The editorial and letters pages of virtually all railway magazines have been filled for some time with complaints about the heavy-handed treatment meted out by petty officials to people attempting to take photographs on railway premises, or even from public roads or footpaths. British Transport Police and senior railway managers all agree that there are no restrictions, but the message never seems to percolate down to some horribly rude and aggressive front line staff. The problem seems to be that staff at station level are simply unaware that photography is not a prohibited or illegal activity.

The following is part of a letter sent by the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police to the editor of Rail. This makes it absolutely clear that railway photography is not against the law.

BTP's 'Guidelines for rail enthusiasts' can be viewed at http://www.btp.police.uk/railenthusiasts.html.

If you have experienced problems in the past, you might like to print this page and take it with you.

Report by Ralph Rawlinson