Front coach window hangers at galas

[shredder1]

in high viz clothing at galas. Such a nightmare trying to photoshop some of these guys out, is it really necessary? Another moan, sorry, guys walking around platforms and in fields at galas in hi viz who are not staff, especially the bright yellow clothing, do you think it adds to the photograph or spoils it?

 

[DarloRich]

Hardly a big issue in the grand scheme of things. ......

 

[MrGrumpy]

To some it may not be a big issue in "the grand scheme of things", but to the railway operating authorities, it could well be a big deal.

Hi-viz clothing is there as safety equipment for persons who may be officiating the event or for railway staff to easily identify those who are supposed to be in certain locations (p-way, S&T etc). What train crews and railway staff don't need is every Tom, Dick and Harry turning up at their railway in hi-viz and potentially causing all manner of safety-related chaos.

What you also have to bear in mind is that galas are more family-orientated these days and there are numerous child protection laws in place and all public-facing staff will likely to have been DBS checked to work around children. Would you want your lost kid approaching some random person in a hi-viz at the end of the platform?

It may also be seen that some of these people see wearing hi-viz as an authority to commit trespass, a passing train isn't necessarily going to pull up and the crew question your motives for being lineside with a camera (as some railways issue lineside photography permits to certified staff).

 

[DarloRich]

I wonder how, any of these people have a trackside photography pass? That is why most none staff at these events wear high viz

 

[yorkie]

I don't see how the wearing of high visibility clothing can possibly be a child protection issue.

There is no requirement to have a DBS check to wear high visibility clothing, and I'd be surprised if preserved railways did DBS checks on all their volunteers anyway.

... yellow clothing, do you think it adds to the photograph or spoils it?

The latter, but that doesn't mean you can do anything about it.

If you want photos with fewer people in them, go on a non-gala day.

It is also possible to change the hue & saturation of their high visibility jacket in software such as Photoshop if you're desperate

 

[Bletchleyite]

There is no requirement to have a DBS check to wear high visibility clothing, and I'd be surprised if preserved railways did DBS checks on all their volunteers anyway.

It would be illegal for them to do so as they are not primarily providing "teaching, training or supervision" (or somesuch wording) of children, as children attend primarily with parents. So no, they won't be DBS checked.

(OK, they could do a Basic check as anyone can do that, but it's of very little benefit as it just shows current unspent convictions, not any of the extra stuff like child barred lists).

 

[Mark G]

I went to the GCR last week and the frustrating thing was trying to take pics from bridges at quorn etc only to have the high viz photting crew to be constantly in your shot by standing near the semaphores to get "the better pic".

 

[co-tr-paul]

This can also apply to railtour staff too. I recall a Torbay Express where a female loco support crew member would not move from the window - all the way - both directions. Selfishness and being in uniform, not a good image.

 

[Bletchleyite]

This can also apply to railtour staff too. I recall a Torbay Express where a female loco support crew member would not move from the window - all the way - both directions. Selfishness and being in uniform, not a good image.

Not so much as that as that leaning out of the window is clearly prohibited, and as such doing so as staff when you have no operational reason to do so (i.e. the Guard on dispatch etc) is really very naughty and should at least mean tea and biscuits.

 

[DarloRich]

I went to the GCR last week and the frustrating thing was trying to take pics from bridges at quorn etc only to have the high viz photting crew to be constantly in your shot by standing near the semaphores to get "the better pic".

You mean the ones eho paid for a permit and contributed to the costs of the event?

 

[AlterEgo]

You mean the ones eho paid for a permit and contributed to the costs of the event?

Heh, burn!

 

[bramling]

in high viz clothing at galas. Such a nightmare trying to photoshop some of these guys out, is it really necessary? Another moan, sorry, guys walking around platforms and in fields at galas in hi viz who are not staff, especially the bright yellow clothing, do you think it adds to the photograph or spoils it?

Not just railways, but I've noticed loads of people now seem to travel around wearing orange hi-vi clothing of various sorts. Does it make them feel important?

 

[321446]

Not just railways, but I've noticed loads of people now seem to travel around wearing orange hi-vi clothing of various sorts. Does it make them feel important?

Maybe they are on their way to/from work? They may have no facilities/need to change before/after travelling.

I regularly blow up for hi-viz on platforms only to discover it's a builder. Don't bother me.

There is a pic somewhere of the Queen (God Bless 'er) in an official photo with a lot of newly qualified PWay or something. Guess who stands out more? 30 fully hi-viz'd PWay or Betty in her twinset and pearls?

 

[pdeaves]

There is a pic somewhere of the Queen (God Bless 'er) in an official photo with a lot of newly qualified PWay or something. Guess who stands out more? 30 fully hi-viz'd PWay or Betty in her twinset and pearls?

That, I believe, is the official 'opening' of Reading station.

 

[pdeaves]

in high viz clothing at galas. Such a nightmare trying to photoshop some of these guys out, is it really necessary?

No, it's not really necessary to 'Photoshop' the people out. Doesn't their presence convey something of the enthusiasm of the event? Aren't the railways there for people?

