Rail supplier news from GE, Savage, Kelso and Hanson (May 15)

GE Transportation this year marks the 50th anniversary of its Locotrol® technologies, which enable train engineers to control multiple locomotives remotely distributed within a train. The technology provides coordinated braking and traction power to facilitate quicker brake applications and releases. Deployed on 20,000 locomotives in 16 countries, Locotrol works with braking systems and locomotive control systems on both diesel-electric and electric locomotives, said GE Transportation Chief Digital Officer Laurie Tolson in a press release.

Savage Saudi Arabia has delivered seven locomotives and two locomotive booster units from the United States to Saudi Arabia's Eastern and Northern provinces. The units will support rail operations at Saudi Aramco and Ma'aden Wa'ad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co. facilities. Savage will own, operate and maintain the two Tier-3 compliant locomotives delivered to Saudi Aramco's Wasit and Berri gas plants in the Jubail area. Savage has an agreement to provide rail switching, track maintenance and track signaling system operations and maintenance for Saudi Aramco at the plants.

Kelso Technologies Inc. reported a first-quarter net loss of $279,143, or 1 cent loss per share. That compares to a net loss of $525,496, or 1 cent gain per share, during the same period in 2017. The company reported $2.5 million in revenue versus $1.6 million in  2017's first quarter. After a "prolonged recession" in the rail tank car industry, Kelso is beginning to observe an upswing in business activity this year, company officials said in a press release.

Hanson Professional Services Inc. has hired Terry Bodine as senior project manager in Chicago. He'll provide managerial and technical leadership through personal involvement with clients, engineers and key managers, company officials said in a press release. Bodine has more than 35 years of engineering experience with a focus on the rail industry. Before joining Hanson, he was director of rail services for a national engineering firm in Lisle, Illinois. Bodine also serves as vice chair of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association's committee on roadway and ballast.