Rail supplier news from GE, Bombardier, Stantec, Hardesty & Hanover and WAGO (Nov. 16)

GE Transportation will supply 12 Evolution Series locomotives, parts training and services to Moldovan Railways. The agreement marks GE's first locomotive order in Moldova, company officials said in a press release. The TE33AC locomotives feature a 12-cylinder, 4000-horsepower Evolution Series engine that meets European Union emissions standards. Compared to Moldovan Railways' existing fleet, the new units can "significantly" reduce harmful emissions, economize on fuel and labor costs and increase time between maintenance overhauls, GE officials said. Financial details of the order were not disclosed.

Switzerland's Federal Office of Transport has issued a two-year operating license for Swiss Federal Railways' new Bombardier Twindexx double-deck multiple unit trains. The decision marks a key step toward the new trains' introduction on Dec. 9. Each Twindexx train features fire alarm systems and video surveillance for better safety and security, according to a Bombardier press release.

Stantec has hired Kai Huang and Jonathan Kanaga as railway engineers in Chicago. Huang has four years of experience in railroad track design and civil design, specifications and estimates, and construction inspections on Class I design projects. Kanaga's six years of rail industry experience includes track design, station layout, feasibility studies, corridor planning and project management responsibilities.

Hardesty & Hanover has named Bret Farmer national director of freight rail. He'll lead bridge, station and facility design, as well as inspection and maintenance services for freight-rail clients, Hardesty & Hanover officials said in a press release. Farmer has more than 26 years of experience in transportation engineering, with a focus on freight-rail projects. He's a member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, where he chairs Committee 8 on concrete structures and foundations.

WAGO has hired Steven Jacobs as regional sales manager for Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. He spent a year as a frac engineer for Halliburton in Colorado before joining Rexel as an automation engineer in Oklahoma City.