FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2008
CONTACT: KAREN ZERBINI 513-933-8022 ext. 102
Great Train Robbery
Meets the Civil War
Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad
Partners with Reenactment Group
LEBANON, Ohio, May 19, 2008 -- The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM&M), the only authentic, historic train offering recreational rides in Southwest Ohio, Brings Civil War history to life for the second year in a row. The railroad teams up with a Civil War reenactment group to demonstrate how civilian train passengers sometimes became unwitting victims during the War Between the States.
On May 31 and June 1 passengers can ride the LM&M from downtown Lebanon to a “battlefield” a few miles away, where actors with the Company B Confederate States Marine Corps and many other groups will recreate a conflict that occurred during the Civil War. Along the way, Confederate troops will storm the train, in an attempt to steal a strongbox full of cash being guarded by Union soldiers.
“Sometimes, soldiers would rob trains during the Civil War,” said Mike White, event coordinator who has been staging Civil War reenactments for 12 years. “Northerners would rob Southern trains, and Southern troops would hold up Northern trains. Our actors will be doing a couple of different scenarios, so that no two train rides are exactly alike.”
At the destination, the soldiers will then recreate a battle. “Other Civil War reenactment groups don’t do battles, but we do,” White said. “This is living history. It’s all very realistic down to the uniforms and the weapons. Of course, we won’t be firing real bullets, but the sounds will be real.”
After the battle passengers have time to talk to the re-enactors and learn about uniforms, cavalry, artillery and medical equipment of the period. The can also visit a camp outside the Warren County Museum located across the street form the station to see what the soldiers ate, how they slept on the ground, and will be able to ask questions.
“The Civil War Train is a family-friendly event that will provide an excellent opportunity for adults to explain an important piece of American history to their children and grandchildren,” said Karen Zerbini, president of the LM&M. “Railroads offered an advantage to the North and contributed to the outcome.”
When: May 31- ride at 10 am, 1 pm & 4 p; Sunday June 1- rides at 1 pm & 4 pm
Tickets/Gift Shop: 127 S. Mechanic Lebanon, OH 45036
Cost: General Admission $18; Children (2 – 12) $15; One & Under FREE; Groups of 20 or more receive 20% discount.
Tickets can be purchased online at LebanonRR.com or by downloading an order form available on the website or visiting the ticket office/gift shop Tues – Sun 9 – 3. For more information call 513-933-8022 or toll FREE 866-934-9464 or visit www.LebanonRR.com.
Formerly known as the Lebanon and Turtlecreek Railway, the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM&M) boards passengers at the beautiful Lebanon Station owned by the Lebanon Council of Garden Clubs, in historic downtown Lebanon, Ohio 2 block south of the Golden Lamb Inn. The new gift shop and ticket office recently moved across the street at 127 S. Mechanic Street. The train consists of a restored 1950s-era GP-7 diesel-electric locomotive, four open-window commuter coaches built in 1930, and a popular open-air gondola car on the rear of the train that allows passengers to enjoy panoramic views.
The LM&M attracts passengers and railroad buffs from hundreds of miles. In 2007, approximately 50,000 people rode the train, a fourteen percent increase from the previous year. Ninety-five percent of riders said that they would recommend it to a friend and 28 percent had never visited Lebanon, a city located between Dayton and Cincinnati that is famous for its many grand 19th century homes, antique shops, historic restaurants and other attractions that can easily provide a day’s worth of enjoyment.
Click a thumbnail image below to open a high res version of that photo:
LM&M Railroad
Civil War Train
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LM&M Railroad Civil War Train |
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