O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum

"We had a great time seeing Santa at the museum this year. The museum itself is always so nice."

"Charming museum that was once a train station dedicated to one man’s love of the now gone steam engine train where his passion was captured in the impressive grandeur photographs he took from the 1950’s. A master of light and engineering, Ogle spent much of his life documenting one of America’s lasting splendor in the era of the locomotive not just visually, but w audio as well where he released a number of recordings of the sounds of the traveling train through the West Virginian mountains. One can imagine his excitement from the surviving recordings, where you can here the glee he expressed in his voice while riding atop. You are transposed by his artistry to a time when life was simpler but somehow a lot more evolved than where we are today."

"We started at the front desk of the visitors center. Linda was friendly, welcoming and super helpful with suggestions on what to see and where to eat lunch. We chose to purchase the combination ticket for the O. Winston Link Museum and The Virginia Museum of Transportation. We started with the O. Winston Link Museum. It is full of beautiful photos from O. Winston Link and others! There was also a large vintage hat exhibit that was fun to see. My husband and I spent 2 hours here. We learned how Link made his photos and how he got started in photography. The displays of his equipment was fascinating . The 30 minute film about his life at the end of the tour is worth the time it takes to watch it because you learn so much more about him. There was an exhibit of photos from amateur and professional photographers. As well as many other items that reflect the history of Roanoke. Highly recommend a visit here when in Roanoke!"

"It's a very small but informative and well-kept museum about the history of Roanoke and one of its main industries: railroads. The museum doesn't have much for anyone who is more hands-on, although there were little areas with Lincoln logs and other toys and a typewriter that one could write with. O. Winston Link photographed and recorded the details of the last few years of steam engines being used in Southwestern Virginia. His photographs and detailed descriptions of his photography process and the people and trains he photographed are kept on display."

"As a Rail-fan and Lionel train collector, this museum has it all. I had always thought the N&W 611 was the classiest and finest steam engine ever built, compared to the SP 4449, the Chessie 614, the NYC J1 Hudson. The photography and settings of a bygone era are all here. Take your time to browse and enjoy the collection."