JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Shortline holding company Patriot Rail has acquired two New Hampshire tourist railroads, the Hobo Railroad and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.
The railroads operate a combined total of 54 miles of state-owned former Boston & Maine trackage. The Hobo Railroad is based in the White Mountains tourist town of Lincoln, while the Winnipesaukee Scenic is based in Meredith in the Granite State’s Lakes Region. Also included: Rail Bike Adventures, a Laconia-based operation which allows tourists to ride rail bikes alongside Lake Winnisquam.
Brenda Clark, Ben Clark, and Jennifer Franz, whose family has operated the railroads for 36 years, said in a joint statement, “It has been our passion to sustain the joy that Ed Clark first created in the late 1980s for the thousands of smiling faces who rode our historic trains and enjoyed the White Mountains and the beautiful Lakes Region. Now it is time to pass this extraordinary legacy on to Patriot Rail, which has the experience, commitment and ability to take this wonderful tourist operation to even greater heights.”
Patriot Rail also operates the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Ga.
“It is a privilege to assume from the Clark family these tremendous Winnipesaukee and Hobo Railroad assets,” Patriot Rail CEO John E. Fenton said in a statement announcing the deal today. “Working in close partnership with the State of New Hampshire, today’s announcement ensures that we continue the long tradition of providing a superb tourist rail experience in the region. We welcome the Hobo, Winnipesaukee, and Rail Bike Adventures employees to our Patriot team, and together we aim to further elevate the Clark family’s treasured service for rail patrons and riders.”
Patriot operates 32 short lines in 23 states.
Offseason railcar storage.
More power and good luck to Patriot Rail!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün