Remember:
Airplane crash = everybody dies (usually)
Train crash = nobody dies, or deaths are single digit numbers. (usually)

Terrorism will be hard put to do to trains as much as stupidity has on one occasion. (Driving a barge up a non-navigatible branch into a bridge.)

In short, relax, don't worry. It is a lot harder to do major damage to a railroad than you would think. Don't believe the train disaster movies, either.
 

Other than that, I wouldn't worry about it.
 

Plus, I always figure the train crews want to get where their going as much as I do!
 

The first thing that comes to everyone's mind is that all that track cannot be protected. This is true, but damaging track or placing some sort of mine would be difficult. It would be very difficult to disrupt a passenger train ONLY, on at least the long distance trains. Derailments are already a fact of life railroads and Amtrak deal with, and these, in the great majority of cases, do not involve a great loss of life.

But for the vehicles themselves: jet airliner versus a passenger train the difference becomes very dramatic. A plane fits a large number of people into a small space that is very fragile. A very small bomb can bring total disaster. Also the people are in a small area and several determined passengers with small weapons can take over a plane very easily.

Not so with a train. Hijacking is almost a practical impossibility. Hijack the locomotive? The breaks get pulled and people leave. Take over the whole train? This would take a large number of people given how many cars a long distance train has. Also each car is isolated from the next so control of multiple cars, as opposed to one plane, would be difficult.

A bomb placed in luggage would not be fatal to the train and would likely only damage one or two cars.

I think good security by constant monitoring and maintenance of the right-of-way coupled with checking all people that check baggage will be sufficient. (It sounds like this is what is being done) An individual is of far less concern on a train than in an airplane so the draconian measures airports take are not necessary.

Therefore, even though railroads have miles of right-of-way to secure, railroads remain a far safer mode of travel compared to airlines in the case of terrorism.

The one place that might be different is a busy train station, but that is no different than a busy airport.

Unless of course there is a 10.5 earthquake, than all bets are off. A train might even be swallowed by the ground!
 

This matter has attracted considerable discussion at the various railroad message boards, and as such there can be diverging opinions as to the propriety, or even a civil right, of amateur railroad photography.

Since I have not taken a railroad photo in some 20 years, I believe I can recite objectively on this matter.

I believe you should "think twice" when using a camera/recorder either on board or about your Amtrak trains.

From the linked article circulating in the current Time magazine, it appears that photography/imaging of railroad equipment,way, or structures, can land one in the "do-do". Some hobbyists apparently feel any restraints place on rail photography is a civil rights violation, I'm afrafid it is simply the "facts of life" post-Madrid. "O tempora, O mores" so said Cicero.

By no means is this to suggest that there is a "problem" with "snapshots' of, say, your party boarding or alighting the train. I can't see a problem having an Amtrak employee in your photo as well provided you have their express permission to be imaged. Many are quite agreeable, but respect if they decline. Naturally, other passengers' perogative not to be imaged should be carefully respected, but this "common sense" convetion has been in place long before 9/11 or Madrid came into our vocabularies.

Further, I cannot see a problem with taking a scenery "shot" out the train window and if some of the train is included, so be it; but never, never attempt to open a window (such in the car's door opens, but not by UERME).

So, with this "heads up" in mind (somehow, from reading your postings I do not think you are a hobbyist), have a great trip.

Here's the link: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040524-638410,00.html

[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 05-19-2004).]
 

I have photographed crew, etc. in the past, because I'm a magazine editor/writer and needed pix to go with articles.

In fact, I wrote quite a lengthy article about the dining car, chef, foods, etc. a few years ago, with pix of all that. They loved it.

But now, it might be better to ask Amtrak for photos to accompany stories.

This board, when compared with the other two "majors", I find has a much greater constituency of "train lovers", or folks who could care little about railroad operations and even less about Amtrak's political environment, but cherish the enjoyment of the most "laid back" land travel experience to be found anywhere.

Glad you choose to participate.

GBN
 

However, I actually am interested in rail operations and the politics thereof, since I'm very keen on keep our trains on track. I never understand why passenger travel isn't more respected by those who pull the strings.

I know it's slow compared to flying, but trains are still great people movers.
 

[This message has been edited by mikesmith (edited 05-19-2004).]
 

I can see no imaginable problem taking pictures from and of trains when you are a passenger. I have never had any such, anywhere.

Yes, some judgment and circumspection is in order if taking pictures along the line. Dress reasonably nice for the conditions, but not enough so to attract muggers. Act with good sense.

Some of the hassling if probably sincere, but I would suspect a lot is giving the cop something to write up as an action without risking getting shot at.
 

We're all becoming a bit hysterical these days. Remember, Germany survived nearly a decade of the Baader-Meinhof gang with its freedoms and its democracy intact.

There have been sporadic terrorist attacks throughout the civilized (and uncivilized) world for most of my adult life. It's not clear to me that the destruction of two tall buildings in New York has really changed much.
 

As often the case, it is long on objectives, short on specifics. However, one should not become too "parted" with their luggage. The same level of "attachment" as at airports appears to be order of the day with rail travel as well.

Otherwise "read all about it": http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3572