Flying near railways in Europe.

[Mazdaman323lx]

Anyone know what the rules for flying near railways (not directly over and not over trains) are in Europe ? Thanks in adavance

 

[hansenn]

If I,m not wrong, you cannot fly over railways here in NL. Minimum distance you have to keep is 50m.
Other countries can have different rules.

 

[123taff]

Flying of drones over railways in the UK is subject to the same restrictions as any other industrial infrastructure, that is no closer than 50m for larger drones but technically, the sub 250g drone exemptions apply.

However, there is an area of caution. Following a couple of near misses involving heritage steam locos (The Flying Scotsman) Network rail are paranoid over the issue.

The complication is that even though a drone flyer may well be compliant with CAA drone law, there is powerful Criminal legislation relating to the railways (for example it is one of the few places in the UK where trepass is a Criminal Offence and not a civil one) and there is a specific criminal offence of "Endangering persons on the Railway." It is an archaic law under section 34 Offences Against the Person Act 1861, but it is still current and never been repealed or updated, and the penalties carry a prison sentence of 2 years.

The British Transport Police can and still do charge people under this act so if a railway worker or the BTP ask you to desist from flying over the railway, even though you are satisfying CAA law, it is best to do so.

 

[bJako]

I think if your drone is C0 or C1, then you can fly as "Open A1" and there are no restrictions at all about buildings or infrastructure. Just look NFZ map. IMHO
Open A1: Flights are permitted over random people, but not over crowds. Thats all.
EU countries may have some different rules - Spain allow fly ower city but only max 20m attitude (?)

 

[WanderLost]

In Canada here, flying over rail lines and trains is forbidden - as part of critical infrastructure that is also off limits. You can film from an angle offside from a safe distance. There probably wouldn't be an issue passing and not hovering over a rail line, like for roads and private property.