Railroad Information and Contacts 
Resources concerning ancestors who worked for Railroads
C. W. Barnum

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History:
History of NM Railroads by Janet Barnum please click here 
RR Maps 1890 
RR Maps 1985 
RR Maps 1920  

Government web sites

Railroad Retirement Board Find nearest District Office. Retirement benefits. Survivor benefits. Medicare. Beneficiaries. Genealogical Inquiries to the RRRB, Railroad Records and Genealogical Information Before 1937. 
Sources of RR data. 

FELA Federal Employer Liability Act

Union web sites

AFL CIO Home page Starting point for AFL CIO Union

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers BLE  These workers operate train engines.
BLE Affiliates Lists the Union Divisions in the USA and Canada

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes BMWE These workers take care of the railroad tracks and right-of way. BMWE Lodges Locals

Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen BRS These workers take care of railroad signals. BRS Locals

IBEW Railroad Workers Electrical Workers

AFL-CIO 

Amalgamated Transit Union 

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees 

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers 

Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen 
Int'l Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 

Sheet Metal Workers International Association 

Transport Workers Union of America 

Transportation Communications International Union 
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO 

Railroad Company Homepages

Freight Railroads, USA
• Burlington Northern-Santa Fe
• Conrail
• CSX Transportation
• Illinois Central
• I&M Rail Link
• Kansas City Southern
• Montana Rail
• Norfolk Southern
• Union Pacific
• Wisconsin Central

Passenger Railroads, USA
• Amtrak
• Long Island Rail Road
• METRA
• Metro North
• New Jersey Transit
• SEPTA

 

Freight and Passenger Railroads In Canada
• Canadian National
• Canadian Pacific
• VIA Rail

 Miscellaneous Sites
• Association of American Railroads
• Cyberspace World Railroad
• The NJ, NY & CT Railroad Page


Railroad web sites arranged alphabetically

Alaska Railroad 
Association of American Railroads  
American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association  
Amtrak 
Amtrak Crescent  
British Columbia Railway Company BC Rail   
Burlington Northern-Santa Fe 
Canadian National 
Canadian Pacific 
Canton Railroad 
Columbus & Greenville Railway 
Conrail 
CSX Transportation
Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railway
Ferrocarril Mexicano 
Guilford Rail System 
I&M Rail Link 		 Illinois Central 
Kansas City Southern Industries 
Long Island Rail Road 
METRA Rail
Metro North Commuter
Montana Rail Link
Norfolk Southern
Northern Indiana Commuter Transp. District
Ontario Northland
PATH Port Authority Trans-Hudson 
Rail America 
Shortline Services 
Texas-Mexican Railway 
Union Pacific Railroad 
Via Rail Canada, Inc. 
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway  
White Pass & Yukon Railway  

Railroad Crafts and employee designations. 
Courtesy of
Railfan.net ERIE / DL&W / E-L RAILROAD MAGAZINE (Archives Online)

