Photo Charters and Photography on Heritage Railways

Must admit that when I publish on the various forums I'm a member. I always give a shout out as to what where and when I've took the photo. Thus giving publicity to the railway. We have a forum of sorts at work, which understandably mainly used for work purposed, but has an informal forum similar to this, covering a variety of none work related subject.

 

Speaking as both a loco owner and an erstwhile charter organiser, I can say that over the years photo charters have made a positive contribution to the financial well being of 34081. Charters involving 34081 gained her extra steamings and charters involving other locos generated small but welcome profits. At times I wondered why I was doing it with early starts and the sheer physical effort involved at times but I looked upon it as my contribution to the volunteer effort for 34081. We fostered good relations with the railways we visited and in conjunction with fellow organisers, made things happen that normally wouldn’t have done. Getting the L&Y Pug to the Bristol Harbour Railway being a good example. Each railway has its own view regarding charters and charges varied from “as long as we cover our costs” to the “ouch!” It will be a shame if the SVR turns its back on these events permanently and I hope that minds change in the future.

 

It's the same in other fields as well - There's a very well known example in motorsport which resulted in two photographers being killed by a rally car, while standing in a prohibited area...

 

Heritage railways are private operations on private property. Their is no right of access for photographers to access that property nor is the any legal obligation to operate charters. Any access is granted by the operation on a permissive basis only. If a heritage railway such as the SVR decide to no longer cater for lineside photographers or charters, that is entirely the prerogative and nobody has lost any right. If anyone feels hard done by, then tough luck.

 

I don't think anyone's suggesting it's a *right*, and most people agree that the time of lineside passes has passed. But it seems unnecessarily draconian to throw out charters too, when they paid their way (albeit without massive profits) and the risks seem like they can be managed, in the opinions of those who've run charters.

 

There was a time when people could wander around Bridgnorth MPD.

You pretty much described my visit to the Great Gathering in York. It actually made what was a nice day out a bit less enjoyable. Ironically I commented to the person that I was with that I couldn't understand why if their photos were so important why they didn't pay to go on a photo charter rather than trying to take the perfect shot when there are lots of people around.

 

Theres this new theory called mitigation. Which is why cars have seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones, driving tests, etc. Chunks of H&S is informed by insurance who of course would do anything to avoid paying out. Call up any railways insurance company and ramble at them.

 

It’s nothing to do with insurance or the ORR who have stayed they don’t want to stop charters. Most to do with a new and regrettable attitude by some railways

 

Are we still flogging this dead horse?!

Let's go back to liveries, that was more fun...

James

 

My point wasn't about the SVR not doing charters, it was about safety as a whole. Insurance is going to take a dim view if a volunteer falls off a ladder or chops their arm off with a chainsaw. And it isn't going to look good if a visitor falls into a pit or trips over a signal wire and bashes their head in. The South Devon nearly turned a child into a soup like homogenate and did they take absolute pelters for that. The best intentions from people can still end in tragedy. Theres a tale here of a photographer on the SVR falling off one of the viaducts and he wasn't exactly a newbie.

 

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Indeed, which is why charter organisers together with host railways carry out risk assessments to identify potential risks and put in place measures to ensure activities can take place in a safe manner - charter participants aren't free to just do what the hell they like, and neither are employees and volunteers.

 

One thing that has not been mentioned is secondary spend ( a favourite phrase of @Bean-counter ) . On the Bluebell the majority of the charters start from Sheffield Park so the safety briefing is held in the Bessemer Arms which has opended early for breakfasts and will also for be open for lunch.The Great Western Echo recorded the monies taken in the cafe at Didcot in addition to those from the charter fees for 3nr consectutive Saturday Afternoon/evenings and Sunday morning with 6023.
On some railways there is limited or no opppourtunity for secondary spend from charter participants.

 

That secondary spend may be unseen. They may use the chance to visit the railway on the nearest operating day if travelling from a distance to said railway.

 

I can think of two occassions both on the Severn Valley. I visted on a Sunday prior to two days on charters 34053 and 30120, and also theNovember gala with the Manors followed by a charter with a Manor the following day.

 

Does anyone know if the GWS have a view about the steaming fees lost from what could almost certainly have been a week of charters?

 

Whatever the GWS view is, I much doubt it being made public here.

 

....and most if not all of the published photos show just how many good photographic locations there are along the SVR from adjoining property and rights of way without needing lineside passes