Patriot Rail Acquires HYDRA

(Photograph Courtesy of HYDRA)

Patriot Rail has expanded its integrated freight services capabilities with the assumption of ownership and operations of Hydra Distribution & Rail Services and Hydra Transport (HYDRA), providers of warehousing, transloading, distribution and logistics services.

According to Patriot Rail’s Dec. 4 announcement, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based short line holding company and HYDRA have built over 10-plus years “a strong partnership to customize comprehensive logistic solutions at the state-of-the-art facility in McClellan Park, Calif.,” which is served by Patriot subsidiary Sacramento Valley Railroad. Integrating HYDRA’s “warehousing and distribution expertise” into the Patriot Rail portfolio, the company said, “now provides Patriot customers across the country with a first-class suite of customized freight transportation services.”

The newly integrated Patriot Rail Hydra Logistics & Warehousing operation will be a standalone division of Patriot Rail; it will be headquartered out of the Sacramento location and led by HYDRA executive Dave Chambers.

“We are excited to fully incorporate the skilled Hydra team into Patriot Rail,” Patriot Rail CEO John E. Fenton said. “Taking the successful operation we’ve built together in California across our rail network elevates service offerings to our customers from coast to coast and further strengthens our position in the industry.”

“Patriot Rail is ideally positioned to take HYDRA to the next level nationally,” HYDRA President Dave Chambers said. “We have built tremendous synergies to mutually benefit our customers. This integration is a natural progression and will allow our dedicated warehousing and logistics group to deliver the premier Patriot Rail service across the country.”

In other Patriot Rail news, the Ohio Rail Development Commission in November approved $264,000 in grant funding to Patriot subsidiary Napoleon Defiance & Western Railway, and in August, the company assumed ownership and operations of the Hobo Railroad and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, located in Lincoln, N.H., and Meredith, N.H., respectively. Also, Patriot Rail Senior Vice President Commercial Jennifer Benton was one of 23 Railway Age Women in Rail Award honorees in 2023.