-
Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Filming on the Railways
- Thread starter rbannocks
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
High Dyke
Established Member
I believe if it's for personal use then filming is usually permitted. After all, many spotters put videos on social media platforms. At larger stations people are expected to report to the reception/Station supervisor in order to sign-in. LU will probably have its own set of criteria. As do National Rail stations regarding filming for commercial purposes.
Islineclear3_1
Established Member
As long as you don't cause a nuisance, hazard or concern to passengers and staff, you should be okay
Tripods are generally frowned upon at big stations and flash is a definate no-no
Tripods are generally frowned upon at big stations and flash is a definate no-no
malc-c
Member
- Joined
- 1 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 990
From my understanding, and I'm not an expert, all bar a few of the large stations are managed / owed by Network rail, so not generally a public place. However in general NR like to support the activity of the train enthusiast but like most things it's a two way partnership. They need to ensure your safety and that of the other passengers and staff, but equally respect your desire to document the trains etc. As such it's just courtesy to let the station manager know you are on the platform and where you wish to place yourself. If that is at the end of the platform away form the high traffic area, they may even agree to the use of a tripod. They may also request you sign the visitors book at the start and when you leave. If the station is small and manned by a single member of staff, I tend to do introduce myself to them so they are aware of my presence.
If the photography is going to be used for anything other than personal use and sharing on social media or youtube then you need to acquire a permit to film, which (and I could be wrong) you get from the main train operator at that station. How much that costs, and the restrictions imposed I have no idea.
Also, if you ever get asked to leave a station by an individual then don't kick off. If you have been given permission by the station manager, or it's the station manager who is asking you to leave, calmly explain who said you could video, and ask if there was a reason for the change in permission. If that doesn't defuse the situation, and they insist to leave then do so without making a big fuss. There have been accounts where enthusiasts have gone passed boundaries agreed and ended up being escorted off the station by the transport police !
Often if you visit a station regularly and see the same staff they get to know you and you can form a rewarding relationship so long as you stick to what's been agreed.
Islineclear3_1
Established Member
Another important point; if you intend filming from the end of the platform, make sure you are not blocking the sighting of a signal (by the driver) and stand aside, away from the yellow line.
If I am photographing a "going away" shot; e.g. the rear of the train, I will always turn around just before, or when the train starts to move and make some acknowledgement to the driver. This is so the driver knows that I know the train is approaching behind me and he (or she) doesn't get anxious and needs to blow the horn). Then I turn around and take the photo.
If I am photographing a "going away" shot; e.g. the rear of the train, I will always turn around just before, or when the train starts to move and make some acknowledgement to the driver. This is so the driver knows that I know the train is approaching behind me and he (or she) doesn't get anxious and needs to blow the horn). Then I turn around and take the photo.
malc-c
Member
- Joined
- 1 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 990
One thing I've always been in two minds about is the topic of wearing some form of hi vis clothing. I've seen some wearing orange waistcoats or just one of those 2"wide sashes... To me, the bright orange is associated with those who work on the tracks etc. Whilst the intent to make yourself visible to drivers etc may be good, it could confuse them as I'm sure they would have received any notification of works taking place in their daily briefing. The only time I wore some high vis jackets was when filming the modifications to Langley Junction for the Stevenage Turnback, and that was whilst on the overbridge at 2am in the morning. It was of the fluorescent green variety and was really so road traffic could see me as I stood on verges near the road.
Really, it's just common sense. Keep clear behind the yellow line as stated above, don't obstruct staff or traveling public, engage with the station management in a courteous way, and be safe.
Really, it's just common sense. Keep clear behind the yellow line as stated above, don't obstruct staff or traveling public, engage with the station management in a courteous way, and be safe.
Islineclear3_1
Established Member
Do NOT wear hi-vis if you are not a railway worker.
malc-c
Member
- Joined
- 1 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 990
That's what I thought -
Just to clarify in the instance above I was on a public road, and it was so cars could see me at that time of the morning. I don't ware any hi-vis when on railway property
Haven't LUL always been a bit weird about folk filming/photting? Or is that an urban myth!?
