[PRCo] Re: OT: Rail photography

[Jim Holland]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Fwd: Re: [LRo] Re: Rail photography
Date: 	Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:03:46 -0000

	

	



"geoghb at ..." <geoghb at ...> wrote:

Velcome tu Amerika crumrade, der landt off der frei und brav und 
friendleiheit.

George Barsky

I attended the convention of the Electric Railroaders' Association in 
St. Louis over the Labor Day weekend. Those who participated in the 
convention were issued passes for use on public transit. Security people 
were instructed to allow photography if a person had one of the passes. 
Nearly everyone with whom I spoke had complaints about being challenged 
when they were observed with a camera. I had to show my pass over and 
over again before I was able to take photos.

I spoke to one security guard at the Forest Park station. She boasted 
about how "nobody gets away with photographing when I'm around." I 
mentioned the fact that today's cell phones have photographic 
capabilities and photos taken with these instruments could not be 
stopped. She said, "I can tell by the way that they are holding the 
phone and will immediately tell them to put it away if they are trying 
to take a photo." One of those attending the convention was allowed to 
photograph by a security guard after showing his pass. He spotted some 
art work at one of the stations and decided to photograph it. Another 
passenger took note of this and thought it would be nice to get some 
photos of the same artwork. As soon as she took out her camera the 
security guard began screaming at her. "Stop, you can't take any photos 
unless you have a permit. If you try to do so, I will have to call for 
the police who will hold you for questioning." The lady had a little 
girl with her who became very upset that someone in uniform was yelling 
at her mother and started crying.

One of the stations (I believe it was called North Handly) had a parking 
garage which overlooked the station. I thought this would be a good 
place to show how the station was designed with a bus loading area. 
Along with a friend we went to the top of the parking garage and spent 
about a half hour taking photos of the bus and light rail operations at 
the station. As we were walking between the parking garage and the 
station platform, a county sheriff who was patroling the station saw our 
cameras and said, "You aren't planning to take photos of the light rail 
are you?" Since we had already taken all the photos from the parking 
garage where he did not see us, we replied, "No."

I feel that St.Louis has a fine light rail system, but it will be a long 
time before I bother to make a return visit to that city. I don't feel 
welcome in a police state atmosphere.

Frank
----- Original Message -----
From: Leroy W. Demery, Jr.
To: LRPP...
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:59 AM
Subject: [LRPPro] Re: Rail photography

 Clark F Morris cfmpublic@ wrote:

What is the status of the MBTA photo bans? They predate 9/11."

Clark, Lyndon et al.,

To answer your question, Clark: I don't know.

I do know - firsthand - that T employees have attempted to discourage 
photography for decades with various "lines."

Decades: In 1970, a friend and I were told by the "starter" at Lechmere 
that we couldn't take pictures. When I had the impudence to ask "why," 
we were told that Lechmere loop was "a civilian defense installation."

Ca. 1974, I exited the Red Line at Shawmut station, carrying a small 
movie camera on a tripod. As I was walking past the front of the train 
toward the stairs, the driver opened his cab window, stuck out his head 
and threatened to "report" me.

However, I think the "T" has finally met its match in the person of 
photographer Jason Desjardins.

This story was posted previously by Frank M.; it was published in 
"Boston Now"

URL: http://www.bostonnow.com/news/local/2007/05/15/mbta-photos

I suspect that the "T" has not only met its match ... but hasn't quite 
figured out what they're up against !

URL: http://badcharlie.blogspot.com/

Leroy W. Demery, Jr.

--- End forwarded message ---



^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
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Jim  Holland
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Studying Pittsburgh Railways Company (PRCo)
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..............................From 1930 -- 1950
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Pennsylvania  Trolley  Museum  (PTM)
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http://www.pa-trolley.org/
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N.M.R.A.
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http://www.nmra.org/