CSX's Peninsula Subdivision runs from Richmond to the coal export facilities at Newport News. As one might imagine, the majority of traffic on this former mainline of the C&O consists of CSX-powered fast colliers, and Amtrak's two daily Northeast Regionals. However, on occasion, the subdivision sees some unusual action, and two weeks ago, such was the case. CSX W088-12 was a military special from Shrevesport to Fort Eustis, carrying equipment from an Army logistics command. These trains seem to run about once every one or two months, depending on training tempos. What made this train extra special, however, was the presence of KCS Belles on the point, an ES44AC and SD70ACe. Run-through power is particularly rare here, since most of the export coal trains to Newport News originate on CSX. Given how infrequently I see (much less hear about) military moves, I figured I could spare a few hours to wait and catch the train. After a false start on Thursday evening (other traffic received priority dispatch), I woke up at 7 AM and managed to snag the train passing through the Amtrak station. I returned later that evening to catch the power returning north on the H775 local, and managed to also catch a coal train and that evening's southbound Amtrak.
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