Lineside Photographic Permits

[geoffk]

A previous thread on this subject is closed.

I've just read that GCR is discontinuing the issue of lineside permits from the start of 2019. Anyone heard this and is there is a particular reason? I believe that Mid Hants and Glos-Warks have also stopped issuing permits. I have a Worth Valley permit and am not aware of any plans to stop them but what other lines issue them now? I remember getting a one-day pass on the Bluebell but that was years ago and I doubt if any railways issue these now.
https://www.national-preservation.c...-that-gap-great-central-railway-news.1272312/

 

[james60059]

It's been doing the rounds on social media, apparently those who currently have a pass valid beyond January 1st 2019 will be offered a refund on a pro-rata basis. One chap has been offered £7 although I don't know when in 2019 his pass expires.

 

[John Edkins]

It's a fact please see the following link

 

[gazthomas]

I guess with all the authorised line siders being killed it was inevitable.

I don't understand it, the risk is so small.

 

[Bevan Price]

Probably inevitable now that Health & Safety people are increasingly over-cautious.

However it does have advantages for those of us who take photos from bridges and other locations outside the railway boundary - no longer will we have photos spoiled by people with orange vests /jackets standing in prominent positions.

 

[Flying Phil]

That certainly is a blow - but I am sure the Railway would not willingly have foregone the income and publicity from lineside photographers.
I wonder if this is also evidence that the ORR/H & S, is indeed looking more closely at preserved railway operations - ref the current WSR and also the SDR toilet floor incident.

 

[43096]

That certainly is a blow - but I am sure the Railway would not willingly have foregone the income and publicity from lineside photographers.
I wonder if this is also evidence that the ORR/H & S, is indeed looking more closely at preserved railway operations - ref the current WSR and also the SDR toilet floor incident.

The WSR and SDR incidents are basically self-inflicted, though. One through the internal warfare that has been going on for some time and the other through, frankly, gross incompetence and negligence.

 

[Ploughman]

Probably inevitable now that Health & Safety people are increasingly over-cautious.

However it does have advantages for those of us who take photos from bridges and other locations outside the railway boundary - no longer will we have photos spoiled by people with orange vests /jackets standing in prominent positions.

Don't forget the people who will be authorised to be trackside.
PW and S+T still need to do their work.
So not the end of Hi Vis trackside.

 

[geoffk]

I wonder how many members the GCR will lose. Can anyone tell me which railways apart from the Worth Valley now issue lineside permits?

 

[transportphoto]

North Norfolk Railway still issue line side passes.

 

[reddragon]

LINESIDE PHOTOGRAPHIC PASSES

The board has recently taken the decision to withdraw the issuing of lineside passes to photographers, with effect from 2019.

We have not taken this decision lightly. It was made following the outcome of our recent ROGS* audit where it was flagged up as a potentially dangerous situation, which we were complicit in allowing to continue.

We already have procedures in place that only working volunteers who are properly PTS trained may go lineside, so it makes no sense to sell photographic passes for a small fee and allow individuals to freely wander up and down the line unchecked.

We are all volunteers, and we have no way of policing such a scheme. We accept that the majority of those who obtain passes are responsible and sensible people; unfortunately, a few are not.

We recognise that our decision will come as a blow to a number of those whose hobby is in photography and apologise to them for the withdrawal of this facility. In some respects, it is no more than an extension of the past decisions to restrict public entry to our workshops and yards.
I hope that everyone will understand why in this day and age it has been necessary to make this decision.

*ROGS - The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (as amended in 2011 & 2013)

The railway insurers require that ROGS are met, so looks like a heritage industry wide change wanted or not!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

It's a fact please see the following link

Ridiculous hyperbole in that video: "These scenes will now become history". No they won't. But the method of recording them will have to change. It's hardly the end of the world. How do you think photographers/videographers get their lineside shots of the national network? The only people negatively affected are those for whom railways are a kind of grown-up playground. Even actual playgrounds have had to adapt to improved safety standards. Put the violins away!

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Ridiculous hyperbole in that video: "These scenes will now become history". No they won't. But the method of recording them will have to change. It's hardly the end of the world. How do you think photographers/videographers get their lineside shots of the national network? The only people negatively affected are those for whom railways are a kind of grown-up playground. Even actual playgrounds have had to adapt to improved safety standards. Put the violins away!

