Harvey J. Holmes, Jr. has recently joined PDI and will be project manager and lead designer for our security projects.  

Mr. Holmes has over 28 years of experience in fire alarm, security, nurse call, video distribution systems, CCTV, and communications systems including building automation and control systems integration. He is also proficient in computer-aided design in a variety of formats. Mr. Holmes career includes a broad range of roles ranging from Owner, Branch Manager, and Operations, Project Manager to Service Technician for large and small electronic safety and security firms. 

Harvey J. Holmes, Jr.
Senior Fire & Security Systems Designer

Mr. Holmes is an expert in analog and digital electronics and in the operation of all fire alarm testing equipment. He is licensed by the State of Texas to perform work on fire alarm and security systems and has been factory trained in the following fire alarm manufacturer technologies: Notifier, Hochiki, Harrington, Silent Knight, and Bosch/Radionics. Mr. Holmes’s experience with old and new technologies alike allows him to create designs utilizing existing infrastructure to minimize the physical and monetary impact on his clients.

Ann comes to PDI after working for the City of San Antonio Development Services Department for over 9 years. She has experience in researching historical permits, issuing Certificate of Occupancy, retrieving plan review and inspection status, and routing plans for commercial and residential review, as well as processing new permit application submittals. Her involvement with the different departments and areas of service within Development Services give her a behind-the-scenes understanding of the development process.

Ann Garcia will assist PDI’s clients in obtaining construction permits through the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. She has excellent customer service skills and can guide each project through the permit process. Ann can be reached via email to agarcia@pdifire.com or by calling our office at 210.828.7533.

PDI’s permitting services focus on helping Owners, Developers, Architects, Engineers, and Contractors navigate the plan review, inspection, and Certificate of Occupancy process. We are knowledgeable in all aspects of commercial development including platting and zoning.

About PDI

Founded in 1985 as a fire protection engineering firm, PDI provides a full spectrum of fire protection engineering services including sprinkler and fire alarm design, smoke modeling, and performance-based designs offering innovative solutions to complex fire and life-safety challenges. In addition, PDI provides consulting services for fire, building, and life-safety codes, including plans review and the issuance of commodity letters. PDI also provides government third-party plan review services on behalf of local, state, and federal agencies.

In addition to its engineering and consulting services, PDI, through its Permitting Section, assists its clients in negotiating the complex project permitting process, managing that process from initial application, through all necessary inspections, to final certificate of occupancy.

PDI is a Bob Andrews Group Company (www.BobAndrewsGroup.com).

Qualification Summary

NEWS RELEASE for July 13, 2010

Contact:

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc
Mr. Michael Barron, CEO
mbarron@libcapital.com
(702) 583-6715

Allen & Caron Inc
Mr. Michael Mason (investors)
michaelm@allencaron.com
(212) 691-8087

Len Hall (financial media)
len@allencaron.com
(949) 474-4300

LAS VEGAS RAILWAY EXPRESS, INC. – “X” Train Announces Selection of PDI Rail Solutions To Provide Technical Expertise To Assure Federal Railroad Administration (Fra) & Amtrak Mechanical And Safety Compliance For All “X” Train Locomotive and Passenger Railcars

LAS VEGAS, NV Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (“X” Train), a Delaware company (OTCBB: XTRN) is pleased to announce the selection of PDI Rail Solutions (PDI) to assure that its “X” Train meets all applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) & Amtrak mechanical and safety standards.  “The safe design and operation of the “X” Train is our Number 1 corporate priority.  We believe that PDI Rail Solutions exemplifies the industry’s best practices and  brings the necessary expertise and experience to assure that LVRE meets all of the myriad regulatory, safety and mechanical requirements needed to ensure our passengers that the “X” Train will be the safest travel experience in the country”, said “X” Train Chairman and CEO Michael A. Barron.

Specifically, PDI Rail Solutions has been selected to guide LVRE in achieving full federal compliance under 49 CFR 238 “Equipment Safety Standards” and 49 CFR 239 “Emergency Preparedness”.  Additionally, PDI will assure that all LVRE locomotives and passenger cars meet all Amtrak mechanical and safety standards. Among the numerous initiatives PDI has been assigned, in cooperation with the Class I railroads and AMTRAK, specific tasks to include the following:

• Creation of FRA & Amtrak Compliance Inspection Reports
• Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Plan
• Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Fire Safety Analysis
• Training, Qualification, and Designation Plan
• System Safety Program Plan
• Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Plan
• Qualified Maintenance Person Program
• Emergency Preparedness Training for On-Board Services Personnel

Commenting on their selection as regulatory consultants, PDI President & CEO Robert C. Andrews, Jr. said, “We have been in close communication with the LVRE since October 2009.  We are pleased to formally join the project at this time and look forward to doing all we can to assure the safety, reliability, and compliance of the “X” Train.”

About Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc.

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. has been planning for the establishment of a “Vegas-style” passenger train service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas since early 2009. Roundtrip service will be Thursday through Monday each week with an introductory price of $99 roundtrip. In addition, the “X” Train will also offer the ability for its passengers to book hotel rooms, transportation transfers, entertainment & show tickets and other travel incidentals.

For more information, please visit the Company website at www.vegasxtrain.com.