Railway stations aren't public places.
From a legal perspective regarding filming they are; in as far as that you are entitled to film those who happen to be around without seeking their permission. Hence rail documentaries don't need to close a station and fill it with extras before they start filming.
That said though, they are also of course private property!
see above they are.
The question I think boils down to Bye laws. TFL can set bye-laws, but I do not thinks TOCs who manage most stations have such powers. NR? Well that is a good question.
221129
Established Member
The National Railway Network has its own set of Bylaws.
Well, yes although they say it's ok- no flashes, tripods etc and for non-professional productions. There's a link somewhere on their website.
I was once stopped filming my mum at a tube station (no trains about) by armed police because of the heightened threat of a terrorist attack. Answers on a postcard about that one.
bramling
Veteran Member
Not really, it’s quite permitted subject to the normal rules about flash/tripods. Possibly more likely to get issues than some places, but that’s more down to LU’s poor training of station staff.
Tyne & Wear Metro is the one which can be off-ish, though staff on there are a rarity. I utilised that big football match earlier in the summer to spend a couple of hours photographing in detail all the central-area stations, with the added bonus of the place being deserted, and had no issues at all.
Yes I admit I wrong, but they are private property and you can be asked to leave at anytime.
bramling
Veteran Member
This doesn’t mean staff have the power to eject people without a valid reason, however.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
There is not one single definition applying universally. For purposes of whether photography is permitted, railway stations, shopping centres etc are private places - the owner or controller of the land can ask you to stop or leave. For e.g. the right to privacy or carrying knives etc, they are public places - i.e. you don't have a right to privacy and don't have the right to carry a knife around as you would in your private kitchen.
No wrong. They are very much public places. Read the definition. I have had this discussion with the Police, railways, shopping centres, busses are public places. You can be asked to leave if you are doing something that can be construed as objectionable in some sense then the owner or controller has the right to ask you to leave. But they rely on the police to enforce this and the police will apply a reasonableness test. They also need to be watchful of a claim of discrimination. Photography is very much allowed in public places. If you were photographing say a children's play area in a shopping centre that may be more suspect. But general areas you going to have a hard time making a case for that.
warwickshire
On Moderation
Interesting also only this week or so have things changed Stratford you know have to sign yourself in via platform 8.
Sign in okay. Don't sign in not okay.
Wondered why in the last week or so enthusiasts have gone down number wise.
Also London liverpool Street are keen even with permission dont like you there.
Elsewhere staff are brilliant just let them know.
Obvious issue is due to the recent sad terrorist events and level raised.
Staff telling me thanks for letting us know everyone is on edge at the momment.
Plus the usual safety advice as mentioned above.
Sign in okay. Don't sign in not okay.
Wondered why in the last week or so enthusiasts have gone down number wise.
Also London liverpool Street are keen even with permission dont like you there.
Elsewhere staff are brilliant just let them know.
Obvious issue is due to the recent sad terrorist events and level raised.
Staff telling me thanks for letting us know everyone is on edge at the momment.
Plus the usual safety advice as mentioned above.
warwickshire
On Moderation
Interesting little video on YouTube called The drone police pay me a visit from a auditor. This video is a audit on the freightliner stourton container Depot in Leeds. Off where a auditor takes the drone up and films all the containers in the yard. Plus the complete yard itself including the rail cranes. Interesting to see what the yard itself is all about.
A new field in railway filming ie freight yards. Yes police do get called.
But full credit to the police officers involved for letting this to continue and agree all is okay.
Interesting watch and well done to the auditor. However wish somewhere like ely mlf Papworth could get done at least we will get to see the stored vehicles.
Well worth a watch.
A new field in railway filming ie freight yards. Yes police do get called.
But full credit to the police officers involved for letting this to continue and agree all is okay.
Interesting watch and well done to the auditor. However wish somewhere like ely mlf Papworth could get done at least we will get to see the stored vehicles.
Well worth a watch.
- Status