Renovation of Virginian Railway Station Underway

Oldtimers line up to break ground and tell the Virginian Station's long story.

Mayor David Bowers saw a camera and started talking.

The interior is in sad shape.

More than 50 people showed up this morning at the old Virginian Railroad Station for the long-anticipated groundbreaking for the 102-year-old facility's renovations. It burned nearly completely 10 years ago and fund raising began almost immediately. More than $1.2 million is in the kitty now for renovations.

Phase I is officially underway with G&S Contracting of Salem the general contractor. Its bid on the first phase of construction was $494,000.

The station, the only all-brick station on the railroad's line, served the Roanoke Valley from 1910 to 1956. After that, it became a retail shop, among other things. It was burned in January of 2001 when a vagrant's fire got out of control.

James Cosby, president of the National Railway Historical Society (Roanoke Chapter), says the "plan is to conduct the restoration in two phases. Phase (includes abatement of the substantial asbestos and lead paint contamination on site, building stabilization and replacement of the terra cotta roof. We hope to go seamlessly into Phase II anbd complete the interior of the two buildings involved, landscaping and the parking lot within a year."