Lineside Trespassers.

[OxtedL]

Funny thing is....no-one got run over. Why's that then?

Are you sure? Sounds unlikely.

 

[LE Greys]

Funny thing is....no-one got run over. Why's that then?

Well, cameras were pretty rare then compared to now, and you only got a very few shots (think it was a dozen on a Box Brownie). The major photographers with their big cameras (people like Eric Treacey) had privileged access and were probably accompanied by someone from the local track gang much of the time - yes, that's another big change. Also, as many people have pointed out, steam engines are big, loud and often slow when on freight, and of course services were much less frequent as well.

Getting into the sixties, cameras were a lot more common and easier to use. You had people all over the place, and I'm sure there were accidents. I've seen a shot of the Fifteen Guinea Special at Garsdale, and not only were people beside the line, they were in the four foot of the other line. If something had come the other way, there would have been a disaster.

I've been known to use unusual angles, like through the steps of footbridge or lying full-length on a platform (a very seismic experience when right next to a departure). And, yes, I have occasionally darted down ramps at the last second then darted back up again when the shot was taken. But there are major limits. Nobody should ever go out on the permanent way or over a fence, it's not a good idea. Still, what about standing on a fence? Sitting on the Dawlish sea wall (plenty of people do that just to have a sit-down)? Leaning out of an HST to get a passing shot? Going up the steps of the old Salisbury signal box (I did that once)? Waiting on the footbridge at Ashford (I thought that was public access at the time)?

Or how about just a little prior knowledge? Plan out where you're going to be beforehand and check to see if there are any good vantage points on the legal side of the fence. If you have to go to a station, try turning up early and looking around for a better place nearby. You never know, it might just be better than yet another platform shot.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Funny thing is....no-one got run over. Why's that then?

Really? I suppose you have the fatality records from the railways and the police to prove that?

 

[Via Bank]

Even if "no-one got run over" (which I doubt) let's not forget that, since the 50s and 60s:

• trains are more frequent
• trains are generally quite a bit faster
• electrification has become a lot more prevalent (less of an issue with OHLE, I admit, but trespassing on a third-rail line is simply asking for trouble)
• the use of MUs and electric and diesel locos on passenger services have meant that trains are a lot quieter

If I had it my way, there'd be a rule that on every day a kettle was known to be out on the line, drivers would be recommended to sound the horn on the approach to every station and level crossing along the steam loco's route. (Oh, and platform staff would be given voice training to boom "STAND CLEAR!" in the scariest voice possible.)

 

[Bomber]

Getting into the sixties, cameras were a lot more common and easier to use. You had people all over the place, and I'm sure there were accidents. I've seen a shot of the Fifteen Guinea Special at Garsdale, and not only were people beside the line, they were in the four foot of the other line. If something had come the other way, there would have been a disaster.

Surprisingly in those days despite wandering over the tracks, people had and were allowed to use 'common sense', and as a result I never heard of any disasters.
Go on a photo charter today to countries like Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, the train stops at a suitable photogenic location, everyone puiles out walks along the line and onto the lineside where there are no fences, whilst the train backs away. A few whistles and it comes storming past while the photters click away, some standing/kneeling a couple of feet off the ballast, no one gets hit or killed... These countries have many hundreds of unfenced miles or should that by kilometres of unfenced line, and the public survive...

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Surprisingly in those days despite wandering over the tracks, people had and were allowed to use 'common sense', and as a result I never heard of any disasters.
Go on a photo charter today to countries like Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, the train stops at a suitable photogenic location, everyone puiles out walks along the line and onto the lineside where there are no fences, whilst the train backs away. A few whistles and it comes storming past while the photters click away, some standing/kneeling a couple of feet off the ballast, no one gets hit or killed... These countries have many hundreds of unfenced miles or should that by kilometres of unfenced line, and the public survive...

Is that fact or nostalgia? Could you show us some accident statistics from the above countries?

 

[455driver]

I can remember doing the same thing on the Settle to Carlisle line in the early 80s, everyone on the formation while the train reversed out to get a bit of a run, then the signalman shouts out for a treain in the opposite direction and 45112 belts through on 9 mark 1 coaches then back to the steamers.

 

[dieselbashdave]

I'm just wondering how long until someone (or some people) are turned into pate near the Dawlish sea wall by an HST.

