Rail supplier news from Miner, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Quandel, and Road and Rail (April 18)

Miner Enterprises Inc.'s double groove pneumatic outlet gate for plastics has been specified on more than 2,400 new rail cars in recent months, the company announced today. The firm's recent orders for the product include hopper cars for CAI Rail, CIT Rail, The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. and Wells Fargo Rail. The outlet gate is designed to protect hopper car contents from the elements while preventing product leakage during storage or in transit. The gate features an obstruction-free valve to make it easier to sample or unload product, Miner Enterprise officials said in a press release.

Keith Holt was named director of engineering for railroad systems at WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. Holt has more than 41 years of experience in the design, construction and maintenance of signal and train control systems. Before joining the firm, he served as Amtrak's deputy chief engineer, communications and signals, where he oversaw the national passenger railroad's signal and train control systems, including positive train control. Holt also previously served as president of the transit and rail systems division at another major engineering firm.

Jeff Bucholc has joined Quandel Consultants to lead and develop the company's new rail and transit structures department. In the role, he'll support Quandel in structures business development, program management and execution. An Illinois Department of Transportation-approved program manager, Bucholc has more than 23 years of structural engineering experience.

Road and Rail Services Inc. Chief Commercial Officer Dennis Manns earlier this month was named the 2017 North American sales and marketing executive at the Automotive Global Awards in New Orleans. The award recognizes executives working in the automotive industry who have shown "initiative, dedication and excellence in leading their business," Road and Rail officials said in a press release. Manns implemented a tiered marketing strategy aimed at helping Road and Rail expand within the automotive, rail and commodities industries. Media company Three6Zero organized the awards ceremony.