Passenger Trains > Roanoke Amtrak, Smartwaybus and platform wait time

I saw the Smartway bus pull by the Roanoke platform at 5:30 a.m. A decent crowd headed over to the platform. With a good 30 minute wait for the train to back up to the platform, I am wondering if there are any infrared heaters on the platform for winter (not knowing what winter temps are there). I'm only watching the Hotel Roanoke rail cam from a far away snow belt area...
Rich S

No, there are no heaters, and as was recently pointed out in a letter to the editor of The Roanoke Times, there are no benches either.

The local bus/transit station is close by, however.

The low temperature this morning was about 32 degrees, so yes it can be moderately cold in Roanoke.

I have seen the train back into the platform track and open the doors for loading about 30 minutes before departure. Whether this is the usual practice I don't know.

Jimbo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No, there are no heaters, and as was recently
> pointed out in a letter to the editor of The
> Roanoke Times, there are no benches either.
>
> The local bus/transit station is close by,
> however.
>
> The low temperature this morning was about 32
> degrees, so yes it can be moderately cold in
> Roanoke.
>
> I have seen the train back into the platform track
> and open the doors for loading about 30 minutes
> before departure. Whether this is the usual
> practice I don't know.

Wow...I'm surprised on both accounts. I certainly would have expected benches. And the winter temperatures and conditions warrant infra-reds on timers.
Rich S

Waiting passengers also congregate inside the first floor of the tower leading to the walkway to the Hotel Roanoke, it's heated and a pretty short, flat walk.

Will, heaters and benches would be welcomed by the homeless !.

Just a smart ass remark from me, but it happens so many places that security is not in place.