Re: Photo line etiquette

You might be forgetting a couple of key points, both of which I've seen in person over the years...
First, don't tick off the land owners. I've seen a guy get yelled at by a photo line for a NS excursion, when he was riding a tractor on his own land, which jutted into view between the line and the train which was coming. If you'd only been civil, he yelled back, I would have moved. "Enjoy the view of my backside, you chumps," he yelled as the train came into view, spoiling the shot for everyone.
Second, If you set up a photo line behind someone who got their first, then that's your own fault. I staked out a prime spot on a steam train once, hours before anyone arrived, and 10 minutes before the train got there, I suddenly realized a photo line had formed way behind me. Then, people started yelling at me to move. I gave the same reaction the tractor jockey did. By God, I was here first by several hours. This wasn't some private charter either, none of those guy hadn't paid anything other than I had (gas and food to get myself there).