With Gov. Glenn Youngkin front and center, sporting a hardhat and bright yellow construction vest, the most dignified of a tent full of dignitaries tossed a golden shovel full of ceremonial dirt on Thursday morning in front of the future railway platform in front of Christiansburg’s Cambria station.
For the many advocates of expanded rail service to the New River Valley, it was a moment some had longed to see ever since the last passenger train headed out of town limits more than four decades ago.
For Youngkin and the other guests invited to celebrate the moment — including Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.; Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem; Del. Chris Obenshain, R-Blacksburg; state Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller; and Virginia Passenger Rail Authority executive director DJ Stadtler — Thursday represented another step toward reestablishing the rails as a viable source of travel, as well as an economic driver in Southwest Virginia and beyond.
“I’m excited to be here today,” Stadtler told a pleased audience. “I’ll be more excited to be here in 24 months … or less to take a train north.”…