In a recent editorial Trains Magazine is fuming over Amtrak’s photography policy which targets railfans. According to TRAINS:

However, let me say I see one very serious issue, Amtrak’s sad blunder in continuing its sad policy that railfans can’t take pictures on Amtrak open-air platforms. This accomplishes nothing and actually takes one small step in removing some of our freedoms. A platform is public unless there is a compelling reason (perhaps a chemical spill) to evacuate the area, or unless some railfan does something stupid like walking in the middle of the tracks. In those cases, there should be removals. Lets also make no mistake about it. This rule is aimed ONLY at railfans. Terrorists would never make an open spectacle of themselves, and the rule says it’s perfectly fine for passengers or their families to take photos on the platform of Aunt Jane or cousin Joe boarding the train.

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At the conference, Amtrak chose its wonderful police chief John O’Connor to break the bad news to us. O’Connor is a pure civil libertarian and perhaps the best cop I’ve ever known. He cast the rule as something that Amtrak never claimed till now — a way to let Amtrak know we are there so local citizens and police can be informed we’re legitimate unthreatening photographers if someone asks. Sorry, Chief, good try and I know you mean it, and it’s true that we’ll almost never be approached if we do take platform photos. But we’re still technically banned from places that have been open to us for more than a century. Something needs to be done about that.

The photo policy only allows ticketed passengers to be on the platforms even those that have no specific barriers or restricted entrances. And even ticketed passengers are allowed to take pictures only for a few minutes while waiting to board a train or within two or three minutes of having gotten off an arriving train. The policy is very restrictive and contrary to the virtual open door that Amtrak had given railfans for many years.

Railroad photographers have been important in documenting railroad history for over 100 years. Amtrak’s policy ensures that days, months and even years of potentially historical events and equipment moves will be lost. We too urge them to reconsider this anti-railfan policy. After all railfans are their biggest supporters and should be encouraged rather than shunned.

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