Trains.com

Photographing trains.

883 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1 posts
Photographing trains.
Posted by STEPHEN COX on Sunday, August 7, 2016 2:46 PM

I was reading an old freinds post on Facebook last week. In his post he talked about how he wanted to spend a day photographing trains on the Northeast Corridor at the Newark, Delaware train station. The security Guard there said that he would call the police on him if he didn't stop takeing pictures of trains and leave. I toke pictures there 2 years ago before I moved. I didn't have any trouble with the security then. How ever I had my own run in with Camden, SC. police last year when I went train watching on CSX's mainline throught Camden, SC. I was on a public road waiting for a train to photograph when some one called the police on me. Because I was on a public road and not drinking they let me go.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, August 8, 2016 12:30 PM

The paranoia continues, and it isn't always limited to the "Chicken Littles" of the world.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Southwest US
  • 12,914 posts
Posted by tomikawaTT on Monday, August 8, 2016 11:08 PM

Thanks to:

  • Official government encouragement for citizens to report 'suspicious' activity to the authorities.
  • Non-stop fear-mongering by the media.
  • 'I am the boss' attitudes of some people with badges - and some without.

You can't pause to re-tie a shoe without being hassled by some officious twit.

Fortunately, I have my secret weapon - DD2Ret, aka Military ID.  Amazing how things change when the MSgt sinks in...

Chuck (USAF, Ret)

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 573 posts
Posted by pajrr on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 3:58 AM

I was approached by NJT Police at Elizabeth Station last year. The policeman told me up front that he didn't have a problem with me but a commuter thought I looked suspicious so he "had" to come talk to me. I told him that I was waiting to photograph a specific Amtrak train (which I was) and that I would leave after the train went by (which I was planning to do). He was happy and said have fun. The Amtrak train went by, I got my picture and then boarded the next train back home.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy