Posted by on January 10, 2015 
I was on board this trip, Sid--the year before the memorable run of the UP Challenger (so this would be the 49th running of the Santa train). In fact, I might have been in the cab at this particular moment. The CSX official who was in charge (from Jacksonville) this particular trip allowed a couple of guys from a Swedish film crew to ride the front of the locomotive---and they stayed there from Dungannon, VA almost all the way to Kingsport, TN! Of course if just ruined the photos for those wanting to photograph the train, but moreover, it was foolish and dangerous to allow two non-railroaders (or anyone else--but particularly two guys who had no clue of the dangers) to stay out there for so long---and over many grade crossings, I might add. They could have fallen off, or worse (if there's anything worse than falling off!), been at the worst place possible in a car-train collision. It didn't concern me, of course, and it wasn't any of my business---but I recall that very well, and I thought at the time, "...this is NOT good!"
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