I couldn't agree more that people should be allowed to watch trains and be indulged, even if their manner is a bit eccentric. 

However, I have witnessed a member of this particular group "assisting" the dispatch team by running down platform 5  slamming HST^▸ (High Speed Train) doors with much gusto and shouting, to the amazement  of passengers who found this action, by a member of the public, confusing.  Staff were unable to stop him short of physical restraint and I wondered, at the time, how much longer such behaviour could go on before the powers-that-be took action on 'elf 'n' safety grounds. 

Maybe they did and the absence of the group has nothing to do with the new barriers.

If by "South side" you mean pl 2, there is now a posh, glass and steel covered entrance corridor leading from the car park with bus timetable boards attached.  This entrance is equipped with at least a 2-road set of barriers but not operating when I visited this week.

Brian

Called at Taunton today to find Pl 2 arch manned by 3 revenue staff, but new entrance from car park, barriered but not open.  I was prepared to splash out on a return to Bridgwater to test the system but was told the down side ticket machine was "still in Germany", but I could go through to the up side and use the machine there.

Having  made it to the tunnel I opted for a coffee and paper from Pumpkin and found it strangely deserted.  The usual crowd of "residents" seem to have been scared off or maybe it was just too chilly.

After refreshments I approached the barriered and well manned pl 5 exit and confessed that I had come from pl 2 and just gone to Pumpkin.  "Should I go back or could I leave through the barriers" I asked.  "Your convenience is our convenience" replied a managerial type (not local) with a smile.  His colleague looked as if he hoped the roof would collapse on me, but stood aside while I exited through the barriers.

Nothing conclusive, apart from a feeling that once the ticket machine is in place, in the car park entrance, access without a ticket will be difficult.  No doubt railway photographers, with valid tickets, will be tolerated but have to go through the "security" mill.  Sales of OAP day returns to Bridgy will soar!  Sic transit gloria............

Brian

I  can't disagree with any of your observations about Truro.

However, having spent several hours on Pl 3 today, I would say that the unmanned access from the station car park is the source of frequent passenger frustration.

The sight of bemused passengers trying to discover which bit of the assistance point holds the camera with which the remote operator will examine their ticket and tell them which platform to use, suggests this facility is a technological step too far.

Still, in the interests of combating fare evasion and maintaining good time, both of which were high on my "wants" list, it may be a price we have to pay.

For the past couple of weeks I have been a regular passenger using Truro station and can endorse the view that it has special problems for staff managing the platforms.  This had grown steadily worse as the University at Falmouth got into its stride and the Falmouth unit disgorged 50 plus teenagers onto the already crowded platforms every half hour.  At least the barriers have stopped the rampant fare dodging which was a feature of this service.

I also use the station for railway photography.  "Geek" really doesn't work as I am no good with numbers, "Veg" is plain insulting, so enthusiast is probably about right.

I always make a point of asking for staff approval at stations and have yet to be refused but, although it isn't the case at Truro, it sometimes seems that the ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here) or BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) "Guidelines For Enthusiasts" don't reach frontline staff.  Some of their comments suggest they are making up rules as they go along rather than putting the responsibility on the photographer to follow the Guidelines.

This may not be a general view but I feel there is a responsibility on photographers not to abuse their privilege by intruding on travellers' privacy or snapping staff in unguarded moments then posting the pictures on public web sites.

I shall be back tomorrow to try and capture an image of the Burngullow-Long Rock fuel train whose erratic timing has, so far, eluded me.