Buchanan, W. M. - Buchanan, W. M. | Historical Society of Western Virginia

Abingdon Branch, train 201 departs Green Cove, on the way to White Top. - In November 1956, Winston Link worked at Green Cove, Virginia, on the N&W's Abingdon Branch. These photos include Maude Bows to the Virginia Creeper, one of Link's most famous images. This photo of Train 201 pulling away from the little Green Cove station, southbound to White Top, Virginia and on to West Jefferson, North Carolina was made a day or so later. The station had been bought some years before the N&W by W. M. Buchanan who operated a grocery store, post office and Western Union office there. The Buchanan family lived in the house seen to the right. Today the trees and fence are gone, as is the railroad, but the station remains. It is a favorite rest stop on the Virginia Creeper Trail, the hiking and bicycle trail which follows the preserved roadbed of the Abingdon Branch, between Abingdon, Virginia and the North Carolina border. The Buchanan's home remains too, and is now a bed and breakfast inn, operated by members of W. M. Buchanan's family.

OWL2002.07.05

Record Type: Photo

Abingdon Branch, waiting for The Creeper in the Green Cove Station. - Waiting for The Creeper in the Green Cove Station. The interior of the Green Cove store, the better known version. W.M. Buchanan puts up a grocery order while others converse across the room. Left to Right: W. R. Farmer, Vinton Greer, Sand the dog, Eleanor Buchanan, W. M. Buchanan, Carver Walls, Leslie Greer, Mrs. Fay Luther, Brenda Luther, Janet Farmer, Bolena Greer Ravdin.

OWL2003.09.12

Record Type: Photo

Abingdon Branch, W. M. Buchanan seated at his roll-top desk. - W. M. Buchanan had worked for the N&W for many years, but subsequently bought the Green Cove station from the railroad as a site for a private business. He set up a grocery store and post office in the passenger waiting area and also served as the local Western Union telegraph operator as well at station agent. His office was in the former agent's space behind the waiting room, and Winston Link complained when making this photo that "my head's too thick", because there was less than three feet between the stove and the wall and it was very difficult to get behind the large view camera to focus. The calendars on the wall seem to have been collected for their pictures and were months, sometimes years out of date. Link recalled that there were so many papers stuffed under the desk that Mr. Buchanan had to sit sideways. The desk was so heavy that when the room was last painted, the workers just painted around it.

OWL2002.07.03

Record Type: Photo

Old Maude bows to the Virginia Creeper. - Without a doubt, "Old Maude," is Winston Link's most popular photo made during daylight hours. Although many of Link's photos were carefully set up, old Maude, with her sledge load of oak stove-wood, just happened along as the train was approaching, and Link took advantage of the situation. He asked brothers Gene and Roy Hampton, who were hauling the wood to the family's farm nearby, to wait a few minutes for the train. Maude is remembered for her gentleness and patience, but she was growing restless and began to bob her head as the train arrived. In the background, Gary Clark stands near Gene Hampton, while Janet Farmer stands near the door; Fay Luther leans against the porch post with Brenda Luther between them. Sandy, W.M. Buchanan's dog, sits in the doorway. The Green Cove station remains today, a rest stop on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a walking and bicycling path extending from Abingdon, Virginia, to the North Carolina border, a distance of about 34 miles. This is the black and white version of an identical photo in color, (NW39K). Old Maude bows to the Virginia Creeper. Used in Steam, Steel & Stars, Color version in Last Steam Railroad in America.

OWL2002.08.17

Record Type: Photo

Portrait of the Past - November 30, 1995

Article in The Roanoke Times in advance of O. Winston Link's return to Roanoke to sign copies of his book "The Last Steam Train in America." Based on an interview with Mr. Link, the article discusses Mr. Link's love for trains, his project to photographs steam engines in the 1950's, and his legal battles with his second wife. It includes a photo of Mr. Link and several photos including "Green Cove", "Honey Hole", and "Inside Green Cove Station / ...

Record Type: Archive

Portrait of the Past - November 30, 1995

Article in The Roanoke Times in advance of O. Winston Link's return to Roanoke to sign copies of his book "The Last Steam Train in America." Based on an interview with Mr. Link, the article discusses Mr. Link's love for trains, his project to photographs steam engines in the 1950's, and his legal battles with his second wife. It includes a photo of Mr. Link and several photos including "Green Cove", "Honey Hole", and "Inside Green Cove Station / ...

Record Type: Archive