The Northern Lights: Edinburgh to Aberdeen Drivers Eye View

Our journey begins at Edinburgh Waverley, departing through the tunnels to Haymarket. The InterCity 125 HST provides an excellent vantage point, allowing us to enjoy the stereo roar of the original Paxman Valenta engines as we leave the city behind. Soon we approach the iconic Forth Bridge, one of the greatest achievements of the railway age, and experience its full grandeur from the cab while also taking in aerial shots from a helicopter flying alongside.

Continuing north, we cross Britain’s longest railway bridge over the River Tay, again captured both from the driver’s perspective and from the air. The combination of live cab footage and sweeping aerial views highlights the engineering marvels of these structures, while the gentle hum of the HST engines adds an immersive soundtrack to the journey. Semaphore signalling punctuates parts of the line, offering a glimpse of traditional railway operations.

As we head further north, the train passes through and stops at a series of historic stations, including Inverkeithing, Kirkcaldy, Cupar, Leuchars, and Dundee. Each section of track showcases the diversity of the East Coast route, from the low-lying coastal plains to the gently rolling hills beyond Dundee. The vivid summer sunshine and clear skies enhance the scenic vistas, making this truly a northern railway journey to remember.

The train continues through Broughty Ferry, Carnoustie, Arbroath, Montrose, and Stonehaven, with each stop or passing station contributing to the story of Scotland’s east coast railways. From the driver’s cab, every bridge, curve, and stretch of track is seen in real time, offering both railway enthusiasts and general viewers an unparalleled view of this historic and picturesque route.