Watching passing trains is a hobby that unites railway enthusiasts, photographers and simply lovers of the romance of travel. However watch the train go by, it is not possible everywhere: the railway is considered a high-risk facility, and unauthorized presence on the tracks is punishable by fines of up to 1,000 rubles (Article 11.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). The safest observation points are official observation platforms near train stations, bridges with pedestrian paths, and specially equipped areas for railfans (for example, at the Moscow Railway Museum in Lyubertsy). If you plan to photograph trains, please note: photographing infrastructure facilities (semaphores, turnouts) without the permission of Russian Railways may be regarded as a violation of the law on state secrets.
In this article, we will look at where it is legal to watch trains in Russia, how to choose the optimal time for filming, what technical nuances affect the visibility of trains (for example, high-speed "Sapsan" pass in 3-5 seconds, and freight ones - up to a minute), and why you can’t approach the tracks closer than 5 meters. We will also provide current maps of observation platforms in Moscow, St. Petersburg and the regions, and at the end - a checklist for preparing for observation.
Legal places to watch trains
In Russia, it is officially allowed to watch passing trains only in three types of locations: public areas of stations, pedestrian bridges over paths and specially equipped areas (for example, at railway museums). Most popular points:
- 🚂 Leningradsky Station (Moscow): observation deck on the 2nd floor overlooking the tracks where the Peregrine Falcons and Swallows stop. Free access from 6:00 to 23:00.
- 📸 Moscow Railway Museum (Lyubertsy): an area with historical locomotives and an area for observing modern trains. Ticket - 300 rubles.
- 🌉 Pedestrian bridge over the Oktyabrskaya Railway (St. Petersburg): view on the way towards Finlyandsky Station. Popular with photographers for its evening illumination.
- 🏞️ Embankments along the Trans-Siberian Railway (Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk): some areas are equipped with fences and signs for tourists.
Important: even in legal areas it is prohibited to use tripods without permission, since they can be regarded as an attempt to install equipment at an infrastructure facility. For professional filming, approval from the press service of Russian Railways is required (the application is reviewed within 30 days).
If you photograph trains for commercial purposes (for example, to sell images), check with your local Russian Railways office for accreditation requirements. In some regions (for example, in the Moscow region) there are additional restrictions on filming at night.
Prohibited areas: where you can't watch trains
Staying in the following places is considered a violation of safety rules and will result in a fine:
- ⚠️ Between tracks and roadsides: The minimum safe distance is 5 meters from the outermost rail. At speed "Peregrine" (250 km/h) the air flow can knock a person off his feet.
- ⚠️ Tunnels and viaducts: Even if there are no guardrails, these areas are closed to pedestrians due to the risk of collapse or falling objects.
- ⚠️ Switch and semaphore zones: Employees often work here, and unauthorized persons can cause an accident.
- ⚠️ Right-of-way (100 meters from the tracks in both directions): this is the territory of Russian Railways, passage through it without permission is prohibited.
⚠️ Attention: In 2023, penalties for breaking into infrastructure facilities were tightened. For example, in the Moscow region, for filming on the tracks without permission, a fine of 1,500 rubles + confiscation of equipment is issued.
| Zone | Fine (rub.) | Additional risks |
|---|---|---|
| Interpaths | 1 000–2 000 | Hit by an air wave, falling onto the rails |
| Tunnels | 2 000–3 000 | Collapse, lack of lighting |
| Turnouts | 3 000–5 000 | Interference with signals, emergency stop of trains |
| Right-of-way | 5 000+ | Police arrest, trial |
Optimal viewing times: schedules and light
To catch interesting lineups, check out the schedule on the website Yandex Schedules or in the app Russian Railways Passengers. Best time windows:
- 🌅 Early morning (5:00–7:00): few passengers, good light for photos, freight trains passing by at night.
- 🌇 Evening (18:00–20:00): “golden” lighting, active movement of commuter trains.
- 🚄 Peak hours (8:00–9:00 and 17:00–18:00): maximum flow of Swallows and Peregrine Falcons.
For shooting high speed trains (for example, "Allegro" or "Swift") use mode Sport on the camera (shutter speed 1/1000 sec) to avoid blur. Freight trains can be photographed with a shutter speed of 1/250 sec - they move more slowly (40–60 km/h).
