Train spotters will be banned from King’s Cross and other major stations for security reasons, several sections of the British media have been reporting in recent days. It is being advised that Network Rail will bar spotters from stations on the East Coast main line because they are a nuisance and pose a "security risk”. The ban covers all stations from King’s Cross to York station, which is the spiritual home of the rail industry and next door to the National Rail Museum.
The news media are also advising that their are strong indications that all train franchise operators who also manage many stations will very soon follow Network Rail by imposing a ban on railfans throughout the entire UK network. Train spotters have been allowed on British stations for over 170 years and therefore an outcry can be expected from those who gain great photographic pleasure from their activities. However, with no national organisation to speak for the railfans it is difficult to see how they are going to get their arguments across in favour of being allowed to continue their activities.
With many of Britain’s mainline stations running at almost maximum capacity throughout much of the working day many rail commuters will see the above decision as inevitable and long overdue. Some railfans (not the majority) come across as ill mannered and bullying to train station staff and passengers. In the foregoing they also seem to be completely senseless in safety terms while carrying out their activities at stations.
As I advised in another thread the entire 18 platforms of Paddington station, London and the train I had just boarded had to be evacuated approximately 2 weeks ago due to train spotters climbing down from the platform onto the tracks while trying to take photographs of a train. The above was carried out in a station that has rail traffic movements both in and out every three minutes throughout the day and London on high security alert.
It was also reported this week that the Great Western main line was brought to an entire halt for over 45 minutes in both directions in the Plymouth area because so-called rail fans I climbed over the barriers and entered the HST maintenance facilities at Plymouth causing a full-scale security and safety alert.
It would seem a pity that 170 years of pleasure and history are to be brought to an end by the actions of a minority especially when you see John Citroen’s great rail photographs in another posting in this thread. John is one who would always act with responsibility and respect I am sure. It is a pity that some in Britain seem unable follow his example.
Bill
The news media are also advising that their are strong indications that all train franchise operators who also manage many stations will very soon follow Network Rail by imposing a ban on railfans throughout the entire UK network. Train spotters have been allowed on British stations for over 170 years and therefore an outcry can be expected from those who gain great photographic pleasure from their activities. However, with no national organisation to speak for the railfans it is difficult to see how they are going to get their arguments across in favour of being allowed to continue their activities.
With many of Britain’s mainline stations running at almost maximum capacity throughout much of the working day many rail commuters will see the above decision as inevitable and long overdue. Some railfans (not the majority) come across as ill mannered and bullying to train station staff and passengers. In the foregoing they also seem to be completely senseless in safety terms while carrying out their activities at stations.
As I advised in another thread the entire 18 platforms of Paddington station, London and the train I had just boarded had to be evacuated approximately 2 weeks ago due to train spotters climbing down from the platform onto the tracks while trying to take photographs of a train. The above was carried out in a station that has rail traffic movements both in and out every three minutes throughout the day and London on high security alert.
It was also reported this week that the Great Western main line was brought to an entire halt for over 45 minutes in both directions in the Plymouth area because so-called rail fans I climbed over the barriers and entered the HST maintenance facilities at Plymouth causing a full-scale security and safety alert.
It would seem a pity that 170 years of pleasure and history are to be brought to an end by the actions of a minority especially when you see John Citroen’s great rail photographs in another posting in this thread. John is one who would always act with responsibility and respect I am sure. It is a pity that some in Britain seem unable follow his example.
Bill
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