Rail supplier news from Ricardo, Greenbrier, Bechtel and Vertical Transportation (April 20)

Ricardo will acquire Lloyd's Register Group's rail divisions for $63.3 million. Ricardo aims to acquire both Lloyd's Register Rail Limited and Lloyd's Register Rail Europe B.V., as well as the company's other rail-related assets. The acquisition is slated for completion on July 1, Ricardo officials said.

Greenbrier Cos. opened a new rail-car production facility in the Mexican city of Xicotencatl, Tlaxcala, Kansas City Southern de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) announced. KCSM provided incentives in the form of concession land, track and a passenger depot for Greenbrier to select the location, railroad officials said in an item posted on the "KCS News" web page. The plant will be capable of producing 18 new rail cars per year at full capacity.

The Toronto Transit Commission entered into an agreement with Bechtel Canada Co. for project management of its Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, the commission announced. The contract value is $80 million (in Canadian dollars). Betchel staff has begun work and will form an integrated team with existing personnel at the agency.

Vertical Transportation Excellence will mark its 15th anniversary May 1. The firm has worked on escalator projects for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as well as the Phoenix Sky Train.