Rail supplier news from ENSCO, Miller Ingenuity, Talgo and RSI (Nov. 7)

Canadian Pacific has awarded ENSCO Rail a contract to provide inspection systems for the railroad's new track evaluation car. The unit will be equipped with track measurement and imaging system technology to provide key indicators of track quality and safety, ENSCO officials said in a press release. Specifically, the onboard technology installed on the new CP car will include a track geometry system, rail profile measurement system, track component imaging system and other systems. Together, the systems are expected to provide the data needed to help improve track maintenance and reduce operating costs, ENSCO officials said.

Miller Ingenuity has entered an agreement to install its ZoneGuard electronic roadway worker protection system on the Maryland Transit Administration's light-rail lines. The system provides a "robust communication network" that's triggered when a track vehicle approaches an on-track worker or work crew, Miller Ingenuity officials said in a press release. In addition, the train detection and communication network architecture is designed to eliminate costly false alerts found on similar systems. ZoneGuard also can be outfitted with wearable devices that provide equipped workers with an alert of an impending train.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has approved overhaul work on an additional 36 rail vehicles at Talgo's plant in Milwaukee. A $73 million contract announced last year called for Talgo to replace internal systems on 38 rail vehicles. The agreement included an option to perform the same services on 36 more vehicles, and Metro exercised the option in late October, according to a press release issued by Milwaukee Alderman Khalif Rainey.

Railway Supply Institute (RSI) President Tom Simpson last week announced changes to RSI's board for 2018. Jason Connell, senior vice president of sales and marketing with New York Air Brake, will become secretary-treasurer. He'll take the place of Bob Hulick, who was named vice chair. Hulick is an executive VP with Trinity Rail Group. Jack Isselmann, senior VP of external affairs and programs at The Greenbrier Cos. Inc., has been appointed to complete Connell's one-year board term starting Jan. 1, 2018. The changes were necessary following the death of RSI Secretary-Treasurer Dan O'Neal in October, Simpson said in a press release. A former Greenbrier board member, O'Neal served as RSI's secretary-treasurer this year and was slated to become vice chair in 2018.