Enthusiasts on the Line

[Maxfly]

I think it turns out they were older women, not photographers. No point ranting about people off topic, hey? There are plenty of complaints about signalmen if you want to go off topic!

See below, helps to read things before posting something off topic An yep, I could complain about signalmen too, work with enough of em

Apart from the fact that the article states that the driver also reported a man with a camera and a tripod was also on the line.

Exactly, thankyou

 

[Tomonthetrain]

In my opinion people like those mentioned should be named and shamed, then get given a banning order barring them off the railways!

 

[WestRiding]

who died............? you idiot. i couldn't really care less if someone trespases on the railway, but its the delay that results from it, having to stop and caution trains.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Just out of interest, which road signs in particular do you think the majority of road users disobey every day?

Stop sign! How many drivers actually stop at all of these signs!

If a photo is published in a magazine etc taken on Network Rail land etc not accessible to the public, I would have thought NR could take action?

 

[tsr]

Never said it was. What I did allude to is that its a known problem. And as its a known problem maybe they should do something about it.

No, you didn't say it was. I didn't mean my comments about the situation to be directed towards you. Sorry for any confusion!

 

[KA4C]

but saying "it is illegal" is a non-argument these days.

Is it? only if you decide that the law doesn't apply to you?

Because you choose to break a law all of the time, it doesn't make it right, does it, or perhaps it does?

Now we all know that trespassing on the railway is something that a large number of spotters and photographers would like to have carte blanche over and that some think that they can do as they please, but it can and does cause significant delay and inconvenience to the travelling public who are trying to get from A to B and have no interest in the colour of the loco on the front and to railwaymen alike.

Some spotters think it OK to ignore the law and clamber over the fence with their little step ladder, because that it what they want to do, sod the law and everyone else. Wonder what would happen to aircraft enthusiasts photting by the runway at Heathrow?

 

[Dr.iver]

I had to deal with a trespasser last night, he was standing on a disused platform 6" from the 125 mph mainline oblivious to the carnage he was causing, I was cautioned through the section as the reports were that he may be suicidle, when I stopped next to him he said "what's going on mate whys everthing going slow tonight" not sure he appreciated my response as it contained a lot of swearing. As a direct response I missed my connecting train home and so finally got home at 3am instead of 1:30am, to me personally that is my family time wasted in the morning due to sleeping in longer than I planned before going to work again.
Cannot believe how he didn't think he was being unsafe
Spotters just need to use common sense when in and around the railway and we will all get on fine together

 

[KA4C]

Spotters just need to use common sense when in and around the railway and we will all get on fine together

Absolutely and most do, but a few act like the railway is their personal playground, thus winding railwaymen up and spoiling it for those who are careful. I mean we have all "turned a blind eye" to a photter who is just the other side of the fence, but in a safe area or taken one around a yard or depot, let them in a cab, etc, but when we hear some of the "self righteous, no one died, we will do as we like arguements", then they all get written up, good and bad

 

[Nym]

Stop sign! How many drivers actually stop at all of these signs!

I do, You'll find I stop at all red lights, and most give ways and unmarked crossroads too...

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Just out of interest, which road signs in particular do you think the majority of road users disobey every day?

I can easily think of some road markings people ignore quite a lot. double yellow lines!

 

[Temple Meads]

The Kettle heads are the most well-known for trespassing!

Also sticking heads out of windows of trains moving at speed - another almost equally dangerous act

I don't think we as enthusiasts should take pot shots at fans of steam, they are still rail enthusiasts, there just seems to be too much in-fighting in this hobby at times.

To your second point, as anyone who remembers my previous user title (HST Window Basher for the record) would've probably guessed I do have a penchant for window leaning, I've never come to any harm, and I'd say it's no more dangerous than riding a motorcycle, yes it is a bit foolish (like riding a motorcycle ), but I'm not going to stop any time soon.

But anyone whose trespassing extends to anything more than going 2 feet past the Passengers Must Pass This Point sign can not be considered a true enthusiast in any way, as a true railfan should have the utmost respect for railway property, and being discreet in their activities should be a very high priority.

 

[aspierail]

Trespassing on the railway is simply unacceptable.

