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.

For more information please refer to our safety guidance page.

Although we own almost all the stations on our network, we only manage a small number directly.  If the station you want to use is not listed in our location library then you’ll need to contact the Train Operating Company (TOC) who manages it.  See other railway stations and TfL tab on our about our service page.

Not currently.  You should approach a Train Operating Company (TOC) to use their trains whilst at our stations.  Use National Rail's list to identify which TOC you'll need to approach.

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

If you want to feature a train or train logos, you'll need to get permission from the relevant train operating company (TOC) before you apply to film.  See other railway stations and TfL on our about our service page.

We do consider filming at sites not listed on our locations library, but some (such as over bridges and underpasses), aren't always feasible for us to accommodate.  Where they are, we'll require a minimum filming fee spend of £5k+VAT as they are often time-intensive to approve.

Not normally.  Non-commercial filming is managed by our Media Relations teams and has to be rail-related (such as breaking news or railway-themed documentaries). Everything outside of this is considered commercial and fees charged.

Rail enthusiasts have their own process to follow.

Currently we only take 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 us with 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 £10m for all productions.

If you are a student (band D), you will need your college or university to cover you under their insurance.

No longer.  We used to offer this service but following customer feedback, adopted standardised agreements to reduce the overall planning time.  We now offer two location agreements, one for scripted and another for unscripted productions which all need to sign.

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 06:30, Monday to Friday.  You can usually film at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

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

A Competent Person (CP) is an independent safety professional or company registered with our stations.  Their job 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 on 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 those where a lot of safety documentation is required.  In some instances, a CP will be additionally be required to escort you on the shoot day as a H&S supervisor or advisor.

London King's Cross

Platform 9¾ - you must gain permission from Warner Bros prior to filming here.  You'll need to share this with us as part of your application to film.  Please contact james.dudley@warnerbros.com.

The King's Cross Tunnel (aka the Light Tunnel) - the long and curved illuminated tunnel that runs from the walkway connecting King's Cross and St. Pancras International is managed by King's Cross Estate Services.  Please contact events@kingscrossestateservices.co.uk.

London Liverpool Street

Kindertransport - both The Arrival and Fur Das Kind-Displaced statues are maintained by the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR).  Please contact 020 8385 3070 / enquiries@ajr.org.uk.

London Paddington

Isambard Kingdom Brunel the statue located on platforms 8/9 was sculpted by John Doubleday.  Please contact 01621 891 329 / enquiries@johndoubleday.co.uk. 

Paddington Bear the statue located on platform 1 was sculpted by Marcus Cornish.  Please contact info@marcuscornish.com.

London St. Pancras International

The station forecourt (excluding the steps down to Pancras Road) is managed by the St. Pancras Renaissance hotel.  Please contact May Cueto 020 7841 3547 / may.cueto@renaissancehotels.com.

The Meeting Place (aka The Kiss) the statue was sculpted by Paul Day.  Please contact paul@pauldaysculpture.com.

John Betjeman statue was sculpted by Martin Jennings.  Please contact 020 7553 9068 / pete.woronkowicz@dacs.org.uk.

All locations

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

Our station event spacesd are managed directly by Space and People.  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 isn't enough to meet the threshold).  We do, however, offer our test track 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 in order that trespass and other related themes are not encouraged.

Full details are provided on our filming nearby page.

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 APCOA and available space varies.  Contact them direct 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.

Filming within the restricted zones (Eurostar platforms, departures lounge and arrivals area) at London St. Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International is managed by Eurostar direct.  Contact them on 020 7843 5300 / press.office@eurostar.com.

The St. Pancras Grand Brasserie and the Champagne Bar are owned and managed by Searcys.

Certain productions qualify for discounts on our filming fees (not additional costs):

Rail enthusiast - if your production is aimed at the rail enthusiast market, band A fees apply.

Sustainability - we encourage environmental responsibility. To support this, we offer discounts of between three to five per cent to productions which have an accreditation from an industry-recognised scheme (such as Albert and Green Screen).  Please ask us for more information.

Train operating company - if the production you are working on is for the benefit of a train operator then we will give you a 25 per cent discount on fees within band C, as long our minimum timescales are met.  The discount is not available on small-scale filming agreements submitted with less than five working days.