Rail supplier news from Vossloh, Alstom, Rail Safety Consulting, Louis Berger, Ritron and Parsons Brinckerhoff (Aug. 28)

Vossloh AG plans to open a rail fastening systems production plant in Waco, Texas. Work on the plant will begin in the third quarter, with regular production scheduled to begin after mid-2014, Vossloh officials said in a press release. By manufacturing fastening systems in the United States, Vossloh will meet requirements of the Buy American Act, they said.

Alstom has obtained a $18.7 million contract from Ch. Karnchang Public Co. Ltd., one of Thailand's largest general contractors and infrastructure designers, to extend the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand's Green Line. Alstom will help design and construct trackwork and the third-rail power collector from Bearing to Samutpakran Station, as well as a 48-acre depot that will house trains operating on the line.

Rail Safety Consulting (RSC), a division of TUV Rheinland Mobility Inc., has obtained the second portion of a two-part consulting contract from Alaska Railroad Corp. TUV RSC will assist with the ongoing development and deployment of the railroad's positive train control system. The initial contract was awarded to RSC in 2010.

Louis Berger's joint venture with Hill International has obtained a $265 million contract from the Arriyadh Development Authority for project and construction management services for the Riyadh metro project in Saudi Arabia. The joint venture will oversee design and construction deliverables throughout the project for Package 3, which consists of three of six lines in the new metro system. Louis Berger is a 55 percent majority partner in the joint venture.

Ritron Inc. has delivered 59 of its RCCR-151 narrowband analog locomotive radios to MTA Long Island Rail Road. The $200,000 order was awarded in March to Ritron's authorized dealer, Diversified Electronics Systems. The purchase included Ritron's RCCR one-piece, narrowband capable model.

The Chicago Transit Authority awarded a contract for construction management services to Parsons Brinckerhoff for transit projects throughout the system. Under the on-call contract, Parsons Brinckerhoff will provide services in all phases of project delivery from pre-construction through closeout. The first projects authorized under the contract are the south Red Line track renewal and station improvements projects with construction costs of $220 million and $44 million, respectively.