Updates from Alstom, RailComm, PowerRail Distribution, SynchroNet Marine and Xorail

• Alstom Transport and Spanish partner Inabensa recently signed a $16.4 million contract with the government of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia in Spain to electrify Granada's tramway system. Alstom's share of the contract totals $9.8 million and includes installing 22 miles of caetenary and seven traction substations. The electrification work is scheduled to be complete by July 2011. The 9.8-mile tramway will include 26 stations. Alstom also obtained an $11 million contract from Réseau Ferré de France to equip the French sections of freight corridors C and D with its European Railway Traffic Management System Level 1 solution, Atlas 100. Alstom will ensure the ERTMS is deployed across 1,242 miles of track and 4,100 signals. The contract could be extended to five years, totaling $147 million. Finally, Alstom opened a building at its Neuhausen, Switzerland, facility to test and validate train bogies. The supplier developed a new test bench at the site that can accommodate complete bogies, including the underfram, suspensions, transmission and engines.

• RailComm Inc. has provided a wireless remote-control yard system for CSX Transportation's Tilford Yard in Atlanta. The Domain Operations Controller (DOC®) system remotely controls 17 GE Transportation HydraSwitch machines and a crossing gate. The system is configured to control all switches individually, as well as provide entrance (NX) routing functionality, according to RailComm.

• PowerRail Distribution Inc. recently formed a long-term partnership with National Maintenance and Repair, a full-service Association of American Railroads M-1003 engine rebuilder. National Maintenance and Repair also rebuilds components, including power assemblies and engine pumps. The partnership also will position PowerRail to offer technical sales and service, and additional field support for the rail industry.

• SynchroNet Marine Inc. has formed a new sister company, SynchroNet Intermodal Services Inc. (SIS), which will provide ramp-to-ramp stack train transportation, capacity availability, customized asset management services and online equipment visibility services. Formerly Marine's domestic division, SIS will be led by Marc DiNapoli, who will serve as managing director. The division will offer services in Chesapeake and Charlottesville, Va.; Chicago; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Pleasanton, Calif.

• Xorail has moved its corporate headquarters to a new location at 5011 Gate Parkway in Jacksonville, Fla. The firm "felt this was an opportune time to reduce costs, make the move to a facility that would better serve our employees and customers, and still allow for expansion to meet the growing needs of the industry in the future," said Xorail President and Chief Executive Officer Kash Krishnarao in a prepared statement.