Tony Kruglinski added his prestigious credentials to Railway Age's stable of bloggers this week, offering his expertise on railroad financing/leasing.

Erie, Pa.-based GE Transportation on Wednesday said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TransMashDiesel and JSC National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) to establish a diesel engine manufacturing plant in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Canadian Pacific began Wednesday suffering a strike delivered by Teamsters Canada.

Led by increases in rail maintenance of way and structures employees, U.S. Class I railroads employed 161,876 workers in mid-April, up 3.25% from April 2011 and also up 0.84 from March 2012.

Alstom said Tuesday it and DB Mobility Network Logistics AG have signed a contract for the takeover of the 49% stake held by DB Mobility Network Logistics AG in the "Alstom Lokomotiven Service GmbH" joint venture in Stendal, Germany.

The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) announced its 2012 College Scholarship Program, which will award three separate scholarships to well-qualified students.

Track maintenance and upgrading is expected to begin this week on an initial 7-mile portion of rail right-of-way destined for use by SunRail, central Florida's planned regional rail service.

In Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, the Société des parcs industriels Sorel-Tracy (SPIST) on Friday launched construction of the new Alstom manufacturing facility. Sorel-Tracy Mayor Réjean Dauplaise and other dignitaries were in attendance to herald the new plant slated for completion next fall.

Traktionsysteme Austria (TSA), a supplier of rail vehicle propulsion system components, has established a U.S. presence with Traction Systems, Inc., which will directly serve customers in North America.

Bourque Logistics on Thursday said it has formed an alliance with Watco Compliance Services to offer combined railcar maintenance and regulatory compliance services to rail shippers.