Unstaffed Stations and Going Past the Safety Line

[bAzTNM]

I'm not thinking about doing this by the way.

A guy is at an unstaffed station, say Bellgrove in Glasgow, and he runs past the "Do Not Pass..£1000 Fine" sign. What happens? Would the BTP automatically come flying down?

Just that some nutter was just about to try it about 3pm. He looked very erratic and no, it wasn't me, and he didn't run into the tunnel.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

If he actually runs onto the track, then it is likely drivers will report it to the signalman, the signalman will then caution trains through the area, and the BTP will be called.

 

[The_Stig]

The station will be monitored by CCTV and they will contact the BTP to attend if necessary.

 

[Greenback]

Going near the track in any sort of busy area will cause disruption, that's for sure. Someone is bound to report an unauthorised person on the line pretty quickly, whether it's reported by a member of the public, a rail worker or a CCTV operator.

In my younger days I foolishly went on to the tracks a couple of times in rural areas as a short cut. I was once seen by alocal police officer (the only time I ever saw a patrol in the area), and quite rightly got a good old telling off.

 

[rail-britain]

I visit Shieldmuir quite often
There appears to be a problem where people simply walk down the ramp then cross to the other platform (too much like hard work to walk up the stairs to the bridge and then back down again)
Nothing ever seems to happen

However a few weeks ago someone left it really late and they could hear a train coming (thinking it was the local stopping service)
Got a shock as a HST went thundering through, but he was already on the track!

 

[Greenback]

I assume it has long been custom and practice to cross the line in this way? Or is it more of a recent phenomenon?

Either way, there will be a media frenzy if someone is hit crossing the tracks in this way.

 

[Hydro]

I visit Shieldmuir quite often
There appears to be a problem where people simply walk down the ramp then cross to the other platform

I saw that happen once at Walmer, a girl went down the ramp and crossed the track rather than use the subway. She then proceed to step onto one of the conductor rails to get over it. Thankfully she never touched any running rail or metal debris and didn't earth herself. My heart was in my mouth and I actually started walking towards the emergency phone. She would've gone up like a firework if she touched the running rail. I had sweaty palms for a while after that.

 

[rail-britain]

I assume it has long been custom and practice to cross the line in this way? Or is it more of a recent phenomenon?

This is equally as common now as it was many, many years ago
However I would suggest fewer sensible people do it now, and more less sensible people do it now (those that know the law will take very little action against them and if it does the outcome is pointless)

A sign that threatens a fine does not stop someone that wants to take a short cut
Equally, if the person climbs up an embankment they rarely encounter such a warning sign (and I have known people to get off a criminal charge based on that reason)

 

[CarterUSM]

It used to be common at Priesthill & Darnley for some individuals to alight from the train and immediately jump down behind the train and cross the line, nowadays they tend to wait until the moment the train pulls away instead, as if it makes any difference! Trespassing hotspot for years.

 

[Mintona]

Seen a few people doing this at Chelford. Not a good idea, it's on a short section of straight track and I think the linespeed is 110.

 

[Holly]

It is particularly common where the station adjoins a level crossing.
The passengers assumed that no train is likely to come bursting through the crossing gates. And crossing at that location became ordinary practice.

 

[jon0844]

I'm not thinking about doing this by the way.

A guy is at an unstaffed station, say Bellgrove in Glasgow, and he runs past the "Do Not Pass..£1000 Fine" sign. What happens? Would the BTP automatically come flying down?

Just that some nutter was just about to try it about 3pm. He looked very erratic and no, it wasn't me, and he didn't run into the tunnel.

Did he have a knife?!

Why are you asking such bizarre, and likely made up, questions? If nobody saw someone do the above, except you, what do you think with regards to BTP come flying down automatically?

How would they know?? Would you call them? Why would you give the report of this, then say you weren't thinking about doing it?

 

[thelem]

A guy is at an unstaffed station, say Bellgrove in Glasgow, and he runs past the "Do Not Pass..£1000 Fine" sign. What happens? Would the BTP automatically come flying down?

Thankfully we don't live in a society where every crime is immediately punished, however minor (think 1984). A sign like that is meant to be read as "please don't go on to the tracks. No really, it's very dangerous". Whether the £1,000 is charged if someone does go on to the tracks doesn't actually matter that much.

Of course the "maximum penalty" for doing so isn't £1,000, it's death, and I have no sympathy for someone who has ignored this risk and loses their life.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Why are you asking such bizarre, and likely made up, questions? If nobody saw someone do the above, except you, what do you think with regards to BTP come flying down automatically

I would have to agree with every word that you have written here.

 

[bAzTNM]

Made up? I'm sure if you were really keen and had security clearance you could perhaps check Bellgrove's CCTV around 3pm yesterday. Go on.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

You have to admit, you do have a record of asking some absolutely bizarre questions!

 

[jon0844]

Made up? I'm sure if you were really keen and had security clearance you could perhaps check Bellgrove's CCTV around 3pm yesterday. Go on.

I just have and there was nothing of note between 1445 and 1530. Care to explain?

 

[Spaceflower]

I done it at Metro Centre as a kid. Run over the tracks with my friend, behind a train which had just arrived in order to catch it. Got a right old rollicking of the conductor.

 

[NightatLaira]

Craziest things I ever saw were at Warwick station on the same day trainspotting back in the early 90s.

I saw one guy leap from from platform 1 to 2 and he made it across by only putting one foot on the ground (yes - he crossed the whole double track distance with just one touch down to the ballast).

_____________*and now slightly off topic*______________________

And literally only 30mins later a 47 hauled coal train of old style HAA wagons came through Warwick heading towards Leamington Spa at about 40mph and on the back of it along with the flashing red light was... wait for it... two rail workers in full orange uniforms nonchalantly having a smoke with their legs dangling off the back of the last wagon, their boots inches away from the tracks! It was like something out of the Old West! And I'm honestly not making this up!

Couldn't happen these days though... they would be hung drawn and quartered for a stunt like it.

 

[Ferret]

Ralph, there were tales of a basher from the Yorkshire area whose move book read '560## signal K###-signal K###'. He'd wait for an MGR to stop at a signal then leap over the fence and onto the back wagon, ride it until the next signal check then leap off again. I believe he got caught and ended up going down for it... The basher in me used to be rather jealous; the over-riding sensible person in me thinks 'what a retard!'.

 

[O L Leigh]

I've had quite a few near misses with people crossing or walking along the line. It really isn't to be recommended. Most times they are *ahem* somewhat worse for wear due to extreme refreshment, and I've been lucky enough that either I was braking for a stop anyway or they had the presence of mind to get out of the way before I passed them.

As for crossing the safety line at any location, well they usually get a good blast on the horn. However, if I consider that they are deliberately titting about I will call it in to the box so that someone can go and have a word (staffed locations) or the next train through can be cautioned (unstaffed locations).

O L Leigh