Eastern Railroad Discussion > Taking Movies close to the tracks

I love to look at all the outstanding videos that many of you post here on Trainorders. This is one of the main reasons why I enjoy being a member since I cannot get out there alongside the railroads like I used to do. But I cannot help but wonder, when you all are standing so close to the tracks, especially with fast moving trains going by, do you ever think or consider that if a derailment would occur, could you get out of the way in time? I personally know that I could not run that fast anymore for sure. Your thoughts?
John in White Marsh, Maryland

And NEVER swing around and video and only pay attention to the train going away from you too.

I rarely take video but when I do I now use my phone.
When doing so I love my phone on something sturdy like a rock or fence and then walk backwards so I can observe the train and/or take photos safely.
Dan

Posted from iPhone

In a nutshell -- tripod mounted video. If I lose a camera, so be it...

John R -- CP Spring
Carlisle, PA

Imagine seeing this coming at you at 50 mph; and the train was on the second track over rather than the closest one.

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Derailments are rare things. Someone standing by a grade crossing is at much greater risk of being hit by an errant automobile than they are of being struck by a derailment.

In other words, I don't worry about it. I do look out for dragging equipment, though -- especially loose steel strapping on steel or lumber loads.

I think something like this is an example of why you should not be standing too close to the tracks when a train is passing by.

I take a lot of videos, and with very few exceptions, if it seems like the camera and photographer are too close to the tracks, there is a pretty good chance that the camera was attached to a pole or a sign and that I'm standing way back from the tracks.

I've always tried to tell people about being too close to a passing train. One thing I do point out is the faster the train is moving, the farther away from the tracks you should be.

Ron

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