Rail supplier news from Vossloh, Oldcastle, RailComm and ProTran (Jan. 21)

Vossloh AG issued a statement yesterday to acknowledge that its Executive Board is aware of KB Holding GmbH's intention to submit a voluntary, public takeover bid for Vossloh: "We are pleased to have KB Holding GmbH as a long-term oriented investor. The board will examine the bid immediately after publication and then issue a reasoned statement on the subject."

Oldcastle Precast's Ogden, Utah, plant was contracted to supply 2,400 track feet of the company's StarTrack grade crossing modules as part of the Utah Transit Authority's TRAX Station tactile and grade crossing replacements along the light-rail line. Oldcastle Precast was contracted by general contractor Stacy & Witbeck Inc. to manufacture and deliver 320, 7.5-foot precast concrete crossing modules for the 10 double-track crossings. The modular StarTrack system allowed Stacy & Witbeck to install the crossings during short weekend road closures while keeping a single rail track in service, according to an Oldcastle press release.

RailComm has completed the installation of an advanced remote switch and third-rail heater control system for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. The heaters are controlled via RailComm's DOC^® System, with communications being handled with a combination of RADiANT^® serial radios, cellular modems and a fiber network along SEPTA lines.

ProTran Technology has received two major orders from agencies for the company's outdoor train detection system, which was designed to prevent accidents with trains or vehicles approaching maintenance, wash bays and transit facilities. The company developed the smart sensor detection system to detect only those objects requested — such as trains, MOW equipment and hi-rails — and give warnings to personnel.