Rail supplier news from Cad Railway, Allied Track, Arup, Holland, Pandrol and Network Rail (Dec. 21)

Cad Railway Industries Ltd. has acquired rail-car repair company Caltrax Inc. The transaction will enable Quebec-based Cad to reinforce its freight servicing capabilities and solidify its market position by gaining a network across Canada of on-site repair facilities, Cad officials said in a press release. In addition, Caltrax's mobile repair service units are expected to boost Cad's customer service. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Canadian rail contractor Allied Track Services has acquired Pittsburg Bottom Line Co., a Texas-based railroad bridge contractor. RR Mergers & Acquisitions advised Pittsburg Bottom Line on the sale. Allied Track Services provides maintenance of way and other related rail services from four locations across Canada, according to a press release issued by RR Mergers. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Arup served as the prime consultant for two new stations on the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) recently opened Line 1 subway extension. As part of its role in the project, the company provided comprehensive, multidisciplinary engineering and consulting services for the Vaughan Metropolitan Center and York University stations. Grimshaw Architects completed the architectural designs for the Vaughan station, while Foster + Partners provided the architectural designs for the York University Station. Adamson Associates Architects served as the architect of record for both stations. The TTC's 5.3-mile subway extension runs from the Sheppard West Station in Toronto to Ontario's York Region.

Holland LP Executive Vice President for Maintenance of Way Kevin Flaherty will retire Dec. 31. He worked at the company for 15 years and spent four decades in the rail industry. During his tenure at Holland, Flaherty was a "driving force" behind the company's progress, Holland officials said in a press release. Under Flaherty's leadership, Holland expanded its fleet and presence on every Class I in North America. Flaherty also played a key role in the introduction of the Puller-Lite and specialty control system at Holland, company officials said.

Pandrol has appointed Arnaud Pierrard to a newly created senior management position responsible for manufacturing excellence and quality certification. He will support industrial productivity and improvement strategies across the company’s four product lines: fasteners, aluminothermic welding, equipment and control, and electrification, Pandrol officials said in a press release. Pierrard has significant international experience in industrial management culled from his various roles at Thyssenkrupp, Vallourec and Itron Group, they said. He will be responsible for implementing, following and coordinating programs involving industrial performance, particularly pertaining to productivity, quality and safety, Pandrol officials said.

Todd Blaylock has joined Network Rail Consulting as vice president, U.S. East. He'll be responsible for providing direction in the areas of business growth, operations, staff development and project delivery. Blaylock previously worked at HNTB Corp., where he was responsible for implementing a positive train control system on behalf of New Jersey Transit. Before that, he worked at the Parsons Transportation Group and Ansaldo STS. In 2015, Progressive Railroading recognized Blaylock as a Rising Star in the rail industry.