Spotters Trespassing

[TDK]

Well this poster seems to think that the only professional railway men were those who let spotters round there yards and sheds




Sadly it seems none of us are professionals nowadays because we restrict the spotters and enthusiasts from doing this.

The old steam drivers were so professional they let the guard drive back because they had too much ale to drive the train and this is fact. I think the word professional should have been unprofessional because you let anyone into a restricted area when you have been trained not to isn't a professional act.

Anyway as I said before anyone be it railway enthusiast or a member of the public trespassing in an area where they should not be should be punished for their crime and it is a crime no matter how trivial some may think.

I think the defence of these criminals by certain folks on this forum could be an admittance of guilt on their part or they feel that they are permitted to trespass because they want to take a photo of a train, sorry but it is not permitted and it does cost money in delays etc. so just don't do it!

 

[Antman]

The old steam drivers were so professional they let the guard drive back because they had too much ale to drive the train and this is fact. I think the word professional should have been unprofessional because you let anyone into a restricted area when you have been trained not to isn't a professional act.

Anyway as I said before anyone be it railway enthusiast or a member of the public trespassing in an area where they should not be should be punished for their crime and it is a crime no matter how trivial some may think.

I think the defence of these criminals by certain folks on this forum could be an admittance of guilt on their part or they feel that they are permitted to trespass because they want to take a photo of a train, sorry but it is not permitted and it does cost money in delays etc. so just don't do it!

I think a bit of perspective is needed..............somebody photographing trains where they shouldn't is unlikely to be a top priority for BTP and arresting them (as you seem to be advocating) just ties up more resources.

Oh and when I was a child my mates uncle worked at Selhurst and allowed us access to a lot of areas, under his watchful eye of course, and unlike the steam train drivers that you mentioned he didn't consume alcohol whilst on duty.

 

[Llanigraham]

If they are on Railway Property without permission they are TRESPASSING.
End of!
When will people on here realise that?

 

[GatwickDepress]

If they are on Railway Property without permission they are TRESPASSING.
End of!
When will people on here realise that?

Indeed. The law is the law.

 

[PermitToTravel]

If they are on Railway Property without permission they are TRESPASSING.
End of!
When will people on here realise that?

Has a single person in this thread said anything contrary?

 

[Darandio]

Has a single person in this thread said anything contrary?

Antman suggested Llanigraham wasn't right when posting exactly that.

 

[Merseysider]

If they are on Railway Property without permission they are TRESPASSING.
End of!
When will people on here realise that?

Yes, I think we have consensus on that.

 

[TDK]

I think a bit of perspective is needed..............somebody photographing trains where they shouldn't is unlikely to be a top priority for BTP and arresting them (as you seem to be advocating) just ties up more resources.

Oh and when I was a child my mates uncle worked at Selhurst and allowed us access to a lot of areas, under his watchful eye of course, and unlike the steam train drivers that you mentioned he didn't consume alcohol whilst on duty.

I used to work at Selhurst and it is a dangerous place to let anyone into due to the conductor rail, top priority for the BTP possibly not, breaking the law yes, causing disruption to the railway and cost, yes, I am not saying that he did consume alcohol but allowing people on to a depot isn't professional; when someone pipes up that the steam drivers were "PROFESSIONAL" and insinuated that the current drivers are not this needs to be put into perspective and yes, they did let the guard drive the train back, yes, they did drink whilst on duty, yes, they did let spotters into their cabs but now the professionalism is at a totally different level whereas if a driver allowed any of this to happen they would be throwing away a £40k plus job.

As for tying up more recourses you wouldn't need to if the spotters didn't break the law and trespass.

 

[Antman]

I used to work at Selhurst and it is a dangerous place to let anyone into due to the conductor rail, top priority for the BTP possibly not, breaking the law yes, causing disruption to the railway and cost, yes, I am not saying that he did consume alcohol but allowing people on to a depot isn't professional; when someone pipes up that the steam drivers were "PROFESSIONAL" and insinuated that the current drivers are not this needs to be put into perspective and yes, they did let the guard drive the train back, yes, they did drink whilst on duty, yes, they did let spotters into their cabs but now the professionalism is at a totally different level whereas if a driver allowed any of this to happen they would be throwing away a £40k plus job.

