GCR Ending of Lineside Passes, ex-Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

Sos, didn't have my copy of Fowler to hand....

 

Not got a lineside pass myself but I believe there are instructions on the SVR (or at least suggestions) about not standing in front of the Engine House - there are certainly rules about not wearing hi-viz on platforms etc.

There does seem to be a special breed who think that because they have a lineside pass, they can stand anywhere regardless of the rest of the public (GCR q.v.) The most annoying instance I have come across is a pair in hi-viz who insisted on standing a few yards in front of the signal box at Holt on the NNR, right in front of the area that is obviously intended as a public viewing gallery. They could get the same shot by standing next to the box out of the public's view or a few yards further up the line beyond the viewing area, but no, they had to be just there...

 

I am trying to think of the right words but there seems to be a sense of superiority and entitlement.

 

The WSR has reversed its decision to ban permits

Has it?

 

BMW driver? (Other Marques of German car whose drivers frequently cause offence are available)

 

From my experience of hacking up and down the A1 with tedious regularity that title goes equally between the owners of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and those by Jaguar Land Rover - especially those with "urban drug-dealer spec" Range Rovers

Apart from the git driving a BMW t'other week who overtook me doing something like 140mph

 

The WSR reintroduced LSPs again last year. I renewed mine after taking another PTS course. Whether they continue it again next year we will have to wait and see. There did not seem to be so many LSP holders around this year.

 

There are certainly rules for SVR staff about not wearing hi-vis on platforms, but I am not certain that they apply to photographers. Similarly - at least in the documentation I'm aware of - the area in front of the Engine House isn't one of the specifically prohibited areas. No doubt suggestions are made, though.

 

They do,request photographers not to wear hi vis on stations, I think for two reasons, it spoils the photos taken by the normal punters and they could be mistaken for SVR officials.

 

Then again, what official needs a hi-viz on a platform? If you wear a waistcoat over your normal gear you can stuff it in a pocket as soon as you are off the track.

 

SVR staff aren't allowed hi vis on the platform either, an example a lot of other railways would do well to follow

 

The last SVR Gala I attend (Autumn 2017) the programme asked all not to wear high viz clothing on the stations. The guy at Hampton Loade in bright green cycling gear, had however, not read the script!

 

Ah, but hi-vis clothing is orange, bright green cycling gear is the normal attire of the cycle fraternity so they don't regard it as hi-vis.
I find Photoshop's colour replacement tool very handy for dealing with such people.

 

It almost appears that hi-vis, of whatever colour - and there seems to be a wide choice, has become as 'fashionable' as jeans.

 

Thread drift warning!! Yes, Swanage seems to require everyone to wear high-vis at all times!

 

Unfortunately many volunteers (not on the SVR) seem to regard Hi-Viz as a badge of office and wear it at all times. The GWSR at Winchcombe is very bad for this.

 

The Lycra Louts are as selfish as BMW drivers!

 

I suspect most of the "accused" will be C+W staff or P'way folk who don't want to get dressed just to buy an ice cream or have a pleasant lunch break under the canopy. Perhaps the reason we're "very bad" is simply because we've got lots of busy volunteers!

 

Quite possibly but you are selling an experience to the people who pay for your hobby. That should include as much authenticity as possible. Perhaps you should be looking at somewhere where your volunteers can go for a break that is out of sight of the public if they think it’s not worth their time to change clothes to suit said public.

 

Telling volunteers that they're not welcome to enjoy their lunch or an ice-cream at the station is a surefire way of narking people off. We do have our respective mess rooms, and the C+W one at any rate is very nice, but we like to go outside in the summer, and watch the world go by for a little bit. I've never personally had any complaints, mostly the public either carry on or engage us in a conversation they probably wouldn't have otherwise done.

For the record, when I'm on operational duty I wear my orange vest as little as possible and encourage my colleagues to do the same - or not depending on who it is! Likewise when I'm out photographing, as soon as I reach the platform it goes in my pocket, and if I am using my privilege to get get beyond the crowd I always try and make sure I won't end up in any of their photos. I certainly don't wear it as a badge of honour and whilst I do know some who do, they are few and far between and can usually be picked out by the enormous SLR hanging round their neck rather than a lunchbox in hand.....