About PDI Rail Solutions:

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, PDI Rail Solutions (www.PDIRail.com) is the rail / transit consulting division of Protection Development, Incorporated. PDI Rail Solutions provides comprehensive consulting and project management services divided into the following nine areas of expertise:

• Equipment and System Analysis
• Inspection and Project Oversight
• New Commuter Rail and Passenger Services (Mechanical)
• New Commuter Rail and Passenger Services (Operations)
• Operations, Maintenance, and Planning Support
• Passenger Equipment – Fire Safety Standards
• Private Rail Car Services and Special Trains
• Regulatory Compliance
• Specification Writing

Protection Development, Incorporated is a Texas Registered Engineering Firm (Firm Number F- 2816), licensed under the authority of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE).

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the company’s plans, beliefs, and estimates as to projected market size are “forward- looking statements.” Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including factors listed from time to time in the company’s SEC filings, and actual results could differ materially from expected results. These forward-looking statements represent the company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent of obligation to update these forward-looking statements

PDI Launches Rail / Transit Consulting Division

San Antonio, TX – June 12, 2009

Protection Development, Incorporated (PDI) announced today that it is expanding its commitment to the rail / transit consulting business by launching a new, dedicated division, targeted specifically to that industry. The new division will be called PDI Rail Solutions .

PDI is an established engineering firm, bringing a quarter century of experience to the marketplace. PDI, established in 1985 to practice fire protection engineering, began working in the rail / transit market in 2006 when it performed a comprehensive fire safety analysis for a new commuter passenger rail service. PDI has enjoyed steady growth since it’s establishment in 1985 and continues as a leader in its field.

Joining PDI Rail Solutions will be transportation engineers and professionals whose major focus has been to serve the rail transportation industry. Their expertise comes from long years of experience, working for and with major transportation providers, freight and passenger, public and private. With that experience will come an understanding, based upon multiple points of view, which in turn, will lead to common sense economical solutions.

PDI Rail Solutions will concentrate on the rail transportation industry, including light and heavy rail, commuter, inter-city passenger rail and freight rail, providing engineering, quality, inspection and related consulting services to both the public and private sectors. PDI Rail Solutions personnel will bring economical, real world experience to projects from start to finish and will be able to assist our clients at any phase of their project:

• Procurement Phase (for new vehicles and existing vehicle rehabilitation)
• Manufacturing Phase
• Acceptance Phase
• Operational Certification and Training Phase
• Maintenance Program Development and Training Phase
• Project Closeout Phase

PDI, with its existing cadre of Fire Protection Engineers and Code Analysts, will continue to provide fire and life-safety consulting for the rail / transit industry and apply their expertise in the areas of:

• Fire & Safety Risk Analysis
• Smoke, Flammability, and Toxicity Testing (vehicular and wayside applications)
• Emergency Planning

The new consultants of PDI Rail Solutions will add to PDI’s traditional services by entering the arena of rail / transit project management, procurement of new equipment, rehabilitation of existing equipment, regulatory compliance, and rail vehicle manufacture, operation and maintenance. PDI Rail Solutions consultants will have Class 1 and short-line freight experience, as well as passenger experience, ranging from local agency to national passenger operations.

PDI Rail Solutions’ new consultants will be well versed in the myriad aspects of project management, as well as having demonstrated technical expertise in the following areas:

• Specification development and writing
• Drawing review and approval
• Bid review and analysis
• Federal regulatory compliance reviews including ADA, FRA, and FTA
• State and local regulatory compliance reviews
• Prime and subcontractor quality oversight and audits
• Quality assurance including first article and pre-shipment inspections
• Resident production engineering and oversight – both domestic and international
• Fleet system proof and vehicle testing
• Vehicle fleet implementation and integration
• Small program start-up
• Operational and Maintenance planning and support
• Qualified Maintenance Person (QMP) training (to meet FRA §238.109)
• Equipment / Systems Analysis
• Documentation / Car History Books
• Services to the Private Rail Passenger Car Segment
• Pre-purchase inspection of existing equipment

The employees of PDI Rail Solutions will be active in industry associations and panels. They will hold membership on important national transit association committees, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Public Transit Association (APTA), American Association of Railroads (AAR), American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRA),
Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). They will maintain membership in appropriate professional organizations and will also maintain numerous professional and technical certifications.

Bullish on the rail / transit consulting market, PDI President & CEO, Bob Andrews, stated “While the launch of this division is new, PDI has been involved in the rail consulting business for the past three years. The establishment of PDI Rail Solutions will provide the necessary organizational structure to allow us to serve this very important market in a very focused way. When asked about hiring and staffing plans for the new division, Andrews stated, “I am very excited, and I believe the industry will be truly impressed, with the caliber of professionals that will be joining PDI Rail Solutions in the very near future.”

About PDI:

Founded in 1985 as a fire protection engineering firm, PDI provides a full spectrum of fire protection engineering services including sprinkler and fire alarm design, smoke modeling, and performance-based designs offering innovative solutions to complex fire and life-safety challenges. In addition, PDI provides consulting services for fire, building, and life-safety code compliance, including plans review and the issuance of commodity letters. PDI also provides government third-party plan review services on behalf of local, state, and federal agencies. In addition to its engineering and consulting services, PDI, through its Permitting Section, assists its clients in negotiating the complex permitting process, managing that process from initial application, through all necessary inspections, to final certificate of occupancy.

In June 2009, PDI expanded its commitment to the rail / transit consulting business by launching a new, dedicated division, aimed specifically at that industry. The new division is called PDI Rail Solutions .

Protection Development, Incorporated (PDI) is a Texas Registered Engineering Firm (Firm Number F-2816), licensed under the authority of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE). PDI is a Bob Andrews Group Company.

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