About the Railroad Department:
Although jet travel has supplanted railroads as the passenger mode of choice, and the highway system is the principal venue for product transportation, railroads are still alive and well in North America. In the United States, approximately 40% of all freight is shipped by rail, while in Canada, the figure is 71%. IBEW members play a major role in keeping this vital mode of transportation rolling.
Railroad electricians inspect, test, assemble, install, remove, dismantle, connect, disconnect, rebuild, overhaul, adjust, wire, wind, load, calibrate, balance strip, align, clean and lubricate all electrical and electronic equipment and components in all railroad shops, yards and buildings.
IBEW railroad communications technicians perform all types of work generally recognized as communications work per their agreements with various carriers. They work with microwave, radio, telephone and other communications devices, apparatus and equipment in the course of operating, maintaining and repairing these systems in shops, yards and buildings. The IBEW also represents several other classes of railroad workers as certified and per agreements with particular carriers.