--Zak Gardner
My Layout Blog: http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com
http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net
VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW
THE site for American Freedom Train fans http://www.freedomtrain.org
Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!
Go Big Red!
PA&ERR "If you think you are doing something stupid, you're probably right!"
QUOTE: Originally posted by zgardner18 You guys have given a lot of good info, so who will sum it all up for all of us so that we may be in the right next time. We are ambassadors for this hobby you know. We should represent it well.
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
QUOTE: Originally posted by nbrodar I go through Rail Security training every year. And while I appriate that people like railfanning, keep these things in mind: First, railway stations ARE private property, just like the right of way.
QUOTE: Originally posted by chewie8han If you were using the walkway bridges, and not just crossing the tracks themselves, you were not in the wrong. The bridges are for pedestrians, and it does not matter if you were taking pictures while you were on them. Courts have decided that individuals do not have a right to privacy while they are in a public place (a train station is definitely a public place). This carries over to anything in the public. As long as you are not trespassing, you are allowed to take pictures. What you aren't allowed to do, is then sell your photos, making money off of any individual's image without their concent. This also applies to any copy protected device, machine, etc. Kevni
QUOTE: Originally posted by zgardner18 We are ambassadors for this hobby you know. We should represent it well.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
QUOTE: Originally posted by mtrails As an avid railfan, I am out taking pictures, and nearing ROW's all the time. I am noted in BNSF and MRL entries as being part of the track warrant (Don't take that literally!). I know a couple of BNSF and MRL engineers locally, and ones I haven't met, "know me", which doesn't make railfanning an issue for me. I can just about go anywhere and take pictures within 100 miles and be trusted by the RR. Cops and Security on the other hand, are just doing their job (as stated above). Sometimes I have to deal with those instances of "who are you, what are you doing, why?, etc." but am I in the wrong at anytime? No. Will anything be done to me? No. All things considered, railfanning can be dangerous, not just for the railfan, but for the RR, and respect is given majorily to the RR and should understood by everyone, no matter where they are, public or not, posted signs or not. Jeremy
QUOTE: Brunton Posted: Today, 05:49:31 QUOTE: Originally posted by zgardner18 We are ambassadors for this hobby you know. We should represent it well. You gotta be kidding! "Ambassadors for this hobby?" Forgive me while I take a minute to stop laughing at such an assertion. People sure get some screwy notions in their heads! If I'm photographing something on the railroad and a cop asks me what I'm doing, I'll certainly politely explain, and I'll provide identification upon request. If they keep after me or tell me to stop, I politely assert my belief that I have a legal right to be where I am and doing what I'm doing. I'm respectful but not intimidated. If they again tell me to stop, I'll say "OK." Often the officer is apologetic about the order. Usually we'll chat for a minute or two, and the officer will explain why he told me to stop, or where that authority comes form, or both. Then I'll ask what I need to have with me to ensure I can take some pictures without a problem. It's usually a letter or a photography pass or something like that, and he also tells me who has to issue it (city, railroad, property owner, or whatever).