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• Ansaldo STS Australia has obtained new signaling and communications contracts worth $45 million from Rio Tinto Iron Ore. The contracts mark the second major award made under a framework agreement, which calls for Ansaldo STS to supply railway signaling and communications for the Hope Downs 4 iron-ore project currently under way in the southeastern Pilbara region of western Australia. Under the framework agreement, Ansaldo STS will perform work over the next five years to support Rio Tinto’s major expansion and operational efficiency projects in the region.

• Alstom Transport has delivered a new, 125-mph Pendolino train to Virgin Trains, which is leasing the vehicle from rolling stock owner Angel Trains. The train, which will enter service next week, has undergone extensive testing over the past few months, according to Alstom. The train will be used to boost capacity of the West Coast Main Line in England, where passenger numbers have doubled to more than 28 million in the past six years, Alstom officials said in a press release. The 439-seat train will operate on Virgin Trains’ busiest routes.

• Invensys Rail has completed the first phase of the Seremban-to-Gemas double- track project for the planned start of a suburban passenger service to Sungai Gadut in Malaysia. The project forms part of the Malaysian government’s Seremban-Gemas double-tracking and electrification project, which is slated for completion in December 2012. The first phase included modifications and an extension for Seremban station, a new station and interlocking at Sungai Gadut, and a six-mile block section between stations.

• STV Canada Consulting Inc., through a four-way joint venture, has obtained preliminary engineering and project management services for the $2.1 billion Ottawa light-rail transit project. STV’s team includes Morrison Hershfield Ltd., URS Canada Inc. and Jacobs Associates Canada Corps. The project is the first step in the city of Ottawa’s transportation master plan, which calls for more than 25 miles of new light rail during the next 20 years.