Graham-White was formed in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1914, and moved to nearby Salem in 1950.
Heavy rail, passenger rail, truck and bus, and industrial clients rely on Graham-White. The company has partnered with transportation companies and . . . — — Map (db m172242) HM
Greene Memorial Church
Erected 1892
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historical Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
2002 — — Map (db m172311) HM
Roanoke’s “Grand Old Lady” stands on the hill overlooking downtown Roanoke. Styled to appear like an old English inn, it was the grand hotel for Roanoke since it opened in 1882. The Hotel was located near the new Union Station and a . . . — — Map (db m16969) HM
Jupiter was the United States' first intermediate-range ballistic missile. In December, 1955, the Army and Navy announced a dual program to create a land and sea-based intermediate-range ballistic missile. The Jupiter IRBM was designed as a short . . . — — Map (db m172224) HM
Before automated hand brakes/parking brakes, setting manual brakes required great physical effort. The brake operator had to use 125 pounds of force on the brake wheel or handle in order to set the brakes.
The use of automatic electrical . . . — — Map (db m172241) HM
This small train once hauled many tons of zinc ore from the earth, operating through a tunnel connecting mines in Ivanhoe and Austinville, Virginia. Constructed by the Fulford Company in 1948, the two battery-powered locomotives feature roller . . . — — Map (db m172305) HM
The brick buildings across the tracks are the former headquarters of the Norfolk and Western. When the railroad was formed in 1881, the headquarters were located in Lynchburg, from the previous company. In 1883 a new office building was first . . . — — Map (db m134656) HM
Manufactured by the Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. Donated by Norfolk Southern Corporation in 1987.
1947-1957: Purchased at a cost of $108,000 in 1947, the car began service on the Boston & Maine . . . — — Map (db m172243) HM
Across the tracks and east is N&W’s last passenger station, now home to the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and O. Winston Link Museum.
The little town of Big Lick changed its name to Roanoke in 1881. In the summer of 1882, the . . . — — Map (db m15467) HM
Today’s Norfolk Southern has a colorful predecessor in both or Roanoke’s railroads. To keep this as simple as possible, we are discussing only the N&W history to its merger with the Southern Railway in 1982. Space prevents mentioning every merger or . . . — — Map (db m166871) HM
North Jefferson Street was the core of the Railroad's management center. There were more workers concentrated in this block at one time than the rest of the facilities in Roanoke. The face of North Jefferson is dominated by the N&W influence, with . . . — — Map (db m134652) HM
High Speed Freight Locomotive: Class A
While the title of one of Norfolk and Western’s company films (top) is appropriate for the mighty Class A 2-6-6-4, they also served in other capacities for the railroad. Designed as the first of the . . . — — Map (db m166874) HM
This rare piece of transportation memorabilia, built by General Electric in 1914, pulled ships through the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Lock stations of the Panama Canal. No. 686 was powered by three-phase, 220-volt, 25-cycle motors geared . . . — — Map (db m172277) HM
Workhorse of the Norfolk and Western: Class Y6
While the sleek class J streamlined passenger locomotives and high stepping Class A locomotives garnered publicity for the N&W; the true workhorse of the Norfolk and Western was the Class Y . . . — — Map (db m166877) HM
In recent years, Roanoke has shed its image as a “railroad town” as others have surpassed the railroad as the major employer. However, without the N&W, Roanoke might not have existed. For those who wish to deny the impact of the railroad . . . — — Map (db m166873) HM
The Roanoke farmers' market is one of the oldest such markets in continuous use in Virginia. In 1882, licenses were issued to twenty-five hucksters. The City of Roanoke's first charter formally authorized a municipally owned market in 1884, and the . . . — — Map (db m14962) HM
The Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew, organized in May 1928 by Julian Stanley Wise, is recognized as the first independent, all-volunteer rescue squad in the United States. Wise, motivated by having seen two men drown in the Roanoke River . . . — — Map (db m172197) HM
This tablet records the charter dates of
The Village of Gainesborough 1835
The Town of Big Lick, 1874
which lay within the present boundaries of
The City of Roanoke 1884
And commemorates
The Great Path, an Indian Trail, . . . — — Map (db m134688) HM
Roanoke's rail heritage is not complete without mention of the Roanoke Railway and Electric Company. This company operated the trolley and later the bus system in the Roanoke Valley. Beginning with horse cars in the 1880s, soon trolley tracks ran . . . — — Map (db m172219) HM
The three locomotive types referred to on the nearby panels are part of the larger picture; of course. The Classes J, A and Y locomotives were special. What made these locomotives so special compared to products of the commercial builders of steam, . . . — — Map (db m15348) HM
The Classes J, A and Y locomotives were special. What made these locomotives so special compared to products of the commercial builders of steam, such as Lima Locomotive Works, Baldwin, American Locomotive Company and other Smaller builders? Aside . . . — — Map (db m166927) HM
Lest you forget —
We piled into assault boats bobbing high,
and charged amid the thundering roar,
meanwhile the winds and dismal rain whipped by
to watch us die
on Europe's battered bleeding shore!
