QUOTE (John Webb @ 16 Oct 2007, 11:23)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>The biggest grumble from the Railway Magazine is those TOC staff who either are unaware of the Guidelines published by ATOC or who seemingly choose to ignore them.
Yes there are always people who have to show they are in charge of their own mini empire there's no excuse for this and all I can suggest is carrying a copy of the ATOC guidelines or ask to talk to a manager. The staff may be just used to people then taking liberties and going on the lineside and are just trying to stop it before it starts.
Drivers are understandably nervous when they see someone off the authorised areas as they can walk out in front or be there with the intention of harming themselves. Platform staff often know the crews and what distress such incidents cause so part of it can be anger at people not thinking of the impact. I'm sure many of you have had someone walk out in front in the car and experienced the skip of the heart, also Trains can't take avoiding action.
I know several drivers who have hit people and also the staff that have to literally pick up the pieces or clean off the unit involved so I get quite worked up about stupid tresspassing especially when it is to take a photo or take a short cut to catch a train.
Turn up in plenty of time for either and you can get your ticket or choose the best location that is safe to photograph from.
A lot of tresspass is by foreign visitors used to unfenced lines, we used to have problems with American tourists getting off the VSOE and walking off to take pictures of the loco!
Know your rights but also be tolerant of staff who have to deal with all types of people.