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Videos/photos of train cabs

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Up_Tilt_390

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I didn't know what else to call this thread, cause it's got a series of questions that I have.

Firstly, we've probably at some point seen these YouTube videos about people getting into the cab of a train and filming it. All's well and good when they get the privilege, but is allowing someone in the cab in any circumstances allowed by train companies? It's done with discretion of course, and with the way that railway workers get along it's not likely they'll report their mates for letting a person have a look at what interests them, but is it allowed if the train isn't at all moving?

Secondly, what about filming? If I ever got invited into the cab of a train by a driver whilst I was trainspotting/filming (INVITED, I never ask, it just feels like a strange thing to do, but do feel free to tell me how drivers feel about it so I might feel more at ease with myself), I would obviously have the urge to film it for memories, and I would never sell it or upload it to the internet in any way, maybe I'll show some close people, but that does not harm does it? But are these YouTube videos that people upload even allowed, because if letting someone in the cab is forbidden in the first place, then it's one way to get the driver's into trouble should managers actually go through the fuss of finding out.

Thirdly, what are the consequences? I mean if a driver is nice enough to let someone have a look in the cab of their train, even nice enough to let them film it for memories, some people obviously just say it's for personal use to allow themselves to film, with the intention to upload it to YouTube later on expecting the managers not to find out. But I've heard cases that say otherwise. So what are the consequences of the driver's good intentions that he thought he could get away with due to discretion?

Finally, let's say that a video was made, would muting the sound protect the identity of the driver? I've said I wouldn't upload a video to YouTube, but I may try and have a picture of me in the seat or something just for memories in the case it happened (obviously omitting the driver). Is even a still picture so much allowed? I set my Facebook profile content to friends only and I don't accept who I don't know, so bear that in mind if you answer the question. I just see these videos and think that, with what I've heard it, it could be a serious risk to someone who at the end of the day just wants to do his job and allowed someone interested in trains to have a little more of an in depth look at one.

I guess in a nutshell, are these videos on YouTube of cab visits even allowed by train companies, and would even anything as much as a still picture pose just as much of a risk to a driver's job? Thanks.
 
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Up_Tilt_390

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If you've agreed not to upload the video, don't upload a picture either.

Filming and photography of a cab is not something I've done and not likely to do. I'm more or less asking if these YouTube videos are even allowed and if a still picture is any different. Bringing myself into it is hypothetical, as I've not been in a cab before, and I don't go out with the intention of filming or taking pictures of one, I just go out to film trains and have a good time and not cause anyone trouble, and I would only ever visit a cab if I had the privilege of being invited. That's the only time I'd film or take pictures of a cab, and I wouldn't chance uploading it to the internet. Besides, nobody I know really cares if I did it or not :P
 
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Dave1987

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The only people who should be in a driving cab are the driver, a pilotman if needed operationally, or anyone holding the appropriate cab passes. Visitors are allowed into a driving can but them must be accompanied by either a green or blue cab pass holder and that pass holder is responsible for the visitors. For railway employees getting a cab pass is a fairly easy thing to do if you ask the right people and are given the appropriate briefs. None railway persons is a different story as you need to be accompanied (by a green or blue pass holder). You certainly cannot just go up to the driver and ask for a cab ride now otherwise if caught the driver is likely to get some kind of disciplinary action.
 
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Up_Tilt_390

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The only people who should be in a driving cab are the driver, a pilotman if needed operationally, or anyone holding the appropriate cab passes. Visitors are allowed into a driving can but them must be accompanied by either a green or blue cab pass holder and that pass holder is responsible for the visitors. For railway employees getting a cab pass is a fairly easy thing to do if you ask the right people and are given the appropriate briefs. None railway persons is a different story as you need to be accompanied (by a green or blue pass holder). You certainly cannot just go up to the driver and ask for a cab ride now otherwise if caught the driver is likely to get some kind of disciplinary action.

Not necessarily a cab ride, just a case where someone is filming on a station and either asks or gets invited for a quick look. In the videos I've seen I'd guess these people filming simply asked to have a look, but as said I don't ask cause it just feels strange and intrusive, and as also said I don't really go out with the intention of getting in a cab, I just film trains cause it's fun and it's all I need to do. Cab rides are completely different though, cause the driver is actually driving then.
 
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Dave1987

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Not necessarily a cab ride, just a case where someone is filming on a station and either asks or gets invited for a quick look. In the videos I've seen I'd guess these people filming simply asked to have a look, but as said I don't ask cause it just feels strange and intrusive, and as also said I don't really go out with the intention of getting in a cab, I just film trains cause it's fun and it's all I need to do. Cab rides are completely different though, cause the driver is actually driving then.

Ow just having a look while stationary shouldn't really be a problem. Just try and choose a driver who looks like he's having a good day!
 

Up_Tilt_390

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Ow just having a look while stationary shouldn't really be a problem. Just try and choose a driver who looks like he's having a good day!

Well thanks for the advice, and maybe one day a driver having a good day might just decide to make mine better. Should uploading videos or images still be avoided though? I mean I personally could live without uploading a photo of me in a cab on Facebook if it really means that much to the staff, but again I might not have even considered doing that in the first place, it's mostly hypothetical.
 

trainmania100

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I always try not to get faces in any of my videos, and when i do photograph cabs I ensureni have permission from the train operating company.
If there are any which don't want it shared, I will make it private :) then everybody's happy
 

notadriver

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If the driver is busy maybe you can ask a friendly guard to look around the rear cab.
 

ComUtoR

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I've let a few kids into my cab but that's about it. Electronic equipment is not allowed in the cab when the train is moving so having a camera recording video and taking pictures would be frowned upon.

Are there any Rail museums where you can freely access the cabs or open days for the public where you can legitimately get inside a unit ?
 

Up_Tilt_390

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I've let a few kids into my cab but that's about it. Electronic equipment is not allowed in the cab when the train is moving so having a camera recording video and taking pictures would be frowned upon.

Are there any Rail museums where you can freely access the cabs or open days for the public where you can legitimately get inside a unit ?

What about electronic equipment if the train isn't moving? Having a camera while it's still might not be so bad then might it? As for rail museums, I do think I saw a picture one time of a Class 373 and Class 390 next to each other for an open day to look at the trains. I am not sure where it was or how often it occurs, even if it occurs at all or if it was an open day, but it was definitely a place to explore the cab. Maybe in the case of Virgin Trains you could get permission to have a look in the cab of their Class 390 which they use to train catering staff at Crewe (the same unit, 390 033, that derailed at Grayrigg), but do not quote me on that.
 

ComUtoR

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http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125529

St Philips Marsh Open day. Not sure if you can access the cab on the units but surely the best place to start would be via legitimate access.

Cameras shouldn't be in the cab. Whilst its pretty harmless whilst the train is not moving you are potentially entering a grey area. Stationary, at a terminal station where I have time and its not interrupting my duties then I don't have an issue. Could I get pulled up on it ? Possibly.

When there is a legitimate source of being able to access a unit then that should be the first avenue to explore. You would also get more time and more of a photo opportunity.
 
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