NEW YORK — Pittsburgh’s Railroad Development Corp. and British firm TDI Greenway have announced an investment partnership that will result in a merger between RDC’s Pop Up Metro venture and TDI’s light rail business.
TDI Greenway, with more than 30 years in the rail industry, is involved in design and deployment of lightweight rail vehicles and infrastructure. The companies say their joint venture will allow them to combine interests in the emerging market for rapidly deployed light Metro, light rail trains, very light rail, and tram operations on secondary freight and passenger routes worldwide.
The agreement will see RDC’s Chairman, Henry Posner III, and Chief Financial Officer, John Hensler, added to the TDI Greenway board. Sam Wauchope, described as a veteran of the UK tech scene, has been appointed board chairman.
Wauchope said in a press release that the partnership with RDC “represents a significant step forward for TDI Greenway. Pop-Up Metro gives us an operational base for increased trade into North America and RDC brings a wealth of global expertise and respect to our operations.” He said the company is in negotiations in the U.K. with an infrastructure fund and working with Network Rail, the national infrastructure company, to revive service on disused rail lines.
Said Posner, “By combining our Pop-Up Metro subsidiary with TDI Greenway, we will gain the breadth and capability to more rapidly advance projects in North America and abroad. We have admired TDI’s tenacity, innovation and progress from across the pond, including its development of the VLR-Revolution vehicle, and believe that we are stronger together.”
The Pop Up Metro concept involved providing, at low cost, a complete package of rolling stock, related infrastructure, and operating structure, using battery-powered, remanufactured London Underground railcars [see “Pop Up Metro aims to provide affordable passenger operation,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 1, 2021]. A number of municipalities and other agencies have considered or are considering the package, but none has yet signed an agreement.
TDI Greenway has a similar concept with its battery-powered Revolution Very Light Rail project. More on TDI (Transport Design International) Greenway is available at its website.
Revolution VLR is a concept that needs far more attention than it is getting.