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Train runs over camera!

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virgintrain1

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Found this on YouTube, seems as this was done on a foot crossing.

What is the consensus of this kind of filming? Is it potentially dangerous?
Seems to be only one I can find filmed in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8T3r3ls-84 (Class 150)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHYVHji3Jrk (Class 220)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vluMCuqX2kk (HST)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGX0uoRtsAo (Class 31)
mqdefault.webp
 
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WestCountry

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Assuming it's just the camera placed there (and not the photographer lying on the ballast! :lol:) I can't see how it would be particularly dangerous. Being distracted from oncoming trains while on the track fiddling with the camera could be a slight risk.
 

CC 72100

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Assuming it's just the camera placed there (and not the photographer lying on the ballast! :lol:) I can't see how it would be particularly dangerous. Being distracted from oncoming trains while on the track fiddling with the camera could be a slight risk.

Understatement of the year!

Not a railway worker, but can't say I'm very impressed.

According to the video author:

PLEASE READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION---------

Just To Put Your Mind At Peace This Video Was Made With An Adult And At A Non Trespassing Location Which Means I Did Not Jump A Fence Or Force My Way Onto The Track. The Location Is A Public Footpath Which As Easy Access To The Line. The Camera Was Placed Onto The Track 1 Minute Before The Train Passed Giving Me Enough Time To Leave The Track Safely.

Just because there is footpath that runs alongside the line does not mean that you should mess about with it. :roll:
 
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plarailfan

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It's not really a good idea to abandon your camera on the track in this manner, as there can be all kinds of aerodynamic forces and pressure caused by passing trains.
In any case, some mucky water from the toilet has got onto the camera lens, on the video showing the IC125 set (on HST sets, along with some other, older trains, the toilet empties straight out onto the track)
 

najaB

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It's not really a good idea to abandon your camera on the track in this manner, as there can be all kinds of aerodynamic forces and pressure caused by passing trains.
I don't see that there's any danger to the train, but it definitely could be bad for the camera.
 

DownSouth

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It's not really a good idea to abandon your camera on the track in this manner, as there can be all kinds of aerodynamic forces and pressure caused by passing trains.
That would be a risk you would accept, but also a risk you would be able to minimise by using a compact action camera (e.g. GoPro, Contour, Drift etc) as it appears was used for these.

It gets even better if it's a one with steel sleepers, as a magnetic mount could be used to hold the camera in place.
In any case, some mucky water from the toilet has got onto the camera lens, on the video showing the IC125 set (on HST sets, along with some other, older trains, the toilet empties straight out onto the track)
Not a problem if you're using an action camera, these are all splashproof or properly waterproof.

When I'm cycling and driving I use a Drift Ghost-S which is splashproof, but there are still occasions that I would wrap it in clear plastic if there was a risk of cleaning it being an unpleasant job :o
 

lincolnshire

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It's not really a good idea to abandon your camera on the track in this manner, as there can be all kinds of aerodynamic forces and pressure caused by passing trains.
In any case, some mucky water from the toilet has got onto the camera lens, on the video showing the IC125 set (on HST sets, along with some other, older trains, the toilet empties straight out onto the track)

I like the quote above some mucky water from the toilet has got onto the lens on the HST video, it could have been attacked by a huge chocolate turk splattered all over it. Seen it happen with other things while at work, that are located in the four foot.

Also still rather silly saying was clear 1 minute before the train, its surprising how silly things like busy concentrating on getting camera in right spot and is it switched on and if it falls over etc. and you could be filming the train that kills you. At least they might know what happen if they looked at the film.

Not recommended thing to try and a little silly putting on here and on u.tube etc, too as someone will have to try and go one better.
 
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DaleCooper

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Even if the location was a footpath crossing the line (which is not stated explicitly, just "A Public Footpath Which As Easy Access To The Line") surely that does not permit loitering on the track. Could that be construed as trespass?
 

DelayRepay

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I think it's dangerous. I accept the person putting his camera on the track may have been very careful, but if it encourages others to do it, it's the start of a very dangerous trend.
 
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Pigeon

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I did it with Standard 8. The camera didn't get shat on but it did skip a few frames because it didn't like the vibration. No worry about getting run over through inattention while setting it up as I did it in such a way that I was looking in the direction of oncoming trains the whole time. I've probably still got the film somewhere but I don't have a device to convert it to video. It's surprising how much clearance there is underneath a Peak and some Mk 1s.
 