 

[LE Greys]

To your second point, as anyone who remembers my previous user title (HST Window Basher for the record) would've probably guessed I do have a penchant for window leaning, I've never come to any harm, and I'd say it's no more dangerous than riding a motorcycle, yes it is a bit foolish (like riding a motorcycle ), but I'm not going to stop any time soon.

On the Valenta Farewell tour, they were actually making announcements suggesting that you could lean out, but reminding you to be careful. It's one of those things you really should not do, but I still do it anyway, but I'm careful about it. However, the nearest I've ever got to trespassing for photographic purposes is the end of the platform ramp (at Glenfinnen as a matter of fact) with a stationary train that I was about to get back aboard anyway. Still, everybody was doing that when it happened. There's taking personal risks and there's stupidity that can ruin everybody's day.

BTW, are you allowed to stand on the sea wall at Dawlish? I'm guessing no.

 

[Ferret]

The problem is that the kettle photographers always used to sit on the lineside shooting away, nobody died and they got their photos. Of course, times moved on, trespass was taken far more seriously but alas the way things were is still firmly ingrained on the old 'kettle veg' as they are somewhat unkindly called! I suspect they don't actually think they are doing anything wrong!

 

[Cliveblackpool]

BTW, are you allowed to stand on the sea wall at Dawlish? I'm guessing no.

I've walked along the sea wall at Dawlish!
Look at photos on Google maps.
Some pics of Tornado & KE1 as well.

 

[D1009]

The problem is that the kettle photographers always used to sit on the lineside shooting away, nobody died and they got their photos. Of course, times moved on, trespass was taken far more seriously but alas the way things were is still firmly ingrained on the old 'kettle veg' as they are somewhat unkindly called! I suspect they don't actually think they are doing anything wrong!

There was a good example of that last Saturday with the Double Lickey Banker. This train was hauled by Princess Elizabeth and banked from Bromsgrove by two pannier tanks. There was obviously no supervision on the station ; a youtube video shows both platforms absolutely rammed, with people on the down platform leaning over the platform edge with their backs to the traffic to see it. I'm not sure whether anyone was doing anything illegal, but it looked pretty frightening to me, the line speed there is 80 mph and there are 4 passenger train per hour plus freight.

A lot of the problem with steam is that it tends to attract non-enthusiasts who know absolutely nothing of the dangers inherent in railway operation.

 

[Temple Meads]

A lot of the problem with steam is that it tends to attract non-enthusiasts who know absolutely nothing of the dangers inherent in railway operation.

Agreed - the partial enthusiast is a dangerous proposition at times.

A little knowledge is worse than no knowledge.

 

[LE Greys]

I've walked along the sea wall at Dawlish!
Look at photos on Google maps.
Some pics of Tornado & KE1 as well.

I meant on top of the wall between the footpath and the trackbed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There was a good example of that last Saturday with the Double Lickey Banker. This train was hauled by Princess Elizabeth and banked from Bromsgrove by two pannier tanks. There was obviously no supervision on the station ; a youtube video shows both platforms absolutely rammed, with people on the down platform leaning over the platform edge with their backs to the traffic to see it. I'm not sure whether anyone was doing anything illegal, but it looked pretty frightening to me, the line speed there is 80 mph and there are 4 passenger train per hour plus freight.

A lot of the problem with steam is that it tends to attract non-enthusiasts who know absolutely nothing of the dangers inherent in railway operation.

I've been in crowds like that a few times, and the best policy is usually to crouch down. Then, you don't get pushed forwards towards the edge and people can look over your shoulder. Otherwise, just find a spot that's a bit less popular (local knowledge helps there).

 

[Clip]

Trespassing on the railway is simply unacceptable.

Nail.

Head.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Nail.

Head.

and if they get hit by a train we can't usually find the head but all the undertaker needs is a few nails for the coffin

 

[Clip]

and if they get hit by a train we can't usually find the head but all the undertaker needs is a few nails for the coffin

Ooh you morbid bugger

 

[LE Greys]

and if they get hit by a train we can't usually find the head but all the undertaker needs is a few nails for the coffin

As long as it doesn't appear on an engine's bufferbeam at Paddington (this actually happened, rest of the body was at Slough).

