Can anyone here tell me if there is any legal danger of railfanning in New York State?
I’m planning a railfan trip in May & would like to make sure that I’m not going to ruffle any of the local law enforcement’s feathers.
Any advice would be helpful
Gordon
Hmmm. Lets see. A foreign national taking photos around railroads in NYS. I’d venture to say you do it at your own risk. Of course, probably nothing will happen, unless you bump into the wrong cop, or trespass or otherwise look suspicious. At worst you probably end up in jail and sent back to Canada after being told never to come back…
LC
Are you asking if there is any dangers in railfanning along roadways or elsewhere involving law enforcement? My best answer is given as “zero encounters”. DO NOT PARK ON RAILROAD PROPERTY!!! On public roads, if I were you I’d park back 50 - 100 feet from a grade crossing well off the shoulder of the road. DO NOT park like this and put your hazard lights on if you ever tour Monroe County. The deputies here will stop for hazards, locate and question you, and although they’re some of the best cops you’d ever meet in the entire state, you just don’t want any inconveniences. They have better things to do with their time as do you. MCSD will already know what you’re doing, will keep a distant watchful eye, but will not interfere with your activities, unless you cross over that thin yellow caution line - not clearly known the boundaries of that line.
Oh, and another good idea is to spell Binghamton correctly, unless you’re looking for the one on Long Island…lol…
LC
No…Tresspasing is ticketble offence in NY state…Just be real nice to the officer
I have been railfaning thr Conrail riverline in Kingston (just an hour from Albany) for about over 12 years and have not had any problems with the law enforcement… A few complaints but no tickets. I just keep a low profile and if the police stop you just nicely explain that you are a railfan… otherwise just obey the laws and you will be just fine.
In Binghamton as long as you stay off railroad property you will not have any problems with the local railroards, the RR cop may check you out to see if you are realy a railfan but they dont hassel ( and sometimes give you train info) you as long as you stay off the property. Just use common sence when parking on public roads and you will have no problems with the local police. There are many places to shoot trains from public property.