Patriot Rail is redefining rail freight solutions that connect communities and industries, delivering locally and reaching nationally. We sit down with Tom Tisa, CCO, who outlines the company’s latest initiatives and projects.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
Over the last few decades, North America’s rail freight industry has evolved, witnessing consolidation, efficiency-focused strategies, and technological advancements.
Today, it remains a crucial link in the supply chain, connecting businesses and markets across the continent and overseas.
“During the course of my 30+ years in the rail industry, I’ve seen a lot of change – particularly in how railroads operate and how much more efficient they’ve become,” introduces Tom Tisa, CCO of Patriot Rail (Patriot), whose portfolio of short-line and regional freight railroads continues to grow.
With 32 short-line railroads across 23 states covering over 1,200 miles of track, the company has a national network in the US.
Its principal operations center around rail freight transportation and ancillary rail services, including 11 transloading locations and industrial development and railcar storage.
“We even have four excursion lines!” Tisa adds.
However, while rail remains a vital part of the freight network, competition from the trucking industry continues to increase.
“The challenge is that we haven’t seen the growth in volume compared to other modes of transportation, especially given the improved productivity in rail freight operations,” he observes.
While Tisa believes that the industry’s current focus on industrial development and short line engagement will lead to growth opportunities, he notes how freight rail also needs to see continual improvements in overall pricing to compete with the trucking sector.
“Competitive rates, combined with the outstanding first mile and final mile service that short lines provide, can together lead to increased market demand,” he posits.
ADVANCING INDUSTRY GROWTH
One way that Patriot is advancing growth in the rail freight sector is through industrial development.
As such, just outside Denver, Colorados, on the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad, it has partnered with the new Rocky Mountain Rail Park (RMRP) to serve the Mountain states freight market beyond Colorado, including Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
The company recently announced the arrival of its second locomotive at the rail park, further developing its operations on the Front Range (FR) Railroad.
“We are excited about our recent expansion in Colorado, and to start serving the customers in this new rail park which will be operational by the end of the year,” says Tisa.
RMRP’s strategic location offers room to grow. Patriot’s transloading company HYDRA will use one of the sites at the rail park to set up an operation that offers truck-to-rail and rail-to-truck services for various commodities.
“The team is ready to assist and guide customers with rail services solutions tailored to meet both their current needs and long-term goals, and we have the ability to invest where we see an attractive rate of return” he details.
Elsewhere, the company is establishing a new industrial park in Denton, Texas, in partnership with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) on its main network.
“This multi-commodity transload facility will provide reliable, competitive transload services and logistics solutions to customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area – one of North America’s fastest-growing regions,” Tisa outlines.
Patriot looks forward to growing with CPKC as it continues to serve the cement, aggregate, and lumber markets, and creating a more sustainable supply chain for the region to meet its future needs.
“We expect this site to be operational by the end of 2026,” notes Tisa.
OTHER GROWTH INITIATIVES
In partnership with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway and the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), Patriot has opened a new intermodal terminal in Salt Lake City.
“This project came to life because BNSF Railway’s Ocean Carrier customers wanted a competitive rail option in Salt Lake City,” Tisa tells us.
The company worked closely with UIPA and BNSF Railway to develop a plan and construct the terminal, which subsequently became operational in less than 100 days.
“This initiative is a great example of how we create opportunities through a shared collaborative approach,” he adds.
Indeed, through the project, Patriot is actively engaging at the local level and remains committed to being a productive partner with Class I railroads and shippers.
“We stay focused on understanding local and regional dynamics while understanding the global market and traffic flows,” Tisa explains.
As a project where all stakeholders share the same vision for a more connected, sustainable, cost-efficient, and resilient future for the nation’s supply chain, the intermodal terminal is a good example of a win-win partnership to enhance freight rail opportunities for shippers.
Elsewhere, as the company continues to work closely with its customers and local partners, Patriot’s rail network will benefit from public as well as private investments. Over the past several years, Patriot and its local partners have secured almost $200 million in federal and state grants.
