Trainspotting at Pedestrian Crossings

[SpeedyRails]

Hi All

I recently discovered a pedestrian crossing near my work and have enjoyed watching the trains rush past during my lunchbreak. However, it occurred to me today that I might be doing something wrong and I wanted to get some advice. I could only find guidance for trainspotting on stations or "misuse of level crossings", so I am still unclear on the rules etc.

Firstly, would this be considered "misuse of a level crossing"? Is there any law preventing someone from standing lineside within the pathway of the level crossing? or is that trespassing and I should only be within the gates while crossing?

Secondly, does this cause problems for train drivers? The last thing I want to do is for my presence to cause concern or annoyance while they are just doing their job.

A quick note on safety; I make sure to stand well back (2-3 metres) from the tracks and only within the pathway of the crossing. There are long sightlines in both directions and the trains appear to always whistle at the whistleboard whether someone is there or not.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

SpeedyRails

 

[mpthomson]

I'd suggest that as well as being a fairly stupid thing to do it's going to be fairly anxiety provoking for drivers as they may wonder why you're standing there and whether you're about to step in front of their train or not.

I'm not 100% sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's classed as trespass/misuse. The gates are where they are for a reason and I'm sure someone loitering within the gates wouldn't be appreciated at best.

 

[DarloRich]

I'd suggest that as well as being a fairly stupid thing to do it's going to be fairly anxiety provoking for drivers as they may wonder why you're standing there and whether you're about to step in front of their train or not.

I'm not 100% sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's classed as trespass/misuse. The gates are where they are for a reason and I'm sure someone loitering within the gates wouldn't be appreciated at best.

Seconded

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would suggest that if doing this you should stand *outside* the gate. Though this might still cause alarm, e.g. someone thinking you are a potential suicide.

 

[The_Train]

Am I right in reading this that the OP is standing trackside of the gates once the gates have come down?

 

[Darandio]

Am I right in reading this that the OP is standing trackside of the gates once the gates have come down?

Sounds more like user worked gates to me.

 

[skyhigh]

Hi All

I recently discovered a pedestrian crossing near my work and have enjoyed watching the trains rush past during my lunchbreak. However, it occurred to me today that I might be doing something wrong and I wanted to get some advice. I could only find guidance for trainspotting on stations or "misuse of level crossings", so I am still unclear on the rules etc.

Firstly, would this be considered "misuse of a level crossing"? Is there any law preventing someone from standing lineside within the pathway of the level crossing? or is that trespassing and I should only be within the gates while crossing?

Secondly, does this cause problems for train drivers? The last thing I want to do is for my presence to cause concern or annoyance while they are just doing their job.

A quick note on safety; I make sure to stand well back (2-3 metres) from the tracks and only within the pathway of the crossing. There are long sightlines in both directions and the trains appear to always whistle at the whistleboard whether someone is there or not.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

SpeedyRails

Bad idea - I'd say it comes under trespass. Section 23 Regulation of the Railways Act 1868 prohibits "passage upon or across any railway line except for the purpose of crossing the line at an authorised point." - watching trains does not count as crossing the line. Section 55 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949 mentions trespass on railway lines or "in dangerous proximity to any such lines." If you don't need to be on the other side of the gates, what's the point of them?

 

[cuccir]

To be honest I can't believe you're asking the question.

Don't cross, or remain track-side of, the barriers when they're down. For any reason. Ever.

-
You may want to read the relevant section of The Highway Code, which applies to all users, including pedestrians.

 

[Intermodal]

OP, would you stand on the wrong side of a road crossing automatic barrier when a train passed?

 

[Dieseldriver]

OP. There's no issue standing at a foot crossing to watch trains go past. However, it is an issue if you're within the fence and on or near the line. If you're stood behind the gate/fence then you're doing nothing wrong (the same as anyone waiting to cross). Personally, if I approach a foot crossing and someone is stood 'the wrong side' it does cause me concern about what they're intentions are.

 

[big all]

To be honest I can't believe you're asking the question.

Don't cross, or remain track-side of, the barriers when they're down. For any reason. Ever.

-
You may want to read the relevant section of The Highway Code, which applies to all users, including pedestrians.

to be fair our brains are all wired up differently so black and white to us is grey to others
i commend him for asking and we should avoid discouraging such questions as we may save a life -----------------and a few sets off underpants

 

[Intermodal]

to be fair our brains are all wired up differently so black and white to us is grey to others
i commend him for asking and we should avoid discouraging such questions as we may save a life -----------------and a few sets off underpants

I agree with this post completely.

 

[Elecman]

Never stand inside the gates for the reasons already mentioned for your own safety and drivers peace of mind, standing outside of the gates is fine and perhaps give the driver and acknowledging wave

 

[The_Train]

Sounds more like user worked gates to me.

Ah right. Even still surely it is pretty obvious that being on the 'wrong' side of the gate without crossing is not right. If the OP does this regularly I'm amazed drivers haven't been complaining. Must be very unnerving for them

 

[Ethano92]

I would suggest that if doing this you should stand *outside* the gate. Though this might still cause alarm, e.g. someone thinking you are a potential suicide.