 

[Rugd1022]

Sad to say, I had to report a trespasser this morning near Wellingborough, who seemed to think he was doing no wrong by standing within the railway boundary and taking photographs. I gestured to him to get back over the fence and he just laughed.....:roll:

A grown man should know better!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I'm just wondering how long until someone (or some people) are turned into pate near the Dawlish sea wall by an HST.

This has always been a problem there. Unlike lineside and station locations, where over-enthusistic rail followers congregate, this area is subject not only to local residents, but by the very large numbers of holidaymakers who see this unusual situation as something to be examined...children of these holidaymakers without any supervision whatsoever, being a notorious example of what could happen when being unsupervised.

 

[bAzTNM]

As an idiot who used to put 2p on the line I am glad to say I have grown up, there are some unfortunately who don't

As a complete train track novice, would that have done a lot of damage? Thanks.

 

[Wyvern]

As a complete train track novice, would that have done a lot of damage? Thanks.

No it just flattens it. (In my day it was 1d.)

The Dawlish sea front has been like that for many years. How many problems have there been? Given that in the old days during the Summer Saturdays there would be trains every few minutes.

 

[NSEFAN]

A while ago, someone posted this video on wnxx, claiming that it was the on the sea wall route. At first I thought it was at Exeter St Thomas, but I'm unsure of that. Either way, it certainly takes tresspassing to a whole new level.

Note: contains much swearing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8moVAXKuU

What I don't understand is how the line could be open with such a large hole in the trackbed. Presumably he didn't dig it himself?

I would hope no rail enthusiast is a stupid as he is!

 

[the sniper]

A while ago, someone posted this video on wnxx, claiming that it was the on the sea wall route. At first I thought it was at Exeter St Thomas, but I'm unsure of that. Either way, it certainly takes tresspassing to a whole new level.

Note: contains much swearing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8moVAXKuU

Exeter? It's from Ireland.

 

[Wyvern]

A while ago, someone posted this video on wnxx, claiming that it was the on the sea wall route. At first I thought it was at Exeter St Thomas, but I'm unsure of that. Either way, it certainly takes tresspassing to a whole new level.

I understood it to be in Ireland

 

[NSEFAN]

My mistake!

 

[HugePilchard]

Shame the video's of such poor quality that you can't identify any of them. I'm sure the authorities would love to have a word, especially if there's any questions about how that hole came to be there.

 

[Yew]

As a complete train track novice, would that have done a lot of damage? Thanks.

Nothing really, If the 2p was placed in a worn join of old track, It could actually make the ride smoother if it did anytihng at all

[JOKE]
On the darker side, dont do it in northern land, It may cause a pacer to bounce off the tracks in a bid for freedom. Rumour has it the pacer prototype is still bouncing free in the fields of england[/JOKE]

 

[sprinterguy]

Nothing really, If the 2p was placed in a worn join of old track, It could actually make the ride smoother if it did anytihng at all

[JOKE]
On the darker side, dont do it in northern land, It may cause a pacer to bounce off the tracks in a bid for freedom. Rumour has it the pacer prototype is still bouncing free in the fields of england[/JOKE]

You’re well wide of the mark, the prototype Pacer bounced waayyy further than that: So far, in fact, that it has become the one and only Pacer in Scotland!

http://www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk/stock.php

 

[The Snap]

This is slightly off-topic but relates to the idea that some enthusiasts think they know best and are 'superior'...

I was on a rail tour with 40145 a few years ago and had bagged myself a nice window in the vestibule. Some goon trotted in as we approached Preston and asked me to vacate my window so he could look out...I reluctantly agreed and made it clear that I wanted 'my window' back as soon as we passed through Preston, only for him to respond with "You what mate? What's your mileage?!"

Now, I was taken aback - what has my 'mileage' (whatever the hell that is) got to do with me standing at a window I have been stood at all morning and politely asking for it back?
I'm thinking to myself, I couldn't give a flying f**k what my 'mileage' is compared to yours, I'm standing at this window and nothing you can say or do to prove your 'Class 40 superiority' over me will make me move...t**t. Shove your 'mileage' up your a**e pal...

That’s one of the reasons I packed in my involvement with the enthusiast scene a few years ago and now am an outsider looking in (albeit from within the rail industry)…I must say, its much better this way!

