Rail supplier news from Protran, FreightCar America, AllTranstek, Baker International and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff (May 27)

Harsco Rail's Protran Technology unit has secured an order from CSX for the COMPASS™ railway asset location and awareness system. This marks the company's first key order from a U.S. Class I, Harsco Rail officials said in a press release. COMPASS is Protran's proprietary telematics system designed to enable a railroad and other major fleet operators to achieve real-time asset awareness, productivity analysis and maintenance tracking across a range of vehicles, regardless of their operating location. The system's automated software platform uses a combination of cellular or satellite communications to upload data to a single location. CSX has ordered the system for installation on 40 of its track maintenance machines. Protran expects follow-up orders as the railroad expands its deployment of the technology to additional units.

FreightCar America Inc. has appointed Theodore Baun chief commercial officer, effective June 1. The newly created position expands Baun’s previous responsibilities as senior vice president of marketing and sales, a position he assumed in August 2008. A 22-year veteran of the rail-car industry, Baun will report to FreightCar America President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph McNeely. Baun previously served as director of sales for Mitsui Rail Capital LLC from 2003 to 2005.

AllTranstek LLC has restructured its fleet management teams by adding a fourth team and promoting several employees. Each of AllTranstek's four fleet management teams include maintenance managers, fleet coordinators and a team account manager. The restructuring is aimed at accommodating increased demand for AllTranstek's services as the company surpasses 250,000 rail cars under management, AllTranstek officials said in a press release. The company also announced that Allison Bernabei will oversee onboarding of new accounts in conjunction with the company's client services, technical services and strategic services teams.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has awarded Michael Baker International a $7.5 million contract to design roadway system improvements at the Paoli Intermodal Transportation Center, which is a key rail depot in Philadelphia’s western suburbs. The station serves both Amtrak and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trains. Michael Baker's role includes the design of roadway enhancements that are aimed at improving traffic flow in the vicinity of the station. Improvements to both the station and the surrounding roadway system are expected to wrap up by 2021.

WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff has appointed John McConkey a senior engineer to lead electrical design teams for tunnel and transit projects. Based in the firm's New York office, McConkey for the past 30 years served the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he was chief electrical engineer since 2007. In addition, he managed the in-house design of a substation for the PATH system, and the rehabilitation and redesign for resiliency of traction power substations damaged by Hurricane Sandy.