As for tying up more recourses you wouldn't need to if the spotters didn't break the law and trespass.

This was back in the 70's when we were given an unofficial guided tour of Selhurst. I have certainly not suggested that modern day drivers are not professional, obviously there are far more rules and regulations today.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Antman suggested Llanigraham wasn't right when posting exactly that.

Did I?

 

[Jamesb1974]

From a personal point of view, there seem to be two kinds of enthusiasts. The ones that stick to the rules and observe happenings from a place of safety and the ones that think that because they have superior knowledge or have been frequenting the same spot for years on end, they have a season pass to do whatever the f*&@ they want.

I don't mind the former. I detest with a passion, the latter. The latter are a menace. They are the kind that treat the working railway as their own private train set, to do with as they please. I'm talking about the photters who think its ok to stand off the end of the platform, with their back to oncoming traffic to get a shot of my train. Or the ones that stand on the wrong side of the fence, whether its by an inch or a mile to get the same shot. Or more detestable, the ones that decide that because they have bought a manky second hand BR hi-viz off eBay, it is a passport to trespass where they want, usually in my line of sight and therefore taking my attention away from the line and onto them.

I have nothing against anyone who wants to stand and watch or phot from a perfectly safe and legal position. In fact today, I had a really enjoyable day enjoying the sunshine, seeing the photters, waving at the kids waving at me on the platforms. It made getting up at 0500 (semi) worthwhile.

However, I have everything against the few that think they know better and, literally overstep the mark. So, for the minority who think you know best and want that 'special shot', a warning. It isn't your railway. Its mine. I'm driving on it, its my place of work, so keep off it and stop distracting me from my job. And yes, I will dob you in to BTP and whether they turn up or not is entirely up to them.

 

[DarloRich]

From a personal point of view, there seem to be two kinds of enthusiasts. The ones that stick to the rules and observe happenings from a place of safety and the ones that think that because they have superior knowledge or have been frequenting the same spot for years on end, they have a season pass to do whatever the f*&@ they want.

I don't mind the former. I detest with a passion, the latter. The latter are a menace. They are the kind that treat the working railway as their own private train set, to do with as they please. I'm talking about the photters who think its ok to stand off the end of the platform, with their back to oncoming traffic to get a shot of my train. Or the ones that stand on the wrong side of the fence, whether its by an inch or a mile to get the same shot. Or more detestable, the ones that decide that because they have bought a manky second hand BR hi-viz off eBay, it is a passport to trespass where they want, usually in my line of sight and therefore taking my attention away from the line and onto them.

I have nothing against anyone who wants to stand and watch or phot from a perfectly safe and legal position. In fact today, I had a really enjoyable day enjoying the sunshine, seeing the photters, waving at the kids waving at me on the platforms. It made getting up at 0500 (semi) worthwhile.

However, I have everything against the few that think they know better and, literally overstep the mark. So, for the minority who think you know best and want that 'special shot', a warning. It isn't your railway. Its mine. I'm driving on it, its my place of work, so keep off it and stop distracting me from my job. And yes, I will dob you in to BTP and whether they turn up or not is entirely up to them.

où est le like button?

Well put!

 

[Dieseldriver]

From a personal point of view, there seem to be two kinds of enthusiasts. The ones that stick to the rules and observe happenings from a place of safety and the ones that think that because they have superior knowledge or have been frequenting the same spot for years on end, they have a season pass to do whatever the f*&@ they want.

I don't mind the former. I detest with a passion, the latter. The latter are a menace. They are the kind that treat the working railway as their own private train set, to do with as they please. I'm talking about the photters who think its ok to stand off the end of the platform, with their back to oncoming traffic to get a shot of my train. Or the ones that stand on the wrong side of the fence, whether its by an inch or a mile to get the same shot. Or more detestable, the ones that decide that because they have bought a manky second hand BR hi-viz off eBay, it is a passport to trespass where they want, usually in my line of sight and therefore taking my attention away from the line and onto them.

