Rail supplier from CTC, Siemens, Brookville, Railway Supply Institute and CF Rail (Oct. 12)

The Denton County Transportation Authority tapped CTC Inc. to implement signal systems enhancements to the 21-mile A-train commuter line. As part of the project, CTC will implement a cloud-based track circuit monitoring system for real-time alarming, interactive data analysis and historical rending services for the agency's passenger rail line. The system employs IP-connected x-TCM units to detect and report track anomalies, such as loss-of-shunt or degrading track conditions, CTC officials said in a news release. The signal systems enhancement project is underway and is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2016.

Siemens has been awarded an option to deliver an additional five S70 light-rail vehicles for Metro Transit in the Minneapolis-St.Paul region. The $20 million order will add to the agency's existing 59 light-rail vehicles currently in operation on the METRO Green and Blue lines. The new units will be used to enhance service on these lines, which are experiencing record ridership, according to a Siemens news release. Meanwhile, Siemens was awarded a $112 million contract to build an additional 29 SD-160 light-rail vehicles for the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD). The agency will now have more than 200 Siemens vehicles operating on its light-rail system. The new units are set to be delivered in early 2018.

At the Global Light Rail Awards in London last week, Brookville Equipment Corp. won the award for Technical Innovation of the Year for its Liberty Modern Streetcar. Developed in partnership with Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the Liberty Modern Streetcar's onboard energy storage system uses a redundant lithium ion battery to power the Dallas Streetcar over the one-mile Houston Street Viaduct. The Dallas Streetcar is the first and only off-wire capable system to operate in the United States, Brookville officials said in a press release.

Railway Supply Institute (RSI) President Tom Simpson announced the election of three new members of the board of directors at the organization's annual meeting held during Railway Interchange last week. The new members are: Jason Connell, vice president of sales and marketing at New York Air Brake; Adam Lent, assistant vice president of supply chain at TTX Co.; and William O'Donnell, executive director of global sales at Miner Enterprises. They will begin serving three-year terms on Jan. 1, 2016. Additionally, Pat Ameen was named RSI's secretary-treasurer. Ameen is VP of industry relations at Amsted Rail Company Inc.

CF Rail Services appointed Chuck Zekis director of network sales, sourcing and business development. He was promoted from his previous position as director of sourcing, procurement and materials administration.