irresponsible photographer at Newton Le Willows

[andythebrave]

This cements my case for the introduction of automatic laser guided RPGs.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

don't be silly. The guy was up a ladder under 25kv OHLE. You cant honestly be trying to suggest this is ok?

No not in the slightest. The previous poster was suggesting that because some photographers had caused problems or been at risk, that NR should therefore ban all photography.

My response was that since many people were injured due to phones and none directly injured due to photography mishaps, that therefore phones should be considered more risky than cameras. It wasn't a particularly serious suggestion.

Idiots with ladders need banning from everything.

 

[richieb1971]

Since NR put up high walls everywhere I've seen everything from 8 foot ladders, camera poles, drones.

Just wait until Aladins flying carpets come out for sale

 

[trentside]

It's surprising how often you'll drive over a railway bridge with a high parapet and see a bloke on a stepladder on the footpath leaning over for the perfect shot. Not as bad as this particular idiot but still not ideal in specific situations!

 

[J-2739]

It's surprising how often you'll drive over a railway bridge with a high parapet and see a bloke on a stepladder on the footpath leaning over for the perfect shot. Not as bad as this particular idiot but still not ideal in specific situations!

They're just as bad, they could fall onto the track 'accidentally on purpose'.

 

[richw]

Since NR put up high walls everywhere I've seen everything from 8 foot ladders, camera poles, drones.

Just wait until Aladins flying carpets come out for sale

Now there is something that will be illegal. A drone Mustn't be flown within 50m of buildings people other aircraft and a long list to accompany. That is covered by the law.

 

[trentside]

They're just as bad, they could fall onto the track 'accidentally on purpose'.

And harder to spot from the track, so less easy for us train crew to see the potential hazard.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Seems everyone is missing the simplest solution: ban all heritage traction from railtours. Very easy to enforce. Those who can't live without such excitement have a wide selection of preserved railways to choose from.

 

[Llanigraham]

Many people have been injured this year while trying to recover mobile phones dropped on the track, or by passing trains they didn't see while talking on their phones. Should NR ban phones?

To date no-one has actually been injured or killed while taking photographs, so the phone issue would seem more pressing...

So you are quite happy not to do anything about this idiot until someone is killed?
Words are not available to describe the stupidity of your comment!!
:roll:

 

[Harbornite]

Seems everyone is missing the simplest solution: ban all heritage traction from railtours. Very easy to enforce. Those who can't live without such excitement have a wide selection of preserved railways to choose from.

Bit of an overreaction when one considers how many incidents we have had of this nature: not many.

 

[Darandio]

Seems everyone is missing the simplest solution: ban all heritage traction from railtours. Very easy to enforce. Those who can't live without such excitement have a wide selection of preserved railways to choose from.

Not that simple though is it? Define heritage traction.

 

[bb21]

Seems everyone is missing the simplest solution: ban all heritage traction from railtours. Very easy to enforce. Those who can't live without such excitement have a wide selection of preserved railways to choose from.

That probably would be a bit unfair on the well-behaved majority because of the actions of a very small minority of idiots.

What is needed is a crackdown on such stupid behaviour. Making these idiots pay for all the delay minutes and cancellations events they caused would be a start.

Despite such mind-boggling idiocy from a few, most enthusiasts can be a great help at many stations.

 

[miami]

Seems everyone is missing the simplest solution: ban all heritage traction from railtours. Very easy to enforce. Those who can't live without such excitement have a wide selection of preserved railways to choose from.

Sounds sensible. Perhaps if the tour operator can arrange for a complete closure (like say the marathon does on roads), it could be allowed.

I don't believe the rolling stock situation means that we have to have steam trains to fulfill the purpose of the railway (transporting goods and people), so what's the point?

 

[Tim R-T-C]

So you are quite happy not to do anything about this idiot until someone is killed?
Words are not available to describe the stupidity of your comment!!
:roll:

Again. The post was in regards to someone saying that NR might/should ban all photography on the network due to behaviour of photographers.

I would happily give anyone involved in stupid actions a lifetime railway ban.

 

[bb21]

So you are quite happy not to do anything about this idiot until someone is killed?
Words are not available to describe the stupidity of your comment!!
:roll:

I think that's a bit harsh as that is not what he said.

I, too, don't think banning photography would achieve anything, and in fact completely misses the point. Banning the use of ladders at stations by a member of the travelling public (or other such dangerous acts), on the other hand, ...

That said, perhaps all we need is better enforcement of the Byelaws: feet on seats, dangerous acts, smoking on station premises, ... The fines may even pay for the cost of additional personnel required.

 

[richw]

Not that simple though is it? Define heritage traction.

HSTs

 

[driver_m]

In that scenario, there would be zero chance of me moving from that platform until said idiot is arrested by BTP. Stuff the delay and your chance of a picture that few people truthfully care about. It's not enough to tell this moron just to get down. He'd be back up there again. An emergency AC isolation call to the ECO would probably help concentrate the minds of anyone not taking it seriously. Probably take an ASBO or two before spotters stop this pathetic one-upmanship.

 

[gazthomas]

Words fail me over the idiotic actions of this individual taking risks beyond comprehension for the "perfect" image, let alone the selfishness of the individual blocking other peoples view.

