PST buys Ansaldo’s yard control division

   PS Technology (PST), a subsidiary of Union Pacific, has acquired the Yard Control Systems division of Ansaldo STS USA to boost its enterprise management capabilities with the addition of rail yard process control and automation offerings.
   Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
   Norristown, Pa.-based Yard Control Systems is a significant player in the railroad classification, yard automation and control systems space in North America.
   One key area for Yard Control Systems is use of a track on a slight incline – often called a hump – to sort railcars at a large rail yard. Cars are pushed over the hump by a locomotive and uncoupled at its crest, rolling to their destination tracks where they are coupled with others to form a train. Yard Control Systems developed the hump processes that is used by a majority of large railroads in North America. Its Star III hump process control system is still on track for a release later this year.
   “Rail yard optimization is important for railroads to increase efficiency, create faster delivery times and help customers compete,” said Ashok Fichadia, PST chief executive officer.  “Efficient yards are critical for managing the forecasted freight rail traffic growth in coming years.”
   PST said it will retain all of Yard Control Systems’ staff and will provide continuity for existing customers. PST, based in Boulder, Colo., currently works with Class I, transit, commuter, and short line railroads.