Railfaning in NJ

[BNSFNUT]

I had to go to New Jersey Tuesday (10/28) and decided to do a little railfaning at Princeton Jct.
We got there about 2pm and started to shoot trains. After we had been there about 3 1/2 hrs a railroad employee came out and told us we were not allowed to phohgraph trains. He was very nice about it. I could not tell if he was an NJT or Amtrak employee. The light had gone away so we wrapped it up for the day.
This is the first time I have heard of this rule. My freind that was with me had spent about 6 hrs there 2 weeks ago had no problems.
Is this a new rule or just the first time I have run into it in all my railfan trips in NJ.
Is the normal or just an 9/11 reaction.
Can someone from the area answer this question?


Clear Blocks
Jerry

[RudyRockvilleMD]

As far as I know Princeton Jct is an Amtrak station, and I have never had any problem with photgraphing trains at Amtrak stations. I have heard NJT has a zero tolerance for photographing trains from their station platforms. Did the person who told you photographing trains at the Princeton Jct station identify himself as a railroad employee? My first impression would be how serious could they have been about photographing trains if it took somebody 3 1/2 hours to tell you photographing trains at the Princeton Jct station was not permitted. My best guess is this was a case of paranoia.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Hi, it's me again with a few more thoughts. You and your friend did the right thing when you left Princeton Jct after you were told you couldn't photograph trains from its platform. Were you on the platform used by trains in the Northeast Corridor or were you on the platform which the Princeton Shuttle uses. If you were on the Princeton Shuttle's platform that could be New Jersey Transit's property, and as I pointed out they are known to have a zero toerance for rail photography from their stations.

[BNSFNUT]

We where on the platform used by the Northeast Corridor but shot some stuff of the shuttle. I get to NJ very rarely so its not like I have any real problem with there policys.
NS, CPRR and NYSW give railfans no problems here in the Southern Tier of New York as long as we stay of the property.
Jerry

[ironhorseman]

(I'm just rolling my eyes)

I thought about going on a spiel about infringement on our freedoms, but there wouldn't be anything in there that hasn't been said before.

I wouldn't suggest challenging them but I, myself, would. I'd try to get some publicity out of it.

1) is there probable cause or evidence that a crime has been committed, is being committed, or will be committed?
2) what is the charge?
3) can they arrest you?

Would a railroad be willing to spend time and money in court and risk their reputation just because someone took a picture of a train? What jury would convict someone on this charge? When the railroad loses in a court battle they open themselves up to lawsuits.

Where not living in WWII Nazi Germany. No secret police in the United States is going to wisk anybody away and secretly execute them no questions asked.

First I see a topic on it being illegal to wave at train crews.
Next I see a topic on the guy getting his arm stuck in a train toilet and the radio said he'll be sued for damages.
Finally I see this topic on it being illegal to photograph trains.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[zardoz]

Cry. Get drunk. Get stoned. Pray. Laugh. Meditate. Whatever helps you get through life and all it's absurdities without becoming one of them.