Problems at stations?

[martyn29]

One point I just posted in another thread that would be relevant here is that I've been (more than once) stuck behind ticket barriers because the staff are off having a chat further down the concourse, and I cannot put my ticket through the barriers.

come to Leicester and If i'm on I will do my best to help!

 

[W14Fishbourne]

One point I just posted in another thread that would be relevant here is that I've been (more than once) stuck behind ticket barriers because the staff are off having a chat further down the concourse, and I cannot put my ticket through the barriers.

You could try pointing out to them, gently but chidingly, that for safety reasons Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) requires that gatelines must be staffed at all times, and that does not mean by someone who has wandered off around the station for whatever purpose. If the only member of staff has to leave the gateline unattended for whatever reason then the gates must be opened.

Ask for the member of staff's name and tell them that you intend to report the matter to the TOC's Safety Manager.

Have any of you had any problems spotting/photting at any of the following stations?
–Slough, Ealing Broadway, Stratford, Finsbury Park, Lewisham? or any other stations near London?
Someone I know is raising this with Network rail and would like to know anyone who has had problems/confrontations?

No good raising the matter with Network Rail for any of these stations, they're all run by TOCs.

Lets see, cautioned by a BTP Officer at Manchester Piccadilly, despit explaining I was following the correct guidlines about photography. The station staff at Meols have threatened to call the police unless I left the station. I've been thrown out of London Victoria despite writting for permission in advance AND having the information with me on that day. I've been asked to stop taking photos at Liverpool Lime Street because I 'looked suspicous'. Staff at Edge Hill have asked me to stop taking photographs and the staff at Wigan North Western have been a bit unsure about what I was doing and had a senior member of staff approach me about it. Otherwise I think i've been alright really :glasses2:

Had you actually signed in at any of these stations, as required under the guidelines, before starting to take photographs? I'd be very surprised if you'd have been thrown out if you'd said that you'd signed in with the station manager and he'd given you the ok.

I always keep a copy of the guidelines with me when on stations - the version published by the British Transport Police. That looks much more official if any jobsworth raises security issues.

 

[yorkie]

Had you actually signed in at any of these stations, as required under the guidelines, before starting to take photographs?

I'd argue that there is no such requirement, firstly, the "guidelines" are (AFAIK) only available online, and even then only if you follow links to guidelines for enthusiasts. Presumably that means general photographers who are not actually enthusiasts are immune from the guidelines!

Secondly, there is nothing under the "Photography" section to indicate that you need to sign in or obtain permission.

Thirdly, the part that you refer to (which, again, is only available to those with 'net access and only applicable to enthusiasts) is under the heading "Before you enter the platform", and goes on to say you "may need a platform ticket", so it seems to be worded from the point of view of someone arriving by foot/car and going to a railway station and not actually catching a train. I am aware that some enthusiasts do this, and some do it for several hours at the same location, it doesn't seem to be worded in a way that is compatible with people who, like me, arrive by train, take a few photos in between connections (which may be as little as 10 or 20 minutes!) and then boarding another train. There is nothing legally wrong at all in taking photos in such circumstances and not signing in!

 

[158809]

Ive never had problems with taking photography!

There was once, where i was reminded not to use flash (I dont anyway) when i was at Sheffield, but i wouldn't say that it caused a problem.

Ive obviously been fairly lucky when out taking pics!

 

[ChrisCooper]

The only places I've had problems are Liverpool Lime Street (that was worst, searched and threatened with arrest by police if caught again, just for walking down the platform to see the loco coupling onto the front of the XC service), Leicester (only once, and to be honest I don't even know if he was staff, at best he was a cleaner), St Pancras (a couple of times between LCR taking over security and the move to the interim station, although thankfully not on the last day), Brighton (not me specifically, but someone tried on some enthusiasts taking a photo of a slammer, but gave up against weight of numbers since we'd just got off the "Last Thump" railtour) and Bromley South (most amusing thing was that I was photographing a slammer as it came in that I was going to catch back to Victoria, and he followed me as I got on the train to keep telling me I couldn't take photographs, running down the platform to catch up with me).
Ironically, every single time I've had problems I've been taking one or two photographs whilst waiting for a train, each time I've had a valid ticket, and on two occasions I had to walk away from the situation to board the train I was waiting for. Also, not once has security been mentioned, not once have I been told I needed to sign in or get permission, it's always been along the lines of photography not being allowed on that station, which actually is a downright lie (there is not one station in the country where photography is banned, or even where permission is required, and that includes the international stations other than the security areas, infact outright photography bans or requirements for permission are very rare at any station in the free world). Whilst I don't make a habbit of hanging around station photographing, the times I have done it I've never had a problem, despite sometimes being there for over an hour, often down at the end of the platform.

 

[Bonemaster]

I've only ever had issues at Birmingham New Street on a short connection where some jobsworth said I "looked like a terrorist", a long exchange of words enveloped and I missed my connection. A small issue at Birmingham International the other morning when the gripper wouldn't let me on, and the person who I had to ask was the other side of the gripper, Rock and hard place sprang to mind

Never had an issue at Coventry, have always been accomadating

 

[Mojo]

Others have said this before; if they wanted these so called guidelines to be anything more they would be avaliable in printed form at stations, not put away in the back end of some website somewhere.

 

[Bonemaster]

Or even that staff should be aware that there are guidelines for people to follow, not hard and fast rules.

Certainly as far as I was aware if you was in possession of a valid ticket there was no way that you could be removed

 

[tedted]

Others have said this before; if they wanted these so called guidelines to be anything more they would be avaliable in printed form at stations, not put away in the back end of some website somewhere.

Obviously why it's extremely difficult to get hold of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.