Rail supplier news from Nomad Digital, New York Air Brake, Ritchie Bros., Alstom, Bowman, Gannett Fleming and RAIL.ONE (Sept. 24)

Nomad Digital has been chosen by Bombardier Transportation to deploy WiFi on 75 new six-car passenger trains in South East Queensland, Australia. Nomad was selected based on the strength of its existing relationship with Queensland Rail, for which it deployed a passenger WiFi solution on 64 trains in operation since 2012, according to a company press release.

This month, New York Air Brake will begin a year-long celebration to mark its 125th anniversary. The company was founded in 1890 to build brake valves for freight trains. Today, the company employs more than 800 people in four states, manufactures brake controls, air supply and rail-car truck equipment, and provides various rail services.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is scheduled to sell more than 750 rail and industrial equipment items at an unreserved public auction Oct. 2 in Chicago. The auction will follow the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance Association (AREMA) trade show to be held Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Bids in the auction can be made in person, online in real time or by placing proxy bids.

Deutsche Bahn AG and Alstom unveiled the first of a new generation of H3 hybrid shunting locomotives at InnoTrans 2014 in Berlin. Starting in 2015, five locomotives will be tested to verify the technical and economic readiness of the train in daily use. The three-axle H3 hybrid locomotive is environmentally friendly, consuming up to 50 percent less fuel than conventional shunting locomotives and cutting pollutant emissions by up to 70 percent, according to an Alstom press release. In addition, noise emissions are significantly reduced, the company said.

Richard Bennett has joined Bowman Consulting's office in Richmond, Va., as director of right of way and utility coordination services. Bennett has more than 46 years of experience in the transportation and utility sectors, 37 of which he spent at the Virginia Department of Transportation, most recently as right of way and utilities director.

Brian King has been named a vice president with Gannett Fleming. Based in the firm’s corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa., King serves as a manager of maintenance facilities in the firm's transit and rail section. He will oversee the planning, design, and construction-phase services of bus and rail maintenance facility projects throughout the United States and Canada. King has more than 25 years of experience.

The RAIL.ONE Group recently redesigned its website, www.railone.com., to improve menu navigation and pages for smartphones and tablets.