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• Samuel, Son & Co. Ltd. announced it acquired Stanrail Corp., which manufactures and distributes rail-car components, including uncoupling levers, box-car floors, roofs and doors. Stanrail now will be part of Samuel’s Roll Form Group. Samuel named Nancy Beckley general manager/controller of Stanrail and she will report to Rick Balaz, president of the Roll Form Group. “Stanrail has a broad customer base in the railway industry that will provide us with a significant opportunity to promote our components within the industry,” said Balaz in a prepared statement.

• HDR has named John Orrison practice leader for railroad operations. He will be responsible for developing and expanding the firm’s freight-rail program in North America and abroad. Orrison previously was assistant vice president for service, design and performance for BNSF Railway Co., where he directed development of network plans for operation of daily merchandise service. He has more than 30 years of rail industry experience.

• Stella-Jones Inc. reported that fourth-quarter 2011 net income jumped 25.5 percent to $13.4 million, or 83 cents per fully diluted share, compared with the same period a year earlier. Sales for the period rose 10.9 percent to $147.5 million compared with $133.1 million in fourth-quarter 2010. For the full year, the company’s net income soared 61.8 percent to $55.7 million, or $3.48 per fully diluted share, versus 2010. Sales climbed 14.1 percent to $640.1 million. “Demand for our core railway tie and utility pole products remained solid throughout the year, as evidenced by double-digit sales growth excluding acquisitions and currency variations,” said Stella-Jones President and Chief Executive Officer Brian McManus in a press release.