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• Caterpillar subsidiary Progress Rail Services reached an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad to test five remanufactured SD40-2 locomotives on intermediate-haul routes. Originally built in the 1970s, the locomotives now feature 3,005-horsepower low-emission diesel engines to meet the U.S. Environmental protection Agency's Tier 2 emissions standards and will be the first tested for intermediate hauls. The 12-month test — to be conducted in regional service in the Midwest and California — will begin later this year. The five prototypes provide more power than a typical 2,000-horsepower, four-axle Genset, but less power than a 4,400-horsepower, six-axle line haul locomotives, Progress Rail said.

• Wabtec Corp. signed an agreement to acquire rail equipment supplier Standard Car Truck for $300 million in cash. Standard Car Truck supplies engineered components for locomotives and freight cars, including truck springs, friction wedges and wear plates. Wabtec expects the transaction to be completed in the fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and antitrust clearance. The company plans to finance the transaction with proceeds from a new $500 million credit facility from a group of banks.

• Intrade International Inc. won an order totaling $1.5 million from Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex) for one high-capacity rescue Mantis Crane. The company will deliver the crane in second-quarter 2009. Ferromex will use the equipment in crane service as part of a "safety first" program.

• CommScope Inc. division Andrew obtained a contract to upgrade communications infrastructure on one of Singapore's mass rapid-transit rail lines. The upgrades will support a third-generation wireless network on the line to provide commuters better wireless coverage and reception, greater bandwidth and higher download speeds when using mobile devices.

• Engineering firm Hardesty & Hanover has named Sean Bluni chief operating officer. He will be responsible for day-to-day operations. Bluni has served Hardesty & Hanover in various capacities the past 16 years and has managed several major projects.