My trains hammer through here at 70mph. I hate to imahing the carnage that would have been caused had he fallen or got blown off. Not to mention the proximity of the OHLE.

I have only one thing to say. BTP are looking for you. Suggest you put yourself forward. Otherwise if you know who this individual is bringing the railway enthusiast into disrepute with their behaviour then BTP want to hear from you.

Genuine railway enthusiasts are betting pretty peeved off with idiots behaving like this......

This is shocking.

 

[Master29]

You could`ve just kicked the ladder. Problem solved...although you don`t want a 125 mph Pendo screaming through as men on ladders don`t make good buffers at that speed.

 

[bb21]

You could've just kicked the ladder. Problem solved...although you don't want a 125 mph Pendo screaming through as men on ladders don't make good buffers at that speed.

I know this is meant to be a joke, but probably best we do not make such jokes in public.

Last thing we want is some immature idiot (of any age) trying to have a laugh with a mate in a similar manner at platform edge (not necessarily on a ladder).

Sorry to spoil the fun but I see too many reports on a daily basis of idiots messing around on platforms causing unnecessary alarm to others, and one day, the inevitable will happen.

 

[RichmondCommu]

That might depend on whether it transpired he was a promising young member of rail staff.

Why? The individual is still stupid beyond belief whether they are or not.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd say that what this chap did was more unusual and possibly more stupid than windowhanging (not that I am condoning windowhanipging in areas where there's little clearance).

No one, but no one should be window hanging full stop, regardless of how much clearance there is.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I don't 'get' why people think almost-head-on views are great. Move as far to the other side of the platform as possible to take the picture. Then I might be interested!

And it's just a class 37 for crying out loud.

 

[bb21]

And it's just a class 37 for crying out loud.

Hey, don't knock the 37s. It didn't ask to be followed by idiots, although quite a few seem (un)naturally attracted to it.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Hey, don't knock the 37s. It didn't ask to be followed by idiots, although quite a few seem (un)naturally attracted to it.

Yes but there are still plenty running around on the network so why all the excitement?

 

[QueensCurve]

Suppose he'd been about five feet to the left: much less likely to fall off the edge of the platform, and not blocking the picture for other photographers. Would be then be considered so stupid? Even as he is he's several feet away from the OHLE, and he'd be even further away if his ladder was not so near the platform edge.

That would place him closer to the live OHLE as it is live up to the insulator adjacent the mast.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's surprising how often you'll drive over a railway bridge with a high parapet and see a bloke on a stepladder on the footpath leaning over for the perfect shot. Not as bad as this particular idiot but still not ideal in specific situations!

That is to an extent motivated by the height of the parapet. I am still not totally convinced they need to be 6' above lines with OHLE.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

That is very close to the edge and with back to running line direction by looks of it.

What puzzles me more is why he thinks he is getting a better picture two rungs up a ladder. There aren't many people there and no-one in front of him, so why does he think he needs a ladder to get a better view.

I'd be especially interested in responses from platform photographers....

I am a platform photographer and this incident is beyond belief - I am speechless....

I wonder if this guy even took a quick lifesaver's glance behind him before turning back to snap the loco...? Maybe not, which makes him even more a complete dumbass.

Doesn't matter how far away I am from the platform edge, I always take a quick glance behind me before snapping and if a train is in platform, I make sure the driver sees and acknowledges me (if he is able to).

Sadly it's people like this stupid man that ruin it for everyone else.

 

[al78]

Sadly it's people like this stupid man that ruin it for everyone else.

It shouldn't do. I assume he was an independent adult and therefore no-one else is responsible for his actions. Therefore it is irrational to judge others who have nothing to do with him based purely on his actions.

 

[QueensCurve]

It shouldn't do. I assume he was an independent adult and therefore no-one else is responsible for his actions. Therefore it is irrational to judge others who have nothing to do with him based purely on his actions.

The danger is that a regulatory overreaction will spoil it for others. Also, if he did contact the OHLE, others close to him might be harmed.

 

[embers25]

Yes, even taking a ladder to a railway station doesn't seem normal to me. In fact, i'd call it stupid.

Maybe there are some serious steps down to the platform from trains in the area!!!!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

It shouldn't do. I assume he was an independent adult and therefore no-one else is responsible for his actions. Therefore it is irrational to judge others who have nothing to do with him based purely on his actions.

Then by your book, had he injured himself (and others) and caused great upheaval to the TOC, NR and emergency services etc - that's all right is it?

Yes he is responsible for his actions (provided he doesn't have mental health problems etc) but if every photographer/enthusiast behaved this way, there would be a blanket ban for safety reasons.

 

[ian959]

No not in the slightest. The previous poster was suggesting that because some photographers had caused problems or been at risk, that NR should therefore ban all photography.

My response was that since many people were injured due to phones and none directly injured due to photography mishaps, that therefore phones should be considered more risky than cameras. It wasn't a particularly serious suggestion.

Idiots with ladders need banning from everything.

You need to read things properly. I never suggested NR SHOULD ban all photography, I merely queried whether these sorts of incidents MIGHT be a catalyst for NR to consider such a ban.