Surely they'd just think you're a pedestrian waiting to cross if you're outside the gates? They may even think that inside the gate as a less understanding of dangers random member of public though of course there'd be a higher suspicion of suicide

. to be fair our brains are all wired up differently so black and white to us is grey to others i commend him for asking and we should avoid discouraging such questions as we may save a life -----------------and a few sets off underpants

agreed, how pointless to call someone stupid for asking asking a question. The OP must've understood that what they do may not be right otherwise why would they ask and seek guidance? To hound someone with 'stupid' etc when asking a question really doesn't set a good tone and I wouldn't be surprised if others have been discouraged from asking their questions which could lead them to continue to do a potentially dangerous activity. It's similar to the satire thread from a few weeks back when one of a few female members on the forum was trying to portray her view. Although I disagree with her somewhat, in hindsight essentially ''ganging up" on her wasn't the right approach at all and I see that now.

In all seriousness, still staying behind the barriers obviously, would holding up a device to suggest you're recording change the drivers suspicion from suicidal person to trainspotter and so put them more at ease?

 

[LowLevel]

Surely they'd just think you're a pedestrian waiting to cross if you're outside the gates? They may even think that inside the gate as a less understanding of dangers random member of public though of course there'd be a higher suspicion of suicide

Suicidal people are known to 'case' their chosen location before attempting their act. Don't forget a driver may pass a place many times in a day or week. Seeing the same people hanging around within the crossing gates regularly would be obviously suspicious to me as a member of train crew and warrant a report.

There is no need to attempt to come up with a method to make hanging around inside the crossing gates acceptable. The person on here has asked whether it's acceptable. It isn't has been the polite answer. The only time you should be within a gated crossing is to cross a railway. People misusing them are the reason Network Rail close them and therefore deprive people of their use.

Waving cameras around or similar makes no odds

 

[andythebrave]

If it's like the pedestrian crossing down the road from me there's a gate then a couple of metres before the stop look listen sign.
If this is the same arrangement as the OP's crossing then definitely nothing wrong with passing the gate and staying behind the sign; after all, that's what anyone waiting to cross would do.

 

[Ethano92]

There is no need to attempt to come up with a method to make hanging around inside the crossing gates acceptable.

Agreed, I did try to clarify I was referring to stating outside the gated area as I agree you only enter the gated area when crossing and don't loiter around. If the OP was only referring to remaining in the gated area then that's my fault as I've misread the original post but I still don't think theres really much threat when standing out of the gated area

 

[Philip]

Would it not be better to go and stand on the nearest bridge above the railway and take the photos from there?

 

[yorkie]

If it's like the pedestrian crossing down the road from me there's a gate then a couple of metres before the stop look listen sign.
If this is the same arrangement as the OP's crossing then definitely nothing wrong with passing the gate and staying behind the sign; after all, that's what anyone waiting to cross would do.

Only if you are crossing; you are not allowed to be there at all if you aren't.

 

[Bevan Price]

Only if you are crossing; you are not allowed to be there at all if you aren't.

But there is nothing to stop him crossing once the train has passed.
I would add that there are numerous footpath crossings where you can only see if a train is approaching when you are inside the gates. A situation that Network Rail has often made worse by wastefully installing high fencing adjacent to such crossings (a gross waste of money when any trespassers can just walk through the gate) - and sometimes also by a failure to clear lineside vegetation so as to permit clear sighting of approaching trains.

 

[gazthomas]

Bonkers. You can't be line side at any time, being an a level crossing has nothing to do with it

 

[Gathursty]

Near where I used to live at Gathurst, there is a pedestrian crossing inbetween Porters Wood and a farmland public right of way. Both sides of the track are accessed by a traditional wooden stile. Sometimes I sit on the stile for a few minutes and wait. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do but if I fell off the stile into the ballast, I would still be quite far from the track.

I wouldn't see an issue sitting on that stile and taking pictures but to go any closer to the track would obviously be wrong.

 

[CardiffKid]

The opening poster is talking about a pedestrian crossing (presumably unmanned with a gate) not a level crossing with traffic.

If you want to watch trains on your lunch break I’d recommend for safety, comfort and common sense to stand outside the railway.

 

[bnm]

If it's like the pedestrian crossing down the road from me there's a gate then a couple of metres before the stop look listen sign.
If this is the same arrangement as the OP's crossing then definitely nothing wrong with passing the gate and staying behind the sign; after all, that's what anyone waiting to cross would do.

There's everything wrong with that. It's a CROSSING. You 'Stop, Look, Listen' then cross if safe to do so. Not hang about to watch/spot/photograph passing trains.

 

[Geswedey]

Lincoln road crossing in Enfield is a location that when the crossing is unstaffed the wicket gates remain unlocked and you can't see if a train is approaching without opening the gate walking towards the line and looking.

 

[DPWH]

If you are going to do this, and let's be honest we can admonish you but not stop you, please raise one arm (not two!) straight in the air after a driver blasts his horn at you, and keep it there until acknowledged by the driver. This is to confirm that you've seen the train and that you're in a safe position.

 

[Pete_uk]

Keep behind the gate!

 

[Deafdoggie]

If you are going to do this, and let's be honest we can admonish you but not stop you, please raise one arm (not two!) straight in the air after a driver blasts his horn at you, and keep it there until acknowledged by the driver. This is to confirm that you've seen the train and that you're in a safe position.

I used to do this when at a crossing watching trains. The drivers appreciate it as they know you’re not going to walk in front of them. But, do stay ‘public’ side of any fencing/gates/etc

 

[apk55]

There are some foot crossings where you can not see if a train is coming until you are well onto railway property ie past the stile. For example I can think of one on the Buxton line near Lyme park where you have to climb steps on a high embankment to get to railway level, although you would see the train safely at the top of the stairs