Travel by Rail in Europe - X-ray detectors?

Forum statistics

Threads
199,365
Messages
2,790,422
Members
99,886
Latest member
Squiggs32
Recent bookmarks
0

Pieter12

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2017
Messages
7,671
Location
Magrathean's computer
Format
Super8
Not sure if this is the right forum. I will be doing some travel by rail on high-speed trains this coming spring. From my last recollection, there were some sort of X-Ray machines and maybe detectors and wanding at major rail stations. Is this still done, and does it have any affect on film? I plan to buy film in Amsterdam and send it back home from Switzerland, hoping that might b the safest ways to go. Black and white only, probably HP5+ and TriX 400.
 

Arthurwg

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2005
Messages
2,734
Location
Taos NM
Format
Medium Format
Good question. Traveled by hight speed train in Italy a year ago and no X-rays. What service will you use to send the film? They won't X-ray?
 
OP
OP
Pieter12

Pieter12

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2017
Messages
7,671
Location
Magrathean's computer
Format
Super8
Good question. Traveled by hight speed train in Italy a year ago and no X-rays. What service will you use to send the film? They won't X-ray?
I don't know if international mail is regularly X-rayed. I would probably use the Swiss post. Mailing from Europe to the U.S. is usually more reasonable than the other way around.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,360
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Thread title tweaked
 

dokko

Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2023
Messages
364
Location
Berlin
Format
Medium Format
I travel regularly by train between Germany and Switzerland and never seen or heard of any X-ray anywhere.

I could imagine that in the train in the tunnel between France and the UK there might be a check, but never encountered this on any European train I‘ve used. Seem Impractical with all the stops.

If it‘s mailed by airmail there‘s probably a higher risk, but even that usually goes well.
 
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Messages
174
Location
Florida
Format
35mm
I travel regularly by train between Germany and Switzerland and never seen or heard of any X-ray anywhere.

I could imagine that in the train in the tunnel between France and the UK there might be a check, but never encountered this on any European train I‘ve used. Seem Impractical with all the stops.

If it‘s mailed by airmail there‘s probably a higher risk, but even that usually goes well.

I believe this is correct. About three months ago, I traveled by rail in France and do not recall having to have my bag or other belongings run through X-ray machines; however, I did have to put my bags through the machines for the Eurostar from Paris to London. I did not travel from one EU country to another so I can't comment on that.
 

mwdake

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2007
Messages
781
Location
CO, USA
Format
Multi Format
The only rail services in Europe that X-ray before boarding that I can think of are the Channel Tunnel trains and high speed services in Spain.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom