The awkward part of photographing a train journey is usually the glass. A pale shirt reflects in it, the carriage lights appear over the hills, and a mark on the window turns up in every frame. Check for these things before the view you want arrives.
Turn off the flash and move the camera close to the glass without pressing it against the window. Keep an eye on reflections as the train changes direction. A fast-moving foreground may blur even when the distant landscape looks clear; a shorter exposure can help, though some movement suits a picture taken from a train.
Keep the day's essentials in a small bag by your seat. Water, food, headphones and a layer should not require opening the main case in the aisle. Leave room for the passenger beside you, and ask before including them in a photograph.
Choose the journey with the timetable open. Compare connection times, reservation requirements and the arrival time as well as the scenery. Check these details with the operator before booking; this article does not describe a particular service.
For the story, keep one photograph that includes the window frame. It explains where you were sitting and how much of the landscape you could see. A reflection of the carriage may be worth keeping for the same reason.
