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• Amsted Rail Co. Inc. announced it’s considering a plan to reopen a wheel manufacturing facility in Bessemer, Ala., that’s been idle since 2001. Amsted Rail officials recently held discussions with representatives from the Birmingham Business Alliance, Alabama Development Office, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County Economic Industrial Development Authority, Birmingham Industrial Development Board and city of Birmingham. “The market for railroad wheels in North America has always been cyclical, but we are committed to being prepared for the anticipated upturn in demand stemming from projected increases in new freight car builds and rail traffic volumes over the next few years,” said Amsted Rail President John Wories in a prepared statement. Pending negotiations with local economic development authorities, the facility would be upgraded with the latest technology and readied for production when the rail-car market returns, according to Amsted Rail.

• Train control and communications systems provider Invensys Rail has promoted Kevin Riddett to chief operating officer. The company also named John Paljug president of Invensys Rail in North America to succeed Riddett.  All of Invensys Rail’s operating businesses now will report to Riddett, whose main responsibility will be continuing to improve the company’s technology and delivery capabilities, according to a press release. Chief Executive Offier James Drummond now will focus on Invensys Rail’s long-term strategic development, including the implementation of Invensys Rail's “Railway of Tomorrow" program.

• International rail consulting firm Interfleet Technology has appointed Phil Ransom as principal consultant. Most recently managing director of consulting firm Cambrian Co., Ransom has more than 35 years of rail industry experience, including senior positions at Amey, AMEC and Network Rail.

• Trucking and intermodal service provider J. B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announced its year-to-date intermodal volume has surpassed 1 million loads for the first time in the company’s history. J. B. Hunt began intermodal operations in 1989 with BNSF Railway Co. Now, the company provides intermodal services in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and operates about 43,000 53-foot containers.