Rail supplier news from UP Distribution, Alstom, GATX, Wabtec, DNJ Intermodal and Laird (Oct. 25)

Union Pacific Distribution Services recently opened a new railport in Odessa, Texas, designed to combine pipe and build transloading operations with direct Union Pacific Railroad service to deliver freight transportation solutions in the Permian Basin. Located near Interstate 20 and Texas Highway 338, the railport also will provide an inventory system for management of short-term storage needs; forward staging of inventory to meet just-in-time supply chain needs; letdown and rail space for short-term pipe storage; dedicated rail tracks for pipe and sand unloading; customer-constructed storage space availability; and an on-property certified truck scale.

Alstom Transport France recently opened a new delivery center for the very-high-speed Euroduplex trains at the Belfort site located at the junction of France, Switzerland and Germany. The site is equipped with a 219-yard-long inspection pit, and is part of a global program to supply French railway operator SNCF with trains that are ready for passengers as soon as they are delivered, Alstom officials said in a press release. The center makes it possible for crews to work beneath the train, inspect the running gear and brakes and carry out roof operations on the train's entire length.

GATX Corp. reported third-quarter net income of $53.8 million, or 1.15 per diluted share, compared with net income of $53.8 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, in third-quarter 2012. Total revenue for the quarter was $353.2 million compared with $331.9 million for the same period a year ago. Rail North America's segment profit was $57.9 million compared with $45.6 million a year ago; Rail International's segment profit was $34.8 million versus $17.9 million in 2012's third quarter. "The demand for tank cars in North America remains strong," said GATX President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Kenney in a press release. "Freight car markets are uneven, although demand for grain and coal cars improved modestly from very low levels."

Wabtec Corp. reported third-quarter net income of $73.9 million, up from $63 million in third-quarter 2012. Earnings per diluted share for the quarter increased 17 percent to 76 cents and net sales rose 8 percent to $631.4 million. "Through internal initiatives and execution of our growth strategies, Wabtec continues to perform well, despite a slowly growing global economy," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert Neupaver in a press release.

Brandon Sartain has been named regional vice president of the Midwest region for DNJ Intermodal Services. Based in Kansas City, Mo., he will oversee operations for the organization's Midwest region. Prior to joining the company, he served as operations manager of Intermodal Cartage in Memphis, Tenn. Both companies are part of the IMC Cos. family of brands.

Laird has appointed Rick Morse as senior vice president and general manager of its wireless automation and control solutions (WACS) business, a unit of Laird's Wireless Systems Division. Morse will oversee continuing development of WACS business into next generation systems that build on and extend the company's current range of remote control and communications capabilities and solutions. He has more than 25 years of experience in software and control systems.