Banner photo by Pete Lerro 

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION
November 2010
OWN A PIECE OF VIRGINIA HISTORY!
To celebrate the arrival of our Piedmont, we've got Piedmont logo items--including a great looking baseball cap featuring the Piedmont emblem--and Lynchburg history books now available.

The Museum Store is open Mon-Sat 10-5 and Sun 1-5. You don't have to pay admission to the Museum to come in and shop!
IN THIS ISSUE
Virginian Book Talk
Aviation Gallery Reception
Upcoming Excursions
Night Photo Shoot
Great events in Virginia's Rail Heritage Region
Greetings!

The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a busy place! We are just coming off a wonderful weekend to welcome our new Piedmont, a rare example of a Virginia-made car. Please plan to come see us: the 1923 model will be on permanent display, plus a beautifully restored 1919 model is being loaned to us through the end of the year. We think only one other exists. Many thanks to wonderful sponsors and exhibitors who made the weekend great for us all!

We are also looking foward to Veterans Day celebrations. We will be participating in the Roanoke Valley's first Veterans Day Parade in many years, in downtown Roanoke on November 6 at 11am. Please come out to honor those who have done so much for us. On that day, all veterans will receive free Museum admission, and we'll admit their immediate family members for $5.
Virginia Museum of Transportation 
Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr.
Executive Director
Aubrey Wiley, author and historian
Remembering the Virginian Railway
October 29, 7pm: Free Program
October 30, 11am-2pm: Book Signing

 

Author Aubrey Wiley is a native of Virginia and has co-authored three other railroad books. Having been captivated by trains as a child, his fascination continued and flourished through his professional life as a photojournalist, artist and history teacher. Now retired, he is sharing his knowledge and collection of information and pictures in his new book.

 

The Friday night program is VGN logoentitled "Why Remember the Virginian" and spans the years from its creation a hundred years ago and into its period of huge prosperity. As in his book, Aubrey presents the railroad in a personal manner to describe the character of the Virginian's people, so the program is structured with slides and stories. On Saturday, Aubrey will be at the Museum to discuss the Virginian with visitors and to sign books.

 

Aubrey Wiley's new book, Virginian Railway Pictorial - Pictures and Stories, is the first new book on the Virginian Railway in many years, and the largest in over 40 years. It contains over 225 vintage pictures in black & white from his private collection, and those of others, of the railroad's trains, equipment, structures,and locations, as well as many stories from former VGN employees and people who lived along and rode the Virginian.

Wings Over Virginia Aviation Gallery Fundraising Reception  

Thursday November 4, 5:30-7:30pm.

 

Featuring Commander Paul E. Galanti, former Vietnam POW and current Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veteran Services
Paul Galanti
Cdr Paul Galanti

A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, Paul Galanti was trained as a Navy jet pilot and flight instructor. He flew 97 combat missions over North Vietnam in his A4 Skyhawk before being shot down. He was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam's infamous "Hanoi Hilton" for nearly seven years until his release in 1973. Later, he held a series of Navy leadership posts, including a record-setting tenure as Commanding Officer of the Richmond Recruiting District. After retiring from the Navy in 1983, he has been a leader in the private and non-profit sectors as well, and is a much sought-after motivational speaker. Galanti is currently the National Director of the organization American Ex-Prisoners of War. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell recently appointed Galanti as Commissioner of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Galanti's military decorations include the Silver Star, Two Legions of Merit for combat, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star for combat, nine Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal for combat and two Purple Hearts, and he has been inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.

 

The event's Honorary Chairman is Captain William B. Overstreet, USAF (Ret). World War II Ace Bill Overstreet was part of the 357th fighter group that escorted bombers on their missions over Germany. His P-51 Mustang, dubbed "The Berlin Express," is featured in a well-known painting by artist Len Krenzler that depicts Overstreet chasing a German fighter through the base of the Eiffel Tower--a German pilot who didn't get away.

 

"We are excited about the leadership in this community and across Virginia who are helping us form our new aviation gallery," said Donald F. Moser, who is both a pilot and the Museum's Deputy Director. "After more than a year of planning, the gallery's design is beginning to capture the thrill of flight and the amazing stories of Virginia's pilots. To fly represents a dream shared by so many of our visitors." The Museum previously housed an aviation gallery which was destroyed by an intense storm that blew the roof off the building in 2006.

