Rail supplier news from Siemens, Thales, Wabtec, WSP and NRC (April 10)

Bane NOR SF, Norway's rail company, has chosen Siemens to equip its 2,600-track-mile rail network with the European Train Control System Level 2-type Trainguard. Siemens also will provide Sinet, an interlocking-type Simis W and IP-based wayside network communication solution. The contract is valued at $989 million. The agreement also includes maintenance services for 25 years, Siemens officials said in a press release Bane NOR plans to invest more than $2.4 billion to digitize and automate its rail network over the next decade.

Thales has obtained a contract to provide computer-based interlocking systems across Societe de transport de Montreal's underground rail lines. The agreement includes replacement of eight interlocking systems, with the option to replace eight more at 15 existing stations and one new depot. The new systems are designed to ensure service quality and support future network developments, Thales officials said in a press release. The contract's value was not disclosed.

Wabtec Corp. has acquired Annax, a supplier of public address and passenger information systems for transit vehicles. Based in Germany, Annax has annual sales of about $55 million. The company, which serves car builders and operators globally, provides communication systems, intercoms, audio technologies and displays. Annax has operations in Germany, Switzerland and China. The company is an "excellent strategic fit" with Wabtec's existing electronics business, said Wabtec President and Chief Executive Officer Raymond Betler in a press release. Financial terms of the acquisition weren't disclosed.

WSP USA Senior Principal Technical Specialist Jeffrey Schultz has been appointed vice chair of the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) Railroad Operating Technologies Committee. He has more than 30 years of experience in rail transportation engineering, including six years with WSP. Schultz is the service planning team leader for the Connecticut Department of Transportation's planned CTrail Hartford Line.

The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) is seeking applicants for its 2018 scholarship program. NRC will award three individual scholarships: $12,000 for first place; $6,000 for second place; and $3,000 for third place. To be eligible, an applicant must be a child or grandchild of a current employee at an NRC member company. Applicants also must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited two-year college offering an associate's degree or an accredited four-year college or university offering a bachelor's degree. Recently graduated high school seniors are eligible, too. For more information, visit NRC's website.