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The contribution of Photographers to Preservation

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Sidmouth, Oct 11, 2010.

  1. Axe

    Axe Member

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    Not at all. I have been closely following and indeed working on various aspects of the Northern Extension Project for several years. I do understand what has been going on.



    You need to learn and understand the legal requirements of opening and operating a railway before you start coming out with twaddle like that. The planning limitation at Kingscote imposed a time limit on the use of the station as a terminus. When that expired, the planning authority advised the Bluebell on the best way forward. And surprise surprise, the station continues in use today as a termini.



    You clearly haven't got the faintest idea what you are twittering on about.

    Bluebell does NOT need local authority planning approval to operate a railway into EG, that permission came when the T&WO was awarded. The planning application was to erect a station building and was approved by the planning authority. However the approval came with a few restrictions on the use of the station. I do not recall that "whistles" were specifically mentioned. The approved planning application is being ignored and will eventually time expire. This is why there are no permanent buildings on site at EG and why the booking office is a mobile van on wheels.

    This policy of ignoring the planning approval has not resulted in any friction, in fact if anything has I understand, brought the two sides closer together in respect of co-operation.



    Nonsense.


    Chris
     
  2. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Both of these items have appeared in Bluebell News news pages, ie not correspondence pages; but I'm pleased if they are indeed nonsense, but I'm by no means convinced.

    You would have saved a lot of friction if you responded properly in the first instance been so arrogantly dismissive.

    Regards
     
  3. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    I think you will find in this case you are in the minority with your contribution to the local shops/preserved railway. Most line side photographers just turn up point and shoot with their camera then go home without spending a single penny with the railway or local shops.
     
  4. Matt35027

    Matt35027 Well-Known Member

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    They're the types who when seeing a mainline tour have already disappeared before the last coach has passed through the platform
     
  5. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    on what basis do you make that comment?
     
  6. Stu in Torbay

    Stu in Torbay Part of the furniture

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    Well, every second counts - gotta jump back in the car to continue the chase, and besides, who wants to watch MK1 coaches go by. (That's also why I don't like videos where the cameraman doesn't pan round to follow the loco!)
     
  7. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    And the evidence to back up your statement is...............?
     
  8. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Doubt he's got much evidence Simon.
    Just wondering if we should extend this debate to asking if those who photograph scheduled trains on the national network send a contribution to the various TOCs, the RAF if they phot military aircraft etc. :)
     
  9. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    I don't follow the mainline scene because the relationship between the cost of petrol to the amount of footage I get just doesn't stack up. I prefer to buy the DVDs from PSOV who appear to have a good relationship with everybody who contributes to putting on these specials. There was a time when I paid a subscription to a society, the name of which escapes me at present, for the timings. I understood that this society then paid money to the mainline steam operators. Whether that arrangement still continues I really don't know.

    I think it is true that the relationship that these mainline specials have to the communities through which they pass is tenuous to say the least. I would imagine that much the same is true of the passengers, photographers and other observers who take part. Personally I really don't care and I think this discussion is getting a little silly. I think it should concentrate on the preserved railways and even then the subject has been pretty well thrashed to death.

    The simple truth is that many photographers do contribute, many others don't. Crashing on about this, particularly by those persons who are readily identified to a particular railway, may well cause some people to contribute less in future, while it isn't going to make any difference to those who are selfish enough not to contribute. Please let the topic drop before it starts to do real harm.

    Regards
     
  10. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    On the following evidence. I work line side on a preserved railway. Every time we have a steam gala the same photographers turn up early morning and leave very late after the last service train. Speaking to these photographers over a period of years I've asked them from which part of the country they come from and where are they staying. On MOST occasions I get the same response from them. “We have driven from Home and are returning home tonight “. I’ve have also asked them why don’t you go for a train ride and the response I get. We are content with just photographing and don’t want to ride on the service trains. (No money for the railway). Are they using the local shops? No because they have a stack of food in their plastic bag/ rucksack. (No money for the local shops). So on the following evidence most line side photographers and I use the word MOST don’t give a penny to the preserved railway or to the local shops.
     
  11. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    But against that is the experience of Hellifield whose station buffet does good trade when steam trains operate - whether charter or test run. Photographers arrive before time to buy then get lineside shots then return for more banter and a comparison of shots. In my own case on linesiding I often take shots around Shap then drop into the service station to spend a fiver on food, drink and a newspaper before continuing to the next location for a southbound shot. If the return is via S&C I will also spend on Appleby station - so it's not guaranteed that every linesider ignores the local community on chasing main-line charters.
     
  12. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    You're not alone Fred. Your modus operandi is typical of many photographers I know, myself included. Although I don't chase much main line steam - work gets in the way far too often - when I do, I'll always get fuel and refreshments locally and if it's a relaxed schedule for the day there's always the local pub for a lunchtime pint and a meal.
     
  13. Ann Clark

    Ann Clark Member

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    Some photographers are very good and contribute. However I had an awful experience with one photographer who had been taking photos all weekend when the King visited Bodmin. I was in the booking office when the king made its final entry to Bodmin General. This photographer appeared and I requested their money for the platform ticket. Their responce was did I not know who they were and they had been taking photos all weekend. I responded that I knew they had and as they had not contributed to the railways costs would they like to do so now. As they argued the point they missed their photo opportunity.

    If they had been the only one I had encountered I would tar all photographers with the same brush. However I have found that most are not too bad. However I do object to being yelled at when I am in the line of sight for operational reasons. We do try to stay out of the way but sometimes we can't help it or just have not realised a polite could you move please would be nice.
     
  14. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    But how many people are you talking about - compared with the number who take pictures but also travel or contribute in other ways?
     

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