LNER Azuma 1W16 Highland Chieftain from Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness by Train

LNER Azuma 1W16 is a once-a-day train from Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness, originating from London King’s Cross. It is one of the rare named trains in the UK, known as the Highland Chieftain, with this service operating since 1984 even when franchises change.

Heading to Inverness to try to find the Loch Ness Monster, I used the LNER Azuma Highland Chieftain as it offered cheaper advance fares than ScotRail, which I paid only £11.00 for with a 26-30 Railcard.

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station

My LNER Azuma 1W16 Highland Chieftain was departing from Edinburgh Waverley Platform 8. This is located physically away from the main central platform cluster, even feeling as if it’s out of the station thanks to the different levels of the linkbridge and the physical wall blocking the tracks out.

Route information of the Highland Chieftian is displayed on the platform information screen. This train will stop at Haymarket, Falkirk Grahamston, Stirling, Gleneagles, Perth, Pitlochry, Kingussie, Aviemore, and Inverness. Unfortunately, the name Highland Chieftian was not advertised.

Many stopping positions for all kinds of trains are on the end of the platform.

LNER Azuma Highland Chieftain

My LNER Azuma 1W16 Highland Chieftain arrived at Edinburgh Waverley at 4.24pm – 2 minutes delayed.

While I had a seat reservation at Coach H, I went to Coach C instead seeing that there were not many passengers as compared to the crowded Coach H.

Service information is also displayed on the train near the train doors.

The interior of the LNER Azuma Class 801/2 9-car set Hitachi A-train in Standard Class.

Since there were not many passengers in Coach C, I had a table to myself throughout the journey which is really comfortably with double the legroom and space for my belongings.

Toilets are available on board.

My LNER Azuma 1W16 Highland Chieftain departed from Edinburgh Waverley at 4.34pm – 1 minute delayed.

Edinburgh Haymarket Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Haymarket Railway Station.

Passing by Haymarket Depot.

Passing by Murrayfield Stadium.

Heading alongside the tracks towards the Fife Circle and Edinburgh Trams tracks.

The Edinburgh Trams tracks crosses over the main line.

The line towards the Fife Circle splits off shortly.

Passing through Edinburgh Park Railway Station.

The Edinburgh Trams tracks crosses the main line again en route towards Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Airport.

Heading out to vast fields after Edinburgh Park Railway Station.

Falkirk Grahamston Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Falkirk Grahamston Railway Station.

Taking the wye junction to Stirling after Camelon.

Stirling Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Stirling Railway Station. The bi-mode Class 800 LNER Azuma Highland Chieftain changes from electric mode to diesel mode at Stirling.

Passing by the junction to Alloa.

Gloomy highlands weather started to appear soon after.

Gleneagles Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Gleneagles Railway Station.

Perth Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Perth Railway Station.

The Scottish Highlands scenery started to appear after Perth.

Arriving at Pitlochry.

Pitlochry Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Pitlochry Railway Station.

Let’s Eat Café Bar

I thought I’d check out the catering on offer midway through the journey at the Let’s Eat Café Bar at Coach G. Unfortunately, catering was not available on the Edinburgh-Inverness section.

Heading back to my almost-private coach.

The Scottish Highlands scenery gets more dramatic as the Highland Chieftain continues north.

Kingussie Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kingussie Railway Station.

More highlands scenery.

Aviemore Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Aviemore Railway Station.

The classic-modern station sign at Aviemore Railway Station.

Passing by the Strathspey Railway.

Crossing over the River Findhorn on the Findhorn Viaduct.

More scenic highlands from on board the Highland Chieftain.

Passing by ScotRail Inverness Depot.

Passing by Direct Rail Services Needlefield Depot.

ScotRail’s Inverness Depot is located within the wye junction leading into Inverness Railway Station.

Entering Inverness Railway Station.

Inverness Railway Station

My arrived at Inverness Railway Station at 8.02pm – 5 minutes early.

With the empty train stabling for a while, I had time for some photos of the interior of the LNER Azuma in Standard Class.

A mix of table and airline-style seating are available.

A pair of 3-pin power sockets are located between each pair of seats.

Luggage racks are available near the doors.

Comparing with Lumo’s Class 803 sets, this luggage rack had been removed on Lumo to fit 2 extra seats in.

My LNER Azuma 1W16 Highland Chieftain at Inverness Railway Station.

The Caledonian Sleeper was about to depart in about 45 minutes time, with rooms ready for passengers who have already started to board.

The station sign of Inverness.

Side gates and the ticket gate line were freely opened for passengers to exit with night-time operations.

The end of the line at Inverness, though this is not the northernmost point of the railway in the UK.

Inverness’ lines are all end-on as the station is located off a wye junction from the throughfare railway line.

Heading out through the open ticket gates.

The main concourse of Inverness Railway Station.

Heading out of Inverness Railway Station.

The façade of Inverness Railway Station.

Conclusion

It was a pleasant ride on board the LNER Azuma Highland Chieftain from Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness. Aside from the beautiful Scottish Highlands scenery, this route allows me to experience both modes of the bi-mode Class 800 Hitachi A-train Azuma with diesel operations from Stirling to Inverness. It’s also quite pleasant to knowingly be on a named train in the UK, even though it’s not actively advertised in stations and on board the train.