[aspierail]

Which stations from your experience would you say is not rail friendly when it comes down to spotting some trains.

[HST Power]

I've been lucky enough never to encounter unfriendly staff. I always write to the TOC in advance and take their approval in writing. Upon arriving at the selected station, I alert both staff and the Station Manager of my presence and intended time used to photograph. I find that providing people know where I am, what I'm doing and that they trust me not to pull a fast one and jump on the next train, response to photography is fair.

[IanPooleTrains]

Well...............

1. Aberdeen
2. London Liverpool Street
3. Blackpool North
4. Any station owned by FCC
5. Any station owned by Northern Rail
6. Cannon Street

And I am sure there are many more

[ajax103]

Originally Posted by IanPooleTrains

Well...............

4. Any station owned by FCC

And I am sure there are many more

I object to this, not every station is unfriendly indeed when Jim Morgan was MD he pushed forward a staff brief for all staff instructing them on railway photographers and what to do, he had a poster published for public areas.

Now yes there are a few staff who are unfriendly but they are in the minority, indeed if I'm at work and it's a good service ie no disruption then I'm only too happy to answer any queries from anyone.

[rail-britain]

Originally Posted by IanPooleTrains

1. Aberdeen

On what grounds?
Yes, there are barriers, but it is fairly easy to see all the trains, and when you eventually find a member of staff you can get access to the platforms (but then again some members of staff do recognise me from working there many years ago)

[IanPooleTrains]

Originally Posted by rail-britain

On what grounds?
Yes, there are barriers, but it is fairly easy to see all the trains, and when you eventually find a member of staff you can get access to the platforms (but then again some members of staff do recognise me from working there many years ago)

We went through all the right channels, sort permission off of ScotRail HO, went to see the duty manager and he still didn't let us on even though we had permission. We had to end up photting on a car park

[scoope]

I think the message is.........that if you respect the station and staff then they will respect you. Make yourself known if possible.

[IanPooleTrains]

Originally Posted by scoope

I think the message is.........that if you respect the station and staff then they will respect you. Make yourself known if possible.

When we went to Scottyland, that is what we did, we made ourselves known when we felt we needed to i.e. at the major stations, and were always friendly and polite

[alexdodds]

Originally Posted by IanPooleTrains

Well...............

1. Aberdeen
2. London Liverpool Street
3. Blackpool North
4. Any station managed by FCC
5. Any station managed by Northern Rail
6. Cannon Street

And I am sure there are many more

Aberdeen oh yes but not any of the London terminals including Liverpool Street. Network Rail staff were very friendly and professional when I went in July and enjoyed my hour of videoing there. Now at Cannon Street you can access the supervisors office without going through the ticket barriers.

How many times have I said about Blackpool North. It's not unfriendly, just one of the supervisors is strict regarding videoing and thats it.

A lot of enthusiasts seem to have the wrong impression about that station.

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by IanPooleTrains

Well...............


4. Any station owned by FCC
5. Any station owned by Northern Rail

As neither own any, can we count out quite a few there?

[alexdodds]

Originally Posted by Darandio

As neither own any, can we count out quite a few there?

The majority of Northern Rail stations are friendly. There might be the odd one or two that are not.

[Temple Meads]

I've never let anyone know in advance, or even tell a member of staff on arrival, and I've never had an unpleasant experience because I've been spotting or taking pictures.

[scoope]

Without wanting to cause offence...............the only times I remember staff getting cross is when people start to "get in the way" of operations, smoke on platforms, chuck litter about or most often cross platform end markers.
I allways try if possible not to focus my camara or camcorder on other people and staff as that is where the problems can start

[HST Power]

Newcastle is really friendly. FCC stations aren't that bad though.

[Temple Meads]

Originally Posted by scoope

Without wanting to cause offence...............the only times I remember staff getting cross is when people start to "get in the way" of operations, smoke on platforms, chuck litter about or most often cross platform end markers.
I allways try if possible not to focus my camara or camcorder on other people and staff as that is where the problems can start

That may have something to do with my good experiences, I always try not to do anything which might cause offence or alarm, play by the rules and really you should be fine, however some staff seem to see the use of a camera as a major disruption.