Rail supplier news from Bombardier, Alstom, Thales, RailComm, Omnitek and Columbus Castings (Jan. 28)

Bombardier Inc. has reached a definitive agreement for the sale of its Military Aviation Training activities to CAE Inc., subject to the approval of governmental and regulatory authorities and other closing conditions. Total consideration is $19.8 million in Canadian dollars. The transaction is explicated to close by the end of the year.

Alstom and Thales obtained a $375.6 million contract from MTR Corp., which operates Hong Kong's metro network. The contract calls for the companies to upgrade the signaling systems of seven metro lines. A maintenance option is included in the contract. The project calls for equipping the lines with Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology. Alstom and Thales will replace the existing signaling system, including Automatic Train Supervision, interlocking, and Automatic Train Control in the control center, trains and stations. Thales will provide its SelTrac^® CBTC system.

A Class I with a large switching yard in Louisville, Ky., has chosen to upgrade its existing RailComm yard control system. The upgrade includes the installation of new computer hardware infrastructure to run the Domain Operations Controller (DOC) system, RailComm's proprietary yard control software, as well as new I/O controllers to expand the number of switch machines that are being controlled by the RailComm system.

Omnitek Engineering Corp.'s natural-gas engine technology is being used in two TEDOM natural-gas locomotive engines powering a Czech Railways train that operates three times daily between the Czech cities of Opava and Hlucin. The low-emission dedicated natural gas engines from TEDOM are certified to
the Euro5 EEV emissions standard.

Al Lullman has joined Columbus Castings as director of sales. He is a former senior vice president at ARI.