LEBANON, Ohio — The city of Lebanon is preparing to approve a new eight-year agreement with the nonprofit Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad, which operates a tourist railroad on city-owned tracks in the community.
The Hamilton Journal-News reports the current agreement expires next year. The new contract will address replacement of two of the five bridges on the 6-mile line, at a cost estimated at $1.3 million each. Under the new agreement, tickets sold by the railroad will include a facility fee — beginning at $1 in 2022 and rising to $1.50 by 2027 — to help fund infrastructure projects. The railroad will also pay an annual payment of $3,000 for the line and pay property taxes, is responsible for regular track maintenance up to $6,000 per year, and schedule and fund regular track inspections.
The city — which purchased the line after it was abandoned in 1981 — will seek an $800,000 state grant to go with city and county funds to go with the replacement of the first of the two bridges in 2022-23.
The Lebanon, Mason & Monroe carried close to 50,000 people in 2021 and has an annual economic impact estimated at $2.5 million annually, according to a 2014 study.
More information on the railroad is available at its website.
LM&M is a nice little tourist RR. The town of Lebanon has plenty to offer visitors… including the Golden Lamb, Ohio’s oldest hotel (1803) in continuous operation.
Glad to see that agreements are still possible. Hope it is still profitable for all.