Rail Infrastructure Photography for ARTC
Client: Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
Project: Rail operations and infrastructure documentation
Location: Multiple regional locations across NSW
Duration: 3 days, across 3 towns
Documenting live rail operations across multiple sites
ARTC commissioned commercial photography to document rail operations, infrastructure, and personnel across several active rail locations in New South Wales. The imagery was produced for internal communications, annual reporting, and inclusion in ARTC’s central image library and brand bank.
The brief required consistent, accurate documentation across multiple locations while working within strict rail safety protocols and operational constraints.
In addition to still photography, short-form video content was captured where appropriate. Drone use was not permitted.
Output and usage
The final image set was supplied for:
Internal communications
Annual report and corporate publications
Long-term use within ARTC’s image library and brand bank
Imagery was required to be factual, unposed, and representative of real operational environments, rather than staged or promotional.
Access and operational constraints
Photography was conducted within live rail environments during controlled access windows. Track access was permitted only after rail movements were stopped, with photography taking place alongside operational crews.
All work was undertaken under constant escort by authorised rail personnel — a standard and non-negotiable requirement in rail environments. There were no fixed distance limitations once access was granted, allowing flexibility in framing while remaining fully compliant with site protocols.
Several required images needed to be captured within single, non-repeatable access windows. These shots were planned in advance and executed successfully without disruption to operations.
Strict PPE compliance and framing rules were enforced at all times.
Working method
To meet the brief and operational requirements:
No posed imagery was captured
Workers were photographed performing real tasks in live environments
Care was taken to avoid unnecessary identification of individuals where not required
All imagery was captured with awareness of safety signage, PPE compliance, and operational context
The approach prioritised accuracy, safety, and efficiency while maintaining visual consistency across multiple locations and days.
What made this job harder than it looks
While the final images appear straightforward, the project required careful coordination and experience working in live rail environments.
Key challenges included:
Travel and logistics across multiple regional locations
Low-light conditions in network control areas and at dusk
Working within narrow access windows alongside live rail operations
Delivering consistent imagery across different sites, teams, and conditions
Success depended on advance planning, clear communication with site personnel, and the ability to work efficiently within operational constraints.
Outcome
The completed image set provides ARTC with a flexible, long-term visual resource that accurately represents rail operations, infrastructure, and personnel in real working conditions.
The imagery supports internal communication, reporting, and future brand use while meeting the strict safety, access, and compliance requirements of live rail environments.
