Police hunt extreme trainspotter

[GlosRail]

Taken from http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co...r-Tewkesbury/story-17447803-detail/story.html

"British Transport Police are hunting an 'extreme trainspotter' who crossed over a level crossing barrier to photograph a steam train in Tewkesbury.

The incident is reported to have happened at Northway Crossing at around 9.40am on Saturday, October 20.

Northway level crossing

TiG understands the man involved was a trainspotter eager to get a picture of the steam train as it approached.

BTP issued a photograph of twpo men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

PC Alan Fishpool, of BTP, said: “A South West Coast steam train was approaching the level crossing at Northway when the driver saw a man he believed was trespassing, track side of the level crossing barriers which were down at the time to signal a train was approaching.

“This man was taking photographs of the approaching train. Due to the man’s position track side of the lowered barriers, the driver slowed the train. The man then returned to the correct side of the barriers.

“The driver stopped the train at the crossing to speak to the man but, as he did so, a second man began to verbally abuse the driver.

“A member of staff on board the took a photo of two men standing at the crossing who I would now like identify and speak to as I believe they will be able to assist me with my enquiries.

“Alternatively, if you are one of the men in the photograph, I would urge you to contact BTP straight away.”

Anyone with information which can assist, police call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In all calls, please quote incident reference B2/WWA of 28/11/2012."

 

[anthony263]

What an idiot, certainly muppits like these two give us all a bad name. Any wonder why some staff dislike railway enthusiasts?.

Certainly hope other ailway enthusiasts who know these two will tell the police who they are.

 

[Greenback]

It often to be the steam trains that cause people to behave in such stupid ways. I'm not saying that everyone is well behaved when they ar ephotographing old diesels, but there does seem to be mor echance of stupidity when a kettle is involved.

 

[43167]

It often to be the steam trains that cause people to behave in such stupid ways. I'm not saying that everyone is well behaved when they ar ephotographing old diesels, but there does seem to be mor echance of stupidity when a kettle is involved.

I was thinking the same. The near miss in Anglia was a guy filming a Kettle. And on more than one occasion when ive done the Scarborough Spa express on the evening or morning York-York loop, there are people who have gone beyond the permitted area's of Castleford and Normanton stations.

 

[anthony263]

It often to be the steam trains that cause people to behave in such stupid ways. I'm not saying that everyone is well behaved when they ar ephotographing old diesels, but there does seem to be mor echance of stupidity when a kettle is involved.

I certainly agree with you on this greenback especially as I have seen what happens at Cardiff Central whenever a steam special visits although they seem to behave when a steam special visits Swansea

 

[jopsuk]

wonder if the train crew got the numberplate of the car in the background of the photo? I'd hope if they did the BTP have already got in contact with its registered owner, to at the very least eliminate them from their enquiries.

 

[Jonny]

Hmmm, more to this than first appears...

The crossing is half-barrier, so it is possible to walk ahead without going over anything. Especially if you're not fully concentrating or suffering from camera-related disorientation (like looking at an LCD screen on cheaper cameras) and don't realise exactly where you are.

My first question, if accused - talking hypothetically here, would be, "how was I trespassing if I was still on the public highway?" assuming that it's not a case of stepping to the side.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Post-script - Google maps here shows a half-barrier and it's the only level crossing I could find on google maps in the area.

Post-script 2 - If it's that bad and someone just wants a legal pretense to fine someone, why not add a flashing red man (DfT diagram 4006)?

 

[Harbon 1]

They might have been behind the barrier line, but on the road side. With no visual reference (ie barrier) it would be hard to tell.

But seriously, what is wrong with a picture over the fence or crop the fence out, or find a footbridge? :roll:

It does seem to be kettle photters who do this, I filmed a steam tour from my garden (shameful YouTube plug) and there was a bunch of photographers on the othe side of the line in the field, and they all got bowled by a 66 on the slow with 32 HTAs

 

[GlosRail]

The daft thing is there is a foot bridge less than a 1/4 mile from the crossing which gives about a 2 mile view up the line.

I'm guessing he was at first standing with his back to a small building which is the other side of the line by the opposite barrier.

 

[transmanche]

If it's that bad and someone just wants a legal pretense to fine someone, why not add a flashing red man (DfT diagram 4006)?

I've never seen one of those at a level crossing. Has anyone else?

