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Rail industry suppliers and service providers continue to be active in the United States and abroad:

• European rail logistics firm VTG Aktiengesellschaft has acquired Texas Railcar Leasing Co. (TRLX), which leases rail cars to railroads and shippers in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Investment bank Citi Capital Strategies served as financial advisor to TRLX. Terms weren't disclosed. VTG Aktiengesellschaft, which currently manages a fleet of 48,200 rail cars, plans to acquire additional cars.

• Alstom Transport won a $950 million order from Italian train operator Nuovo Transporto Viaggiatori (NTV) for 25 AGV high-speed trains. The contract calls for maintaining the trains for 30 years and includes an option for an additional 10 trains. NTV will operate the trains — comprising 11 coaches — at speeds up to 186 mph on a new high-speed line set to open in 2011 in Italy.

• TÜVRheinland obtained a follow-on contract from the Irish National Railway Safety Authority's Railway Safety Commission to provide rolling stock consultant services in 2008. Last year, TÜVRheinland worked with commission members, Irish Rail engineers, and representatives from car builders Rotem and Tokyu Car Corp. to develop national approval processes, define safety criteria and assess the safety of three-car diesel multiple units built by Rotem and Tokyu. Operating at speeds up to 99 mph, the DMUs entered service last year.

• The David J. Joseph Co. named Travis Tuten manager of engineering mechanical services for the rail equipment group. With more than 17 years' experience in rail-car engineering, Tuten previously held various positions with CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and TNC Engineering. David J. Joseph Co. provides rail-car leasing, finance, logistics, and other rail, industrial and mill services.

• Crews from the History Channel's Modern Marvels program recently filmed portions of an upcoming episode at Brookville Equipment Corp.'s Brookville, Pa., plant. To air in mid-March, the epsiode will chronicle Brookville's 90-year history and technological advances in manufacturing underground mining locomotives and personnel carriers. Brookville also produces road and yard switchers, and the three-engine CoGeneration™ switcher.