- DeutschDE
- English
- FrançaisFR
- EspañolES
No photo is worth the risk: safety rules, tips on behaviour and what to do in an emergency.
5 articles
The rule that everything comes back to is simple: a track is not a footpath. The safe distance from the platform edge is not a recommendation but an operating regulation, and the slipstream of a passing train reaches further than most people think. At 200 km/h it extends beyond the platform edge.
The second rule concerns the overhead line. 15,000 volts can jump across without you touching anything – being close is enough for an arc. That is why vehicle roofs, the gangways between coaches and anything that brings you near the overhead line are off limits without exception, even when no train is moving.
When dealing with staff: instructions from train crew, station supervisors and security staff are binding on railway premises, whether or not you think they are justified. You can discuss it afterwards – at the moment you are spoken to, you do as you are asked, and all you lose is a shot.
Walking on Railway Tracks: What Penalty You Face and Why It Can Be Fatal
Walking on railway tracks is banned and life-threatening. How the system of penalties is structured, what actually happens physically – and which legal vantage points give you the same shots.
19 August 2026Safety Distance at the Track: The Rules That Save Lives
Slipstream, pressure wave, braking distance: why the safety distance at the track isn't just a formality, how to read platform markings, and the one rule that works everywhere.
19 August 2026Spotting at Night: Staying Safe Between the Station and the Field Path
Night spotting rarely fails because of the camera – it fails because of organisation: choice of spot, the way home, battery and how you handle being approached. Here's how to plan a night trip that ends safely.
19 August 2026Hi-Vis Vest for Spotting: Sensible or a Misunderstanding?
High-visibility clothing makes you visible – and can give the wrong impression at the same time. This guide explains when a vest helps when spotting and when it doesn't.
19 August 2026Weather, heat, thunderstorms: emergency preparedness at the photo spot
Spotting happens outdoors – often far from shade, power sockets and help. This guide shows how to assess weather conditions and react correctly when it matters.
Log sightings, discover spots and share them with the community – free with Traintrack.