Agent
Agent-Freight Claim
Agent-Operator
Architect Draftsman
Assistant Division Engineer
Assistant to President
Asst. Accountant
Asst. Chief Dispatcher
Asst. Chief of Tariff
Asst. Section Foreman
Asst. Struc. Steel Foreman
Asst. to Div. Car Foreman
Asst. to General
Baggage Agent
Baggage-Mail Handler
Barge Captain
Bill Clerk
Blacksmith
Boilermaker
Boilermaker Helper
Boilerwash Foreman
Camp Maintainer
Car Cleaner
Car Foreman
Car Inspector
Car Repairer
Car Repairer Helper
Carman
Carman Helper
Carpenter
Carpenter Helper
Cashier
Checker
Chief Clerk
Chief Lighterage Clerk
Chief of Pass Bureau
Clerk Westbound Dept.
Clerk-M. of W.
Clerk-Typist		 Coach Cleaner
Conductor
Consulting Engineer
CooperCrossing Watchman
Deckhand
Delivery Clerk
Dept. Accountant
Dock Laborer
Eastern Freight Agent
Electrician
Engine Preparer
Engineer
Extra Foreman
Freight Agent
Freight Handler
Freight House Foreman
Gateman
General Agent
General Foreman
Head Rate & Div. Clerk
Laborer
Leading Carpenter
Locomotive Engineer
Lumber & Tie Inspector
Machinist
Machinist Helper
Mailhandler
Maintainer Helper
Manager Purch. & Stores
Material & Reports Clerk
Millman
Millwright
Operator
Painter
Painter Helper
Passenger Conductor
Passenger Traffic Manager
Patrolman
Pipefitter		 Plumber
Plumber Foreman
Rate & Division Clerk
Rate Clerk
Retarder Operator
Rigger
Road Brakeman
Road Conductor
Section Foreman
Signal Helper
Signalman
Stationary Fireman
Stower
Structural Steelman
Structural Steelman Helper
Supervisor of Statistics
Supt. Car Department
Telegraph Operator
Test Rack
Track Foreman
Track Supervisor
Trackman
Trainman
Trucker
Tugboat Deckhand
Usher
Waiter
Warehouse
Watchman
Welder
Work Equipment Foreman
Wreck Crane Engineer
Yard Brakeman
Yard Brakeman-Conductor
Yard Clerk
Yard Conductor
Yard Engineer
Yard Fireman
Yardmaster

Operating and Maintenance of Way and related  job descriptions
 ~~ some jobs longer exist~~ Craft positions vary by Railroad
submitted by C. W. Barnum

