Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Acciona, Amico, Alstom, Unipart and AECOM (March 14)

Wabtec Corp. announced that Grupo RAS, a Uruguay-based multinational integrated logistics leader, has ordered three C23EMP locomotives as it enters the Uruguayan rail market. The agreement marks Wabtec's first locomotive deal with Grupo RAS. The C23EMP locomotives are designed for reliable light-axle-load operations on narrow-gauge tracks. The units are equipped with fuel-efficient, electronically fuel-injected 12-cylinder FDL engines. Wabtec will manufacture the locomotives at its plant in Contagem, Brazil.

Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc. and joint venture partner Amico Major Projects Inc. have been selected by the province of Ontario to design and build a nearly 2-mile section of the Ontario Line subway project in Toronto. The elevated guideway and stations section — awarded by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx — includes five above-ground stations. Once completed, the Ontario Line will stretch for 10 miles and feature 15 new stations.

Alstom announced plans to operate a new passenger-rail service across England and Wales. Working with consultancy SLC Rail, the open access operation will be known as the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR). Alstom will operate its own rail service in the United Kingdom for the first time. WSMR is seeking to introduce direct connection to and from North Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands and London that doesn’t exist today, according to an Alstom press release.

Unipart Rail has formed a strategic partnership with Thomson Engineering Design Ltd. to deliver solutions designed to improve the safety, productivity and efficiency of railway maintenance and repair projects worldwide. Thomson provides products for rail maintenance sectors and activities. The new agreement positions Unipart Rail as Thomson’s exclusive sales and distribution partner in Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and North America. Additional territories could be potentially added in the future.

AECOM has released its inaugural report, "From Vision to Reality," which the infrastructure consulting firm describes as a new high-speed rail (HSR) playbook that investigates the latest trends, common challenges and best practices for delivering HSR lines around the world.