News FrontRunner: Ogden Newspaper Captures Allowed Despite UTA Sensitivity

[jtbell]

http://www.standard.net/live/news/143451/

Note: "FrontRunner" = the commuter train that runs between Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, which began operation last April.

"Standard-Examiner" = the Ogden newspaper.

Note the quote from the Utah Transit Authority spokesperson:

"(Photography) is not against the law or the rules, but we are sensitive to certain types of photos being taken," she said, "but we can't say because of homeland security issues exactly what they are."

I guess I was lucky that I didn't meet those criteria last summer.

According to the chief of UTA police:

"That's kind of touristy stuff, or for rail enthusiasts for that matter. ... It's things associated with the operation of the system that we're concerned about."

Um... rail enthusiasts tend to be interested in "things associated with the operation of the system."

 

[Astronuc]

I once had a railroad police officer threaten to confiscate my camera, even though I was off-property. He argued that the raiload had privacy, and I was not entitled watch the switching in the yard or take pictures. Anyway, the real issue apparently was concern about investigators taking picture for liability.

U.S. Transportation Security Administration spokesman Dwayne Baird said it should be "common sense" that taking photographs of "anything that would be of a sensitive nature" would be off limits.

Citing security concerns, however, he would not list more than one item that is considered sensitive.

"What would be of concern to us would be photographs of security measures on the train, (like) locks on the door," Baird said. "Perhaps operating mechanisms of the train -- that could be considered security-sensitive."

Baird then backpedaled, however, saying locks on doors is just an example and may or may not be on the list of sensitive items that UTA security officers are asked to monitor.

Wow - it seems a bit paraoid on the part of UTA/TSA.

Photographers who refuse to give their name may be forced off the train as a result, but should not be arrested or detained, Larsen said. That's because taking photographs is not a crime nor is it officially against the rules.

Off the train? What sensitive pictures would be taken on a train?! RR photographers usually take pictures by the ROW -- outside of the train.


It's certainly a different world since 9/11. Many photographers have been harrassed because the railroad, TSA or local law enforcement go overboard.

In my case, I take pictures of tank cars, which of course often carry hazardous commodities.

Railfans/photographers are a different breed of people.

Hey JT, I'm sure you know about this site - http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/