I have read with quite interest everyone’s take about the railroads’ attitude on railfans, rail photography, etc., basing the foundation of Homeland Security as an excuse. Doing some research I came across this article I think some of you may find interesting.
"Since the beginning of the _____war, railfan photographers have been coming up against numerous restrictions of their activities. The ____assures that no orders banning railfan activities have been issued. The restrictions seem to be growing out of the activities of individual roads in compliance with a request by the ___, that they tighten up on the release of could be vital railroad information if the US were attacked.
The degree of restriction varies. Some railfans report that they have been questioned by police. The ___Railroad has called in its railfan identification cards, and has indicated that it can no longer grant railfans “automatic access” to its property. Some photogs have found photography from some station platforms is being stopped. Still other roads continue to grant permission to photographers in cases where they are accompanied by a railroad official, or are working as authorized press photographers.
Some of the restrictions seem silly, in view of the fact that an alien intelligence agent could find out all he would to know from other sources. On the other hand, a saboteur might hide a bomb inside an innocent-looking “camera”. Each railroad must decide for itself to what degree it can afford to take such chances."
I kept some info hidden, here’s why.
The article, Trains Magazine, Railroad News, December 1950.
The war, Korea.
The railroad, the Baltimore and Ohio.
The agency, Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Thought I’d pass this on, paranoia, it seems, has been around a long time.