There are railway trips and then there are 1Z10 railway trips. The difference usually lies somewhere between a carefully planned photographic expedition and a lightly organised endurance event fuelled by coffee, motorway services, late-night Wetherspoons meals and increasingly optimistic interpretations of weather forecasts.
The 2026 Scottish tour had almost not happened at all. Fuel concerns and uncertain logistics had prompted plenty of debate in the weeks beforehand, but eventually common sense – or perhaps enthusiasm – prevailed. Cameras were charged, hotel bookings confirmed and the annual migration north was underway once again.
For Nigel and Eddie, the trip really began a day early. Eddie travelled up from Devon on Saturday, meeting Nigel at Crewe where the pair eased themselves into the week with a couple of hours photographing the endless bustle of the station before turning in ahead of the main departure on Sunday.
Day 1 – Northbound Beginnings
Sunday morning and the convoy was beginning to form properly. Gavin travelled over the Pennines early morning to join Eddie and Nigel, Rob and Jim were not far behind and the first destination of the week beckoned: Capernwray, near Carnforth, where a Network Rail HST test train was due to appear around lunchtime.
The opening day delivered exactly the sort of weather that encourages dangerous optimism. Sunshine bathed Capernwray as the group gathered for the first proper rendezvous of the trip and the test train duly performed on cue. Cameras clicked happily and spirits rose immediately.
With time in hand before Carlisle, the group drifted into Carnforth. The famous station remains steeped in railway atmosphere and nostalgia and the Heritage Centre – with its Brief Encounter associations – provided both excellent cake and an opportunity to view the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle exhibition, featuring work from several familiar faces.
From Carnforth the convoy pushed north toward Shap. Greenholme and the Tebay area offered dramatic views of trains grinding uphill against a Cumbrian mountain backdrop, although the developing theme of the week quickly established itself: whenever something interesting approached, the sun disappeared behind a cloud.
Pendolinos and TransPennine units kept things ticking over while freight traffic remained frustratingly elusive until later in the afternoon. Delays to services further south eventually caused plans to reposition nearer Shap summit to be abandoned and the group remained where they were, snatching whatever train and sunshine appeared between drifting clouds.
As late evening arrived, the convoy finally rolled into Carlisle and checked into the conveniently placed Ibis hotel near Citadel station. Steve arrived after a long journey north from the south of England, swelling the ranks further. Naturally, the day concluded in Wetherspoons, where late food orders proved essential to survival.
Day 2 – Carlisle, Kingmoor and the Clyde
Monday dawned bright and cool, ideal conditions for lingering around Carlisle station. A steady procession of passenger services, station life and a welcome pair of freight workings provided enough activity to keep everyone occupied through the early morning.
After breakfast in Wetherspoons, where else, the group then moved toward Kingmoor. The road bridge south of the depot offered views over the yard, though overhead wires complicated compositions somewhat. Steve and Eddie launched drones for aerial views while the others concentrated on ground-level photography.
Then came the moment that instantly entered trip folklore.
A member of DRS staff approached Steve after reports of a drone flying over the depot. Steve, in fairness, had actually been filming over the River Eden to the south. At almost exactly the same moment, Eddie quietly returned his controller to the car, grabbed his camera and began photographing with an expression suggesting complete innocence. “Nothing to do with me” had rarely been communicated so effectively without words.
The staff member remained perfectly polite throughout, though no violations had taken place. The incident generated enough amusement to fuel conversation for the remainder of the week.
Beyond Kingmoor depot, disappointment lingered at the reduced activity within the once mighty yard, but Scotland itself soon compensated. At Crawford, north of Beattock Summit, the West Coast Main Line sweeps dramatically across the River Clyde through broad Lowland scenery. It remains one of those places where railway and landscape seem perfectly matched.
Traffic was plentiful and included the highlight of the Midland Pullman HST working south on a charter. Again, the weather toyed with everyone’s patience: bright sunshine one moment, thick cloud the next, usually timed with cruel precision.
A late afternoon regroup at Abington’s small café brought much-needed refreshments and a chance to sit outside in surprisingly pleasant conditions before the evening freight session began.
Eventually, with memory cards filling and light fading, the convoy battled Glasgow M8 roadworks before finally reaching Dumbarton for the night. And yes, Wetherspoons rescued dinner plans again.
Bruce joined the gathering there, increasing both photographic capability and the volume of railway banter.
Day 3 – Sleepers, Showers and the Highlands
Tuesday began with a chase.
The northbound West Highland Sleeper was the morning’s principal target and everyone split into smaller groups around Dumbarton and the River Leven. RealTime Trains suggested a slight delay, prompting Nigel and Gavin to relax and grab a coffee before heading toward the station.
Predictably, the sleeper recovered time. The pair reached the platform only just in time to salvage their shots, while elsewhere Bruce, Eddie, Rob and Jim pursued drone and bridge-based alternatives beyond the station.
