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Amsted RPS has formed a joint venture with Switzerland-based Schwihag AG to manufacture and supply "skl" style rail fastening systems to the global heavy haul freight market, the company announced in a press release. The joint venture firms plan to establish new manufacturing capacity at Amsted RPS' facility in Atchison, Kan., to serve North American Class Is with components that are compliant with federal Buy America standards. "This joint venture will allow us to meet our customers' needs for high-performance rail fastening systems with the benefits of U.S.-based manufacturing," said Amsted RPS Vice President Wes Hodges.

On Tuesday, Bombardier Transportation participated in the grand opening of the new INNOVIA APM 200 automated people mover system known as PHX Sky Train™ at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Bombardier won the turnkey contract to design and supply all electrical and mechanical equipment, including a fleet of 18 driverless vehicles (six three-car trains), the CITYFLO 650 communications-based train control system, and power supply/distribution and communications systems.

A Thales-led consortium with Trakce has obtained a $99.5 million contract from PKP PLK, the Polish rail infrastructure operator, to modernize the Warsaw Okecie-Radom rail line. The project is designed to enhance safety, increase the line's capacity and enable trains to operate at speeds up to 99 mph, according to a Thales press release.

Harsco Corp. has appointed F. Nicholas Grasberger senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective April 22. Most recently, he was managing director of Precision Polymers Division of Fenner Plc. Grasberger also was CFO of Armstrong Holdings Inc., the parent of Armstrong World Industries, before serving as chief executive officer of the company's building products division. He also served stints at Kennametal Inc., H.J. Heinz Co. and USX Corp.

URS Corp. has named William Harnagel vice president and corporate controller. He has 20 years of experience as a senior vice financial manager in the engineering and construction industry. Prior to his promotion, he served as senior vice president and controller for URS' Power Group. He also served as VP and controller, finance and administration, for the company's Energy and Construction Division.

T.Y. Lin International has named Eric Winters rail group manager for southern California and Nevada. He will be responsible for providing railroad engineering designs and constructability reviews for West Coast rail projects. Winters has more than 20 years of experience in program management, project management, design and the construction of railroad and civil engineering projects involving mainline, siding, yards and industry tracks.