IRSE North American Section

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IRSE North American Section

Institution of Railway Signal Engineering - North American Section

10/22/2026

🎤 “And it’s wild. If you check in with yourself every six months, you’ll see it. You’ll see yourself moving.”

Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and great leadership recognizes that every stage of development requires a different approach.

Claire Burkhardt led a professional development webinar for the IRSE North American Section, exploring how the Hersey–Blanchard Situational Leadership model can help onboard, support, and develop the next generation of railroaders.

Claire highlighted the importance of adapting leadership styles to build confidence, encourage independence, and support employees as they develop their skills.

Thank you, Claire, for sharing your insights and helping drive professional growth across the rail industry.

07/04/2026

Celebrating America's 250th Independence Day

Today, the IRSE North American Section celebrates 250 years of the United States of America and the remarkable achievements of the American railroad industry.

From Dr. William Robinson's invention of the track circuit to the mighty GG1 electric locomotive and Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy, American railroad engineers and innovators have helped shape the nation. We honor those who crossed a continent and met at Promontory, Utah, to complete the Transcontinental Railroad and connect a growing country.

Today, railroads continue that proud legacy, with locomotives adorned in USA 250th livery and signaling professionals working from the Atlantic to the Pacific, spanning the Appalachians, the Great Plains, the Gulf, the Rocky Mountains, the Mojave Desert, and the Central Valley.

To the engineers, designers, installers, testers, inspectors, and maintainers who keep America's freight and passengers moving across this vast nation, thank you!

Cheers to 250 years of American innovation, achievement, and progress.

07/01/2026

Happy Canada Day from the IRSE North American Section!

Today, we proudly celebrate Canada Day and recognize the significant contributions of our Canadian colleagues across the railway C&S profession.

Almost half of the IRSE North American Section’s membership resides in Canada, reflecting the deep integration and collaboration that defines our shared North American signaling community. Canadian signal engineers, designers, and maintainers play a vital role in advancing safe, reliable, and innovative rail systems, moving goods and passengers along corridors and commuter networks, spanning coast to coast and the Canadian Rockies.

And this year, there’s even more to celebrate.

As co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada has captured global attention, and we’re excited to see the national team make history by advancing to the Round of 16. The Section is proud to be cheering on Canada as they continue their remarkable run!

Here’s to the people, achievements, and spirit that make Canada such an essential part of our Section and the C&S industry.

06/21/2026

This Father’s Day, the IRSE North American Section recognizes the dads and caregivers who answer trouble calls at all hours, work long shifts, and brave heat, cold, rain, snow, and storms to keep our railroad systems operating safely. Your dedication often means time away from family, but your commitment helps keep passengers, freight, and communities moving every day.

To all the fathers and caregivers across North America who keep the railroad running and safely, thank you for your hard work, sacrifice, and service.

Happy Father’s Day.

05/26/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor those who never came home this Memorial Day in the United States.

The IRSE North American Section stands in solemn gratitude for the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

05/09/2026

National Train Day 2026 from coast to coast, railroads are the backbone of our communities and economies, reliably moving millions of passengers and goods every day. Behind every journey and every shipment is a commitment to safety, innovation, and precision that keeps our networks running.

Today is a moment to recognize the professionals who design, build, maintain, and operate the systems that enable safe railroad operations. Your expertise and dedication ensure that trains move efficiently and, most importantly, safely across the continent.

05/01/2026

Save the date! The IRSE North American Section Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on June 2nd at the CHI Health Convention Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The Section will offer a hybrid meeting, both in person and via a live virtual stream. We look forward to seeing you! Follow our page, IRSE North American Section, for additional information.

04/24/2026

As we wrap up Volunteer Week 2026, today, we recognize our Section Chair, Chad Baker MIRSE.

Chad has served as Chair of the IRSE North American Section since Spring 2022. During his tenure, his collaborative and inclusive leadership style has helped the Section explore new opportunities and grow.

“Volunteering as section leader has afforded many opportunities to connect with and learn from people I might not have otherwise met in my railway circles. The greatest satisfaction this role provides me is assisting prospective and new members, sharing information about the IRSE, connecting people, and, most importantly, mentoring our future railroad signaling professionals. Our section leadership team is the best, and I’m honored to lead with them.” – Chad Baker.

Chad’s dedication, professionalism, and passion for advancing the IRSE’s mission exemplify volunteer leadership.

Thank you, Chad!

04/23/2026

In recognition of Volunteer Week 2026, the IRSE North American Section is proud to recognize Mr. Davis Kitagawa, AMIRSE.

Davis is the driving force behind our Younger Members Group Initiative. Our Younger Members Group connects and empowers early‑career railway signaling and train control professionals across North America. In his leadership role, he supports professional development, encourages the exchange of ideas, and provides access to IRSE resources and broader industry opportunities.

"The IRSE connected me with young engineers around the world, and hearing their stories completely changed how I see the future of our industry. I volunteer because I want engineers starting out in North America to have that same experience and the IRSE resources that can help them get there." – Davis Kitagawa, AMIRSE

Davis’s volunteer work strongly aligns with the mission of both IRSE - The Institution of Railway Signal Engineering and the North American Section to foster a collaborative and resilient network of young signal professionals who will shape the future of railway signaling, communications, and systems engineering.

We sincerely thank Davis for his commitment, leadership, and passion for supporting our younger members and strengthening the profession.

Thank you, Davis, for making a lasting impact!

04/22/2026

This week in North America, it's National Volunteer Week 2026

The IRSE - The Institution of Railway Signal Engineering and the IRSE North American Section is powered by volunteers, engineers, testing and commissioning testers, inspectors, signal maintainers, and professionals who give their time to advance railway signaling knowledge, support the next generation, and strengthen competency across the industry.

This week, we celebrate those who are engineering the future, together.

Thank you for the expertise, leadership, and commitment you bring to our profession.

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San Diego, CA
92101

Website

https://www.irse.org/Get-Involved/Near-You/North-America

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