Technical nuances: why trains look different
The appearance and behavior of the train depend on its type, speed and weather conditions. For example:
- 💨 High speed trains ("Sapsan", "Allegro"): pass in 3–5 seconds, create a strong air flow (up to 15 m/s). It is better to observe from a distance of 20+ meters.
- 🚆 Suburban trains (ED4M, ES2G): move at a speed of 80–100 km/h, stopping at stations - convenient for shooting from a platform.
- 📦 Freight trains: up to 70 cars long, speed 40–60 km/h. Interesting to observe due to the variety of cars (tanks, platforms, refrigerators).
- ⚡ Locomotives: y electric locomotives (for example, ChS7) a characteristic hum is heard, diesel locomotives (2TE116) - diesel smell and black smoke.
Critical point: if you hear double locomotive whistle, this is an emergency braking signal - move away from the tracks immediately! This sound means that the driver has noticed an obstacle (including a person) at a distance of less than 500 meters.
How to distinguish trains by sound?
Electric trains produce high-pitched electrical noise, diesel locomotives produce a low diesel roar, and Sapsan trains are almost silent, but create a strong wind current.
Observation and filming equipment
For high-quality observation, a smartphone with a good zoom is sufficient (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with 100x magnification), but for professional photography you will need:
- 📷 Camera: DSLR (Canon EOS 90D) or mirrorless (Sony A6400) with a 70–200 mm lens.
- 🎤 External microphone: To record the sounds of locomotives (for example, Rode VideoMic).
- 🔋 Powerbank: 20,000 mAh (batteries drain faster in winter).
- 🧤 Gloves with sensor: To control the camera in cold weather.
⚠️ Attention: The use of drones to film trains is prohibited without permission from the Federal Air Transport Agency and Russian Railways. In 2022, the owner of a quadcopter in the Sverdlovsk region was fined 50,000 rubles for violating this rule.
☑️ Checklist before observation
Legal aspects: do's and don'ts
According to Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 286 of 2015, Photography of trains is allowed, but with restrictions:
- ✅ You can: remove passenger trains from public areas (stations, bridges).
- ❌ You can’t: take pictures military echelons, communication objects (antennas, cables) and Russian Railways employees without their consent.
- ⚠️ Gray areas: filming freight cars with company logos (for example, Gazprom) may require the permission of the cargo owner.
If you are stopped by a TSA officer, present your passport and explain the purpose of the surveillance. By law, they do not have the right to confiscate equipment, but they can demand that photographs be removed on the spot.
The safest place for observation is the official observation decks of train stations. Filming is allowed there, there is lighting and fences.
Safety: rules of behavior near the tracks
Even in permitted areas, take precautions:
- 🚫 Do not cross paths in the wrong place - use pedestrian bridges or underground passages.
- 📵 Don’t be distracted by your phone when a train passes by: the air flow can tear the gadget out of your hands.
- 👟 Wear flat shoes - the platforms are often slippery due to oil from locomotives.
- 🧒 If you are with children, hold their hand: children under 12 years old do not feel the danger of a moving train.
In winter, it is dangerous to stand on the tracks due to snow drifts: The train may hit a snowdrift, sending pieces of ice flying towards the observers. The optimal distance is 10+ meters.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about train monitoring
Is it possible to watch trains from road bridges?
No, this is prohibited by traffic rules (clause 12.4). Stopping on a bridge over the tracks is regarded as obstructing traffic and is fined 2,000 rubles. The exception is specially equipped parking lots (for example, at the station in Sochi).
How to find out which train is passing?
Use apps "RZD Navigator" or "Railway Transport" — they show the train number, route and speed in real time. You can also navigate by locomotive color: “Sapsan” is white with a blue stripe, “Swallow” is red.
What to do if a train hits a person on the tracks?
Call the Russian Railways hotline immediately 8-800-775-00-00 or to the rescue service 112. Do not approach the victim - high voltage in the contact network (27,500 V) can be fatal even after stopping traffic.
Is it possible to feed birds at the train station?
No, this is prohibited by sanitary standards. Pigeons and sparrows can damage equipment (for example, contaminate signal lights) and also transmit diseases. A fine of 500 rubles is imposed for feeding animals on Russian Railways territory.
How to photograph trains at night?
Use a tripod, shutter speed 1/30 sec and high ISO (1600-3200). For illumination, you can take a flashlight from red filter — it does not blind drivers. But remember: night filming on the tracks without permission is equivalent to a violation of the security regime for transport facilities (Article 11.15.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).