William Cook Rail has been announced as runner-up in the Component of the Year category in the Cast Metals Federation annual awards for its casting.

The company overcame the technical challenges that beset its North American competitors to successfully prototype, prove and produce the bolsters for new trains for Ottawa and Toronto.

William Cook Rail director William Cook said: “We were thrilled to receive this recognition from the Cast Metals Federation and are proud to supply Alstom Transport.

“The success of the Citadis Spirit programme has proven the ability of William Cook Rail to meet the most demanding quality and delivery requirements and confirms the company’s status as the world’s leading manufacturer of exceptionally complex, machined, cast-steel components for railway vehicles.

“The resulting production orders from Alstom Transport have provided a platform for our transformation from a simple steel foundry into a fully-fledged rail engineering contractor.”