Before I had traveled to Roanoke, I had no clue as to the power of trains. In my mind, they were simply massive steel structures that shot off plumes of smoke (once up on a time), and today, simply an alternative to plane travel.
Then, I met O. Winston Link. Well, in a manner of speaking.
At the O. Winston Link Museum in downtown Roanoke, I saw more than trains under glass, smoke billowing from roaring engines. I saw art and Link’s need to capture that specific moment in time, a moment that was ending. When Norfolk & Western ( N&W) Line announced in 1955 that it would convert from steam engines to diesel power, Link made a decision to document the last of the steam engines. He became known for lugging his massive lighting from location to location, just in time to meet with train schedules, and getting that split second photograph that told a story that words could not. Some were taken during the day, but it was those in the dark of night that illustrated his artistic and photographic genius, and to Link, it was in the night that these trains were most glorious. He said, “I never expected that,” referring to all the attention her received. “All I wanted was to get some nice pictures of trains at night.”
That he did.
And in Roanoke, in the old N & W station, you’ll find his masterpieces that illustrate his creative genius and his love affair with steam engines. Further downtown, discover the Virginia Museum of Transportation and take a walk down transportation’s memory lane. From Hot Wheels, antique carriages and historic fire engines, they are all on display and document man’s love affair with travel or wheels or speed or transportation – whatever you wish to call it. You will come away inspired.
Now, we’re planning a trip semi-cross county in May. Our mode of transportation: the train, of course.
Judy and Len Garrison are at home in Farmington, Georgia, just on the outskirts of Dawg country – better known as Athens. Len, an IT manager for a major Atlanta company, and Judy, an editor, author and travel writer, invite you to travel along with them as they explore the best of the South. Email them at seeingsouthern@gmail.com. Visit their website at Seeing Southern, and follow them on Twitter at @judyhgarrison, @seeing_southern, LIKE them on Facebook and on Instagram.
