Rail supplier news from Thales, RailComm, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Jamaica Bearings Group and Parsons Brinckerhoff (March 16)

Thales obtained a contract with Qatar construction company QDVC QSC to provide supervision, telecommunications, security and an automatic fare collection system for the Lusail Light Rail System in Lusail, Qatar. The new light-rail service comprises 4 lines that will cover approximately 20 miles.

RailComm has completed a cutover of a new switch interlocking at a North American Class I yard in Indiana. The company's DOC® system now provides control to this interlocking through a combination of fiber and serial radio networks.

Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. is marking its 80th anniversary. The firm, which employs more than 300 people and has 20 offices around the country, has worked on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit light-rail expansion, among several other large infrastructure projects.

Jamaica Bearings Group named Peter Harper director of business development for rail. Prior to his hiring, Harper worked as director of sales and project management for the transit division of Penn Machine Co. in Pennsylvania.

Parsons Brinckerhoff named Jayanti Menches director of communications for the firm's U.S., Central and South America region. She will coordinate internal and external communications for the region. Most recently, Menches served as marketing director at Triple Canopy, a global provider of integrated security.