Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications & Mass Media has awarded Sinara Transport Machines and technology partner Lanit a 55·9m rouble grant through the Skolkovo Foundation to support the development of digital twins for rail and urban transport applications. The pilot implementation will be at the Lyudinovo Diesel Locomotive Plant, where it be used to develop a digital twin of a bogie for 140 km/h container wagons
The Greenbrier Companies has acquired more than 3 600 wagons, some of which will be held in its recently formed GBX Leasing subsidiary. As of September 30, GBXL’s fleet totals nearly 4 000 units worth US$350m. ‘By providing tax-advantaged cash flows, lease fleet investments reduce Greenbrier’s exposure to the inherent cyclicality of freight transportation equipment manufacturing’, said CEO & Chairman William A Furman on October 13. ‘The recent railcar acquisition advances Greenbrier’s strategy to increase the scale of our lease fleet assets.’
Trainline’s B2B arm Trainline Partner Solutions has renewed its partnership with business travel management company Egencia, providing access to four Norwegian rail operators through its Global API.
Zach Hansen, Assistant Vice-President of Sales for Vossloh North America’s Rocla Concrete Tie business, and Mike Pier, Vice-President & General Manager of Roadway Work Equipment at Nordco/Wabtec, have been elected to two-year terms as directors of the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association starting on January 1 2022.
Cadiz Riverfront Holdings and Cadiz Development Houston are to form Texas High-Speed Rail Station Development Corp to develop stations in Dallas, Houston and Grimes County. This will be independently owned and separate from high speed rail project promoter Texas Central.
Watson Farley & Williams advised InfraVia Capital Partners’ new leasing company Nexrail on the acquisition and financing of its portfolio of Vossloh locomotives. WFW advised on all aspects of the transaction, including structuring, purchase agreements for new and existing locos, ongoing maintenance arrangements and secured debt financing. ‘This complex, multi-jurisdictional matter demonstrates our extensive rail experience across multiple service lines and showcases WFW’s growing reputation as a leading legal advisor to the sector’, said London partner Louise Mor.
Chris Harman has been appointed National Director of Digital Delivery & Innovation for Transportation at WSP USA, leading implementation of connected data environments and digital twins of assets such as railways, tunnels and bridges. ‘Chris brings a wealth of emerging technology expertise, including augmented reality, virtual reality, machine learning and automation’, said Michael Mangione, National Markets Director for Transportation.