Excuse the expletives if you would, I just get annoyed about it! :roll:

 

[Prodigy]

As a budding photographer I was wondering what precautions people need to take when taking photos by the track if there is open areas. Of course I don't want to tresspass but is there any legal ways of getting lineside obviously way away from the track, like can you contact the train companies and inform them?

 

[The Snap]

As a budding photographer I was wondering what precautions people need to take when taking photos by the track if there is open areas. Of course I don't want to tresspass but is there any legal ways of getting lineside obviously way away from the track, like can you contact the train companies and inform them?

Absolutely not. It is forbidden to access (and therefore trespass) any Network Rail infrastructure (lineside) without possession of PTS and/or permission from the Signaller. Contacting TOCs would be pointless. If you were a commercial concern (ie: media or advertiser for example) looking to film lineside, then contacting Network Rail would be your best bet, although I wouldn't expect anything more than "absolutely no way" in response...

All that said, however, there are plenty of locations where you can get 'lineside' without trespassing on the railway, for example in fields etc. Although I'm not condoning going on private property without permission... .

 

[LE Greys]

As a budding photographer I was wondering what precautions people need to take when taking photos by the track if there is open areas. Of course I don't want to tresspass but is there any legal ways of getting lineside obviously way away from the track, like can you contact the train companies and inform them?

Ideally, turn up early and scout the area first. There will always be somewhere where the fence is a bit lower, or the line is high enough, or there is a higher bit of ground on which you can stand. I could advise you of several in my local area, all legal and all on footpaths.

 

[12CSVT]

Looking at some of the photographs taken in the period 1920 to 1939, there must have been very serious safety infringements in those days, with a somewhat cavalier attitude taken by those photographers.

Many years ago it was possible for bona fide railway photographers to apply for (and obtain) lineside permits, similar to ones issued by preserved railways today.

 

[Metroland]

I'm afraid Steam enthusiasts tend to be the worst (and BTW I love steam trains too). I think it tends to be the older generation who were used to doing that sort of thing 40 or 50 years ago.

Trains these days, move much faster, quieter, and there has been some very nasty near misses.

Indeed, during the running of steam specials (although it can happen with diesels), signal centres tend to be bombarded from angry drivers who get very close to hitting thoughtless and careless individuals. This tend to be very upsetting for the people involved, who cannot dodge out of the way. In many cases, trains have to be cautioned though causing significant delay.

It's only going to take one fatality, before things reach a head and tours are curtailed.

Really enthusiasts should know better, and it's not before time some of the magazines should be carrying educational features to inform people of the stresses that are caused to operating staff, as well as the delay and obvious danger.

 

[yorkie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8moVAXKuU

I would hope no rail enthusiast is a stupid as he is!

This cropped up in February 2010
I doubt they are rail/train enthusiasts.

 

[Prodigy]

I would never risk my life like some people do. It's just stupid, all for a picture.

 

[dieselbashdave]

As a budding photographer I was wondering what precautions people need to take when taking photos by the track if there is open areas. Of course I don't want to tresspass but is there any legal ways of getting lineside obviously way away from the track, like can you contact the train companies and inform them?

You could stand at a level crossing (obviously behind the barriers/gates!) and hold your camera above the barrier/gate so it doesn't get in the way of the shot. That way you can get a "lineside" photo without being at risk from the train(s) involved (but do be careful of cars!).

Of course it all depends if there is a level crossing on the line(s) you want to use however.

 

[Holly]

Is it in practice a problem if you set up your tripod and camera in a rural location clearly on railway land but also clearly a safe distance away from the tracks?
I know it is trespassing, if they want to enforce it and turf you off, but would a driver actually report something harmless like that?

As a kid (in the 1960s) we would regularly stand most of the way up an embankment and perhaps 5 yards or so from the passing trains. Usually in a location where there were signals to watch so you didn't have to be peering down the line all the time. And a nearby road bridge so you could cross sides in a hurry without walking on the permanent way. It seemed a very safe distance to us teenagers but obviously the drivers could see us as they passed. Of course we didn't actually own a tripod in those days and could not always afford film for the camera.

 

[pendolino]

I know it is trespassing, if they want to enforce it and turf you off, but would a driver actually report something harmless like that?

Yes. Well, I would. Every time. And the response will be massive delays as trains will be instructed to pass at caution, as no-one will know if the person inside the boundary fence is there to take photos, to steal cable or to throw themselves under the next train.