I have never really had any problems when out taking photographs.
London Liverpool Street-My friend was taking pictures on the platform of a train that was getting cleaned etc. There were no passengers around and he was not using a flash or a tripod however, the gentleman from Network Rail patrolling the station informed my friend that he was not allowed to take photos. My friend apologised and left the platform. I then went onto the same platform to take pictures of the train and I wasn't challenged at all even though I was doing the same as my friend.
Finsbury Park-I was informed by a member of FCC dispatch staff that I could take pictures but not use a flash. Fair enough but it was daylight??
Kings Cross-I was taking pictures and an announcement came over the tanoy, anyone taking photographs are not permitted to use a flash but that could have been a co-incidence.
York-I have been stuck in a scrum at the end of the platform when a DRS 37 came in on a charter. The BTP asked everyone to get back behind the sign saying passengers must not pass this point. Again fair enough, just to point out I wasn't past the sign but a few were.
As a train conductor I have had problems with other photographers not being SENSIBLE. An example of which was when I was coming through Mirfield Station and was stopped at the next signal travelling towards Huddersfield. The driver was informed that there was a TRESSPASSER on/near the line and to proceed at caution until passed the individual. The reason there was a TRESSPASSER is because there was a special steam train coming through the area very soon and a photographer decided he would get a shot like no other. We started to move and there he was standing on the ballast in between the line coming from Hebdon Bridge and the line coming from Huddersfield with his video camera on a tripod wearing very dark/black clothes. Needless to say the person concerned was escorted away by the BTP before the train came through after delaying several services because of his actions a putting himself in real danger of being hit by a train.
Personally I have no problems with people taking pictures of trains probably because I do it myself but what I would say is be sensible about it.
Don't use a flash as it will temporarily blind the driver and if they are approaching a red signal you may cause them to have a spad.
Stand behind the yellow line, it's there for your safety and the trains safety. Personally it scares me to death anyone standing beyond the yellow line because of the dangers involved to them and the train. I think my worst incident of this was at Chester-Le-Street station. I was standing on the northbound platform with a lot of other people as there had been a 20-20 cricket match on at the Riverside. In the distance I could see an East Coast HST roaring down the hill towards the platform at full speed 125mph and a guy was just walking up and down next to the platform edge without a care in the world. I was just about to shout to him to move as the train was so close but he moved on his own accord. My heart was in my mouth at the thought of what could have happened because of his seemingly relaxed attitude.
Obey signs. If a sign is telling not to pass this point then don't as you risk putting your life at risk and you can also be arrested for TRESSPASSING if it is leading onto a railway line etc. If it is telling you that the station has a set procedure for allowing people to take photographs then follow it. If you don't then you only have yourself to blame if you are asked to stop taking the pictures and leave the station.
Remember passengers have more right to be there the you. They are boarding or alighting the train. Always give them priority, don't go off on one if they inadvertently walk through your shot. Just like when I was at Marylebone station waiting at the end of the platform for a Wessex and Shropshire service to pull out so I could get a full train shot and just as it got into view a Network Rail P-Way man walked into the shot on his way go and do whatever it was he was doing and ruined it. As annoying as it was he had more of a right to be there then me.
If staff ask what you are doing just speak to them politely and tell them what you are doing. Being angry and aggressive will get you nowhere and you have a better chance of being left alone if you are polite. If they ask you to sign in, then do it. 5 minutes of your time is nothing if you are planning to spend a long time at a station. Yes I know this is a two way street and staff should be courteous to you and I would always expect this.
Have a valid ticket, pass etc if there are ticket barriers at the station and you intend to take pictures beyond the barriers. Whether it is a platform ticket or some other form of ticket make sure that it is valid for the station you are at. Don't just expect the ticket barrier staff to let you through without a ticket to take a photo as they don't have to.
Now before anyone has a moan and tells me that this is not the guidelines set out by Network Rail or a TOC etc this is just my personal opinion. I am not telling you that you must follow these rules but they might just help you when youre out and about.
I do feel that 95% of photographers apply common sense and obey rules etc but it's the 5% that don't seem to cause problems for everyone else.
To see my photos please visit
http://www.flickr.com/sjdavison28