Marklund

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You do know that a "crossing" is just that, a place where you cross?
It's not a "hang about on a walkway while you faf about on the track cos you think you know best"
 
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It's not really a good idea to abandon your camera on the track in this manner, as there can be all kinds of aerodynamic forces and pressure caused by passing trains.
In any case, some mucky water from the toilet has got onto the camera lens, on the video showing the IC125 set (on HST sets, along with some other, older trains, the toilet empties straight out onto the track)
I'm not very happy with your feed back though I never abandoned my camera was with it at a safe distance away from the track if you really want to no I simply place the camera then quickly get off the line and wait behind the line at the crossing. Keyboard warrior
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It's not really a good idea to abandon your camera on the track in this manner, as there can be all kinds of aerodynamic forces and pressure caused by passing trains.
In any case, some mucky water from the toilet has got onto the camera lens, on the video showing the IC125 set (on HST sets, along with some other, older trains, the toilet empties straight out onto the track)

You do know that a "crossing" is just that, a place where you cross?
It's not a "hang about on a walkway while you faf about on the track cos you think you know best"
Well for your information I did not faf about on the crossing I simply walked over put the camera down which only took 2 seconds got up and simply moved to a safe distance and I work with the railway at times. Another reason the crossing is signals which let of sirens I also use real time trains. If this was not safe I wouldn't of done it
 
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satisnek

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To be fair this type of shot has been used in cinema, BTF etc. for donkey's years, although doubtless done under rather more controlled conditions than a simple knowledge of the timetable.

Still, I guess it's no different to putting coins on the rail to be squashed as was practised by the, ahem, generation before me.
 

lincolnshire

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I'm not very happy with your feed back though I never abandoned my camera was with it at a safe distance away from the track if you really want to no I simply place the camera then quickly get off the line and wait behind the line at the crossing. Keyboard warrior
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---



Well for your information I did not faf about on the crossing I simply walked over put the camera down which only took 2 seconds got up and simply moved to a safe distance and I work with the railway at times. Another reason the crossing is signals which let of sirens I also use real time trains. If this was not safe I wouldn't of done it

So it looks like you have come out the wood work and you are the person who owns the camera between the rails then?

So whats a safe distance away from the rails then and what,s this I work with the railways at times ?

What signals and sirens are you talking about then?

And you use real time trains will that stop you getting killed then?

Carrying out my work for Network Rail did require me to go red zone working and would end up working in the four foot with trains running, but I had been trained to do that and had Lookout Protection and had years of experience too, but we was always taught not to rely on nearby crossings and times of trains, always assume a train can come at anytime and also single line working could be in operation etc .

A really silly ides to post things on here and encourage other people to try and imitate what you have done, just think if the next person to try it gets killed by the train how will you live with that one for the rest of your life then?
 
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So it looks like you have come out the wood work and you are the person who owns the camera between the rails then?

So whats a safe distance away from the rails then and what,s this I work with the railways at times ?

What signals and sirens are you talking about then?

And you use real time trains will that stop you getting killed then?

Carrying out my work for Network Rail did require me to go red zone working and would end up working in the four foot with trains running, but I had been trained to do that and had Lookout Protection and had years of experience too, but we was always taught not to rely on nearby crossings and times of trains, always assume a train can come at anytime and also single line working could be in operation etc .

A really silly ides to post things on here and encourage other people to try and imitate what you have done, just think if the next person to try it gets killed by the train how will you live with that one for the rest of your life then?

Basically the crossing consists of two set of lights and sound a siren when the train is 30seconds away when I place the camera I get up from the line and move behind the signal lights where the public or me would normally stay and wait. I think if you saw what I really did to catch these trains you wouldn't be putting most of the stuff you have. Realtime trains is not going to save my life I know but i generally check it before I enter the tracks and make sure it hasn't gone past whiteball the place before my location. I can see why you would be concerned but again I'm still here to tell the tale am I not.
 

tcm1106

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I'm going to assume that this is Victory Crossing near Taunton then.
Regardless of the fact that this a crossing point, the fact that you wait until the warnings start before placing your camera is an unsafe practice, let alone using real time trains to inform you of traffic!
As someone who is involved with level crossing safety, this is definitely crossing misuse.
 

najaB

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I can see why you would be concerned but again I'm still here to tell the tale am I not.
I hope you understand that the comments being posted here are driven by genuine concern for the safety of both yourself and anyone who attempts to copy your videos.

Depending on Realtime Trains (or any other publicly available data source) is a bad idea - not all trains show up, and it's possible for data to 'go missing' and for it to appear as if a train hasn't passed a timing point when it actually has.

Even depending on the warning alarm isn't enough to guarantee your safety as it's possible for them to fail to activate. It doesn't happen often, but it can, and people have been seriously injured or killed due to late or non-activation of these alarms.