The sleeper then became the centrepiece of a rolling photographic pursuit up the West Highland line. Cars leapfrogged each other between locations as the train headed north through increasingly dramatic scenery. Rain showers drifted through Glen Falloch and around Ardlui, disrupting carefully arranged rendezvous and scattering the various groups across different viewpoints.
Jim and Rob headed toward the Horseshoe Curve north of Tyndrum, lured by superb light breaking through heavy showers. Enthusiasm carried them much farther from the road than initially realised. Only after the train had passed and the excitement subsided did the pair fully appreciate the considerable walk back. Fortunately, Bruce and Eddie came to the rescue with a timely lift.
Breakfast at Tyndrum restored morale and body temperature alike.
From there the tour crossed spectacular Highland scenery toward Pitlochry and Blair Atholl. At the Falls of Killin, Steve was peacefully photographing birds and waterfalls when Eddie and Bruce roared past, Eddie enthusiastically shouting greetings from the car window. Steve’s precise response was, according to witnesses, probably unsuitable for publication.
Conditions along the Highland Main Line fluctuated wildly between showers and bright sunshine, producing atmospheric scenes around Glen Garry, Blair Atholl and Pitlochry. Nigel, Gavin, Jim and Rob later spent time at the Pass of Killiecrankie where, thanks to the unusually dry conditions due to lack of recent rainfall, it was possible to descend to the riverbed beneath the viaduct without getting soaked. An HST appeared obligingly, rewarding the effort magnificently.
As evening approached, the scattered groups gradually converged southward. Some paused at Perth station, admiring the faded grandeur and imagining busier decades long past. Freight traffic added further interest before everyone finally pressed on to Dundee.
There, more arrivals followed. Stephen appeared on the station footbridge, Duncan joined at the hotel and suddenly the trip had become a substantial gathering.
Day 4 – Inside the Glass
Wednesday represented a deliberate departure from the usual formula.
Instead of photographing trains, the plan was to spend an entire day riding ScotRail’s ageing Inter7City HSTs before their eventual withdrawal. For once, the drivers among the group could rest.
Well, mostly.
Gavin still rose early enough to photograph the Caledonian Sleeper emerging from Camperdown Tunnel before the others assembled at Dundee station for the 08:50 departure to Perth.
Ticket purchasing itself became an event. By the time Nigel reached the booking office, the clerk knew exactly what ticket he required, having already dealt with multiple members of the same unusual travelling party that morning.
The short leg to Perth passed smoothly enough, though the station itself fascinated everyone. Vast platforms and grand Victorian architecture stood almost oddly quiet, provoking discussion about what Perth must once have been like in its heyday. The biggest challenge here was getting a photograph of the southbound Highland Chieftain, due to arrive just two minutes before our departure to Inverness – most succeeded and no one was left behind.
The connection to Inverness produced more excitement.
Nine members attempted to occupy one coach, descending upon unsuspecting passengers with the energy of an excitable school trip. One young traveller initially looked slightly alarmed as the group surrounded his table. Before long, however, he was fully drawn into conversations about photography, railways and Scottish landscapes.
Matthew, a student from Birmingham travelling to Achnashellach to observe the Milky Way far from urban light pollution, quickly became an honorary member of 1Z10. By Inverness he was happily taking group photographs beside the HST.
The Highland Main Line journey itself carried a curious sense of reversal. Through the windows passed countless locations the group had previously photographed from hillsides, bridges and muddy embankments. Stories emerged constantly: tales of difficult walks, near misses, impossible parking and memorable weather.
Inverness brought thirty minutes of controlled chaos. Group photographs were taken, refreshments acquired, locomotives photographed and rolling stock noted with feverish efficiency. The depot featured DRS locomotives, a GBRf loco, a Colas Class 70 and resident shunters.
L to R: Gavin Bland, Duncan McEvoy, Eddie Holden, Rob Walton, Bruce Galloway, Nigel Capelle, Stephen Veitch, Jim Knight & Steve Knight.
Southward to Aberdeen the landscape softened from rugged Highland drama into rolling agricultural country while discussion turned increasingly serious over alarming reports that the final leg, Aberdeen to Dundee service might lose its HST in favour of a Class 170 DMU. Panic briefly threatened. Fortunately, either RealTime Trains corrected itself or fate intervened kindly. The HST remained diagrammed and order was restored.
A quick glance around the station environs at Aberdeen for some while others ventured out into the city to see if there were any photo opportunities there and then it was back on another HST for the final leg of the circular tour to Dundee.
Back in Dundee, heavy showers swept across the Tay just as a Colas Class 70 with cement tanks waited nearby for a forward path. Naturally, several members immediately dashed off to photograph it before regrouping later for dinner in the Beefeater beneath the Premier Inn.
Many quietly wondered whether this might have been their final extensive HST day out.
The day concluded much as it had begun: with the sleeper again becoming the star attraction as evening photographs were taken from Wormit beside the Tay Bridge beneath a dramatic, if slightly dubious, sunset.
