Rail supplier news from Seeing Machines, Amsted, Bombardier, Siemens, Rocla and RSI (Sept. 23)

Seeing Machines Ltd. has signed an agreement with Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) to create in-cab operator fatigue and distraction monitoring systems for use in locomotives. The underlying Seeing Machines Driver Safety System (DSS) technology is based on eye-tracking and analytics that detect driver distraction and fatigue, according to a company press release. Following a previously announced agreement with Caterpillar Global Mining, the new agreement will allow Seeing Machines and EMD to develop and adapt technology for the rail industry. EMD is a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corp., a Caterpillar company.

Amsted RPS has obtained a contract to supply more than 30,000 each SW-24 C40T bonded direct-fixation fastener assemblies, featuring new Amsted RPS Buy America compliant e-clips, for the 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX project in Los Angeles. The contract represents the second major order that Amsted RPS has obtained in recent months from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Bombardier Transportation, with its consortium partner Vossloh Kiepe, has signed an option to supply 16 additional FLEXITY Swift light-rail vehicles to Transport for Greater Manchester's Metrolink system in the United Kingdom. The option forms part of the contract signed with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive in 2007 and is valued at $55 million, with Bombardier's share valued at $41 million.

Siemens confirmed late last week that it has obtained a $648 million contract from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to deliver an initial 175 light-rail cars for the Muni rail system. With an option for an additional 85 cars, it's the company's largest order for light-rail cars placed in the United States, according to a Siemens press release. The newly developed light-rail car will be based on the S200 model, featuring a light-weight drive system that recuperates braking energy and an LED lighting system that uses up to 40 percent electricity than standard neon lighting.

Rocla Concrete Tie Inc. announced several management changes designed to provide customer-centric support and operational oversight to its new facilities and subsidiaries. Eliseo Bandala has been named executive vice president, and will oversee Rocla's domestic business and subsidiaries RocBra and RCTI in Mexico; Rusty Croley is now VP-engineering services, and will be responsible for expansion capital projects, product design and process engineering to existing operations; and Brett Urquhart has been appointed VP-business development, and will oversee commercial contracts and sales. In addition, the company added Zach Hansen as national sales representative and Dana Head, as a project manager.

At its annual meeting held at the RSI/CMA 2014 and Canadian Rail Summit in Montreal, the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) elected three new members to its board: Brian Hawkins, director of business development-freight, Siemens Rail Automation; Robert Hulick, executive vice president, TrinityRail; and Joe McNeeley, president and chief executive officer of FreightCar America. They will serve a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2015. RSI's board also elected its 2015 executive committee: Chairman Jeff Stearns, VP of sales and marketing for Wabtec Corp.; Vice Chairman Tom DeJoseph, VP of marketing and sales for Loram Maintenance of Way Inc.; and Secretary-Treasurer Jim Frantz, president and CEO of Graham-White Manufacturing Co.