There are relatively few grade crossings just West of Forest, VA and several overpasses. With nearly 300 people lining the tracks at Forest and each subsequent overpass west of there crowded with people, we decided to seek other locations. We knocked on the door of a house down a gravel road and asked the lady if there was railroad track access at the end of her property. She enthusiastically said yes after we explained to her what we were there to see. She and her dog Charlie escorted us down to the back of her land, and we meandered our way to Milepost 217. Within minutes, 611 emerged with a clear stack, effortlessly gliding towards Roanoke. Leaning into the curve, she looks like she's posing for a publicity photo in 1950. For us, the train passed and we thanked our hostess for her southern hospitality. Our next stop: Villamont.
