Lineside Trespassers.

[David Dunning]

Having read with interest the two threads on trespass , it got me thinking about the RAILWAY CHILDREN film that's running on ITV 3 this week.
My question is .... Does a film like this which shows children running up and down tracks and in and out of tunnels encourage the idea that railway tracks are a playground ?

Discuss .. if you're bored.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Having read with interest the two threads on tresspass , it got me thinking about the RAILWAY CHILDREN film that's running on ITV 3 this week.
My question is .... Does a film like this which shows children running up and down tracks and in and out of tunnels encourage the idea that railway tracks are a playground ?

Discuss .. if you're bored.

Well, The Railway Children is set in the early 20th Century, times have changed quite a lot since then...

If anyone is stupid enough to repeat something which is obviously not too safe, then, well, they're stupid. I've just watched a bloke on YT inhale tequila through his nose, it doesn't mean I'll do the same, because I know it's stupid...

 

[strange6]

Well, The Railway Children is set in the early 20th Century, times have changed quite a lot since then...

If anyone is stupid enough to repeat something which is obviously not too safe, then, well, they're stupid. I've just watched a bloke on YT inhale tequila through his nose, it doesn't mean I'll do the same, because I know it's stupid...

I am bored so I'll contribute another stupid scenario of SteveO injecting neat Vodka directly into his blood stream. Don't try that at home boys and girls! Even the BBFC cut it from the video!

 

[es373]

common sense prevailed.

There's no such thing. Sorry.

O L Leigh

Very true.
The ones who have some how got hold of a ToC hi-vis vest are the worst. They seem to think that they work for the company therefore don't have to abide by the rules.
Can I make it clear that this is not practised by staff, we all stick to the laid down rules no matter how crappy they are.
I do feel that this minority of spotters ruin the reputation of the railways - i recall seeing one video of a spotter nearly getting splatted up the windscreen of a train because he was taking photos of some old steam piece of ****.
Yet again another spotter breaking the rules.

Will it ever stop? No.

 

[185]

No doubt after someone has now noticed this is a crime, BTP will issue a witness appeal on Monday morning.

"Bobbie, Peter, Phyllis and a brown teddybear are all suspected of going equipped for cable theft."

 

[yorkie]

There seem to be 5 topics that have been active today, specifically to discuss railway trespass. I think that the More trespassers - Rannoch Viaduct and A trespassing enthusiast... topics may as well remain seperate as we have photos of the culprits and discussion of the specific incidents. There was also the recent Disruption: Southern south of Clapham Junction discussion where a trespasser posted the video of their trespass on to Youtube which was then posted here and shortly after appeared on the BBC News Site. Clearly, trespass is a hot topic right now. But for more general discussion on trespassing, I think it's best in one topic, and that can be this one. Please don't start any new topics (unless it's for a very specific incident with good reason), one is plenty, I think!

As for a TV programme that shows trespassing, yes there is a risk it may encourage it - on the other hand it may discourage it - it depends on the actual content, and message that comes across. As I've not seen it I really couldn't say either way, but I am not against showing trespass in such a programme providing it is made clear that it is not acceptable and the right message is conveyed.

 

[dieselbashdave]

I'd like to think that I'm one of the "sensible spotters", i.e. someone who keeps a very safe distance away from a train unless I'm going to be boarding it! I'd rather see a train at speed on a platform behind the yellow line (or further back) as quite frankly the thought of 400 tonnes of metal moving at up to 125 mph coming straight for me petrifies me!

(Strangely enough, only being separated from a 120 mph head-on collision on the road by a piece of paint on the road doesn't actually scare me that much for some reason!)

There is nothing in life, no thrill, worth dying or being maimed for. I'd rather be a "boring party-pooper" following rules there to protect me than a foolhardy pate splattered across the front of a train! You can have just as much fun in a safe place!

Incidentally, could anyone clarify the safety of standing by a level crossing (obviously off the road away from road traffic if possible!) to spot trains at speed; seen a lot of One Anglia/NXEA vids on YouTube taken by level crossings; and also the MML at Souldrop and Sharnbrook (also on YT).

I'd say it's relatively safe provided you keep your wits about you for cars moving off once the crossing's clear. The MML ones are quite frankly a bit scary at times!

 

[Phil6219]

I too like to think that I am a sensible spotter, I keep back away from the platform edge as the train approaches (sometimes have to stand on the wrong side of the yellow line to check around distant bridges etc but am always right side when the train is in shot). I almost always video trains from the platform however I have found a nice level crossing location and shoot there from a position of safety.

In this Level Crossing Video you can see how I get lineside shots without having to leave a position of safety, I never cross a fence nor stand in the way of traffic. I could not tell you specific rules but as you can see in my video I was under the watchful eye of a friendly bobby who even told me when my train was next.

With regard to foot crossings, as far as I am aware as long as one is behind the gate as the train approaches there should not be a problem. From what I can tell there are a number of foot crossings where the gated area actually protrudes inwards towards the track and therefore giving a closer lineside shot than behind a fence further up.

My biggest concern when I am out is that I am usually stood towards the end of a platform and am mostly alone. I don't have a tripod so a driver may not realise that I am filming at first and could think I am a jumper, though I try to move further away as the train approaches and usually give a quick wave (a hello wave not an "I want tone" wave).

I have only been visited by station staff once so far and that was at Deansgate late one evening. He just wondered what the pair of us were doing right at the end of the platform, he had no problem with us filming though I was rather embarrassed to admit to filming sheds...

As for the subject of trespass I can not condone it for any reason, I also agree that steam excursions tend to bring out more of the idiot or lunatic variety of spotter. Though last march I happened to notice on two occasions (same trip) someone with their tripod set up in the four foot of adjacent lines (this was the ECML!!!) and that was the Mac Daddy of Diesels, the Deltic.

Phil

 

[fairysdad]

I have seen it happen a few times there

just found a video where someone is down the ramp at Cheltenham Spa, and I know for a fact the signs are a lot further back than where the person in the red top is at 1 min 29 in this video. Also the person filming is past the "Passengers must not pass this point" sign at 59 secconds too.

"Oh, but I'm not a passenger, I'm a photographer/spotter/enthusiast/pedantic idiot" :roll: