company and the employees are paid, the attraction of the train brings a lot of tourist dollars to the City. The City needs the train more than the train needs the city. Also, potential for Freight in the future if anything develops. The ODRC will step up and help out.
Sorry, I can’t see a grant for an amusement park ride. Look, I like riding trains – I just don’t expect someone else to pay for my hobby and I sure don’t want to pay for theirs. “a sound investment in Lebanon’s future” – if that is true, then the people of Lebanon should be willing to float a bond issue to pay for it instead of expecting someone else to pony up the funds. Unfortunately, that’s true of so many politicians these days, glad to spend someone else’s money. Well, as Margaret thatcher said, “Eventually, you run out of other peoples’ money”