Railroad photography

[toverman]

I am dredging up this topic once more because I photographed some signs today along the Union Pacific line as it runs through Watauga (near Fort Worth). Every so often someone either posts or asks questions involving photographs taken on the railroad tracks. There are relatively safe spots to do such photography (like an unused spur, for example). I remember in one thread that someone noted they'd never seen a sign that prohibited being on the tracks.





The signs on this stretch of the railroad, just west of U.S. 377, appear to only be in Watauga (not in far north Fort Worth north of here, or south in Haltom City). I have not contacted anyone from Union Pacific, but an incident in October 2007 may have led to the postings. Read about that here. Watauga enacted a "quiet zone" for trains passing through before the fatality, which means engineers only sound the horn if there's an emergency.

There are procedures for securing temporary use of Union Pacific tracks outlined here. These may apply to photographic uses as well.

Of course, if I'd been more patient, a train would've gone by while I was standing there. Was already a mile closer to home when I passed one heading north.

[venchka]

Subdivision on the other side of the fence? Knock on a few doors. Set up a ladder. Shoot the trains whizzing by nice and safe and legal.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by venchka

Subdivision on the other side of the fence? Knock on a few doors. Set up a ladder. Shoot the trains whizzing by nice and safe and legal.

I was talking more about photogs who take family members of clients ONTO the tracks. There are great examples in the Transportation forum of trains whizzing by ...

[ggeen]

Thanks for the post. I never saw a sign before either.

[ChristopherCoy]

And there ARE folks who enforce it...

Art. 2.121. RAILROAD PEACE OFFICERS. (a) The director of the Department of Public Safety may appoint up to 250 railroad peace officers who are employed by a railroad company to aid law enforcement agencies in the protection of railroad property and the protection of the persons and property of railroad passengers and employees.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this article, a railroad peace officer may make arrests and exercise all authority given peace officers under this code when necessary to prevent or abate the commission of an offense involving injury to passengers and employees of the railroad or damage to railroad property or to protect railroad property or property in the custody or control of the railroad.

[shutterfire]

Woman sues RR for injuries while taking pictures


JACKSON, Miss. — Helen Gable was taking pictures on the railroad tracks in Tupelo in 2006 when a train nearly cut off her leg as she tried to get out of the way.

Gable and her husband are suing the railroad company for nearly $6 million.

Gable says the company should have posted trespassing signs to keep people away.

The lawsuit also claims the train was exceeding federal speed limits and that a cable was hanging off the side and cut her.

BNSF Railway Company spokeswoman Suann Lundsberg said the company is investigating and is sympathetic to Gable’s injuries, but “she admits in her lawsuit filing that she was trespassing” to take photos on the track.

Lundsberg also said BNSF has equipment that detects if something is hanging or dragging from a train.

Its a law because its dangerous. dont risk your life or theirs.

[jeffkohn]

I know it's illegal and all that. But honestly, the notion that being near railroad tracks is dangerous strikes me as pretty funny. I'm sorry but unless you're deaf and blind it's not like they can sneak up on you.

[shutterfire]

you can trip or fall or injur yourself, thats all it would take. its like the people that think oh I can make it across the tracks before the train gets here and a lot of them don't

[Rson]

I noticed that the signs are pretty new and my guess is that the signs are in response to the child that was killed last year by the train in that same location.

CYA CYA CYA

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

I'm sorry but unless you're deaf and blind it's not like they can sneak up on you.

That's happened before, and the person was killed. I think it was a teenage boy or maybe a 20-something man. No idea where to find the article now though. I suppose search at Google would render something.

[Rson]

Officials investigate Watauga boy's train death | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News

[soonerdg]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

I know it's illegal and all that. But honestly, the notion that being near railroad tracks is dangerous strikes me as pretty funny. I'm sorry but unless you're deaf and blind it's not like they can sneak up on you.

It's amazing what your mind can tune out when focused on something else. When I was in my early teens some friends and I were on the railroad tracks outside the small town we lived in. We were preoccupied trying to see how far we could walk on the rails. We didn't notice the train until it was less than 100 yards from us. It was a close call to say the least. At 70 miles an hour it covers 100 yards pretty damn quick.

If a photographer was preoccupied with poses and exposures and the like I could easily see how they wouldn't hear the train until it was too late.

[venchka]

Sitting at the crossing in Hawkins last Friday night I had two thoughts: I should have the DSLR, open the sunroof, take pictures. The camera was in the trunk. Won't do that again. Second: If one car comes off the tracks, I'm toast. The kill radius along the tracks is a lot wider than you might think.

I do plan to go to Hawkins and wait for the trains.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

I know it's illegal and all that. But honestly, the notion that being near railroad tracks is dangerous strikes me as pretty funny. I'm sorry but unless you're deaf and blind it's not like they can sneak up on you.

I am guessing the tracks in the pic are freight, but you'd be surprised how quiet the passenger Metro trains can be. There were frequent close calls near Chicago when I used to ride the train downtown.

[toverman]

While you'd think several tons of rumbling, mobile steel would draw attention, there is a reason that at most crossings there are arms and the engine's horn is blown: visuals are not always enough.

This section of track is under a "Quiet Zone," which prohibits the routine sounding of the whistle/horn while passing through. Apparently some of the residents who live along here were suprised that there was a 200-year-old railroad behind their houses and complained. Go figure! There is apparently a lot of red tape involved in establishing a Quiet Zone. The city I contract for (north of Watauga) considered applying, but decided it was too much of a hassle.