We fought our way . . . — — Map (db m172310) WM
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy 1852-1855
Commander, Army of Northern Virginia 1862-1865
Commander-in-Chief, Confederate Armies 1865
President, Washington College 1865-1870 — — Map (db m134668) HM WM
Welcome to Roanoke's David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk. You are at the present western end of the walk which travels to the east past the Amtrak passenger rail platform and alongside of Norfolk Avenue. The walk is named in honor of retired . . . — — Map (db m172199) HM
Passenger Locomotive: Class J
The world-renowned Class J 4-8-4 passenger locomotives was completely designed and built in Roanoke. By the mid 1930s, Norfolk and Western was facing heavier passenger traffic due to increased military . . . — — Map (db m166876) HM
Built by H.W. ‘Uncle Billy’ Horton on site of his livery stables, early tenants included Grand Piano Co. and the Owl's Club, a nip joint. — — Map (db m208728) HM
Above you is the Market Square Walkway, built to connect the Hotel Roanoke with downtown Roanoke, crossing the railroad in safety and comfort. There are two observation platforms to watch rail traffic here. In addition, a number of informative signs . . . — — Map (db m15468) HM
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark Established in 1925 — — Map (db m134596) HM
c.1880-1921At the turn of the 20th century Market Street was still a street of private residences. The street, however, was beginning to change as downtown Roanoke began to expand. Homeowners moved out and businesses began to occupy . . . — — Map (db m183169) HM
Faithfully served Total Action for Progress for 47 years. During his tenure, he served as President and CEO for 40 years. He was instrumental in the establishment of innovative programs that helped transform the lives of low-income individuals, . . . — — Map (db m208853) HM
During the steam era (through 1960), the Norfolk and Western designed much of its own steam power. With the advent of the diesel locomotives a lot of individuality left railroads across the country. It was an early complaint of railroad fans that . . . — — Map (db m172227) HM
It is difficult to describe the rail traffic one might see here, as virtually anything and everything can be moving. Operating patterns change, traffic that may be there one week is gone the next. So to keep this simple, very little information . . . — — Map (db m134655) HM
You are at the western end of Roanoke's Railwalk. Behind you is the former grade crossing of 2nd Street (earlier known as Commerce Street).
Directly in front of you is the Norfolk and Western Freight Station, now home of the Virginia Museum of . . . — — Map (db m172226) HM
The buildings to your right, known as Warehouse Row, once teamed with activity. As Roanoke began to grow, Warehouse Row came into being. The former warehouse are now home to a variety of businesses and downtown living space.
Prior to long . . . — — Map (db m172228) HM
The Historic Roanoke City Market (aka the Farmer's Market) is the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It opened in 1882, when licenses were issued to 25 area “Hucksters” (vendors).
The first City of . . . — — Map (db m208727) HM
