Tips while Lineside

Do you have permission to be inside the railway fence line? No. Under no circumstances should anyone go onto railway property to get a better vantage point. The best photos are taken from public land outside the rail corridor, and there's almost always a safe, legal spot that does the job just as well.

If a railway employee or the police ask you to move on, do so straight away. If you refuse, you may be liable for a fine.

A few things to keep in mind when you're lineside:

  • Stay off the tracks. Under Queensland's rail regulation, it's an offence to go onto a railway track unless you're using a railway crossing, working on the railway, or have the railway manager's permission. The maximum penalty is 20 penalty units.
  • A hi-vis vest isn't a ticket in. Some enthusiasts have been known to pull on an orange vest and wander into the corridor as though they belong there. It doesn't give you any right to be there, and the same rules apply whether you're wearing one or not.
  • Only enter or leave railway property the proper way. Entering or leaving a railway other than through an entrance or exit provided by the railway manager is also an offence, again with a maximum of 20 penalty units. The "railway" includes the station car parks and bus stations under the railway's control.
  • Respect level crossings. Don't enter a crossing while the warning lights or bells are operating, or if a train could hit you, and don't linger on a crossing longer than you need to.
  • Leave the infrastructure alone. Don't touch, move or damage anything belonging to the railway, whether it's signals, points, lever frames, ballast or rolling stock. Wilfully damaging or defacing a railway carries a maximum penalty of 40 penalty units.
  • Think about what you're wearing and carrying. Avoid waving bright red or green clothing, flags or lights near the line, as they can be mistaken for hand signals. Under the regulation, you must remove or screen a coloured light near a railway if you're directed to.
  • Keep well clear of the overhead wires. Queensland Rail's overhead powerlines carry 25,000 volts, and electricity can arc across a gap, so you don't need to touch the wires to be seriously injured. Never climb overhead wiring masts, bridges or structures in electrified areas.

References

'Transport Infrastructure (Rail) Regulation 2017', Queensland Legislation, sections 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17
'High Voltage Can Jump', Queensland Rail (accessed October 2026)
'Trains Can't Stop Quickly. You Can.', Queensland Rail (accessed October 2026)