Patriot Rail Assumes Ownership of Hobo Railroad, Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

Patriot Rail Company LLC (Patriot Rail) on Aug. 22 announced that it has assumed ownership and operations of the Hobo Railroad and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, located in Lincoln, N.H., and Meredith, N.H., respectively.

According to Patriot Rail, both scenic railroads operate across 54 miles of historic track, which navigates through the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The railroads serve Lincoln, Plymouth, Meredith and Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as the Laconia Railroad Station located in Laconia, N.H. In addition to the two scenic railroads, a rail bike operation—Rail Bike Adventures—offers patrons visiting Laconia, N.H, an opportunity to ride a rail bike alongside Lake Winnisquam.

“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,” said Brenda Clark, Ben Clark and Jennifer Franz, whose family has operated the scenic trains over the past 36 years, in a joint statement.

“It is a privilege to assume from the Clark family these tremendous Winnipesaukee and Hobo Railroad assets,” said Patriot Rail CEO John E. Fenton. “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.”