Western-Star.com

Cox News Service

A consortium of five investors and railroad buffs has purchased the former Lebanon and Turtlecreek Railway in Lebanon, renaming it Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, or LM&M Railroad. The new owners plan to continue operating the historic train as a tourist attraction, and will make numerous improvements to it.

“I think railroads are cool,” said Ed Buyniski, chairman the Cincinnati Railway Company, parent company of the LM&M Railroad. “They are fraught with nostalgia. Every little kid has a train set. To own a real train that actually goes places is awesome.”

Buyniski, a retired business consultant who spent 25 years turning around troubled companies, analyzed the Lebanon railroad and concluded that it could be both fun and profitable under the right management. The new owners plan to upgrade the train’s physical appearance, improve attention to maintenance, and double the number of special theme programs for children and adults.

“When we bought the railroad, it was running just 10 percent of available dates; the rest of the time, the train sat empty,” said Brian W. Collins, a partner. “We’re adding events so that we have something every week. We’re also concentrating on how to network with schools, travel agencies, nursing homes and other organizations.”

The LM&M Railroad has expanded its theme events to 35 weekends, mainly during the spring, summer and fall. They include such programs as Mother Goose Choo-Choo (May 27, 28, June 3, 4), Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine (September 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17), golf outings and murder mystery dinners.

For more on this story, see Thursday’s paper.