Amtrak Photo Ban

[GreatLakesRailfan]

I haven't seen this posted (here) yet, but I could have missed something. Apparently Amtrak has issued a ban on photography from their platforms.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentSe ... ssid=11134

From the looks of it, if you're not a ticketed passenger, you're no longer allowed to photograph or shoot videos of Amtrak equipment from Amtrak property...

[mikerm19]

I does not say you can't.

It does say ticketed passengers are allowed, however, it doesn't specifically state that non-ticketed persons cannot.

In fact, the only place that nobody can take pictures/video are in restricted areas.

So, you have nothing to worry about.

[PAT.C]

It does say ticketed passengers are allowed, however, it doesn't specifically state that non-ticketed persons cannot.
READ IT AGAIN.
Public Area. An area open to general public access and occupancy (station areas and platforms for ticketed passengers only) that is not otherwise posted or restricted by posted signs or locking devices. Signage, building design and physical barriers, i.e. fencing, bollards, etc., may also distinguish a public area from a restricted area.

Restricted areas include but are not limited to the following:
1. Platforms (ticketed passengers are exempt)

Section III. Exceptions
Ticketed Passengers on platforms may photograph or video record during the time they are preparing to board or immediately after alighting from a train. Equipment is limited to hand-held devices. Such photography, including equipment set-up will be done in a reasonable, safe and timely manner.

[RRTTF]

Use some common sense, guys.

A railroad platform is almost always PRIVATE property. To be upon railroad property, one must have permission of the railroad. Obviously, if one has a TICKET to ride the train, one has been given permission to be upon the railroad platform (i.e., platform). However, if one does NOT have a ticket, one does not have the requisite permission.

In other words, what Amtrak is saying is that TICKETED PASSENGERS may photograph from Amtrak's station platforms.

What Amtrak has NOT said is that UNTICKETED PERSONS (i.e., TRESPASSERS!!!!) may trespass! An unticketed person should NOT be on the platform.

The fact is, guys, whether anyone wants to pull their head out of the sand or not, the Department of Homeland Security has recently placed some beefed up regulations upon the shoulders of the railroads to report ANYONE and EVERYONE that looks like their are engaged in "surveillance" of railroad operations. Unfortunately, the Average American Railfan standing alongside the railroad track looks like he/she is engaged in surveillance. The fact that the Railfan may be wearing funny looking clothing with lots of patches and a striped engineer's cap, has a scanner glued to one ear, a camera in front of their face, and is jumping up and down yelling "I got me a picture of that rare Alco!!!!!!" only helps to provide focus upon the Railfan!

Expect over the next year or so, more regulations coming out of Department of Homeland Security geared towards railroads which are going to make railfanning even more of a "picked upon" hobby.

AMERICA.... Land of Liberty and Freedom!

[TrainNut85]

I think its stupid in a sense of some of these rules. Yea common sense any restricted area is off limits to people, don't we know that already? Besides I'm not surprised the way they are acting, its typical with any other railroad that is not friendly, especially Class 1s. Plus its not gonna stop us railfans from train watching, its just their way of corporate stupidity!

[AARR]

I guess Durand will be off limits then...it's used by Amtrash

[amtrakjackson]

Platform (what is on the right-of-way) and station ownership are entirely different things.

Durand *station* is owned by the city, IIRC. Same with Battle Creek, Flint, Kalamazoo, Dowagiac, just to name a few. Dearborn sits on city property which is leased.

Port Huron is owned by CN; East Lansing by MSU, but the immediate platforms are owned by CN. Niles and Jackson stations are owned by Amtrak. All the immediate platforms on the Amtrak Line (including Kalamazoo, much to the city's chagrin) are company property, obviously. Likewise all of the Chicago Union Station facility, Niles Yard, 14th Street, Brighton Park, and Beech Grove.

But NS and CN don't allow trespassers to photograph on their property either. Officially, it's been that way on most roads for at least 30 years, or at least the time I started railfanning (1978).

This new wording is the product of a reaction and a subsequent lawsuit.

What I'm trying to say is this....

Like RRTF said- just use common sense!!!

[TrainNut85]

I guess Durand will be off limits then...it's used by Amtrash

Well Don if you wanna be technical, only on the other side of the fence!

[amtrakjackson]

Yep... that's what I was sayin'

I guess Durand will be off limits then...it's used by Amtrash

Well Don if you wanna be technical, only on the other side of the fence!

