advertisement

---

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. received new orders in the first quarter for 5,400 rail cars valued at about $575 million. The orders comprise a range of car types, including 89-foot flat cars and the company's proprietary Multi-Max™ auto racks for automotive-related rail products, tank cars, double-stack intermodal platforms, box cars and various covered hoppers. Greenbrier also announced it promoted Alejandro Arias to general manager of Gunderson-GIMSA, the company's joint venture manufacturing operation in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico. He joined the company in 2012 and most recently served as director of quality assurance. Prior to joining Greenbrier, Arias served Bombardier Transportation for 13 years.

Bombardier Transportation, as leader of the Bombardier Africa Alliance consortium, won a $34 million contract to implement one of the largest conventional mainline re-signaling projects in South Africa, according to a press release. The consortium — which includes ERB Technologies, Basil Read, Bakara Engineering, R&H Railway Consultants, SIMS and Tractionel — will provide a BOMBARDIER INTERFLO 200 rail control system to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. After the system is commissioned in 2017, a planned increase in train operations on the lines will enhance mobility in the region for about 700,000 passengers daily, Bombardier officials said.

MERMEC Group obtained an order for five measuring systems form MTM-Metro Trains in Melbourne, Australia. The systems are designed to measure various parameters, such as catenary geometry and wear, track geometry, rail profile and structure clearance. The track inspection system will provide automatic identification of safety critical defects on the track surface, and a video transmission and recording system will acquire trains driver view. In addition, a module of MERMEC's RAMSYS railway decision support system software will be installed for data review and trend calculation.

The city of Colleyville, Texas, has hired CTC Inc. to implement the community's first quiet zone, according to a CTC press release. The zone will extend along the Cotton Belt Rail Line about two miles and include grade crossings at John McCain, Pleasant Run and Bransford roads. Also, CTC will provide engineering design services for roadway and bike trail improvements to meet new quiet-zone requirements. The design for the $1.7 million project calls for CTC to coordinate with the city, Fort Worth Transportation Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Fort Worth & Western Railroad and Federal Railroad Administration.

Transit Center Inc. named David Bragdon executive director. He is a specialist in urban and regional planning, urban transportation and sustainability issues. Most recently, Bragdon served as director of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, where he managed the city's sustainable growth and infrastructure strategy. Founded in the mid-1980s by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the center's future activities will address applied research and advocacy for innovations that drive transit demand.

Thales promoted Matt Pothecary to vice president of group communications and Alexandre Perra, to deputy director of group communications, effective April 1. Pothecary most recently was communications director of Thales Avionics. Formerly a corporate press officer, Perra remains in charge of group media relations.

Comet Industries is marking its 50th year in business. The company was established in March 1963 as a service provider to a local Class I. Currently based in North Kansas City, Mo., Comet provides various products and services to the North American freight-rail network. During its five decades in business, the family-owned company has participated in numerous trades, including air and marine transportation, generator supply and service, and a variety of electronics support applications. Today, the company comprises three entities: Comet Rail Products, Comet Communications & Signal, and Comet Electronics.