 

[shredder1]

Hardly a big issue in the grand scheme of things. ......

No I guess not, whats the odd head getting knocked off!

 

[shredder1]

I wonder how, any of these people have a trackside photography pass? That is why most none staff at these events wear high viz

Sorry, just run that past me again?

 

[Bletchleyite]

No I guess not, whats the odd head getting knocked off!

If they want people not to lean out, it's not a good start if staff are setting a bad example by doing so themselves (except the Guard on dispatch who needs to).

 

[shredder1]

You mean the ones eho paid for a permit and contributed to the costs of the event?

Yeah thats fair comment, if you've paid for a lineside pass, its not reasonable for non pass holders to complain if you get in the way.

If they want people not to lean out, it's not a good start if staff are setting a bad example by doing so themselves (except the Guard on dispatch who needs to).

Yes I agree, particularly worrying when you see two young lads squeezing through the same window at the same time and leaning out accessively.

No, it's not really necessary to 'Photoshop' the people out. Doesn't their presence convey something of the enthusiasm of the event? Aren't the railways there for people?

Yes they are, good comment

 

[Train wasp]

If people want to lean out the window then that's up to them. It's all part of a gala not my cup of tea but this is going a bit far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc8SX7iJxcQ

 

[shredder1]

If people want to lean out the window then that's up to them. It's all part of a gala not my cup of tea but this is going a bit far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc8SX7iJxcQ

Wow, not seen one that bad, I think the kid must have some sort of mental health issue, hope he didnt get hurt.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's mad. He could easily fall out.

I'd be lying if I said I'd never stuck my head out of a train window, but it's literally only been my head, usually only enough to see along the train. UIC half-drop windows are probably the best, as you can't even get close to doing that unless you do something really stupid like stand on the table.

 

[shredder1]

That's mad. He could easily fall out.

I'd be lying if I said I'd never stuck my head out of a train window, but it's literally only been my head, usually only enough to see along the train. UIC half-drop windows are probably the best, as you can't even get close to doing that unless you do something really stupid like stand on the table.

We have all done to some extent Neil, I suppose its like anything, finding the right balance and putting safety first of course and also showing a bit of appreciation for others. A lot of the European coaches, especially in the East, have drop down windows and in hot countries passengers learn out of them as standard practice, but the loading gauges are of greater dimensions.

 

[Bletchleyite]

We have all done to some extent Neil, I suppose its like anything, finding the right balance and putting safety first of course and also showing a bit of appreciation for others. A lot of the European coaches, especially in the East, have drop down windows and in hot countries passengers learn out of them as standard practice, but the loading gauges are of greater dimensions.

That, and their being higher up means you can't really lean your body out of them - it's pleasant enough to stand by them, or just lean your head slightly out.

And yes, the loading gauge is much larger so the chance of whacking anything is reduced.

 

[GW43125]

No I guess not, whats the odd head getting knocked off!

I detect a sense of humour failure.

 

[DarloRich]

No I guess not, whats the odd head getting knocked off!

So it is the hanging out rather than the high viz that is the issue?

 

[DarloRich]

Sorry, just run that past me again?

How Many - obviously

 

[Techniquest]

It's not the hi-visibility wearers that annoy me, it's those who block everyone's view and opportunity for a photo that annoy me.

I'm not big on photography, as anyone who's seen my Flickr in the last couple of years will have seen I just post stuff from my world exploration trips these days. Even so, I do like to take the odd photo now and again. This does remind me I have video clips I need to upload to YouTube from Tech's October Fest and one from Tech's World Frenzy too. I dread to think what it'll be like on the SVR diesel gala later this year, there are rumours of something insanely beast going after all. If I manage to even grab a quick photo I'll be lucky for anything running that day, and I'm counting my lucky stars I won't be there on a Saturday!

Anyway, back at the ranch...I wear hi-visibility clothing quite a lot during the year both for work and to/from work. I do refrain from buying an orange coat though, as much as I'd like one, due to my semi-regular use of the railway.

 

[Cowley]

If people want to lean out the window then that's up to them. It's all part of a gala not my cup of tea but this is going a bit far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc8SX7iJxcQ

I like a bit of head out the window action at a diesel gala, but too many people acting like this will cause everyone to be banned eventually.
It can't be too hard to find someone who's wearing a gas mask and quite clearly drunk. I reckon it would do a few people good to be sent packing and have their tickets ripped up (not a pleasant job for a volunteer to have to do though and maybe that's why people get away with it).
Unfortunately some people are incapable of self policing their behaviour.

 

[Techniquest]

If people want to lean out the window then that's up to them. It's all part of a gala not my cup of tea but this is going a bit far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc8SX7iJxcQ

Jeeeeeeeppppppeeeeeerrrrrrrssssss!

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, this guy takes flailing to a whole new level. I've never seen anything quite like it, and it sure gives the rest of us a bad name. I'd comment on his choice of motive power but let's not go there...How he didn't get booted off the railway at the next station I'll never know...