Just so

 

[Bevan Price]

Presumably it may also affect the private hire charters on heritage lines, where photographers hire - and travel upon - a train, stopping it at a few locations to photograph "runpasts" ?

 

[43096]

Presumably it may also affect the private hire charters on heritage lines, where photographers hire - and travel upon - a train, stopping it at a few locations to photograph "runpasts" ?

Can't they photograph "run pasts" from station platforms?

 

[geoffk]

Can't they photograph "run pasts" from station platforms?

No of course not, if they want to get the best out of their day. Private charters are not cheap to organise and the best locations are usually away from stations. You've obviously never been on a photographic charter. I admit that most of mine have been overseas where access to the lineside is less problematic. The GCR has required pass applicants to be in good health and have a good knowledge of trackside safety procedures. A health declaration must be signed and the safety knowledge is tested by means of a self-assessment form. Isn't that sufficient? They are all adults.

 

[43096]

No of course not, if they want to get the best out of their day. Private charters are not cheap to organise and the best locations are usually away from stations. You've obviously never been on a photographic charter. I admit that most of mine have been overseas where access to the lineside is less problematic.

No, I haven't. Nor do I have any interest in such stage managed events. Far rather take photos of real things as they happen (or don't!).

The GCR has required pass applicants to be in good health and have a good knowledge of trackside safety procedures. A health declaration must be signed and the safety knowledge is tested by means of a self-assessment form. Isn't that sufficient? They are all adults.

Self-evidently not. Just saying "they are all adults" is not really a defence in law, these days. And some of them might be adults, but they sure as hell don't act it.

 

[geoffk]

Self-evidently not. Just saying "they are all adults" is not really a defence in law, these days. And some of them might be adults, but they sure as hell don't act it.

Not in my experience. All passholders I know on the Worth Valley behave responsibly and that was also the case on overseas tours when there could be as many as 50 of us lining up for photographs.

 

[Spamcan81]

The Bluebell Railway, NYMR and SVR still issue lineside passes. AFAIK a PTS exam has to be sat and passed before a pass is issued.

 

[reddragon]

Presumably it may also affect the private hire charters on heritage lines, where photographers hire - and travel upon - a train, stopping it at a few locations to photograph "runpasts" ?

They would be supervised so very different.

 

[reddragon]

The Bluebell Railway, NYMR and SVR still issue lineside passes. AFAIK a PTS exam has to be sat and passed before a pass is issued.

The change here is that they would have to sign in/out

 

[Flying Phil]

Perhaps it would be a good idea for the Heritage Railways to get together and have a common policy?

 

[reddragon]

Perhaps it would be a good idea for the Heritage Railways to get together and have a common policy?

now there's an idea! Like NR Sentinal cards, that you cannot use on LUL

 

[geoffk]

Perhaps it would be a good idea for the Heritage Railways to get together and have a common policy?

Narrow gauge railways tend to be a bit more relaxed. Both the Kirklees Light Railway and the West Lancashire Railway allow you to walk alongside the track if you've got a ticket and a high-viz jacket. I think the KLR issues a one-day pass but it's a while since I was there. I was allowed to go into the sheds at Llanuwchllyn, Bala Lake Railway.

 

[43096]

Perhaps it would be a good idea for the Heritage Railways to get together and have a common policy?

Simplest way would be no photographic permits.

 

[geoffk]

Simplest way would be no photographic permits.

Why? Are you a photographer?

 

[43096]

Why? Are you a photographer?

Why? Because the easiest way to get common agreement would be lowest common denominator - which is no passes, as some railways either don’t have them or are stopping them.

Am I a photographer? Irrelevant for this discussion.

If you were a Director of a preserved railway, would you be happy issuing lineside photographer permits, knowing full well it was you holding the “go to jail” card if it went wrong?

 

[bluegoblin7]

now there's an idea! Like NR Sentinal cards, that you cannot use on LUL

LUL have been (slowly) moving over to Sentinel for a while now, although an additional module is required.

 

[Macwomble]

NYMR requires lineside photgraphers to have a photgraphers pass (must have a valid PTS), hi-viz & to sign in/out at a signal box.

 

[geoffk]

The withdrawal of lineside permits was all the talk at the recent GCR gala. Apparently a permit holder was photographed walking down the middle of the track. So perhaps there we have it - one person has spoilt it for everyone else.