10/22/2009 --- Global Rail Systems, Inc. acquired by Vossloh
MARLIN, Texas, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ - Global Rail Systems, Inc. (www.globalrailsystems.com), a Marlin, Texas-based railroad automation company, said today that Vossloh has acquired a majority interest in the company, effective October 16, 2009.
Vossloh is a global player in the rail technology markets. The Group (4,700 employees) focuses on its core businesses of rail infrastructure, rail vehicles, signalling systems and electric buses. During fiscal year 2008, the Group generated sales of more than euro 1.2 billion and an EBIT of euro 137.7 million.
The acquisition of Global Rail Systems complements Vossloh's three other U.S.-owned companies: Vossloh Track Material (formerly Pohl Corp.), Cleveland Track Material, Inc., which manufacture track switches and Vossloh Fastening Systems America Corp., based in Chicago. Under terms of the agreement, Global's management will remain in place.
Global Rail Founder Coy Beaman said, "This is a perfect marriage of track and train control technologies. We have the right resources to establish Vossloh in the U.S. signaling market and place Global Rail Systems' products in Europe--greatly strengthening our position in the rail signaling market."
Global Rail Systems CEO Tom Schlosser said, "I am excited about this partnership. For our customers, it means greater support and a wider range of excellent products. For GRS, we foresee increased market share and more aggressive R&D efforts."
Global Rail Systems manufactures and supplies the railroad, transit and industrial railroad markets with advanced railroad technology products for mainline and yard switch control and automation, crossing warning systems, train detection, and advanced control and dispatching software.
SOURCE Global Rail Systems, Inc.
05/10/2008 --- A Role for small suppliers?
The big suppliers aren't the only ones with something to offer the PTC arena. Numerous smaller, entrepreneurial players are now thinking in terms of technology that will fit nicely into a broader PTC context.
One example is Global Rail Systems of Marlin, Texas, which has developed a passing siding automation system called FAS-PAS ™. It's designed to allow a train crew or dispatcher to remotely control a power switch in dark territory. Two methods are available: time locking of the switch, normally deployed when it's being controlled from the locomotive via DTMF audible tone commands over voice radio, and approach locking, normally deployed when the dispatcher is controlling the switch via data radio. For both methods, FAS-PAS ™ provides field equipment for failsafe switch control and locking. With time locking, a voice message provides feedback to the train crew for advance switch point position indication. With approach locking, a wayside signal provides that information.
FAS-PAS ™ will interface with the vital switch point position indicators that are being incorporated into many PTC systems, through any type of communication method. It's "PTC ready," says Vice President-Sales and Marketing Ron Martin.
--- William C. Vantuono May, 2008
RAILWAY AGE MAGAZINE
03/12/2010 --- Global Rail planning to expand
Local railroad company looking to add about 20 jobs to facility
By Tony Marquis, Editor
A local railroad company is seeking a government grant to expand its facility in Marlin.
Global Rail Systems Inc. applied for a grant of $2 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund, a state program that provides support to local businesses.
Global Rail President Coy Beaman said his company plans on adding about 20 jobs to the Marlin plant - with or without the grant.
"We're going to expand no matter what," Beaman said. "We want to accelerate it. If we accelerate it, it's good for the company, it's good for Falls County and it's good for the city of Marlin."
Global Rail has already posted ads for welders, wood shop assistants and electronic installation apprentices.
The company makes wireless signal systems for the railroad industry, among other services.
To apply for the grant, Global Rail had to get the city council to sign a letter of non-financial support for the company.
When Global Rail first came to Marlin, the city allowed it to purchase the old National Guard armory at 502 FM 147 at a lower-than-market price of $75,000.
It's not the first time Global Rail has expanded its operations.
In May of 2007, Global Rail acquired Signal Innovations, a railroad company based in California.
Global Rail also has offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Brazil.
04/03/08 --- Press Releases
Global Rail Systems has installed its new Model CWL-7 Crossing Warning system in IL. The system is designed as a cost effective solar solution to allow remote applications. It also has superior performance in rusty rail applications and meets FRA Part 234 Rules and MUTCD regulations. The system is also available as a gated system. All circuit design and train detection technology was developed by John Cipollone of Global Rail Systems/SI. The system is being installed to provide additional safety to employees and the public for a grade crossing protection at their plant in IL.
Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad MYA Press Release
Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad, a division of Martin Marietta, has installed several Global Rail Systems Modular Yard automation (MYA) switches at their San Antonio gravel facility. The switches are DTMF radio controlled and allow the inbound and outbound train crews to line their routes. The system has increased safety and efficiencies to their operation. The systems are complete with the Global Rail/SI CIP-1 audio frequency overlay protection circuits to eliminate the switches from being thrown while occupied.
CSX Mobile, AB Press Release
CSX has completed the installation and commissioning of Global Rail Systems Modular Yard Automation (MYA) System for their Mobile AL yard. The system is a wireless switch control system with a programmable touch screen local control panel with the TrackMaster program for entrance/exit routing and stacked routing capability.
Global Rail Systems, based in Marlin, TX, manufactures and supplies the Railroad, Transit and Industrial railroad markets with advanced railroad technology products for mainline switch control, yard switch control and automation, crossing warning systems, train detection technology and advanced control and dispatching software.
DM&E DDED Press Release
Global Rail Systems has provided another Derailment/Dragging Equipment Detector, Model DDED, to the DM&E in South Dakota. The system is adjustable to detect light or heavy impacts and is a stand alone solar charged system with audible announcements of derailment and/or dragging equipment detections.
Iowa Interstate FAS-PAS Press Release
Iowa Interstate has installed Global Rail Systems’ FAS-PAS System. The system is being used at a Wye interchange with Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railroad to provide increased efficiencies and throughput. The system is vital and designed to restore the switch to normal after the diverging route is taken.
Press release for MN&A
Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad, a subsidiary of Rail America, has installed four Global Rail Systems FAS-PAS Systems at two passing sidings. The route chosen handles large coal consists and has helped increase safety, capacity and velocity on the line. Preston Claytor, VP Safety and Operating Practices states “Turn times on our UP coal sets are one of the top priorities at the MNA. The FAS-PAS system reduces meet time by up to 15 minutes per pass while saving fuel for both the MNA and our Class 1 partner Union Pacific. Furthermore our risk is reduced by eliminating manual handling of switches in dark territory”.
Wheeling & Lake Erie FAS-PAS Press Release
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway has installed two Global Rail Systems FAS-PAS Systems in OH. The systems automate a passing siding and also include a MYA switch to act as a cross-over to a third track off the siding. The system has the Global Rail Systems/SI CIP-1 audio frequency track circuits for presence detection to eliminate the switch from being thrown while occupied. The system also has an auto restore feature to restore the switch to the mainline if the diverging route is taken.
Wireless Railroad Technology Challenges to be March 17th MIT Enterprise Forum
February 23, 2005 - - Dallas, TX - - The MIT Enterprise Forum of Dallas/Fort Worth, Inc. will present Global Rail Systems: Bringing U.S. Railroads to Greater Safety and Profitability Through Wireless Technology at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) School of Management Building in the Executive Dining Room on March 17th. Registration and reception with light buffet will begin at 5 p.m., and the program will begin at 6:15 p.m. The price is a donation of $35 for general admittance, $25 for MIT Alumni/Alumnae, and $10 for students. For information and reservations, go to www.mitforum.com or call 972-377-4554.
Global Rail Systems’ CEO, Brad Taylor, will tell the story of the Company’s challenges in telling its unique story to railroads, investors, and transportation influencers. A panel of experts including customers, attorneys and potential partners will comment on Global Rail’s challenges.
Global Rail’s wireless technology is making railroad operations safer and more profitable through its patented wireless technologies that can replace older, more expensive custom engineered solutions for the 19,000 hand-thrown switches nationwide and 190,000 worldwide. A recent example of the inefficiency of hand-thrown switches was the railroad accident in Graniteville, South Carolina. These technologies constitute a potential $5 billion market. The young company’s growing list of customers are using three products including Global Rail’s patent pending FAS-PAS product that is now installed in 30 plus locations.
In addition to its proprietary products, Global Rail has a set of complementary products in the YardMaster software solution, and the MYA switch package that enables them to provide wireless switch yard automation and safety equipment control. Both complementary products are currently in use in major railroads in the Americas and constitute a $2 billion market.
The M.I.T. Enterprise Forum of Dallas-Fort Worth, Inc. is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the M.I.T. Enterprise Forum, Inc. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is managed by a volunteer executive committee supported by a paid part-time executive administrator.
Located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, UTD enrolls about 14,000 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s web site at www.UTD.edu.
To see a list of MIT Forum sponsors and board members, go to www.mitforum.com.
Global Rail Systems Inc.
P.O. Box 110, 503 FM 147, Marlin, Texas 76661
Call toll free: 866-883-2213 --- Fax: 254-883-2201