Rail supplier news from Rockwell Collins, TrinityRail, Lilee and Ross & Baruzzini (Oct. 6)

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has signed an agreement with Rockwell Collins to implement the company's ARINC RailwayNet service. The technology is a hosted network, messaging and application platform for passenger and freight railroads that creates a common communication infrastructure for positive train control (PTC) systems. RailwayNet will help VRE meet the federal PTC mandate "efficiently, cost effectively and securely," said Ken Schreder, Rockwell Collins vice president of strategic programs and surface transportation systems, in a press release. Financial terms of the pact weren't disclosed.

TrinityRail Asset Management Co. LLC (TRAMCo) served as an adviser and arranger for ECN Capital Corp.'s sale of 9,950 leased rail cars. A subsidiary of Trinity Industries Inc., TRAMCo also acted as adviser to Napier Global Capital LP, the investment manager for the purchaser of most of the portfolio. TRAMCo earned fees in its capacity as adviser and arranger. Trinity will continue to service the leased rail cars under the new ownership to help maintain a "seamless transition" for the lessees and strategic partners, said TrinityRail Group President D. Stephen Menzies in a press release. In August, ECN announced that it agreed to sell $1.487 million worth of rail-car asset to affiliates of ITE Management LP and Napier Global Capital.

Lilee Systems has named Edward Brandis business development manager of transit. Brandis will focus on increasing awareness of the company's technology-based solutions in the North American public transportation market. He has more than 20 years of experience in the transit industry.

Ross & Baruzzini Inc. has named Megan Huff vice president and managing principal of its Macro division, which provides rail, transit and public safety radio systems engineering consulting services. Huff most recently served as deputy chief and senior director of operations technology at Amtrak. She has 20 years of experience in the transportation sector.