Rail supplier news from Fluor, Atlantic Track, RATP, Alstom and Abloy (Jan. 25)

Fluor Corp. and its joint venture partner Walsh Construction Co. yesterday broke ground to rebuild and straighten a section of Chicago Transit Authority’s North Main Line Red and Purple Line track structure, a portion of track on the historic Red and Purple Modernization Phase I project. When completed, the new track will accommodate more trains and passengers and allow for increased train speeds. Along with removing the curve in the tracks, the Fluor joint venture will build a new closed-deck track structure with sound walls on the North Main line.

Atlantic Track has promoted Paul Schuler to vice president-operations to manage the growth and development of manufacturing. Schuler began his career with Atlantic Track in 2011 as a project engineer in St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Over the past several years, he grew Atlantic Track’s transit division by expanding product offerings. In his new role, he will develop and execute the strategic vision of the company’s operational goals for quality, manufacturing and information technology.

RATP Dev USA has appointed Tina Lainhart executive vice president of business development. She will implement comprehensive sales strategies to obtain new business in the United States. Her focus includes fixed route, paratransit, light-rail and shuttle service partnerships. She has more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry. Previously, Lainhart served as VP of business development at Halcyon Corp., VP of sales at Transdev North America and director of business development at First Group America.

Alstom and Deutsche Bahn (DB) in, cooperation with Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, last week put Alstom’s first fully approved battery train to the test with passengers on board. Yesterday, the battery electric multiple unit began revenue service with passengers in Baden-Wurttemberg and in Bavaria from Feb. 5. DB will operate the low-emission vehicle with its regional transport subsidiary DB Regio. The test operation will run until early May.

ASSA Abloy Global Solutions and Abloy Critical Infrastructure USA today launched a new expert services program for critical infrastructure protection in the United States. The new services will address customer concerns related to security and access management solutions, company officials said in a press release. The new program is designed to cover four disciplines: professional, managed, installation and training services.