Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Landstar, Alstom, Beacon Rail Leasing, Yusen Logistics and Alliance Shippers (May 23)

Wabtec Corp. has landed a $21 million contract to design, install, test and commission a positive train control system for the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. Under the contract, Wabtec will provide its interoperable electronic train management system (I-ETMS®) equipment for 17 locomotives, complete wayside and communications design, and handle construction and training, and system integration. The work is expected to wrap up in 2018.

Landstar System Inc. last month broke ground on a new cross-border logistics center in Laredo, Texas. To be located on a 50-acre site, the 31,000-square-foot facility will enable the company to continue growing its Mexico service offerings, which include rail, truck, less than truckload, transload, customs brokerage and freight forwarding services. A 30-bay cross dock and transload facility is planned at the new Laredo center, as well as a dedicated and expanded heavy-haul section of the yard, which will include a 120-ton stand-alone bridge crane.

Alstom has won a $51.5 million contract from rapid transit operator Shanghai Shentong to modernize 68 metro cars in service on the Shanghai metro line 5. Under the contract, Alstom will also be responsible for supplying traction and train control management systems for 198 new cars slated to enter service on the existing line and its extension, which will open by the end of next year. Shanghai's 10.6-mile metro line 5 opened in 2003 and includes 11 stations. The extension will add 10.3 miles and nine stations. Alstom recently supplied the traction for 210 additional metro cars on the Shanghai metro line 4.

Beacon Rail Leasing has entered into an agreement to purchase 13 sets of five-car intercity vehicles, which will be leased to English commuter-rail operator TransPennine Express Ltd. Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles will manufacture the vehicles, which are slated to begin service in 2018. Beacon's Class 68 diesel locomotives will initially haul the vehicles between Liverpool and Newcastle, England.

Yusen Logistics Mexico has named Jordan Dewart president. In the new position, Dewart will be responsible for the company's overall performance, including sales, business development and all corporate functions. In addition, he'll oversee construction of the company's Baji Logistics Center, a 55,000-square-foot facility that will serve Mexico's growing automotive manufacturing industry, Yusen Logistics officials said in a press release. Dewart, who's worked with the company for 18 years, most recently was vice president of Yusen Logistics Mexico. He has expertise in NAFTA customs requirements, asset- and non-asset-based surface transportation, and global ocean and air freight forwarding.

Alliance Shippers Inc. has hired Sherri Tipton as a national account manager. She'll focus on overseeing major accounts for inbound shipments to and from Canada, Mexico and the United States. In addition to managing existing accounts and obtaining new ones, Tipton will also be responsible for analyzing pricing, presenting proposal packages, negotiation pricing and setting up or renewing customer contracts on an annual basis. Her areas of expertise include intermodal, flatbed business development and brokerage operations. Tipton has more than 20 years of transportation experience.