Russian Trainspotters Arrested Over Alleged Data Access
Administrators of a major rail photography site face prison for accessing internal railway systems.
1Arrest of RailGallery Administrators
On October 14, a Moscow court ordered the arrest of Denis Eskov and Anatoly Nagornov, the founders of the RailGallery website. The two men face potential prison sentences of five to ten years. Authorities accuse them of illegally accessing and distributing data from critical Russian information infrastructure systems during the ongoing war.
2The ASUT System Connection
Investigators allege the pair used ASUT, a proprietary system employed by Russian Railways to manage locomotive locations and driver schedules. By accessing this internal network, the administrators reportedly tracked specific trains to facilitate photography. This unauthorized data usage forms the core of the criminal charges filed against the two website founders.
3Professional Ties to Railways
Leaked records indicate both men held positions within organizations affiliated with Russian Railways. Nagornov served as a deputy head of a road electrical engineering laboratory, while Eskov was employed by JSC NII Stali. Their professional access likely provided the technical means to interface with the restricted systems used for operational train management.
4The Scope of RailGallery
RailGallery emerged as a successor to the defunct TrainPix site, quickly becoming a massive repository for rail enthusiasts. By late 2026, the platform hosted over 324,000 photographs and maintained 22,500 user profiles. The site functioned as both a photo gallery and a detailed database for tracking the history of rolling stock.
5Focus on Special Trains
The community often targeted rare locomotives, historic equipment, and government-operated special trains. Photographs of Vladimir Putin’s armored train, previously investigated by the Dossier Center, were featured on the site. These images often included details about unique paint schemes, technical modifications, and specific movements that enthusiasts tracked with high precision.
6The Role of Trainspotting
Trainspotters view individual locomotives as distinct entities with unique technical conditions and histories. Enthusiasts monitor depot transfers and repair records to compile detailed descriptions for their archives. For these photographers, tracking a train’s movement is not merely a hobby but a way to document the life cycle of heavy machinery.
7Tracking the Armored Train
Photographer Mikhail Korotkov previously documented a mysterious train in 2018 that appeared to lack standard markings. He observed reinforced wheelsets and protective coverings over radio antennas, suggesting it was a special government vehicle. Korotkov noted that such trains often moved without appearing in public schedules, forcing enthusiasts to rely on observation.
8Security Concerns and Surveillance
Korotkov, who later fled Russia, reported signs of FSB surveillance after photographing the presidential train. He claimed that transcripts of his private phone calls appeared in online comments. Following the arrest of Eskov and Nagornov, many similar enthusiast channels have deleted their content or ceased updates to avoid potential legal repercussions.
9Community Reaction and Silence
The RailGallery website went offline immediately following the detention of its administrators. Representatives have not confirmed whether the platform will resume operations. Subscribers to related Telegram channels expressed surprise at the arrests, speculating that the focus on government-linked trains made the site a target for state security services during wartime.
10Internal Disputes and Culture
The railroad enthusiast community is characterized by intense competition and frequent disputes over who captures the rarest shots. Friends of the arrested men describe them as dedicated, if sometimes controversial, figures within this niche. Despite internal rivalries, the community remains united by a shared obsession with documenting the nuances of rail.
11Legal and Strategic Context
The charges fall under laws regarding the protection of critical information infrastructure, which carries severe penalties. While the specific data published remains undisclosed, the government views such unauthorized access as a security threat. The case highlights the tension between public interest in rail infrastructure and state control over strategic transportation data.
12Broader Implications for Enthusiasts
The detention of Eskov and Nagornov signals a significant shift in how Russia treats public documentation of its infrastructure. As the state prioritizes operational security, the once-common practice of tracking train movements has become a high-risk activity. This case serves as a warning to hobbyists about the dangers of digital surveillance.
Original article: Meduza English — Russian Trainspotters Arrested Over Alleged Data Access