Roanoke and Railroading
Lauren and I headed back to Roanoke Virginia, to see Mommy and Daddy Dogan for the Easter holiday. Saturday was a beautiful day, so we headed downtown and made a stop by the O Winston Link museum. Winston Link was a famous American photographer, most known for his absolutely incredible black and white railroad photography. In particular, he is famous for “The Norfolk & Western Project”, where he chronicled the N&W as the last major class I railroad in the United States to make the move from steam to diesel. As a little nod to some of Mr. Link’s B&W RR photography, here is a picture of the RR tracks which actually run just behind the museum and right through downtown Roanoke. If you are interested in either photography, or Railroading, I highly suggest checking out some of his work. You can start your search at the link above, or repeated here to his museum. 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.
After the museum, the four of us 
headed around the old market area and went for a little walk. We grabbed a “dog” at the “world famous” Roanoke Weiner Stand, which has been in business in the same building since 1910. My dad actually worked across the street at the florist shop as a kid. I enjoyed the hot dog… I’m not sure Lauren shared my enthusiasm. We walked through the Roanoke Market building (pictured above right) before heading back to the house for dinner.
It’s nice to be home.
- Michael Dogan