The Foreign & Commonwealth Office of Great Britain referred me to the BBC’s website with an interesting article “Terrorism Fear Derails Train Spotters.”
The link to that web site is:
http://news.bbc.co.uk./1/hi/uk/2943304.stm
According to that article trains spotters or railroad photographers may no longer photograph trains or record locomotive numbers on trains from the platforms of railroad stations managed by Network Rail (the railroad infrastructure owner who is the successor to Railtrack) unless they call those station first to let them know they want to be there at a certain time, and on a certain date. If the station security finds anybody photographing or spotting trains from one of Network Rail’s managed stations without permission they will be told to leave at best, possibly escorted off the platform, or their film confiscated.
The article was silent about photographing trains from the platforms of railroad stations that are managed by the Train Operating Companies under contract to Network Rail, or photographing trains from public property such streets, parks, or bridges.
All I know is that it is now supposedly a federal offence to take Photos in Union Station Washington DC or anywhere in the general vicinity [:(][V]
That’s interesting. Are any signs posted forbidding photography in Union Station? Could it be that photography is prohibited in the area of Union Station where the Transportation Security Administration is conducting its pilot program to screen checked baggage on selected trains passing through the station?
Hi Rudy,
You shouldn’t have a problem in most places - some of the London stations can be a bit off about the subkject but mainly where people use flash (It could blind drivers approaching the buffers apparently - you couldn’t make this up)
We had quite a thread about jobsworth security on the Traction forum and the conclusion was that they can’t arrest you for taking a photograph but if you refuse to move on when asked then there is a possible case for obstruction.
In summary, come to the UK , enjoy whats left of the railway before it was Genetically Modified (Taken over by GM locos) and take your photos
All the best
Kev
I read The Railway Magazine, so I’ve been following this situation for quite some time. I think that the whole thing is ridiculous! The thing I can’t figure out is why they think that people calling in to arrange a time when they will come is going to make things any better. If there was a terrorist that wanted to get pictures of trains and take down loco numbers, why wouldn’t he just call in and arrange a time as well? In fact, I think that a terrorist would be even more likely to do so than a railfan. Why go unanounced and risk being arrested when I can phone and have nobody bother me?
A few months ago I read that Virgin welcomed all railfans at their stations, but this may have changed. At least here in North America and Britain we don’t have it as bad as they do in France, where the SNCF (the French National Railway) has not only banned all photography from stations, but also lineside as well! Considering that it’s the country’s only railway, that makes it especially bad for railfans.
I just wi***hat people would try to do something meaningful and intelligent to protect our railways from terrorists instead of pursuing all of this nonsense!
In general there are no restrictions in on photography public places, ant station that is worth visiting will have quite a crowd of enthusiasts.
As stated elswhere London like all capitals can be a bit funny, but to view railways at their best get to places like Doncaster or Stafford, or better stillinto the wilds of Shap, or Scotland.
In the UK stay off the tracks, keep on the right side of any fence and enjoy the passing traffic.
Well NJT has a photography ban that prohibits photography from platforms and public property.