I have nothing against anyone who wants to stand and watch or phot from a perfectly safe and legal position. In fact today, I had a really enjoyable day enjoying the sunshine, seeing the photters, waving at the kids waving at me on the platforms. It made getting up at 0500 (semi) worthwhile.

However, I have everything against the few that think they know better and, literally overstep the mark. So, for the minority who think you know best and want that 'special shot', a warning. It isn't your railway. Its mine. I'm driving on it, its my place of work, so keep off it and stop distracting me from my job. And yes, I will dob you in to BTP and whether they turn up or not is entirely up to them.

Fantastic post mate

 

[Llanigraham]

From a personal point of view, there seem to be two kinds of enthusiasts. The ones that stick to the rules and observe happenings from a place of safety and the ones that think that because they have superior knowledge or have been frequenting the same spot for years on end, they have a season pass to do whatever the f*&@ they want.

I don't mind the former. I detest with a passion, the latter. The latter are a menace. They are the kind that treat the working railway as their own private train set, to do with as they please. I'm talking about the photters who think its ok to stand off the end of the platform, with their back to oncoming traffic to get a shot of my train. Or the ones that stand on the wrong side of the fence, whether its by an inch or a mile to get the same shot. Or more detestable, the ones that decide that because they have bought a manky second hand BR hi-viz off eBay, it is a passport to trespass where they want, usually in my line of sight and therefore taking my attention away from the line and onto them.

I have nothing against anyone who wants to stand and watch or phot from a perfectly safe and legal position. In fact today, I had a really enjoyable day enjoying the sunshine, seeing the photters, waving at the kids waving at me on the platforms. It made getting up at 0500 (semi) worthwhile.

However, I have everything against the few that think they know better and, literally overstep the mark. So, for the minority who think you know best and want that 'special shot', a warning. It isn't your railway. Its mine. I'm driving on it, its my place of work, so keep off it and stop distracting me from my job. And yes, I will dob you in to BTP and whether they turn up or not is entirely up to them.

Well said!!
Big thumbs up from the signalling side.

 

[al78]

There was a trespass incident yesterday which disrupted trains between London and Horsham, anyone know whether or not this had anything to do with spotters?

 

[Geezertronic]

I'm not going to quote the post again, but top post Jamesb1974 - there are always the idiotic few in any way of life that think they can do what they want, when they want. Normally I'd suggest allowing Darwin to judge their fate but that would not be fair on the people who have to scrape up the remains

 

[TDK]

Or more detestable, the ones that decide that because they have bought a manky second hand BR hi-viz off eBay, it is a passport to trespass where they want, usually in my line of sight and therefore taking my attention away from the line and onto them.

I saw one yester day with a Hi-viz rucksack standard driver issue however he wasn't trespassing and he wasn't any bother, seemed like a nice lad but why get a hi-viz drivers rucksack?

 

[HowardGWR]

I saw one yester day with a Hi-viz rucksack standard driver issue however he wasn't trespassing and he wasn't any bother, seemed like a nice lad but why get a hi-viz drivers rucksack?

I haven't read everything on this thread, so this may not be original thought, but it occurs to me that the wearing of a high viz would calm drivers who might wonder if they are about to witness another 'one under'. People who commit suicide do not bother to dress up first. Neither do people who throw objects from bridges do so either, now I think about it.

 

[tsr]

People who commit suicide do not bother to dress up first. Neither do people who throw objects from bridges do so either, now I think about it.

On the former, unfortunately they sometimes do. Or just wear normal clothes. Or even start to strip off. It really depends exactly which mental state the poor person is in!

As for the latter, you are of course most probably correct.

 

[Controller1701]

Well this would seem to me to be the ideal use of the high / loud tone of the warning horn as the driver gets alongside said person committing the illegal act and then let rip with said tone of the two tone. More so if that person is lifting their arm up and down. Am sure that it will teach them a lesson or two.

