Glad to see the positive comments about O. Winston Link and his work to document the last days of steam on the N&W (last to use all steam power). He photographed from 1955 - 1960 in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
The O. Winston Link Museum, dedicated to his work, opened Jan. 2004 in Roanoke, Virginia (also home to the J 611 and A 1218 at the nearby Virginia Museum of Transportation).
The Link Museum has his original prints, steam sound recordings, film footage (rarely seen), camera equipment and N&W artifacts. We also show a biographical film that contains interview footage with Link.
Our shop sells estate prints, posters, sound recordings and books. The shop also features items on our website.
We’re open year-round, seven days a week. Hours are Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. We do have joint tickets with VMT available.
I grew up two hrs. from Roanoke. Great excuse for a day trip when I’m down there!
(Note to Railfans: If you’re well-heeled, stay at the Hotel Roanoke, which was built by the Norfolk and Western in that grand, quasi-Tudor style back in the 1920s, I believe. Therefore, the Hotel Roanoke is adjacent to the old N&W main line tracks.)
I am surprised that given the scope and importance of O. Winston Link that this thread has not received more comments. [:(]
I was talking with one of the forum teens the other day and this young man was very impressed with Link’s work. Given the scope of Link’s work and how his photography seems to span the age gap I would have expected more discussion in this topic.
There’s really nothing to discuss, the consensus is that his work is fantastic. From an artistic point of view, a historic point of view, a modelling detail point of view, a human interest point of view, and a unique look at a popular era of not only railroading but Americana.
If you find a teen, suck as Max, who appriciates the work of a man he never meet, taking photographs of a time the teen never knew, then for that teen to truly appriciate Link’s work speaks volumes. [:)]
The Betzalail School inb Jeerusalem teachers photography (and art and architecture and making jewlery and making films for cinema and TV, etc, etc.) and has the large Winston Link book devoted primarily to Norfolk and Western steam in the library and the book is well used.