Today I had the great dis-pleasure of working under the rule of Network Rail, who are now controlling the scene at Carrbridge train station where a freight train derailed on Monday evening.

Every press photographer knows the procedure for working at police-controlled zones: You turn up, you wait, the police take you to a designated area, you get your photos and you go away. Nobody causes any hassle, everybody gets their job done, and there's no unpleasantness.

But the police aren't controlling Carrbridge train station anymore. And the site controller for Network Rail has decided to enforce a complete ban on all media access to the site. It was an over-the-top and unnecessary step, but not surprising as this particular person was openly disruptive and critical of photos and video being taken now that work is underway.

The end result is that photographers and video cameramen have to either walk along a main road without pavements, settle for lousy shots from behind trees, or hike through a forest to get a vantage point further along the track.

Unfortunately the anti-media attitude wasn't limited to this one person. I called the Network Rail press office to ask if there was anything they could do to help, as I felt the outright ban on media was an over-reaction. The press office suggested that we walk along the main road — and then hung up! I called back and asked if it would be possible for a designated media area to be set-up, far away from where the work was being carried out. I was told "it isn't a media circus" and then the helpful chap hung up again. An outrageously aggressive attitude from a press office.

So, did I give up? Did I settle for lousy shots? Did I hell.

The papers that had booked me for the job had their photos delivered shortly after 6pm. I had warned the papers in advance that the photos had to be taken from a less-than-ideal angle, but I think they turned out okay.

I've added some photos to the end of the train derailment gallery:

Click here to view the gallery

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