It took me quite a while to decide what I wanted to do for National Train Day. I finally decided to go to Petersburg, because if I had enough time, I could have been able to catch an NS train. I caught 1 NS today, which is the 2nd to last train today. I did see a lot of nice stuff today! I originally thought I would have the whole place to myself, but it turns out that Joes Junction was there when I arrived. He was the guy I met at Hunton last February when I caught CSX W003 with the GP40WH-2. Here are all of the trains in order.

Train #1: Yard job
It was slow at the beginning of my trip, but much later, it got more and more busy. The first train just happened to be a yard job with a pair of Geeps moving around. Honestly, I've been losing interest in CSX's GP40-2s. I see them way to often on locals. And not only that, but it's one thing for CSX crews to not like their SD40-2s very much, but it's surprising how they like the GP40-2s better for whatever reasons. I also heard that 6 axles ride better than 4 axles. It disappoints me since I like SD40-2s better. Anyway, I didn't catch the number of the 2nd unit, but I know that the lead one was 6295. At one point during their actions, you could hear this 18 wheeler blowing its horn. I don't know why, but I didn't see anyone trying to get it to honk. Maybe he was in a good mood. I know a few of the other people who drove by waved. When Class J Productions joined us, he did a shave and haircut with his car horn. So here is a couple of Geeps shunting.
1. CSX GP40-2 #6295
2. CSX Geep (most likely a GP40-2) #????

Train #2: CSX Q438 pulling into Collier Yard
Joes Junction told me earlier that Q438 was on its way and it had an all EMD lashup. He said that it had a 70MAC leading an SD50 and an SD60I. He also heard that Q438 was going to stay there for a while since they had to drop off some cars and pick some more up as well. I first filmed its light in the distance, and later it pulling slowly forward in the yard. I think I got a good nose shot of that SD70MAC!
1. SD70MAC #4806
2. SD50-2 #8584
3. SD60I #8723
Note: The trailing units are mostly out of sight for this clip, but Joe knew their numbers before they came. Plus, I filmed the whole train later.

CSX hi-railer
This obviously does not count as a train, but it's something. This one just drove by slowly.

CSX Q438 on the move again
A little bit later, Q438 began pulling forward with his fantastic EMD lashup! Those 710 and 645 sounds were amazing as they were joined! MAC leaders were semi-rare on the RF&P last year, but they seem to be more common this year. 438 moved mostly out of the yard, but then they stopped again.
1. SD70MAC #4806
2. SD50-2 #8584
3. SD60I #8723

CSX Q438 reversing back into the yard
I captured the entire train when it backed up again. I was filming on the other side of the road since I wanted to make sure that no NS trains were going to sneak by me.
1. SD60I #8723
2. SD50-2 #8584
3. SD70MAC #4806
Keep in mind that this was only moving backwards. The MAC was doing the work.

Train #3: CSX Q405 southbound
We later noticed an approach signal, which later turned into a clear signal. We figured out that this was going to be Q405, the Florence bound mixed freight. It had the stereotypical RF&P lashup with a GEVO leading a locomotive that is not allowed to lead on the RF&P sub. It seems like not only do CSX's C40-8s not have cab signals, but it doesn't seem like the NS or UP C40-8s have them either. Q438's power was also next to us for a little bit.
1. ES44AC #834
2. C40-8 #7630

CSX Q438 moving back into the yard
After it stopped, it reversed back into the yard where it remained for a while.
1. SD70MAC #4806
2. SD50-2 #8584
3. SD60I #8723

Train #4: CSX Q400
The next train turned out to be Q400 bound for Cumberland. Surprisingly, this Q400 wasn't taking a bunch of engines with it. All it was is a GEVO and an SD40-2. I wish the SD40-2 would have led this one. It should have! It's got a 645! I'm sure it could easily handle it! It would definitely pull better than any model that has a 567! Also, 8383 doesn't remind me much of this ex-C&O SD40-2. It reminds me of how UP 1983 used to be #8383 before it was renumbered.
1. CSX ES40DC #5302
2. CSX SD40-2 #8383
Enjoy part 1! Part 2 coming shortly!

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