Filming FAQs

Full details are provided on our safety guidance page.

This can vary.  For small-scale filming you’ll need to keep your equipment to a minimum.  For larger projects, you’ll need to tell us what you are filming and what equipment you’re planning on using (including props), providing us with a risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) in order for us to assess its feasibility.  All safety documentation must be accepted by our teams before your shoot can go ahead.

Filming equipment, lighting, props, and any other ancillary equipment that is over 1.8 metres long or 25kgs in weight requires special movement arrangements and cannot be done in an operational environment where the public is present.

For more information please refer to our safety guidance page.

Yes. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow access to the Train Operator’s cab on any train in passenger service. Filming in the cab of a specially chartered train is possible.

Yes, we can arrange platform filming, but it’s likely you’ll need a staff escort which may cost extra.

Not normally. Non-commercial filming is managed by our Media Relations team and must be rail-related, such as breaking news or railway-themed documentaries. Everything outside of this is considered commercial and fees are charged.

Currently, we only accept BACS transfers. As we require payment upfront, you will be provided with an invoice in advance of your shoot. If you need a purchase order to be quoted, please supply it in good time.

Note: We are unable to complete supplier or vendor forms.  All payments must be made via the above process before filming can be permitted.

Yes.  This must be in pounds sterling.  We need you to have cover of up to £5m for all productions.

If you are a student, you will need your college or university to cover you under its insurance.

Yes, all filming and photography needs to take place outside of peak hours.  This means between 10:00 and 16:00, or between 20:00 and 23:00, Monday to Friday.  You can usually film at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Filming through the night: we do not advise filming or photography when locations are closed, as this is when essential engineering work is carried out. However, it may be possible if you give advance notice and there are no planned works at the location you want to use.

We don’t allow people to work over 12 hours, so you may need to consider shift changes for longer days.

We ask film crews to use battery-operated equipment wherever possible.

If you want to use our power supply, we’ll need advance notice so we can provide a suitable arrangement.

The use of petrol or diesel generators is absolutely prohibited on all stations and trains.

A Competent Person (CP) is an independent safety professional or company registered with our stations. Their role is to review your safety documentation to ensure it meets our safety standards. Depending on the size and scale of your project, it may be necessary for you to engage a Competent Person at your cost. The need for a CP will usually be identified by your appointed Filming Manager early in the planning process, and they will share contact details with you. Competent Persons are more often required for high-risk or large-scale shoots, or where a significant amount of safety documentation is required. In some instances, a CP may also be required to escort you on the shoot day as a health and safety supervisor or adviser.

You may additionally need to inform local tenants and residents of any activity that may affect them or their business.

Our station event spaces are managed directly by  JCD.  Please contact them for further information.

We don’t usually permit filming on our track network. Trackside environments are inherently dangerous, and visitor permits are only considered where justification exists; filming alone is not enough to meet the threshold. We do, however, offer our depot track lines for the right sort of projects. Although other providers, such as heritage railways, offer this service, we strongly advise that you consider the suitability of your content carefully so that trespass and other related themes are not encouraged.

We have limited parking bays at our stations, so it is unlikely we can arrange this for you. Our public car parks are managed by NCP, and available space varies. Please contact them directly for further information.

• Music promos – if a song has lyrics, they will need to be provided as part of the application.
• Short films – a copy of the shooting script will need to be provided as part of the application.