If you are going to insist on making these videos, as it appears that nothing we are saying is going to dissuade you, might I suggest that you use a carbon fibre rod (like a fishing pole) to place the camera while you are standing in the cess.
 

ComUtoR

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May I suggest that you sign a waiver absolving NR, TOC, and Driver of any responsibility in the event of your death. Place it in a plastic bag as it can be quite messy should the worst happen.
 

TDK

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This practice could end up in injury or death, it could also cost delays because if you have a mishap the driver will get view of you and either report it as a near miss or even take themselves off and this will cost a lot in delay costs, sorry but it is people like you that give spotters a bad name amongst us railway workers and I strongly suggest you refrain from this type of action or you WILL get either killed, reported as a trespasser or have an involvement in a near miss.
 

carriageline

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Basically the crossing consists of two set of lights and sound a siren when the train is 30seconds away when I place the camera I get up from the line and move behind the signal lights where the public or me would normally stay and wait. I think if you saw what I really did to catch these trains you wouldn't be putting most of the stuff you have. Realtime trains is not going to save my life I know but i generally check it before I enter the tracks and make sure it hasn't gone past whiteball the place before my location. I can see why you would be concerned but again I'm still here to tell the tale am I not.


Please, ring Network Rail and British Transport police. Advise them exactly what you are doing, and see what they have to say. I can hardly doubt they will condone this funnily enough! What if you tripped and couldn't get up within them 30 seconds?

It's kids like you that disrupt the network and ruin the hobby. All it takes is one driver to realise what your doing, then us (the signallers) put a caution on and trains get delayed because of your stupid antics.

Your naivety will get you killed one day.
 
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ComUtoR

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...Probably best to keep this discussion of why it's such a bad idea ...

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5269.aspx

The consequences of deliberately misusing crossings

Trains travel at up to 125mph and cannot stop quickly. You are unlikely to survive a collision
The turbulence created by trains can drag you under their wheels if you are too close to the tracks
Deliberate misuse of a level crossing is a criminal offence. The most serious offences can result in a prison sentence
.

http://www.rssb.co.uk/Library/risk-...014-07-aspr-2013-14-key-facts-and-figures.pdf (page 25)

There were six pedestrian fatalities and two road vehicle fatalities at level
crossings in 2013/14
 

455driver

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So if I understand correctly, you wait until the lights change to red and the alarm sounds and then place the camera on the track, is that right?

If so then you ARE trespassing because once the lights go red its a railway and no longer a foot crossing. Its the equivalent of jumping over the level crossing barriers when they are down!
 

HLE

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Please, ring Network Rail and British Transport police. Advise them exactly what you are doing, and see what they have to say. I can hardly doubt they will condone this funnily enough! What if you tripped and couldn't get up within them 30 seconds?

It's kids like you that disrupt the network and ruin the hobby. All it takes is one driver to realise what your doing, then us (the signallers) put a caution on and trains get delayed because of your stupid antics.

Your naivety will get you killed one day.

Well said that man.
 

broadgage

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I feel that some members are exaggerating the risks taken by the makers of these videos.
Is it really that dangerous to walk over a level crossing, and stop for a second or two whilst placing a small camera between the rails ?
Is it in fact significantly more dangerous than use of the crossing in the intended way ?
And presuming that the person is well clear when the train arrives, why on earth would the train driver report the matter ? how would the driver know the difference between the videographer and others waiting behind the line until it be safe to cross.

The making of such videos is not IMHO something to be encouraged lest others copy the idea and take undue risks, but in this case I fail to see significant danger.

The warning lights might indeed fail to operate, that would increase the risks for ALL crossing users, but those taking a second or two to place a camera would not be exposed to significantly more risk than someone walking with a stick or pushing a pram, or carrying luggage.
 

455driver

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He said he waits for the lights to change before placing the camera, those lights wont change until the train is nearly at the crossing so there is a fair chance that the train driver will see the OP in front of him, the idea of those lights is so we can see the crossing I clear!

Where exactly is the crossing he is using
 

najaB

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The making of such videos is not IMHO something to be encouraged lest others copy the idea and take undue risks, but in this case I fail to see significant danger.
And that is the main point we are making. It's not smart to make these videos in the first place, and even less so given that they almost inevitably lead to copycats.
 
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He said he waits for the lights to change before placing the camera, those lights wont change until the train is nearly at the crossing so there is a fair chance that the train driver will see the OP in front of him, the idea of those lights is so we can see the crossing I clear!

Where exactly is the crossing he is using

actully you are wrong i place the camera 2 minutes before anytrain giving me enough time to move myself away so when the red light appears im no way near the track !!!
 
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