 

[Jonny]

I've never seen one of those at a level crossing. Has anyone else?

On NwR rails in Scotland (e.g. Kyle Line at Dingwall, just above the "keep crossing clear sign"), and on the Trafford Park railway in Manchester (were here in 2007, but now seemingly removed - although that's for another day).

 

[trentside]

I've never seen one of those at a level crossing. Has anyone else?

Yes, the High Street crossing in Lincoln has them fitted.

I don't believe there is any excuse for trespassing for the 'perfect' picture - and I hope that the BTP are able to catch up with this individual, and his friend who decided to verbally abuse the driver.

 

[transmanche]

Yes, the High Street crossing in Lincoln has them fitted.

I was there a couple of months ago - I'd better keep my eyes open a bit more in future!

 

[GodAtum]

Arent there meant to be CCTV at all crossings?? It will be hard to do anything with these guys unless there is sufficient evidence.

 

[GB]

Arent there meant to be CCTV at all crossings??

No

It will be hard to do anything with these guys unless there is sufficient evidence.

Maybe, but that doesn't mean the BTP can't have a word with them, especially about verbal abuse.

 

[Ferret]

Yes, the High Street crossing in Lincoln has them fitted.

I don't believe there is any excuse for trespassing for the 'perfect' picture - and I hope that the BTP are able to catch up with this individual, and his friend who decided to verbally abuse the driver.

Perfect picture in this case is hilarious. There are umpteen better locations around that area - why the hell go to that level crossing?! Oh dear.

 

[CallySleeper]

I've never seen one of those at a level crossing. Has anyone else?

Also Haxby Crossing (despite being full barrier CCTV)

 

[OuterDistant]

All mainline steam workings should have camouflage. It would soon put a stop to nonsense like this if no-one can take photographs!

 

[district]

All mainline steam workings should have camouflage. It would soon put a stop to nonsense like this if no-one can take photographs!

Or perhaps organise other trains to pass?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBBK2hjcPuA

 

[Oswyntail]

Please. These are not "trainspotters" - an honourable title, if slightly abused these days - but are "Railway photographers". I wouldn't want the noble trainspotter to have his public image besmirched by these hooligans.

 

[Jatos]

Oh my gosh, these people need some sense knocking into them, probably will though, from an oncoming train!

 

[D1009]

Please. These are not "trainspotters" - an honourable title, if slightly abused these days - but are "Railway photographers". I wouldn't want the noble trainspotter to have his public image besmirched by these hooligans.

They're not trainspotters, extreme or otherwise, railway enthusiasts or railway photographers, they are people who know nothing about the railway or photography for that matter, who have been told a steam train is coming and they should point their phone at it from as close as possible.

 

[starrymarkb]

I'd also class this guy as extreme

[youtube]ko4wYN-1SVU[/youtube]

 

[Jatos]

Is that on the way to St Pancras? looks like Blue Bell hill tunnel to me

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Is that on the way to St Pancras? looks like Blue Bell hill tunnel to me

That tunnel is in Germany...

 

[bailey65]

When the barriers are closed does the roadway become part of the railway rather than the public highway as it is no longer functioning as a road.
I would have thought it would be under railway jurisdiction in the eyes of the law and when it comes to prosecuting these two idiots, a bit of a grey area really i often wonder how many caught trespassers ever get the full penalty my guess would be none.

 

[Ediswan]

When the barriers are closed does the roadway become part of the railway rather than the public highway as it is no longer functioning as a road.

My understanding is that it is always part of the railway. Sometimes vehicles, pedestrians, animals etc. have persmission to be there. But always part of the railway.

I could be wrong.

 

[starrymarkb]

Is that on the way to St Pancras? looks like Blue Bell hill tunnel to me

As yet the ICE3 isn't operating in the UK...

 

[Eagle]

My understanding is that it is always part of the railway. Sometimes vehicles, pedestrians, animals etc. have persmission to be there. But always part of the railway.

That's right. Hence why Network Rail are responsible for level crossings, not local authorities' roads departments.

 

[Jatos]

As yet the ICE3 isn't operating in the UK...

I guess thats a no then!

Actually, I looked at the date on the video later, the ICE did a testrun in the UK but realised it couldn't have been that train when I saw the date on the video

I also didn't realise it was a German video...