Permission to photograph charter train

[stunev]

Hi folks - some advice please. A Belmond charter train from Edinburgh Waverley to Gleneagles was at platform 2 this afternoon. I started taking pix of the sunlight on the coaches when one of the train people told me that it was a private function and that I couldn’t take pictures - I was on the other side of the barrier and taking pictures of the coaches, no people - I said this and the guy reluctantly said ok. Anyone else encountered this?

Stu

 

[Bertie the bus]

Some people think they are very important and can make up laws at will. Just ignore them and carry on.

 

[Peterthegreat]

Some people think they are very important and can make up laws at will. Just ignore them and carry on.

Absolutely.

 

[stunev]

Some people think they are very important and can make up laws at will. Just ignore them and carry on.

Thanks Bertie - I stuck to my guns and got the pictures

 

[Spamcan81]

I would have told them to Foxtrot Oscar. Hope you got some good pics.

 

[stunev]

I would have told them to Foxtrot Oscar. Hope you got some good pics.

Hi -I said to the train guy that if he had a problem we could involve the BTP, that’s when he started to back off - when I get home I’ll post my best pix

 

[Deepgreen]

It is staggering that so many staff and security personnel still think that they can intimidate photographers. My usual response is to ask if they would like to call the BTP or should I? Then they can explain their decision to waste police time directly.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks Bertie - I stuck to my guns and got the pictures

Good for you. Photography is a great hobby and it saddens me how many "pseudo authority" sorts try to stop it.

Last month, I took shots of rail replacement work, at a station local to me. I asked one NR guy if it was safe to stand on the platform and take photos (the station was not in use and no machinery on the platform). He said sure, so on I went - and some other workers grinned and posed for me!
Then one other worker, down on the track between platforms, shouted to me to stop taking photos, that it was private land and I didn't have a permit to do it. I sweetly asked him what he was worried about. No answer. But I got all my shots.

 

[Thornaby 37]

There was a situation about 2 weeks ago when some jobsworth BTP officer ordered people off platform 12 at Crewe while they were filming a steam special
Totally ruined the footage taken by the young gentleman who posted this video

 

[Trackman]

There was a situation about 2 weeks ago when some jobsworth BTP officer ordered people off platform 12 at Crewe while they were filming a steam special
Totally ruined the footage taken by the young gentleman who posted this video

Love the way he says 'Shut up Anne!'!!

I've had run-ins with BTP over filming/taking photos (just amateur ones on my phone) but never told to leave the platform/ station.
Usual lines are 'You could be a terrorist', 'Reported for acting suspiciously by staff ' (which is a lie)

 

[MajesticTrains]

There was a situation about 2 weeks ago when some jobsworth BTP officer ordered people off platform 12 at Crewe while they were filming a steam special
Totally ruined the footage taken by the young gentleman who posted this video

If I remember correctly there was some suggestion the royal train was arriving on this platform shortly after, and they were clearing it in advance. Even then, could have at least let them finish their shots first.

 

[bramling]

If I remember correctly there was some suggestion the royal train was arriving on this platform shortly after, and they were clearing it in advance. Even then, could have at least let them finish their shots first.

Still pretty disgusting IMO, and not well handled.

BTP need to get their act together, as in recent years they’ve slipped to the point where they don’t seem to be well regarded by anyone.

There was a situation recently where two youths had attempted to set fire to a train, twice trespassed onto tracks by jumping down from a platform, spat at several passengers, threw an object in front of a train, and assaulted two members of station staff (including using language offensive to protected characteristics), yet getting these two arrested was like having teeth pulled. Not very impressed with BTP these days.

 

[SwindonManor]

Why don't they respect trainspotters like these people just want to film a train because it's their passion, there's no law against it it's a fun thing to do because you get to see various trains! Not related to BTP but why on earth do some people slam phone-filmed videos? It's just as professional just because they don't have thousands of pounds worth of equipment!

 

[Sun Chariot]

why on earth do some people slam phone-filmed videos? It's just as professional just because they don't have thousands of pounds worth of equipment!

I have seen some fabulous phone-camera clips on the usual media channels. If the video is steady, no wind noise and no distracting "focal zoom to uber-wide angle", then - for me - it doesn't matter what device it's been captured on.

 

[SwindonManor]

I have seen some fabulous phone-camera clips on the usual media channels. If the video is steady, no wind noise and no distracting "focal zoom to uber-wide angle", then - for me - it doesn't matter what device it's been captured on.

Valid point i only pointed this out because some people have said this

 

[Trackman]

I have seen some fabulous phone-camera clips on the usual media channels. If the video is steady, no wind noise and no distracting "focal zoom to uber-wide angle", then - for me - it doesn't matter what device it's been captured on.

I see comments about videos and photographs by the author saying 'sorry about the quality' it doesn't matter as their picture/video is unique and people who comment on such videos/photos say so.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I see comments about videos and photographs by the author saying 'sorry about the quality' it doesn't matter as their picture/video is unique and people who comment on such videos/photos say so.

Absolutely agree. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, I was enthralled by the power of "reportage" images - sometimes grainy, mostly in monochrome; but always they told a story within the image.

 

[geoffk]

Love the way he says 'Shut up Anne!'!!

I've had run-ins with BTP over filming/taking photos (just amateur ones on my phone) but never told to leave the platform/ station.
Usual lines are 'You could be a terrorist', 'Reported for acting suspiciously by staff ' (which is a lie)

I always carry a copy of the ATOC "Guidelines for rail enthusiasts visiting stations on the National Rail network" in my camera bag but have never needed to produce it (although ATOC changed its name some years ago!)

 

[Llanigraham]

There was a situation about 2 weeks ago when some jobsworth BTP officer ordered people off platform 12 at Crewe while they were filming a steam special
Totally ruined the footage taken by the young gentleman who posted this video

How did he take the video from floor level?
If he was lying down on the platform then I see no problem with BTP getting invloved as he is potentially causing a problem.

 

[Sun Chariot]

How did he take the video from floor level?
If he was lying down on the platform then I see no problem with BTP getting invloved as he is potentially causing a problem.

GorillaPod, or similar, judging by the way he picked the phone up. A perfectly reasonable, responsibly-used and unobtrusive (compared to some luggage that the fare-paying passengers leave strewn over platforms...) accessory.

The trains and the platforms are the same size as they were when I spent time doing that, in the 1980s and early 1990s. Those years, no officious bully shooed us off the platforms, no-one spoiled our enjoyment.
 

 

[66701GBRF]

How did he take the video from floor level?
If he was lying down on the platform then I see no problem with BTP getting invloved as he is potentially causing a problem.

If he were lying down then all it takes is a quick word IF he is causing problems. If that's the reason he was kicked off that officer should have explained so.

You can also get low level footage/shots without lying down.

 

[AlterEgo]

You can also just prop the phone up against your wallet or something.