Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Herzog, Greenbrier, Quintiq and Outfront Media (Oct. 4)

Wabtec Corp. has acquired AM General Contractor, a manufacturer of safety systems for passenger-rail cars. AM primarily builds fire protection and extinguishing systems, including patented infrared technology. The company also provides aftermarket services and components for both rail and industrial markets. The acquisition will open up growth opportunities in an expanding retrofit market over the next five years, said Wabtec President and Chief Executive Officer Raymond Betler in a press release. Financial details of the transaction weren't disclosed.

Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWRR) has selected Herzog Technologies Inc. to provide positive train control (PTC) hosting services, which are designed to simplify and accelerate PTC implementation. Herzog's hosting services also will help make the short line interoperable with its host railroads, company officials said in a press release. FWRR is implementing PTC on a number of locomotives as required by federal legislation. The railroad operates 276 miles of track through eight counties in North Central Texas.

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. has received orders for 3,900 rail cars during its fourth fiscal quarter ended Aug. 31. Valued at $320 million total, the orders are for a range of rail-car types, including double-stack intermodal units, covered hoppers, automotive-carrying units and tank cars. The activity demonstrates the "benefit of focusing on core North American business" as the company continues to gain traction in the international markets, said Greenbrier Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William Furman in a press release. The company also expects its diluted earnings per share guidance has grown from $3.45 to $3.65 for the fiscal-year ended Aug. 31.

Quintiq's workforce planning software has gone live at New Zealand's KiwiRail after nine weeks of implementation. Quintiq's software is designed to improve workforce planning and rostering at KiwiRail, which has 3,400 staff members in multiple locations across New Zealand. In addition, the software will support KiwiRail's workforce optimization goals by equipping planners with tools to make informed decisions about scheduling, Quintiq officials said in a press release.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) board has chosen Outfront Media Inc. to provide advertising and digital communications platform across the agency's subway, commuter-rail and bus systems. The agreements will continue Outfront Media's long-term public-private partnership with the MTA and present new opportunities for the agency to provide real-time updates for riders, company officials said in a press release. Working with the MTA, Outfront Media will deploy more than 50,000 digital displays across the agency's systems. After the execution of definitive agreements, Outfront's "Liveboard" digital displays will be installed on a rolling basis beginning in 2018.