A year or so ago I wanted to take some personal photos at London Fenchurch Street station. Asking if this was possible at the travel information kiosk, I was informed that I needed written permission from, c2c, the Train Operating Company (‘TOC’). Knowing this was inaccurate, but not having the time or will to argue, I walked away. In the first week of September I became aware of footage on YouTube of a recent altercation involving security employed by c2c unfairly challenging enthusiasts at Upminster station. The whole incident could have been handled better by all present and one of the enthusiasts decided that the best course of action would be to publish the whole incident on the internet for the world to see – sadly there are racist and unnecessarily derogatory comments that have been made by contributors regarding the station security staff in the YouTube posting!

With this in mind and wanting to take some photos of c2c services after work one evening, I contacted customer services for clarification. I was given two additional variations to the one I had been given a year ago. The first version was that all photography was banned on grounds of security. Being aware that both National Rail and the British Transport Police state precisely the opposite and Network Rail comments that enthusiasts can have a positive security benefit, I decided to phone again later. This time the story had changed; while personal photography isn’t banned, I was informed that I needed to give between 10 days and 2 weeks notice, advising where I wanted to do photography, when I would arrive and what I wanted to take photos of. The reasoning was that c2c wanted to confirm who I was in writing or e-mail and to arrange security on the day. It was also stressed to me that the TOC felt they were being reasonable and were not trying to be awkward…

Really… you could have fooled me!

Deciding that further contact would be futile I e-mailed the editor of RAIL magazine, Nigel Harris, who has a firm opinion how station staff should be welcoming enthusiasts and those who want to do personal photography rather than turning them away. This resulted in three senior railway managers within National Express (parent company) and c2c confirming that everything I had been told was inaccurate, that their railway staff will be reminded of the rules, a section welcoming enthusiasts will be included into the next commuter booklet and I could enjoy my photography with the TOCs blessing.

I would like to publicly thank the National Express/c2c senior managers and Nigel Harris for their assistance ensuring my visit went without a hitch, to the extent that station staff knew of my intended visit and wish to take photos. The trouble is, I’m not looking for ‘red carpet’ treatment, just that genuine enthusiasts who follow the rules can freely take personal, non commercial photos of our railways.

You would be surprised of how many railway staff are interested in railways. It may have been their hobby during their formative years, which became their career. They know the rules and are happy to accommodate or encourage enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby. Some even donate their time to arrange enthusiast railtours or help to keep preserved trains in working order. Sadly there are also those in the industry, fortunately in the minority, who view their job in the context of a pay cheque, with every enthusiast being an inconvenience that needs to be dismissed using whatever fictitious policy or process that they can think of.

Reflecting on the past few days it’s becoming clear that senior railway managers know that enthusiasts should be able to take photos of rolling stock and of stations, but for whatever reason some staff on the ground are not hearing the message, or are choosing not to listen. This is consequently a challenge and problem facing not only enthusiasts, but also senior managers within TOC companies. We may stand at different ends of the platform, but we’re waiting for the same train to arrive – I had to get a railway analogy in there somewhere!!!

Returning finally to the YouTube posting and applying it to photography in general.  The footage makes all participants look silly, in that station security over-reacted (there was clearly an unusual locomotive in the station), as did the enthusiasts by immediately quoting London Underground rules on a National Rail controlled station; potentially a very grey area. The whole incident could have been prevented if permission or confirmation to take photos had been sought first, which isn’t always necessary but certainly prevents confrontations. All in all a bad taste is left in the mouth, which reflects negatively upon both the railways in general and enthusiasts, particularly as annotations have been added to the recording on YouTube making immature spiteful comments and unsubstantiated statements.

Photographers are correct in asserting their rights to enjoy their hobby, however there is a very thin line to tread between standing up for our rights and overstepping the mark, becoming provocative which could make a flashpoint confrontation ignite into something far worse. I know the frustration of being incorrectly told something that I must or must not do. It is how we then choose to react that is key!

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