Roanoke senator says the future is here as Amtrak arrives Gene Marrano October 30, 2017 1 minute read On the way from Lynchburg to Roanoke this morning on the ceremonial first Amtrak passenger train, State Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke) spoke to WFIR about what regular train service (starting tomorrow) means: Share: Post navigation Previous: GOP AG candidate says opponent has misused positionNext: Roanoke Valley Reads tackles difficult topic Related Stories U.S. Supreme Court denies Virginia Dems appeal on referendum vote Gene Marrano May 15, 2026 The Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail officially launches Gene Marrano May 15, 2026 Roanoke Women’s Foundation honors two people with ties to Taubman Museum Gene Marrano May 14, 2026