Station photography

RAIL’s verdict:

The rules regarding photography at stations has long been a bone of contention for rail users, with complaints of ‘harassment’ from over-zealous station staff a common theme in the

RAIL inbox. But as the British Transport Police makes crystal clear in this tweet, taking pictures on the network for personal use is absolutely allowed - provided a few simple rules are obeyed.

Station staff are entitled to know what you’re doing, so please speak to a member of staff first if present and respond courteously if approached.

You must also stay clear of the platform edge, and avoid using flashes or wearing anything that is a similar colour to safety clothing.

Captain Flinders

The announcement that archeologists working on HS2 had rediscovered the remains of the famous explorer Captain Matthew Flinders near Euston in January (see

Network News, page 13) drew a broad range of reactions on social media.

While most Twitter users seemed genuinely intrigued by the archeological value of the find, others saw it as the needless desecration of a grave so that “trains can get to Birmingham 20 minutes quicker”.

In response to this long-standing objection, HS2 Ltd has pledged to treat the estimated 40,000 human remains currently being exhumed from the former St James’s burial ground with “dignity, respect and care”.

Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing with the relevant church authorities and Historic England to find the most appropriate site for reinternment.