 The members of the Norfolk and Western Railway Historical Society gathered in Pikeville over the weekend for the Society's annual convention, the first time it's ever been held in Pikeville. And although railroading was the theme of the convention, the event was more like a reunion for longtime friends and fans of railroading of yesteryear. The majority of the people who came to the convention see have been to conventions in the past and it's almost kind of like a family reunion, getting back together and everybody having fellowship and exchange ideas and pictures and photographs and drawings and just talking about the history and learning more about the history of the railroad in this area. Pikeville resident and former N and W Railroader Jeff Hensley was an important part of bringing the convention to Pikeville. Hensley said the convention, which included tours of railroad yards, coal mines and an active coke plant in Virginia, was a great success. Our attendee said that this place, this hotel and the accommodations and the people would something that they would expect in a large town. It's so nice. But then they say it's got the good country atmosphere too with the country people and just how nice the local people have treated them. So that's how the convention wound up here in Pikeville. It's been a success. Several people says it's one of the best that they've been to. Saturday's banquet at the Hilton Garden and in Pikeville also included a photo slideshow and a model train judging contest. At the center of the event was the love of a railroad that has faded into history, but one which now brings train buffs of all ages together. N and W's gone. Southern's gone. I just want to say thanks for being a part of my life. Thanks guys. Appreciate it. Reporting in Pikeville for EKB News, I'm Chris Anderson.