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• Alstom won a $175 million contract from the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to provide a fully automated control system for São Paulo Metro's 1, 2 and 3 lines — Alstom's largest-ever metro signaling project. Alstom will renovate an existing train control system by equipping the lines with Urbalis, the company's communications-based train control and telecommunication system. The new system is expected to enter service in 2010.

• Bombardier Transportation recently marked the launch of the first ELECTROSTAR train for South Africa's Gautrain rapid rail link. Bombardier is building 96 ELECTROSTAR vehicles for the 50-mile line. Bombardier also signed a long-term framework agreement with Knorr-Bremse under which Knorr-Bremse will become Bombardier's preferred braking system supplier. The pact also calls for the two companies to define a unified, streamlined process for future supply contracts and "implement common technical standard solutions to offer competitive systems to the marketplace," according to a prepared statement.

• Rail Development Group L.L.C. (RDG) won a contract from the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority to remanufacture switch machines. RDG, which supplies relays and switch machines in North America, expects to complete the work within 180 days.

• MotivePower Inc. will mark the delivery of the first MPXpress® locomotive to Minnesota's Northstar Corridor Development Authority on July 10. The unit is the first of five locomotives MotivePower will build for the 40-mile Northstar commuter-rail line, which is slated to open next year and run between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn.

• UNIT Rail Anchor Co. has appointed Gary Hines western sales manager. He will be responsible for the BNSF Railway Co., Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific Railroad and all other railroad, contractor and track supply dealer accounts west of the Mississippi River. Hines most recently served Pandrol USA in various capacities.