Trainmaster and Assistant 
Station Manger
Station Clerk
Station Master ~~Stationmaster
Ticket Agent
Telegrapher
Porter
Road Foreman of Engines
Safety Officer
Yardmaster and Assistants
Engine Foreman
Superintendent and Assistants
Maintenance:
Division Engineer
Regional Engineer
Assistant to Division Engineer-Track
Assistant Division Engineer
Roadmaster and Assistants
District Manger
General Track Foeman
Track Supervisor
Non-officers
Lead Machine Operator
Track Walker or Inspector
Student Foreman
Bridge Inspector
B & B Inspector
Traveling Carpenter and Helper
B & B Foreman
Track Forman and other Crafts
Assistant Foreman various Crafts
Steel Bridge Gang Foeman
Foreman Operator
M/W Electrician
Car Top mail Operator
Steel gang Foreman
Locomotive Crane Operator
Pile Driver engineer
Crane Operator
Hoist Operator
T Coat Operator
Utility Tractor Operator
Truck Driver diesel
Truck driver Crane Operator
Truck Driver
Steelman
Welder B&B
Plaster & Cement Fin
Composite Mechanic
Brick Mason
Lead carpenter
Brick Mason
Lead Carpenter
Lead painter
Blacksmith
Carpenter and Helpers
Painter
Carpenter
Painter and Helpers
Lead Electrician
Electrician Helper by apprentice year
Special Signal Technician
Signal Gang
Signal Shop Foreman
Signal Foreman
Signal Maintenance Foeman
Welder Foreman
General CTC Maint. Tech
Leading Signal Maintainer
Signal Maintainer
Signalman ad Assistants
Signal Driver
Lead Engineer-Operator
Diesel Electrician Cane Pile Driver
Shovel Engineer by type
Truck Mounted Multi Mech Op.
Traveling Motor Car Mechanic
Traveling Mechanic
Motor Car Mechanic Apprentice
Lead Mechanic and Helpers
Lead Lead Mechanic
Welder
Plant welder
Grinder Helper-Track
WS Foreman
Water Service Foreman and Assistants
End Loader Operator
Truck Driver
Tinner
Water Service Mechanic & Helpers
Composite Mechanic
System Steel Gang Foreman		 Regional Gang Foreman
Foremen and  Assistant Foreman
~~Surfacing
~~Tie
~~Rail
~~Crossing
~~Section
~~Grading
~~Quarry
~~Powder
~~Inspector & repair
~~Welding 
~~Paving
~~Student Foreman
~~Apprentice
~~Lead Mechanic Operator
Lead Engine Operator
Track Supervisor
Shovel Engineer
Machine Operator
Ballast Cleaner Operator
Under-cutter Operator
Ballast Regulator Operator
Ballast Tamper Operator
Back Hoe Operator
Crib Cleaner Operator
Crib Reducer Operator
Ballast Compactor Operator
Rail Crane Operator
Crane Operator ~ various
Lead Crane Engineer
Pt St Operator
Tie Distributor Operator
TD TB Operator
Tie Adzer Operator ~ various
Tie Bed Scarifier Operator
Tie Inserter Operator
Crane and Shovel Helper
Tie Remover Operator
tie Handler Operator
Tie Coater Operator
Track Broowm Operator
Tie Plate Plucker Operator
Track Liner ~~various classes 
Rail Heater/Cooler Operator
Spike Plucker Operator
Rail Lifter Operator
Rail Anchor Machine Operator
Spike Puller Operator
Spike Driver Operator
Spike Gauger Operator
Grinder Operator
Grinder Operator
Gauging Machine Operator
Tie Plug Handler Operator
Friction Saw Operator (rail saw)
Track Jack Operator
Power Track Wrench Operator
Joint Straightener Operator
Auto Track Jack Operator
Self-Propeller Loader
Track Yard Cleaner Operator
Paving Roller
Ballast Loader
Compressor Operator
Air Compressor Operator
Power Weed Mover
Brush Cutter Operator
Lead Tractor/Bulldozer Operator
Motor Grader
Utility Tractor (end loader type)
Grade-all
Car Loader
Curve Lubricator Operator
Powderman
Drillers and Helpers
Pitmen and Helpers
Tractor Helper
Undercutter Helper
Paver
Station Cleaner
Track Oiler
Parkman
Yardmen
Labor Driver ~~ various
Track Labor
System Steel Gang Laborer
Regional Gang Labor
Power Track Wrench Operator
Driver
Bridge Tender
Soil Stabilizer Operator		 Athey Track Cleaner Operator
Relief Machine Operator
Bolt Master Operator
Buckeye Ditch Digger Operator
Air Dump Car Operator
MNX Winch CRT
Pile Driver
Lead Pile Driver
Pile Driver Helper
Spot Tamper Operator
Jordan Spreader Operator
Koehring H D Mud Jack
Zapper Gauger
Autojack Operator
Cribex Operator
Speedswing Operator
HYD Crane12 ton and over
Dragline Operator
Burro Crane Operator
Scarifier-Inserter Operator
Track Boom Operator
Dun-rite Gauger Operator
Kershaw Rail Saw Operator
Mannx Track Plow
Weedmower Operator
RMC Brush Cutter
Pipefitter
Lead Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet Metal Helpers
Draw Tenders
Bridge Watchman
Specialized Signal Gang Foreman
Cross Gage Operator
Roadway Mechanic
Tie Spacer Operator
Tie Coater Operator
Rail Lifter Operator
Rail Detector Technician
Ditcher Engineer
Field Engineer and Assistants
Rodman
Estimator
Special Agent ~~ RR Bull
Head M of W Clerk
Head Clerk
General Clerk
Station/Claims Clerk
Head Clerk Steno
Head File Clerk
General Clerk
Claims Agent
Supt of Communications
Assistant S OF C
Equipment Foreman
Telegraph Repairman
Lineman
Telephone Repairman
Radio Inspector
Material Planner
Radio Installer
Radio Repairman
Radio Technician
Electrical Engineer
Utility Supervisor
Chief Dispatcher
Dispatcher
Division Mechanical Officer
AAR Clerk ~~ Car Dept|
Hostlers
Herders ~~ in rail yards 
Car-man
Car Laborer
Mechanical Reefer Foreman
P & M Purch. and Material
ISC Clerks ~~ industrial
Bills Clerk
IMS Clerk ~~ Operating Dept
Public Relations Mgr
Switchmen
Crew Dispatchers
Crew Callers
Yard Clerk
Materials Foreman
Stock Clerk
Stockman
Telephone Operator
Timekeeper Clerk
Humpmasters ~~ hump yards
Retarder Operators
Locomotive Machinist 
Watch Inspector