[PerRock]

So the question I have is the parking lot East of the Amtrak Station in A2 (under the bridge); is that Amtrak property (I'm pretty sure the one to the west of the station is) or the city? or even the Gandy Dancer? That is generally where I go to take pics (I stay in the lot).

peter

[amtrakjackson]

There are plenty of photo opportunites all over the place beside at stations anyway. I'd ask inside the Gandy Dancer if it's okay with them to take pics from their property.

I am obviously not in a position to say whether or not it's permissible to take photographs at any given facility. Use common sense. Don't make waves. And if an Amtrak ID-wearing employee questions you, don't bring up stuff about "rights," etc. As for ARB... when in doubt, take the proper course- shoot from the bridge

[OwlCaboose2853]

There are plenty of photo opportunites all over the place beside at stations anyway. I'd ask inside the Gandy Dancer if it's okay with them to take pics from their property.

I am obviously not in a position to say whether or not it's permissible to take photographs at any given facility. Use common sense. Don't make waves. And if an Amtrak ID-wearing employee questions you, don't bring up stuff about "rights," etc. As for ARB... when in doubt, take the proper course- shoot from the bridge

Gandy Dancer Restaurant (wow $$$. $$ ouch!)... you will have getting table inside windows then order the foods for wait until ready eat then probably let you take photographs to them.
Yes, Better on Broadway St Bridge or Huron Parkway Bridge or Geddes Rd Pedestrian RR Crossing or best - walking trail way on public parks – Broadway (crossing rr to Gandy Dancer and Amtrak station), Barton Dam-Bird Hills, Argo Dam, Bandmeser, and Geddes to Ypsilanti.

[AARR]

Gandy Dancer Restaurant (wow $$$. $$ ouch!)

Order water and drink very slow

[J T]

What Amtrak has NOT said is that UNTICKETED PERSONS (i.e., TRESPASSERS!!!!) may trespass! An unticketed person should NOT be on the platform.

So now we can't see our loved ones off as they board the train? In all those classic images of the wife/girlfriend seeing her husband/boyfriend off as the train rolls away...she was TRESPASSING??! Oh NOooooooooooooo!

[trainjunkie47]

We worry about the pettiest *hit.

[Norm]

I find it strange that an Austrian who took a trip through Russia into North Korea posted lots of pictures of the trip on an international railroad board, yet we are forbidden to take photos of of Amtrak.

Seems to me that the Gestapo has arrived in the form of DHS and TSA. It's truly sad.

[CSX_CO]

I find it strange that an Austrian who took a trip through Russia into North Korea posted lots of pictures of the trip on an international railroad board, yet we are forbidden to take photos of of Amtrak.

Seems to me that the Gestapo has arrived in the form of DHS and TSA. It's truly sad.

Where does it say anything about been 'banned' from taking photos of AMTRAK? Please, show me.

The ban is from AMTRAK PROPERTY, namely the platforms, meaning you can't be standing on the platform shooting pictures if you don't have a ticket. Restricted areas was always off limits. This is so people don't go driving into the shops in Chicago and start milling about. This is probably just as much for safety reason on the platforms, as anything else. Not only that, but with some stations additional unticketed passengers on the platform add to the confusion and conjestion on said platform.

This is NO different then not being allowed past the security check point in every major airport in the world now, without a ticket. No ticket? You have to stay in the main terminal or outside.

Practice Safe CSX

[OwlCaboose2853]

Gandy Dancer Restaurant (wow $$$. $$ ouch!)

Order water and drink very slow

A host and waiter will look dirty at you pay for water bottle $$.$$, not from fountain for free water.

[~Z~]

Here's another couple articles along these lines from the U.K.:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -risk.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... rains.html

And some comments on fark about it: http://www.fark.com/cgi/comments.pl?IDLink=4270114

[amtrak1007]

From what I can tell about the "policy" its just something that is finally written down that they can use to permit/deny people the opportunity to photograph. I'm sure the security forces at Amtrak were pushing to have some sort of document to refer to... To me its just words on a page. Nothing more than that. I'm sure that this will be strictly enforced by some security officers, and not so much by others. Just like any other law/policy. I really don't see how different this is from now.


As commented earlier, taking photos from public streets, sidewalks etc is still perfectly legal. Its just the man being the man... *le sigh*