 

Tickets for the reception are $50 per person. RSVP by November 2 to Joan Baker Washburn, event coordinator, at (540) 206-3295. The Leadership Committee for "Wings Over Virginia" includes the Honorary Chairman Wes Hillman, the Honorable Terry Austin, the Honorable Bill Bestpitch, the Honorable David Bowers, the Honorable Butch Church, Roy D'Ardenne, the Honorable John Edwards, the Honorable Randy Foley, the Honorable Brad Grose, the Honorable William B. Hopkins, Captain Larry Johnson, the Honorable Granger Macfarlane, Captain Harold McGrath, Bittle Porterfield, Claude Smith, David Smith, Jay Turner, Brigadier General Scott Van Cleef, Sherry Wallace, and Art Whittaker.   

Rail excursion to Bluefield nearly sold out; seats still available for Danville trip

Our Rail Heritage Region partner, the Roanoke Chapter of the NHRS, is offering two outstanding trips. On Saturday, November 6, the train will head east via the former Virginian mainline and the former Southern mainline to the historic city of Danville, VA. The return trip is by a different route, by way of Lynchburg via the N&W. On Sunday, November 7, the Chapter again offers one of its most popular trips: mountain railroading at its finest traveling to Bluefield, WV. The excursion follows the Heartland Corridor and features the climb up Christiansburg Mountain, the beautiful New River Valley, bridges, tunnels and a final climb to Bluefield. Click for information and to order tickets online or by phone.
Pete Lerro's 1218
Photo and Banner Photo courtesy of Pete Lerro from the 2009 Night Shoot 
Spots going fast for the 2010 Night Photo Shoot
November 12 - 13; 7 - 11 pm 

After the huge success of our 2009 night session, Lerro Productions is coming back to put on another show! They are bringing fog and smoke devices, as well as props and costumed actors, in order to recreate 1950s scenes. Images from last year's shoot were published in several national railfan magazines.

 

Register today to experience and photograph N&W 611 and N&W 1218 as they looked in the glory days of steam. Only 13 are spots left. Spots are limited so every photographer--professional or not--has a chance for a great, unobstructed shot. Tickets are $60 for one night, or $100 for both sessions. Click here for photos from last year's night photo session and to register for this year.

More great things to do in Virginia's Rail Heritage Region! 
 
November 6: The Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society sends news ofpm a book-signing of "The Wreck of the Old 97" at the Lynchburg Public Library, 1:30pm. Author Larry Aaron will show historic images and have the book available at the signing. Free admission.  

November 6-7: The Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society offers fall rail excursions. On Saturday, take a round trip from Roanoke to Danville, VA, and on Sunday, the Chapter will again host the very popular roundtrip to Bluefield, WV. Tickets are on sale now at the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the O. Winston Link Museum, by calling 540-774-0611 or online.
 
November 10: The Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society holds its next Chapter meeting at Charley's Restaurant, Lynchburg. Dinner begins at 6pm and the official chapter meeting begins at 7:30pm.The program is by Charlie Long. 

November 11-14: The Norfolk & Western Historical Society Archives Committee holds its next work session. To participate, email the NWHS archives committee
 
November 13: Join the O. Winston Link Museum for Photo Throwdown! at 7pm at The Shadowbox, 22 Kirk Ave, Downtown Roanoke. Similar to a poetry slam, each photographer gets a chance to win over the crowd. Exciting, fast-paced, and light-hearted, the Photo Throwdown will be followed by a showing of Buster Keaton's The General. $5. Call 540-982-5465 or email Leah Gardner to register.

November 18: The Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society holds its Annual Meeting at the O. Winston Link Museum at 7:30pm.
 
November 18-20: The C&O Historical Society presents See and Know C&Oa complete overview of the C&O Railway, from George Washington to CSX. The program includes lectures, seminars, tours, and interviews with C&O veterans, and includes tours of the Archives, Heritage Center, and the Clifton Forge shops. Call 800-453-2647 or sign up online.

November 30: The O. Winston Link Museum presents Get to Know Your Camera Workshop: Holiday Lights/ Exploring Bokeh. Tour downtown Roanoke's holiday lights and learn how to experiment with your depth of field to create dazzling areas of blur. 6-8pm, $10. To register, call 540.982.5465 or e-mail Leah Gardner