Rail supplier news from Railhead, Avtec, WAGO and Transdev (Sept. 18)

Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway has begun a fleet-wide installation of Railhead Corp.'s Locomotive Digital Video Recorder (LDVR) HD system. The installations include forward- and inward-facing cameras, which are aimed at improving the quality of accident investigations and provide training tools to improve operator safety and compliance, Railhead officials said in a press release. The combination of LDVR, cameras and management software are expected to help Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway reduce maintenance and operating costs, improve efficiency and mitigate risk.

Avtec Inc. and Alcon Engenharia de Sistemas have been selected to provide a comprehensive dispatching solution for PAULISTA Metropolitan Trains Co.'s Line 13 commuter-rail route in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Avtec's solution will consist of seven Scout™ Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) consoles integrated with radio infrastructure. The technology is aimed at providing dispatchers with a reliable communications system to ensure safety, track control and operational efficiency, Avtec officials said in a press release. Slated to begin operations in 2018, the 7.6-mile Line 13 will connect downtown Sao Paulo to the Guarulhos International Airport.

WAGO has named Toby Thomann president of the company's North American headquarters in Germantown, Wisconsin. He has been with WAGO for 23 years and has worked as regional sales manager, zone manager, marketing manager and most recently vice president of sales. As president, Thomann will focus on providing exceeding customers' expectations and providing "strong leadership and vision," he said in a press release.

Jack Neel was appointed vice president and general counsel for Transdev Services Inc. In the role, Neel will assist the company in litigation and managing legal activities related to its transit contracts in North America. He previously served as vice president and assistant general counsel with National Express, an intercity coach operator in the United Kingdom. Before that, Neel was assistant general counsel for U.S. Foods Inc.