 

[Temple Meads]

and if they get hit by a train we can't usually find the head but all the undertaker needs is a few nails for the coffin

 

[michael769]

Apart from the fact that the article states that the driver also reported a man with a camera and a tripod was also on the line.

Just to be clear my comment about "enthusiasts" related to this individual. Walkers do not generally carry tripods due to their weight and bulk, so I formed the opinion that he was there specifically to photograph the train.

Clearly is it less certain exactly what the two females were doing.

 

[tsr]

As long as it doesn't appear on an engine's bufferbeam at Paddington (this actually happened, rest of the body was at Slough).

Adding to the beauty of Slough, no doubt.

Why didn't anybody notice :roll: and remove said head? Sounds like a bit of a mess-up to me.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Clearly is it less certain exactly what the two females were doing.

Oh yeah...

 

[LE Greys]

Adding to the beauty of Slough, no doubt.

Why didn't anybody notice :roll: and remove said head? Sounds like a bit of a mess-up to me.

Well, presumably somebody did in the end. Engine was a Hall or Castle (not sure which) on what was probably a non-stop from Reading, and so had thundered through Slough at 70-80. Evidently, the platelayer who got hit was not quick enough, and nobody thought to do a stop and examine. 500 passengers appear to have walked past without comment hock: before anybody did anything about it. Of course, it may have happened at night, and the fireman's side (left) is not really visible from the driver's position.

 

[RobShipway]

I can easily think of some road markings people ignore quite a lot. double yellow lines!

The over major signs that road users tend to ignore which is a little more important than the double yellow lines, is the speed limit signs for the particular road that they are travelling There must be about 80 - 85% of road drivers that ignore the speed limit for the roads that are either on road signs or within the highway code, then wonder why they get a speeding fine?? How many train drivers do you think ignore the speed sign on the line they are travelling by going faster than the speed limit permitted? I think you will find the answer to that question is virtually none and the train drivers are quite often unlike the road drivers actually driving under the speed limit.

 

[deltic1989]

Pfft. I break the law on a daily basis I should think.
I would guess you do too.
Remember, not obeying road signs is illegal yet I would say the majority of road users do this every time they get behind the wheel.

I'm not saying what the women did was right, but saying "it is illegal" is a non-argument these days.

So saying that something is illegal is a non-argument? So if i went into town and started shooting up the waterside centre with a sub machine gun, It's illegal, but by your logic that's no reason to not do it anyway.

And the point about roadsigns I did a round trip from nottingham to Rothley and back today and did'nt once disregard a road sign because doing so would not only be illegal but would put my life and those of my passengers and other road users in serious danger. If you think that disregarding road signs is ok then maybe you should think about handing your driving licence in to the DVLA at the earliest opportunity.

Sorry if it seems like I'm am ranting here but it riles me up when people think that it is ok to break the law. The law is the law and no matter how stupid or trivial it has to be abided by.

Like I say trespassing on the railway is illegal for a reason, that reason being that you put your life in danger if you disregard this law. It is there for public safety, there have been a couple of accidents in my local area recently that illustrate why this law exists.

 

[RobShipway]

So saying that something is illegal is a non-argument? So if i went into town and started shooting up the waterside centre with a sub machine gun, It's illegal, but by your logic that's no reason to not do it anyway.

And the point about roadsigns I did a round trip from nottingham to Rothley and back today and did'nt once disregard a road sign because doing so would not only be illegal but would put my life and those of my passengers and other road users in serious danger. If you think that disregarding road signs is ok then maybe you should think about handing your driving licence in to the DVLA at the earliest opportunity.

Sorry if it seems like I'm am ranting here but it riles me up when people think that it is ok to break the law. The law is the law and no matter how stupid or trivial it has to be abided by.

Like I say trespassing on the railway is illegal for a reason, that reason being that you put your life in danger if you disregard this law. It is there for public safety, there have been a couple of accidents in my local area recently that illustrate why this law exists.

It is also an offense to loiter at a railway station, so those Enthusiasts that have not seeked permission are also breaking the law in the same way as tresspassing on the line. However, I if the enthusiast is sensible and is showing reespect for other users on the station and also being respect to the train queue I have known station masters permit enthusiasts without those enthusiasts requesting permission first, however this is up to the station master of the station.