Rail supplier news from Thales, Konecranes, Kratos, Bombardier, Urban Engineers, Direct ChassisLink and Swingmaster (Oct. 14)

Thales was awarded a $24.7 million contract from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) for the design and construction of advanced train control technology for the new Central Subway project, an extension of the existing T Line. Thales will supply its SelTrac® communications-based train control system for SFMTA's 1.7-mile extension of the T line. The Central Subway is expected to open in 2019.

CSX Intermodal Terminals Inc. has purchased three Konecranes 7500 Series reach stackers for its terminal in Charleston, S.C. The purchase follows the company's acquisition of three identical units from Konecranes for facilities in Buffalo, N.Y., Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., beginning in 2012. The purchase dovetails with the company's quest for greater operational efficiency, according to CSX Intermodal Terminals. The Charleston terminal formerly used side loaders and fixed-mast machines, but now will use reach stackers almost exclusively, Konecranes officials said in a press release.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.'s public safety and security division has received $2.1 million in new contract awards for security system deployments for certain U.S. rail system and mass transportation assets. Under the new contracts, the company will design, engineer, deploy and integrate into command and control infrastructure specialized security systems for the protection of the assets.

Bombardier Transportation is presenting Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) new metro car to the North American rail industry at its exhibit at the American Public Transportation Association's 2014 Expo held this week in Houston. Designated by BART as its "Fleet of the Future," the new cars will replace the agency's entire existing fleet, as well as be used for system expansion. The cars will be powered by Bombardier's MITRAC propulsion equipment with energy efficient inverters and regenerative braking.

Albert Scala has joined Urban Engineers as regional manager in California. He will manage task orders related to Urban's Project Management Oversight Consultant services contract for the Federal Transit Administration on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency's Westside Subway Extension and Regional Connector projects.

Michael Wells joined Direct ChassisLink Inc. as vice president of operations. He has spent his career in the transportation industry, most recently serving as executive VP of operations of Cardinal Logistics Management. Direct ChassisLink provides intermodal chassis equipment to the rail and marine industries.

Swingmaster has launched a redesigned version of its website at www.swingmastercorp.com.