On June 13-14 local railroad enthusiasts rode the rails back in time as Norfolk & Western’s Class J611 steam passenger train thundered past the Pamplin Depot in western Prince Edward County. Built in 1950, the 611 underwent a year-long restoration at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, then traveled to Roanoke on May 30 for a series of nostalgic excursions across the state. Watching the train’s approach from the Pamplin Depot, local farmer Julian Covington enjoyed reliving a time when the railroad served as a lifeline to rural communities across our area.  (Photos by Marge Swayne)