The use of drone cameras over heritage railways

say what you said of course

 

I expect the country sports folks are quite looking forward to something new to shoot at!

 

I think some people are getting unnecessarily stirred-up about this subject!

The use of video drones by amateurs is a relatively recent development, so none of us really know how popular their use might eventually become, nor do we know precisely what risks are associated with their use around heritage railways. However, we can assume that there are risks, since the authorities require users to be licenced by the CAA. The managements of HRs are obliged to take into consideration any risks associated with their operation, even small ones, and take action which is appropriate and proportional to that risk. In a situation where there are a number of unknown factors, surely it is prudent to be cautious.

As to how the use of drones can be controlled, the main danger to a HR is if an accident takes place involving a drone which is operated from within the premises of the railway and with the railway management's permission, in which case the railway could be prosecuted and/or sued, along with the drone's operator. If the accident involved a drone operated from within the railway's premises but without their permission, the railway could still be held responsible if it were proved that they had not taken reasonable steps to control or prevent it's use. The simplest way of dealing with this is the same as any other form of trespass- by invoking the Railway Regulations Act of 1840, whereby you ask them to leave and if they refuse, they have committed an offence. The Act applies to any passenger-carrying railway.

I hope that no such draconian measures would ever be necessary, but since the operation of these machines is such obvious fun and the photographic results are both novel and pleasing, it is quite possible that problems may occur with drone operators not abiding by the rules or not being licenced or insured.

 

I agree there is little point in getting worked up about drones, but nonetheless when they do come down there is every opportunity for someone to be disfigured or property damaged. As an example, flying model aircraft in the centre of Epsom Racecourse following a few near misses was finally banned during the 1980s after an out of control model plane hit a horse rider in the face.

You have now, see my above comment. There have been other incidents but I'm not as aware of the detail as I am for that which occurred on Epsom Downs.

That's all very well Ralph, but what is your response to the scenario that someone else arrives after you have set-up and are flying, doesn't liaise with you and just switches on their transmitter to fly their drone and you as a result lose control of your drone?

In respect of using drones for photography you are probably correct, at least until it attains a bigger following.

Chris

 

No longer a problem now 2.4Ghz radios are used. They're multi frequency, intelligent systems which maintain contact even if other radios are broadcasting.

As to regulation, I believe that a drone taking photographs is regulated more closely than one simply flying around. Regulation is by the Civil Aviation Authority.

 

that's all very well, but what is the chance of the CAA being in a field near , say, Highley to request a sight of someone's license?

 

I feel a design for a 2.4GHz broadband jammer coming on!

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

 

Having given due consideration to the safety concerns expressed by posters here, I have this morning placed an order for a Drone - the noisiest one I could find. See you at the lineside...

 

No different to any regulatory authority or any law enforcement officer being near to anything illegal, improper, dangerous etc. Do we therefore ban everything just in case?

 

I'm going for a pair of these. Want to film in stereo.

Drone by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

A lineside air strike by 92 Squadron...I would pay good money to see that. Where do I book?

 

If it's 92 Squadron you want, we don't mess around with things with dirty great fans on the top, we use these.
Far noisier, faster and very destructive. A pair of 30mm Adens will dig you a trench if needs be.
Lightning F2 XN786 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

Off topic but I was working at Bentwaters the other day and saw a brace of these for the first time in real life, very impressive and imposing machines!

 

Made in Britain, flown by Brits, maintained the peace through deterrence for Britain, and now banned in Britain because some sensitive Brits didn't like the noise of freedom. This is why I think some of the contributors to this thread are very dangerous and malevolent men indeed.

 

The unofficial motto of RAF Wildenrath (and probably other fast jet bases) in the 80s was "Jet noise, the sound of freedom." My old Triumph Dolomite wore that sticker with pride.

 

No, but if, for instance, a driver on our railway grossly exceeded the speed limit I would not wait until the unlikely event of his being observed by an ORR inspector, I would deal with him straight away, because he would be doing something dangerous and illegal and that would cause all manner of problems for the railway. In the same way, if a drone operator acted in a way that caused nuisance or danger, I would deal with him without waiting for someone to inform the CAA. This does not mean that I would ban drones from our railway, any more than I would ban trains, but I would (and do) insist that whilst operating on our railway they do so with my permission and under my control. It's called management!

 

And how do you deal with him if he's not on railway property and under what laws would you deal with him if he was?