A guide for photographers and filmmakers near the rail corridor
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) receives many requests from media outlets, designers, photographers, filmmakers and rail enthusiasts for photographs, viewing locations, and to use our rail corridor as a backdrop for imagery. Every year we also experience multiple cases of trespass and near hits. While we recognise that trains and the rail corridor can provide some great image and vision opportunities, it is not an open access area and there are many risks to be aware of when taking images near to the rail corridor.
This webpage aims to provide some tips to help keep you safe when capturing imagery.
Click here to download the Photographer’s Guide
Network Control Report – MOUNT LOFTY
Trespassers on track
Report from Manager of a wedding party standing on the track at Mt. Lofty having their photos taken. This has occurred before. Manager has photos of offender’s cars and will pass them to Security.
Who is this guide for?
| Rail Enthusiasts | |
| Photographers and Videographers (professional/commercial and amateur/hobbyist) | |
| Media Outlets and Representatives (press, online and broadcast) | |
| Members of the public | |
| Taking of photos and film for social media | |
| Others with an interest in the rail industry |
Train drivers assume the worst
ARTC and rail operators around the country receive hundreds of reports of members of the public entering the rail corridor to take photos or view passing trains every year. Many people are unaware that entering into the rail corridor is an illegal activity that constitutes trespass. Worse still, it can result in serious injury or death should that person be struck by a train.
While most people act with common sense and responsibly around the rail corridor, as an industry we still see too many photographers, members of the media and rail enthusiasts enter the rail corridor or exhibit risky behaviour in either their actions or imagery. This puts their own safety at risk as well as those of others, and they often have a direct impact on the reliability of rail operations.
A rail accident affects a lot of people – train crews and track workers see tragedy all too often for what are almost all avoidable incidents – and will take immediate action such as applying their emergency brakes if they see something unsafe. Rail workers and train crews are also trained to report unusual and unsafe acts and rail staff and/or Police are notified to attend where appropriate.
By promoting safe behaviours around the rail corridor we can: 1. Reduce the risk to photographers and filmmakers, 2. ensure images of the rail corridor represent safe behaviour and ultimately, 3. reduce the number of trespassing incidents.
The rail corridor is a dangerous place
With 44,200km of railway track in Australia and ARTC’s network comprising of over 8,500km of this; trains, people and vehicles cross paths every day.
What is the rail corridor?
The rail corridor is the land on which the railway is built. It comprises all property typically bounded from fence line to fence line or if not fenced, everywhere 15 metres either side of the outermost parts of track, unless otherwise indicated. It is a highly regulated area and actions around the rail corridor are supported by National Rail Safety Regulation – which includes provisions for criminal acts. The community should view the rail corridor as a high danger ‘worksite’. The people that work in the rail corridor are trained, hold relevant certification and must be authorised to be there.
Unfortunately, there are more than 5,000 incidents of trespass on the rail network every year in Australia, that’s over 13 trespasses a day or one every two hours. Worse still, around 30 people on average die in the rail corridor due to misadventure, every year.
In addition there are around 1,000 near hits at level crossings in Australia every year – that is 1,000 people who could have ruined their life as well as the trauma and impact it has on the lives of the train driver, scene attendants, witnesses, and their family because of an avoidable incident.
If you get hit by a train, you have a 40% chance of surviving, with severe injuries to serve as a constant reminder.
Don’t let the picture be your last one
- A good picture is not worth losing your life over. Too many people are seriously hurt or die each year because they do not understand rail corridor operations and the danger that comes with it. What message are you setting with the images and story you portray?
- Accessing the rail corridor is against the law. Rail tracks, yards and rail maintenance vehicle tracks are restricted access property. If you plan to photograph near the rail corridor make sure you are in a safe and public space.
- Trains can’t stop quickly to avoid people or vehicles on the tracks. It can take up to two kilometres for a fully laden freight train to stop. And also don’t think you can safely gauge a train’s distance from you and its speed – it’s often going much faster than you expect.
- Never stand on railway tracks. No tracks should be assumed to be abandoned or inactive.
- Always behave as you would expect others to. People in your community mimic your behaviour and may copy what they see in pictures.
- Don’t pose subjects on railway tracks or other equipment when taking photos. It’s not only illegal; it sends a dangerous message around right and wrong behaviour.
- Give train crews a break. Most drivers and train crew have experienced too much tragedy in the rail corridor and experience near hits all too often.
- Get permission from the relevant rail operator or track owner if you are looking to film or photograph the rail corridor and/or the rail yards.
- Obey signage and any directions from rail staff, they are there to ensure your safety and that of others.
Network Control Report – WODONGA – WANGARATTA
“At 1542hrs the driver reported a near miss at Beechworth Road Level Crossing just north of Chiltern whilst travelling in an up direction. TTM advised. Driver advised Control that he applied the emergency brake and that the on board PSS firmly advised the people to clear. The PSS on board informed the driver they were clearing the area. The members of the public were taking photos way too close to track. The driver was OK to proceed. CountryLink Advised”
Responsible photographers and filmmakers should consider
| Task | |
|---|---|
| Plan ahead – contact ARTC or relevant rail operator if unsure. | |
| Check your boundaries! Are you in a safe location and outside the rail corridor? | |
| Only take photos or view trains from public locations | |
| Do not intentionally distract a train driver’s or rail workers attention | |
| Check you are not obstructing the visibility or view of train drivers or road-based vehicles if you are near a railway level crossing | |
| Turn off your flash Flash photography or direct lights in the direction of oncoming trains is a major hazard for train crew; have you checked if you are wearing anything that might be reflecting the sun or could affect a train driver’s vision? |
|
| What colour clothing are you wearing? Red and Green are railway signal colours and track workers are prohibited wearing these colours in the rail corridor, think about what you wear when near railway lines |
|
| If you are taking photos from an overpass, is your equipment attached safely to your body and cannot fall into the rail corridor? | |
| Do not enter areas not accesible or open to the public | |
| Don’t climb on or obstruct signals, equipment or signs | |
| Check you are safe from hazards (road and rail) |
Network Control Report – MAITLAND
Trespasser in rail corridor at East Maitland footbridge.
“Trespasser in rail corridor at East Maitland footbridge. Driver of train advises control that there is a 60 year old male trespasser sitting at the base of the East Maitland foot bridge in the rail corridor with light blonde hair and a blue shirt filming the passing trains. Newcastle Police advised.”
More information
For access to rail stations or passenger trains for filming or photographer purposes, please contact the relevant passenger operator or passenger rail authority:
- Queensland: Queensland Rail
- NSW: Sydney Trains, NSW Trainlink or Transport for NSW
- Victoria: Metro Trains Melbourne or V/Line
- South Australia: Adelaide Metro
Further information on safety around the rail corridor can be found at the following websites:
Further ARTC enquiries can be directed to the Manager, Stakeholder Communications on (02) 8259 0724 or, by mail to:
- Att: Manager, Stakeholder Communications
- Australian Rail Track Corporation
- GPO Box 14,
- Sydney NSW 2001