Rail supplier news from Rolls-Royce, Schneider, TRC, Axion and Michael Baker International (March 21)

Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Force Motors have signed an agreement to form a joint venture to be known as Force MTU Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. The joint venture will produce Motor engine and Turbine Union's (MTU) 10- and 12-cylinder Series 1600 units, which are suitable for power generation and rail underfloor applications, Rolls-Royce officials said in a press release. Under the agreement, the joint venture will build a dedicated manufacturing facility in Chakan, India. Besides manufacturing Series 1600 units, the joint venture also will build Series 1600 generator sets for the Indian and global markets. The joint venture will handle sales and service of Series 1600 generator for users in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, while Rolls-Royce Power Systems will handle sales and service elsewhere in the world.

Schneider has completed its conversion to a company-owned and -managed chassis fleet with the purchase of more than 15,000 intermodal container chassis over the past four years. The new equipment is among the investments and improvements the company is deploying to deliver "truck-like service" in the intermodal market, Schneider officials said in a press release. The chassis conversion is expected to drive consistent and cost-efficient shipping, increase availability, decrease downtime and boost safety, they said. Schneider also plans to add intermodal containers to its network, as well as drivers, chassis and tractors to support shippers' needs.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has awarded a $35.1 million contract to TRC Cos. Inc. for environmental waste management. The three-year agreement covers environmental waste handling and environmentally related construction services, with the potential for two one-year extensions. TRC will work on specifically scoped task orders to support Metro's facility management and capital construction program. TRC's subcontractors include SunWest Engineering Constructors, which is a Metro-certified minority business enterprise, TRC officials said.

Composite-tie maker Axion Structural Innovations has formed an advisory board to provide direction for the company's current and future products. The board is composed of experts in engineering, transportation, technology and other key disciplines, Axion officials said in a press release. The board includes David Connell, who most recently served as vice president of engineering for Union Pacific Railroad.

Michael Baker International has hired Malcolm Dougherty as senior vice president and national transportation practice lead. In the role, he'll drive the strategic direction, growth and performance of the practice. Dougherty also will have direct oversight of the firm's national practice leaders for aviation and railroad/transit. He brings more than 25 years of transportation industry experience to Michael Baker. Most recently, he served as director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Before he was director, he served as Caltrans' chief deputy director and chief engineer.