Rail supplier updates from Strato, Miner; and, in memoriam: Deane Folsom Sr. (July 20)

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Coupling System and Truck Casting Committee approved Strato Inc.'s E50BE Knuckle to the AAR M-216 Knuckle Fatigue Test specification. The specification requires an average fatigue life of at least 600,000 cycles, Strato officials said in a press release. Additionally, Strato's knuckle has received approval to all AAR requirements for material, foundry technical, quality assurance and component standards.

Miner Enterprises Inc. earned the Premier Supplier Award from TrinityRail. The company received the award as a result of its "track record of providing high quality products, on time delivery and superior customer service," Miner officials said in a press release. TrinityRail presented the award at its annual supplier luncheon in Dallas.

Deane Folsom Sr., a 60-year veteran of the railroad industry, died July 15. He was 90. Folsom was born in Maine and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied naval architecture. He went on to work for several railroads, including the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, the New Haven, the Boston & Maine and Amtrak. He also was a longtime associate and senior adviser at PTSI Transportation. Folsom is survived by his wife, Oris; a daughter, two sons and several grandchildren.