Day 5 – Fife, Bridges and Fish Suppers
Thursday began brightly once more.
Early exploration between Dundee and Errol uncovered several worthwhile locations around Invergowrie and Longforgan before the convoy crossed the Tay into Fife.
Leuchars itself proved uninspiring, but nearby bridges around Dairsie Castle delivered more photographic promise. Heavy showers swept through Cupar around lunchtime, producing dramatic rain-soaked scenes and reflective station shots. Bruce’s local knowledge led to wanderings around the small town in search of that killer shot..
At Bow Lane crossing, northbound Azumas crossed southbound HSTs perfectly, providing a satisfying moment of choreography amidst increasingly changeable weather.
By evening the focus had shifted westward toward the Forth Bridges. Kinghorn provided excellent coastal scenes and, importantly, Burntisland provided fish suppers for everyone. Spirits remained high despite persistent map-reading confusion while searching for the ideal elevated viewpoint of the Forth bridges.
Eventually the tiny settlement of Castlandhill yielded the desired panorama.
Then came South Queensferry.
As sunset developed, the Forth Bridge glowed magnificently beneath dramatic skies while nearby car parks hosted what appeared to be a substantial “boy racer” gathering. The resulting soundtrack was perhaps less atmospheric than the scenery deserved, but the photographs more than compensated.
Late-running sunsets once again delayed dinner plans until only one realistic option remained. Another Wetherspoons visit for a very late dinner was therefore entirely inevitable.
Day 6 – Edinburgh and the North Sea Coast
Friday offered urban photography first.
Cars were parked at Linlithgow before the group travelled into Edinburgh by train for a few hours photography around Waverley and Haymarket. The capital delivered constant activity: Azumas, Lumo units, ScotRail stock and endless human movement beneath the station roof.
Bruce then suggested an elevated viewpoint above Waverley for departing trains. Unfortunately, directions became slightly confused.
Bruce took one route while Gavin and Rob enthusiastically climbed much farther uphill toward the National Monument before realising Bruce himself was actually halfway down another staircase entirely. Breathless scrambling followed, though the resulting city-and-railway photographs proved worthwhile.
After Haymarket and a final HST ride for some, supplies were replenished at Linlithgow via the highly cultured pairing of Tesco and Greggs before the convoy began heading south toward England.
The coastal section from Burnmouth to Lamberton produced some of the trip’s finest scenery. Trains appeared to skim cliff edges above the North Sea while service delays elsewhere caused useful bunching of traffic.
Again the cloud proved frustrating – until Berwick. There, at last, the sun fully cooperated.
Golden evening light illuminated the Royal Border Bridge beautifully as trains crossed above the River Tweed. Some of the strongest images of the entire trip were captured there.
The day, however, was not yet over.
An urgent drive followed toward Blyth in hopes of reaching the Wansbeck Viaduct before a biomass working crossed. Nigel and Gavin arrived almost exactly as the train entered the viaduct: barely in time, but just enough.
Then came North Blyth itself, where GBRf Class 66 No. 66303 sat quietly with alumina tanks awaiting the following morning’s departure for Fort William. Behind it, the sunset exploded spectacularly across the sky.
It was a fitting close to an exhausting but deeply satisfying day.
Day 7 – Frost, Freight and Farewells
Saturday began painfully early.
At just after 5am, cloudless skies, temperatures near freezing and even hints of frost greeted those willing to return to the Wansbeck Viaduct for the biomass empties. Nigel, Gavin and Jim embraced the dawn enthusiastically. Rob wisely chose an additional hour in bed.
The resulting photographs captured the stillness and atmosphere of the Northumberland morning perfectly.
After recovering Rob from the hotel and fortifying themselves with McDonald’s breakfast, the group headed back to North Blyth for the alumina tanks departure. The tide being out allowed photography directly from the beach while Stephen was already in position awaiting the departure.
After leaving North Blyth the train then proceeded to Bedlington, where attention turned not only to the locomotive run-round but also to the brand-new station, opened only days earlier and already evidently well used.
And then, almost suddenly, the week was ending.
Cars turned south toward home, though one final stop remained at Woodlesford near Leeds where a cement train was due to pass. Local member Andrew Shenton was alerted in advance and appeared on the station to say hello to everyone.
Two locomotive-hauled workings appeared in quick succession, providing an unexpectedly perfect final flourish.
Then came the inevitable handshakes, goodbyes and separate journeys home.
Over seven days there had been sleepers chased through Highland rainstorms, HSTs ridden across Scotland, freight trains captured against sunsets, endless weather frustrations, drone incidents, heroic coffee stops and more photographs than anyone yet dared count.
It had been tiring, chaotic, frequently damp and occasionally ridiculous.
In other words, it had been exactly what a 1Z10 Scotland trip should be.
Rob Walton
Gavin Bland
Nigel Capelle
