Waiting for a Train

Traveling the back roads of South Western Virginia and the Piedmont region of North Carolina which borders the Commonwealth, I see many things as they used to be...through the lens of my camera...sights that often make me sad; but in a way happy, because so many personal hopes and dreams were once realized in this wonderful, rural part of the United States. They still are, but much less so.

I recently passed by this old train station, long shuttered and free from the noise, excitement and expectations of those happy souls about to board a train off to somewhere, or for those getting off, returning home. The station is in Madison, NC and it's just a short walk to the center of this small, once thriving town. Trains still pass by the station today, but none stop. In fact, Madison is probably a rare stopping place for most people these days...except for those working and living there, or those like me who like to visit and remember how things used to be.