Community Rules

RailDB exists to document and celebrate the railway. Every photo you upload should serve that purpose.

Content that will be removed includes:

• Photos that are not meaningfully about a railway subject (rolling stock, infrastructure, stations, depots, etc.)
• Stylised edits, heavy filters, or cinematic colour grades that distort or misrepresent the subject
• Content clearly intended as entertainment or social media content rather than documentation (slideshows set to music, "aesthetic" shots with no railway subject visible, etc.)
• Screenshots from games, simulations, or television programmes
• Maps, diagrams, or artwork unless submitted in a context where these are specifically invited

If the purpose of the photo is "it looked cool" rather than "it documents something", it probably does not belong here.

There is no minimum equipment requirement, but photos should be clear enough to be useful as documentation.

• Photos should be reasonably sharp and correctly exposed
• Do not upload exact duplicate photos you have already submitted
• Do not upload photos that are so blurred, dark, or obstructed that the subject cannot be identified

Correct information is what makes this archive useful. When uploading:

• Enter the correct unit number(s) or category tags for everything visible in the photo
• Provide an accurate location (station name, depot, line, etc.)
• Enter the correct date the photo was taken, not the date you uploaded it
• Do not tag units that are not visible or identifiable in the photo

Repeated inaccurate metadata may result in your uploads being reviewed before publication.

• Only upload photos you took yourself or that you have explicit written permission to licence
• Do not upload photos sourced from other websites, social media, or other people's collections without their written consent
• If you are unsure whether you have the right to upload something, do not upload it

Copyright violations will result in immediate removal and may lead to a permanent ban. See the Terms of Use and Licensing page for full details.

This is a community for people who share an interest in the railway. Treat others accordingly. These rules apply to photo comments as well as all other interactions on the site.

• Do not insult, harass, or target other users
• Do not make derogatory comments about someone's photos, equipment, or ability
• Disagreements about factual matters (unit identification, dates, locations) should be raised politely and with evidence
• Do not bring disputes from other platforms onto this site
• Keep comments on topic - photo comments should relate to the photo or its subject

• You may include links to your personal website, photography portfolio, social media accounts, or YouTube channel in your bio; do not link to commercial services or third-party content you did not create
• Do not post links of any kind in photo comments
• Do not upload photos whose primary purpose is to advertise a product, service, or channel
• Do not create multiple accounts
• Do not use automated tools or scripts to interact with the site

RailDB does not endorse or encourage trespass on railway property.

• Do not upload photos that were clearly taken from a position of trespass on operational railway infrastructure
• Do not include information in titles, locations, or descriptions that could encourage others to trespass
• Photos taken from authorised locations (public areas, lineside with permission, official photographic charters, staff access, etc.) are welcome

• Do not post personal information about other users or members of the public
• If a photo clearly and prominently features a member of the public in a way they would likely find objectionable, do not upload it
• Do not attempt to identify, locate, or contact users outside of this platform using information gathered here

If you see content or behaviour that breaches these rules, use the report button on the relevant photo or profile. Do not respond to rule-breaking by engaging with it. Reports are reviewed by administrators and kept confidential.

Administrators may take any of the following actions depending on the severity and frequency of a breach:

• Removal of the content
• A temporary suspension
• A permanent ban

Decisions are made at the discretion of the administrators. These rules should be read alongside the Terms of Use.