Rail supplier news this week spans tank-car repair, urban transit, station construction, industrial maintenance equipment and battery systems moving from research into production across North America and Europe.

Technicians installing a Turntide battery system on a Hitachi Rail train
Turntide’s modular LFP battery system will power Hitachi Rail tri-mode trains for Grand Central.

A supplier industry roundup⁠ brought together five developments involving Railmark, Alstom, Forte Construction, Renegade Parts Washers and Turntide Technologies.

Railmark expands tank-car repair network

Railmark Holdings⁠ has acquired Katahdin Railcar Services, adding an Association of American Railroads-certified repair operation in Derby, Maine.

Katahdin Railcar Services holds M-1002 and M-1003 certifications for railcar and tank-car work. The acquisition increases Railmark’s network to 13 operating locations, including three short-line railroads, across 11 US states.

The Derby facility also operates what Railmark describes as North America’s only robotic tank-car cleaning system. Railmark plans to expand the business beyond New England and extend its mobile repair services into New Brunswick and Quebec through Railmark Canada. (Business Wire⁠)

Alstom Urbanliner begins regular service in Berlin

The first 50-metre Alstom Urbanliner tram⁠ entered regular passenger service for Berlin operator BVG on July 15, 2026.

The tram initially operates on the M4, one of Berlin’s busiest routes, and provides capacity for more than 300 passengers. Its design includes step-free access, wider passages and dedicated areas for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Alstom Urbanliner tram operating in Berlin
Berlin’s 50-metre Alstom Urbanliner has entered regular passenger service on the M4 route. Copyright: BVG/Florian Buendig

BVG has ordered 65 Urbanliners. Alstom expects approximately 15 vehicles to be available by the end of 2026, with the fleet doubling by 2028 and the remaining trams entering service by 2030. (Alstom⁠)

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Babylon Station platforms rebuilt during operations

Forte Construction, AECOM and MTA Construction & Development have reconstructed both 12-car passenger platforms at the Long Island Rail Road’s Babylon Station while maintaining train service.

Forte said its platform work was completed two weeks ahead of schedule. The wider Babylon Station modernization⁠ includes new canopies, lighting, elevators, escalators and communications and security equipment.

The MTA expects the station’s broader $127 million overhaul to reach substantial completion by December 2026. (Progressive Railroading⁠)

Renegade Parts Washers marks 30 years

Wisconsin-based Renegade Parts Washers⁠ is marking its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Founded by David Barney in 1996, the company manufactures manual parts washers, automatic top-load and front-load equipment, and customized I-Series systems. Its products support maintenance and rebuilding work at railroad facilities, transit systems, fleet shops and industrial plants.

Renegade operates as a division of Service Line Inc., which manufactures the equipment in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. (LinkedIn⁠)

Turntide battery order moves into production

Turntide Technologies⁠ has received its first production order from Hitachi Rail for modular battery systems intended for Arriva Group’s Grand Central fleet.

The order moves a partnership announced in July 2025 from research and development into production. The batteries will be installed in the first UK-manufactured battery trains and are designed to fit within the space occupied by a diesel engine.

Grand Central’s new tri-mode trains are expected to enter service from 2028. Turntide says the technology could also support future retrofits replacing more than 600 diesel engines across existing Hitachi Rail fleets in the UK.

Testing conducted in 2024 indicated that the battery system could reduce fuel costs by 30% to 50% or enable zero-emission operation on selected sections. The order therefore establishes a potential route from a single fleet programme to wider battery conversion of existing rolling stock. (Turntide⁠)

Together, the five developments show suppliers investing in repair capacity, larger urban vehicles, passenger infrastructure, maintenance equipment and lower-emission propulsion across several rail markets.

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