Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Sumitomo, Progress Rail, PSI and Alstom (Nov. 9)

Wabtec yesterday signed contracts with Egyptian National Railways (ENR) to supply 100 ES30ACi Evolution Series Locomotives, as well as a multiyear service agreement to maintain the fleet. The agreement supports ENR’s continued modernization effort by providing the latest fuel-efficient locomotives needed for the growing demands on Egypt’s rail infrastructure. The locomotive supply contract is funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Wabtec officials said in a press release.

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. received an order from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and shipped an assortment of cables for the Red Line Construction Project, a plan involving the building of a new commuter railway route in the Kingdom of Thailand. The government is promoting the Bangkok Mass Transit System Project to alleviate traffic congestion, improve air pollution and respond to increasing transportation demand in the Bangkok metropolitan area.

Progress Rail marked 125 years of manufacturing at its facility in Sandiacre, United Kingdom. Founded by the Taylor Brothers in 1896, the Sandiacre site was developed in the Nottingham area to meet the growing demand for specialized products to support the developing railway transportation network in the U.K. Over the past 125 years, the Sandiacre site has earned a reputation for providing high quality, sustainable, industry-leading switches, castings, crossings and associated products for Network Rail, London Underground and railways around the world.

PSI Repair Services Inc. a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, has entered into a service partnership with Dinghan SMART Railway Technology GmbH of Germany. Dinghan develops and manufactures innovative auxiliary power converters for international rolling stock. The product portfolio ranges from single devices, such as battery chargers or air conditioning inverters, to complete auxiliary power converters for passenger cars and multiple-unit trains. The partnership will provide a local expert for time-sensitive part repairs and engineering services for U.S. rail operators that rely on Dinghan SMART Railway Technology products.

Alstom and National Authority for Tunnels announced an agreement for 55 Metropolis trains (nine cars per train) and an eight-year maintenance contract, valued at 876 million euros, for the upgrade of Cairo Metro Line 1. Launched in 1987, Cairo Metro line 1 is the oldest metro line in Egypt.