Please, fill me in on how this keeps anyone safe. It does nothing of the sort, and I am dismayed that anyone bought that rationale for even a second. It does, however, protect Amtrak employees from embarrassing situations, which is why the whole thing even came up. I am tired of having every new rule sold on the "We're protecting you from terrorists" line., especially when those rules have nothing to do with terrorism.
This same type of rule has been in effect at airports for years (not photography necessarily but as far a ticketed passengers) for safety of passengers. Look, it really does not matter whether Amtrak really believes this is for safety or to save them from embarrassment...it is their rule and as good railfans we must abide. As to my personal beliefs regarding governmental control, the so called "Patriot Act" and terrorism I leave that to other times and places beyond this forum because political debate is not why we are here.
I know that Amtrak doesn't actually own the rails they operate on or the platforms it seems (maybe they lease the platforms I don't know), but Does Amtrak own the rail yards that they operate out of or are those leased? Because I recall seeing Metra and Amtrak set up in the same yards just about.