“This funding will enable us to augment our safety practices, improve service reliability and efficiency, deliver cleaner air, and place less strain on our roads,” he outlines.
“We stay focused on understanding local and regional dynamics while understanding the global market and traffic flows”
Tom Tisa, CCO, Patriot Rail
A PROGRESSIVE SAFETY CULTURE
At Patriot, safety comes above all else. This past year, the company’s President and COO, Jerry Hall, and Vice President of Safety, Harrison Roughton, implemented five safety tenets across its network.
Since then, every Patriot employee has pledged to follow the guidelines, which include advice on preventable injuries and how to prioritize safety, making it everyone’s responsibility and a condition of employment.
In 2024, over 95 percent of the company’s network operated for 365 days without a reportable derailment, injury, or first-aid event.
“This is a milestone reflected in the 20+ Patriot railroads honored by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) Jake Award with Distinction,” Tisa comments.
The company has continued this momentum into 2025, with Hall’s operations and safety team having visited each of Patriot’s 30+ railroads over the course of the year.
“We have reached over 430 days without a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-reportable derailment,” Tisa notes.
This underscores Patriot’s commitment to ‘vision zero’, which works to promote a company-wide safety culture and safe operations by engaging employees and encouraging individuals to take accountability for maintaining a secure environment.
In addition, Patriot supports Operation Lifesaver – a non-profit organization that promotes rail safety through education, reducing deaths and injuries at highway rail crossings.
Patriot also participates in educational programs such as media campaigns, community events, and specialist training classes to promote safe behaviors on and around railroads.
A NEW IDENTITY
Spurred by its growth over the past three years – which has seen it double in size – Patriot unveiled a brand-new identity this August.
More than just a new look, the rebrand represents a pivotal moment in the company’s growth strategy.
“We’ve welcomed new team members, acquired additional properties, and expanded our services,” Tisa confirms.
With this level of transformation, he notes how transparent communication is essential for the company’s partners to fully understand its evolution.
“It’s a new day at Patriot – we want our current and future partners to know who we are now,” he emphasizes.
As such, the rebrand seeks to share the company’s evolving story, presenting itself as a modern, forward-thinking rail and transportation leader.
“We want to demonstrate how we’re ready for the future, driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, and committed to continued growth,” Tisa declares.
Indeed, the company’s new logo, which depicts a curved ‘p’ with steps resembling railroad ties, symbolizes steppingstones to the future and reflects the pivotal first mile and final mile services that Patriot’s short lines provide.
The company is also introducing a refreshed tagline – ‘Your Freight, Our Focus’ – a simple phrase intended to succinctly communicate what Patriot does and why it matters.
“This rebrand marks a milestone in our growth strategy and reflects our vision to redefine rail freight – connecting communities, delivering locally, and reaching nationally,” he adds.
“This rebrand marks a milestone in our growth strategy and reflects our vision to redefine rail freight – connecting communities, delivering locally, and reaching nationally”
Tom Tisa, CCO, Patriot Rail
ON TRACK FOR THE FUTURE
Looking to the future, Patriot will continue to focus on safety and growth.
CEO Brandy Christian, who joined the company in 2024, brought her vision to create long-term value for customers, employees, and owners.
“In line with Christian’s vision, we set out on a course to find creative solutions for customers and Class 1 partners to identify sustainable, profitable growth opportunities, including new industrial parks and inland ports,” Tisa observes.
Christian’s experience in global logistics has enabled Patriot to forge new strategic paths with long-term benefits – such as its expansion into intermodal transport with the BNSF Railway terminal.
“We prioritize our workforce and listen to their concerns and ideas,” Tisa adds.
Earlier this year, for example, Patriot received the 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award, which honors organizations with 150 or more employees and that have created people-first cultures.
Out of the 42,000+ businesses invited to participate this year, the company stood out for fostering a workplace where teamwork thrives and employees feel valued.
“The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement,” Tisa informs.
“Our CEO summed up Patriot’s view on this influential award perfectly when she noted how our teamwork culture is more than just a corporate value – it’s the driving force behind our achievements and the foundation of our future growth,” he concludes.
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