Ohio Pizza Train Rides
Published: February 15, 2026
By: Adam Burns
If you’re looking for an outing that feels equal parts old-fashioned and effortlessly fun, the Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad (LM&M) in Lebanon, Ohio, has a knack for delivering exactly that. Operating out of historic downtown Lebanon, the LM&M offers heritage train rides through Warren County using vintage passenger cars pulled by historic diesel power—pairing railroading nostalgia with a calendar full of themed events for all ages.
Among its easiest “yes” experiences for families is the Family Pizza Train—a relaxed, 90-minute ride where dinner is served right at your seat, with the countryside sliding by the windows.
Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad
The LM&M markets itself as “historic train rides in Warren County,” departing from Lebanon Station in downtown Lebanon. The organization emphasizes a family-friendly atmosphere and year-round themed departures, and the operation is run by Cincinnati Scenic Railway, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the LM&M (and other excursion initiatives in the region).
What makes the LM&M particularly interesting is that the “heritage ride” isn’t isolated on a museum loop. The railroad runs over the historic Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern (CL&N) right-of-way—an 1881-era passenger and freight line that began life as narrow gauge before being rebuilt to standard gauge. Over time, the route also became associated with the Pennsylvania Railroad era, with the broader corridor evolving and shrinking as transportation patterns changed.
Today, the LM&M’s operations commonly focus on a scenic segment: most trips run about 4.4 miles south from Lebanon Station to historic Hageman Junction, with the railroad noting it operates on approximately 16 miles of track between Lebanon, Mason, and Monroe. That distance is plenty for a satisfying ride—long enough to feel like a real train trip, short enough to keep kids engaged (and keep dinner pleasantly paced).
What is the Family Pizza Train?
The LM&M bills the Family Pizza Train as a low-stress, kid-friendly evening out: board the train, settle in, and enjoy the ride while you eat pizza at your seat.
Here are the key details straight from the railroad’s listing:
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Ages: All ages
- Ticket price: $25 (listed for cheese or pepperoni options)
- What’s included: a personal-size pizza and your first soda or bottled water
- Onboard extras: additional beverages/snacks available from the Queen City concession snack bar
The concept is simple (in the best way). Unlike a more formal dinner train—white tablecloths, timed courses, and a long sit-down meal—this is intentionally “laid-back,” built for families who want something different than the usual restaurant routine.
The pizza partners
One detail that elevates the experience is that the pizza isn’t treated like an afterthought. The railroad lists specific food partners on specific dates—an approach that gives the ride a “local flavor” and keeps the offering fresh.
For example, the LM&M’s Family Pizza Train page has featured dates with partners such as Catch a Fire Pizza and Broadway Barrel House, with menu callouts like classic cheese/pepperoni and flatbread options. (Dates and partners can change, so the railroad’s booking page is the best place to confirm what’s being served for your departure.)
This matters because the Family Pizza Train is as much about the outing as it is about railroading. Local partners turn it into a community experience—Lebanon isn’t just the place you board; it becomes part of the story you taste.
What you’ll experience onboard
Boarding in historic downtown Lebanon
A big part of the LM&M’s charm is its location. The railroad specifically points out that being in historic downtown Lebanon makes it easy to pair your train ride with shopping, dining, and exploring a walkable tourist district.
That means the Family Pizza Train can be the centerpiece of a broader evening: arrive early, browse the shops, then head to the station for boarding.
A scenic run to Hageman Junction and back
While the railroad can operate across a longer stretch of its corridor, it notes that most trips run from Lebanon down to Hageman Junction and return. On a pizza train, that rhythm is perfect: food served after departure, a pleasant cruise through the Turtle Creek Valley area, then a return that still leaves you time for dessert back in town.
The “heritage train” feel
The LM&M describes passengers riding in vintage passenger cars behind a historic diesel locomotive. And at the point of power, the railroad highlights an ex–Chesapeake & Ohio GP7 in its roster: CRC 55 (ex-C&O 5704), described as a 1,500-horsepower locomotive built in May 1950, originally equipped for dual-service work and once fitted with a steam generator for passenger heat.
Even if your family isn’t “railfan-first,” there’s something undeniably fun about hearing the horn, feeling the train take slack, and realizing this is real railroad equipment doing what it was built to do.
Final Thoughts
Heritage railroads succeed when they connect the past to the present in a way that feels welcoming. The LM&M does that by taking the romance of small-town train travel and pairing it with something universally appealing: pizza night.
In other words, it’s not asking families to be historians or hardcore railfans. It’s offering an easy, memorable evening—one where kids can say they ate dinner on a train, parents can enjoy a change of pace, and everyone gets a front-row seat to a slice of southwest Ohio scenery rolling by.
And because the LM&M’s broader mission includes community engagement and nonprofit operation through Cincinnati Scenic Railway, your ticket isn’t just buying dinner—it’s helping keep a living piece of local rail heritage active in the heart of Lebanon. To learn more about this family-friendly event please click here to visit the railroad's website.
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