Rail supplier news from Boatright, Stella-Jones, ABB, Bombardier, Timken and Michael Baker (March 19)

Boatright Railroad Products announced yesterday that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Stella-Jones Inc. to sell its wood treating facilities in Montevallo and Clanton, Ala., to Stella-Jones. Boatright manufactures, sells and distributes creosote- and borate-treated crossties, as well as switch ties, tie plugs and bridge timbers to railroad operators. The transaction is expected to close during Stella-Jones' second quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, including a definitive asset purchase agreement.

ABB and its consortium partner UK Power Networks Services have obtained a $145 million contract from Network Rail to upgrade one of Britain's oldest and busiest railways between major towns and cities across southern England and Wales. The consortium will be responsible for the turnkey delivery of more than 30 new traction substations. The contract represents the first sizable new electrification project to be undertaken by Network Rail in more than 30 years.

Bombardier Transportation and Paribus-DIF-Netz-West-Lokomotiven GmbH & Co. KG (Paribus-DIF) have signed an $83 million contract for the delivery of 15 Bombardier TRAXX diesel multi-engine locomotives in Germany. The contract includes an option of up to five additional locomotives. An additional $8 million service contract for modern control electronics in cab cars was signed with Paribus-DIF-Netz-West-Waggon GmbH & Co. KG, a sister company of Paribus-DIF-Netz-West-Lokomotiven GmbH & Co. KG. Delivery is scheduled for 2015.

The Timken Co. has established a joint venture with European Bearing Corp. aimed at serving industrial markets in Russia and the broader Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The venture, which is contingent upon various regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, will operate as EPK-Timken Bearing Co.

James Kinahan has joined Michael Baker International L.L.C. Construction Services Group in Chicago as a construction specialist to support the continued expansion of the firm’s rail and transit market sector. A 36-year veteran of operations and maintenance of transit facilities and equipment, Kinahan most recently served the Transportation Learning Center in Silver Spring, Md., where he was project director for the elevator/escalator transit consortium maintenance apprentice training program.