Patriot Rail salutes former CEO Fenton by naming Blue Ridge Scenic station in his honor

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. — Patriot Rail’s Blue Ridge Scenic Railway today named its station in honor of retired CEO John Fenton.

The railroad held a dedication ceremony to officially name the depot Fenton Station in recognition of Fenton’s contributions to the scenic railroad, as well as Patriot Rail’s more than 30 short lines.

During his tenure, Fenton brought innovation and a fresh perspective to the operation, transforming the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway into one of the top scenic train experiences in the country, Patriot Rail said.

Since assuming operations of BRSR in 2015, the railroad has hosted over 100,000 riders a year. Last summer, the railroad introduced rail bikes to its excursion menu.

The dedication ceremony was attended by close friends and family and key members of the Patriot Rail team. The event featured remarks highlighting Fenton’s remarkable achievements and his significant impact on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.

“We are proud to honor John Fenton today and recognize his outstanding contributions to our company and the entire railroad industry,” said Matt Nelson, chief financial officer of Patriot Rail. “His dedication to safety, innovation, and creating an exceptional passenger experience has set the standard for our organization.”

Fenton expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “It is a tremendous honor to have the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Station named after me. This dedication is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Patriot Rail Team. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible journey and to work with such exceptional railroaders,” he said.