A good photo but....

Worried about flash? Excuse ignorance but shouldn't he / she have "both hands at the wheel"? Says he who used to ride motorcycles one-handed at times.

No, it only takes one hand to drive a D stock.

MA2's driver has now been shopped and reveleased for the [censored] that he is. And Mr D Stock...well, it's a bit late as you were on the train! Last time I had a personal PA, I was invited (twice) to the cab by my mate. I was rather touched at the time. Nice guy Brian Panting!

But, hold on, he's entitled not to like having his photo taken. You don't know if the Standard have been having a go at him, or whether he's just appeared in a railway mag without his permission, or something else to make him 'shy'.

Everyone's entitled to some privacy even in these days of cameras everywhere. Personally I don't mind when I'm driving (I often wave, but only when in the mood), but I know some drivers that do object and I sympathize.

Dave Mooney is at Neasden Depot doing the signalling and says that BP left LU some time ago through illness. And Phil, whilst I agree with you, saying so on the PA in my opinion is a bit late and superfluous. However, he said it and understandably was refusing an anticipated request. It may have been for personal reasons but he was of course correct to "make it clear". I have known Drivers in the dim past to have been severely disciplined because of allowing unauthorised persons in the cab. That said I have been invited to "cab" Class 37 and 47 locos on the Brentford Branch as well as on the Underground but in all cases being very concerned at getting anyone into hot water.

Just out of interest did you consider going to him later and explaining that it was the train you were photographing, not him?

don't think he thought I was press, it was taken on my phone.

Well, the press is going downhill these days ;D ;D

EDIT: maybe I should put this on a T-shirt for when I go out:


;D ;D ;D

ADMIN/MODS: feel free to change the above pic to a URL if you think you need to.

It is larger than we allow pixel wise - but we'll leave it on this occassion as the file size is within limits.
Colin.

You don't need the "You can also not tell me not to take pictures as".

Perhaps you should get section 4.5 printed on the back so there is no doubt!

well, tfl blue on white for the back would seem appropriate (doubly so if you can use the right font, but iirc there are usage restrictions on it). For the front you want something bold - black-on-yellow or white-on-black perhaps?

May I point out though that although under the Conditions of Carraige you are permitted to take photographs, this does not give you the right to do so.

I would urge you to exercise respect of an individual staff member's requests; OK point out the Conditions of Carraige (but don't sound like a smart rear - this will only antagonise people) but if the member is staff is adamant that he/she wishes you to stop please do so.

Whilst I take the point about it being an 'occupational hazard' that people may take your photo (albeit they're not interested in the member of staff who's image is being captured, but the station, train, bus or whatever) if they really don't want to be in a photo then please give them respect.

Ahh, could the Op claim mitigating circumstances is he has a SPAD?

While that might work for male T/ops, if the driver is female I suspect that it will make it less likely that you will be treated to a happy, smiling face.

The original post discussed the way in which male T/Os and drivers had acted. From my observations females who hold these positions quickly learn to react to any flack that they get from male colleagues (albeit in different ways). I must say though that I have never ever seen a female T/O or driver make the kind of gesture to the public that was depicted in a previous post.
With regard to those wishing not to have their photographs taken, I concur with the view that individuals do have a right to choose. I regularly appear in front of cameras, but when I do it is on my terms. At other times I not only dislike having my picture taken, I actually hate it and have been known to leave a room if someone insists on trying to snap me 'for a laugh'. Those who met me at a Baker Street gathering will know that I mentioned this to the photographers that were present before I took a seat.
Sadly, someone who is in a publicly visible position (such as on the front of a train) is regularly exposed to this and it is not correct for anyone to say that they should not do the job if they do not want their photograph taken. From the comments subsequently made by the T/O in question, it is obvious that the possibility of a flash being fired into his face was not his main concern. My attempts to stay out of photographs over the years have taught me that there are more subtle ways of avoiding a camera - even on the front of a train. I have also learned that holding the palm of a hand in front of a face or camera usually only inflames the situation.

When in private and in situations where it's possible to ask then yes.


People have been photographing trains since cameras were invented. It's part of the job, how do they expect to avoid it?

The T&W driver Chris M refers to seems to have the right approach.