 

[jopsuk]

I saw one yester day with a Hi-viz rucksack standard driver issue however he wasn't trespassing and he wasn't any bother, seemed like a nice lad but why get a hi-viz drivers rucksack?

Amazon?

(may not be the exact type you saw, but reviews indicate it's a type that drivers use)

 

[DownSouth]

Amazon?

(may not be the exact type you saw, but reviews indicate it's a type that drivers use)

Indeed. Most companies would not be having bespoke bags made specially for them, but they would simply be procuring off-the-shelf bags and having them printed or embroidered with the company name/logo.

I have a navy/orange backpack which is almost identical to those issued to Adelaide Metro (South Australia) rail staff simply because they procured the same type bag from the same workwear company as those procured for issue to the Tour Down Under race officials. The only differences are that mine has an embroidered TDU logo and elastic mesh drink bottle pockets where the Adelaide Metro version has a cheaply printed (usually seen flaking off) logo and the drink bottle pockets removed.

I wear mine when I'm on public transport quite often, simply because it's a bloody good quality bag and useful if I'm walking or cycling home at night. If any rail staff member has a problem with then it's their issue, they can deal with it by asking their union to demand more distinctive uniform issue equipment.

 

[Jonny]

I saw one yester day with a Hi-viz rucksack standard driver issue however he wasn't trespassing and he wasn't any bother, seemed like a nice lad but why get a hi-viz drivers rucksack?

They come in three colours (orange/yellow/green) and have other reasonable/legitimate uses, such as at industrial sites, road workers, etc. and even cyclists who want to be more visible.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Sports shops sell them.

 

[90019]

Well this would seem to me to be the ideal use of the high / loud tone of the warning horn as the driver gets alongside said person committing the illegal act and then let rip with said tone of the two tone. More so if that person is lifting their arm up and down.

If they're doing that with their arm, then the driver would be doing exactly what they want...

 

[Flamingo]

I wonder if strategically aimed windscreen washers would be the answer...

 

[Merseysider]

I wonder if strategically aimed windscreen washers would be the answer...

Or retractable spikes

 

[DarloRich]

I saw one yester day with a Hi-viz rucksack standard driver issue however he wasn't trespassing and he wasn't any bother, seemed like a nice lad but why get a hi-viz drivers rucksack?

I have one - it isn't just drivers who are issued them

Decent quality bag as well

 

[Antman]

From a personal point of view, there seem to be two kinds of enthusiasts. The ones that stick to the rules and observe happenings from a place of safety and the ones that think that because they have superior knowledge or have been frequenting the same spot for years on end, they have a season pass to do whatever the f*&@ they want.

I don't mind the former. I detest with a passion, the latter. The latter are a menace. They are the kind that treat the working railway as their own private train set, to do with as they please. I'm talking about the photters who think its ok to stand off the end of the platform, with their back to oncoming traffic to get a shot of my train. Or the ones that stand on the wrong side of the fence, whether its by an inch or a mile to get the same shot. Or more detestable, the ones that decide that because they have bought a manky second hand BR hi-viz off eBay, it is a passport to trespass where they want, usually in my line of sight and therefore taking my attention away from the line and onto them.

I have nothing against anyone who wants to stand and watch or phot from a perfectly safe and legal position. In fact today, I had a really enjoyable day enjoying the sunshine, seeing the photters, waving at the kids waving at me on the platforms. It made getting up at 0500 (semi) worthwhile.

However, I have everything against the few that think they know better and, literally overstep the mark. So, for the minority who think you know best and want that 'special shot', a warning. It isn't your railway. Its mine. I'm driving on it, its my place of work, so keep off it and stop distracting me from my job. And yes, I will dob you in to BTP and whether they turn up or not is entirely up to them.

Don't ever be a train driver in India, you'll find people ambling all over the tracks there

 

[lincolnshire]

I have one - it isn't just drivers who are issued them

Decent quality bag as well

Once one department get one ever one wants one as they are a nice useful size.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Don't ever be a train driver in India, you'll find people ambling all over the tracks there

Would you like the UK to have as many people struck by trains or electrocuted by OLE as India has?