[N&W] VGN Terminal

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Over the past week everyone mournfully spoke of the old Virginian depot 
burning down. To me, when someone say something burned down, I vision a 
building brought down to rubble. After viewing the photos provided by Jim 
Blackstock, I'd say the old Virginian depot is along way from gone. Sure 
part of the roof is gone, sure part of the inside is gone, but the building 
as a whole is standing and looks in pretty good shape in spite of the fire. 
Today, with modern construction techniques, anything can be rebuilt back to 
original specifications if so desired.

Who says people and a city don't get a second chance? By the looks of it, 
this is it. Instead of tearfully morning the "Old Virginian Depot" and the 
end of an era, now is the time for action! Before they really do tear the 
old building down and it is gone forever. The city or Roanoke, the N&S, the 
N&W Historical Society, N&W enthusiasts, and fans of the Virginian railway, 
should rally to the cause and come up with the funding to repair/save the 
old depot. That is if that's what everyone really wants. It's easy for 
everyone to set back and say such fine things as I can't believe it's gone, 
It will be missed, What ever happened to, You mean it only exists in 
pictures. But talk doesn t feed the bulldog! I remember reading, in this 
forum, that a Virginian Railway Museum doesn't exist; perhaps there is hope 
for one yet.

So before it's truly gone and we are really left saying, I can't believe 
it's gone, It will be missed, etc, lets put our money and efforts were our 
mouths are and try to save this depot. And yes, if the city of Roanoke or 
the N&W Historical Society were to start a fund to save the Virginian 
Depot, I would contribute to the cause.
Sincerely,

Charles Cantrell