Photos not of Train Tracks

Yes, these are photos of yet another train ride from DC to NJ. I am sure everyone is at least mildly tired of seeing them, but I assure you that they are all leading up to some cool art show with the best of the bunches, just as soon as I find time to figure out how I might actually show them.

And the subject of the photos is also not the only repetitious thing about this page. Revisiting the subject of the last post, I would also like to mention that in addition to art in museums, you are also apparently not allowed to take pictures of train tracks and associated infrastructure.

I learned this while sitting on the train, when a passing conductor stopped and yelled "Hey, hey!" at me while I snapped a photo of a passing building, and then muttered something about policies against photos of tracks. I quickly assured him that buildings and graffiti were my intended subject, and that I had no interest in photos of mere train stuff. He remained skeptical, but moved on none the less.

So I guess I have to choose between not taking any more photos from trains, or knowingly breaking the law by continuing to snap away at the passing landscape. Or do I?

Some folks (such as @daquellamanera) were quick to respond to my twittered news of repression, citing some online resources such as this wonderful summary:

The right to take photographs in the United States is being challenged more than ever. People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable. Recent examples have included photographing industrial plants, bridges, buildings, trains, and bus stations.

...there are not very many legal restrictions on what can be photographed when in public view. Most attempts at restricting photography are done by lower-level security and law enforcement officials acting way beyond their authority. Note that neither the Patriot Act nor the Homeland Security Act have any provisions that restrict photography.

Now, I am not sure that this explicitly counters the conductor's claim that you are not allowed to take pictures of tracks while on Amtrak trains, but it sure comes close. Perhaps I will buy their book and see if that can clarify my legal position in the recent controversies I have managed to photograph my way into.

Anyone else know of any other good resources about photographer rights?