Shall we shame all trespassers then?

Having just re-read the news article on UK railway police publishing aerial images of trespassing railfans, I ran through a series of thoughts, from "serves 'em right" to "there goes Big Brother" to "why are you singling out railfans?"

News Wire carried the story on Friday about the images published in the wake of what seems to be massive trespassing on the rights-of-way after a May 14 Flying Scotsman run. But what if Norfolk Southern sent out helicopters along Norfolk & Western 611's route, as Network Rail did in the U.K., to catch wayward railfans?

I suppose NS would be within its rights to do something so  ...  so public. But it's a little too convenient, isn't it?

Railroads are well aware that steam locomotives are known smoke-belching crowd makers. And catching people stealing a too close look is the law enforcement equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. Right?

Police and train crews for NS, BNSF Railway, and other U.S. railroads have so far wisely reminded railfans and others who get too close to the right-of-way during a steam excursion where their place is, moved them to that place, and moved on.

I don't think Network Rail's decisions about Flying Scotsman trespassers set a precedent. British subjects seem to have taken for granted that they will be photographed or recorded on video at will. To my American eyes, publishing images this first time is too much of a shock to be repeated quickly or lightly. But if it becomes a habit in Britain, or happens even once in the U.S., we are right to ask railroads and police agencies how often they will post images of teenagers and professional photographers trespassing and snapping portraits. Remember, these other trespassers are looking for a shot, not just from the right-of-way but, from right in the middle of the friggin' track gauge.

Trespassing is wrong. It violates property rights and often puts lives in danger. Shaming people for trespassing is also wrong, but if you're going to do it, at least shame everyone equally. Right?