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Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad bringing more tourists downtown.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Lebanon — The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad is turning out to be the little engine that could.
The historic railroad saw 46,000 passengers last year — an increase of 38 percent over 2005.
Extras
Photos
Keri Frommling, 7, of Lebanon plays with her Easter basket at the Lebanon train station during the annual Easter Bunny Express rides. 
Nashawn Hitchcock, 3, Jayden Webster, 2, and Walter Cruse, all of Forest Park, watch the train come in at Lebanon station during the weekend Easter Bunny Express excursions of the Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad.Hoping to build on last year's success and gain another large increase in riders in 2007, the LM&M introduced an expanded schedule with events every weekend from April to Christmas.
Train President Karen Zerbini said she wants parents and grandparents to know that if they're looking for something fun to do with the children they can always head to Lebanon for a fun-filled day riding the rails.
The train's turnaround began last May, when longtime owner Tom McOwen was joined by five new investors. Zerbini was hired a month later and ramped up customer service with a new Lebanon office. Now when customers call, the phone gets answered by a person rather than a voice message.
Downtown merchants are seeing a difference, too.
"It helps us a lot," said Village Ice Cream Parlor owner Sandy Fuston. "We're real glad that she's got a lot planned." The train kicked off its season last weekend with the Easter Bunny Express, and a new event aimed at girls and their mothers, the Tea Party Mystery Train, begins April 14.
"While on the train, a mystery unfolds and the passengers get to participate in solving it," Zerbini said. One passenger on every ride will win an American Girl doll.
With the train fresh out of the station, the extra effort appears to be paying off.
Ticket sales are already up 50 percent over this time last year, Zerbini said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4527 or dwells@coxohio.com.
