The place to view heritage trains is on a heritage railway. Sighting same on the national network can be a pleasing bonus, but can not be relied upon* and should not be a cause of complaint if not achieved.
* There are exceptions such as single track sections, or viewpoints nearest the line upon which the heritage traction is expected.
Even those single line sections are now discouraged ...
From
the Oban TimesBosses of the ?Harry Potter? steam train have been sworn to secrecy over timings and the route it will take when it heads back to their Lancashire headquarters next month because of Covid-19.
Rail regulators were apparently furious when crowds of trainspotters and railway enthusiasts packed stations at Helensburgh, Westerton and Dalmuir to watch the train travelling up to Fort William last month.
Not only were there fears that excited spectators could accidentally fall on to the tracks, but videos posted on YouTube showed few people wore masks or kept social distancing.