"Taking Twenty" with the Virginian Brethren

[NW Mailing List]

Last night I had the pleasure of "Takin' Twenty" with eight of the Brethren 
and Friends of the Virginian Railway. We passed around a sign up sheet for 
our Road Trip on October third to the Gathering of Virginian Brethren at 
Victoria. Most are anxious to visit old friends and see the new Virginian 
display at the Rail Park of the G5 VGN Gon donated by the Roanoke Chapter NRHS.

The ebay report this time includes sale of Virginian Railway items: 
Lima-Hamilton Paperweight of VGN AG locomotive $104.57; 1931 VGN employee 
pass $25.48; negative of 2-8-4 #507 and Electric #128 $11.11; negative of 
Mullens Motor Barn and Yard $21.01; "Virginian Rails" by Kurt Reisweber 
$48.79; "N&W and VGN in Color" by H. Reid $48.89; and an original slide of 
VGN #54 FM $112.50.

Passed around was the photo that Saltwater Salmon posted from the Princeton 
Station Museum showing a Virginian "Bobber" caboose at Princeton. Ruf and 
Landon had never seen or knew that the VGN had a two axle four wheel 
caboose. Landon said "that little thing would be airborne on the Norfolk 
Division behind the Ford train".

Also passed was the Summer 2009 NRHS "Bulletin" that highlights trains in 
"flyover country" and gas-electric cars. Another interesting discussion was 
ignited when Gordon Hamilton's February 5, 1910 article from the Bluefield 
"Daily Telegraph" was passed around. The article is titled "How the 
Virginian can get into Bluefield". The Brethren had "never heard of such a 
thing".

Ruf Wingfield,Jeff Sanders, and I were entertained by Susan our waitress, 
when she produced a gold plated dime. Ruf remembered buying a "gold silver 
dollar" from VGN hogger "Hustle Bubble" Mattingly for $2.00.

Also passed around were several photos from last Friday's Flag Pole 
Ceremony at the Virginian Station. The highlight was one showing our own 
Landon Gregory, representing the Brethren, speaking about Henry Huddleston 
Rogers and how the VGN came together at the VA-WV state lines. He was 
flanked by US Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Roanoke Mayor David Bowers. 
Landon was also featured on local TV telling the group about the release of 
money to advertise for bids to start station/depot renovation construction. 
At the Ceremony were 10 of the Virginian Brethren. Each wore a distinctive 
name badge identifying them as former VGN Employees. We had over 100 guests 
including two State Senators, Sheriffs, Police, Fire, Rescue, Delegates and 
Friends of the Virginian Railway. Since this was also a 9-11 event on 
Patriot's Day, the flag was raised with three gongs of a locomotive bell, 
to remember those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the 
Pentagon and Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001.

Ruf told us about working at his church and overhearing two young boys. One 
started to tell the other something during the service. The other quietly 
told him to be quiet and not talk above a whisper during the service. The 
other asked "Why?" He was told to look at the back of the church and 
observe the two very large gentlemen by the door. "They're hushers, and 
will come get you if you talk out loud", instructed the boy. Ruf said that 
he served as a "Husher" at his church for years...

Time to pull the pin on this one!

Departing Now from V248,

Skip Salmon

=============