Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 19, 1994                   TAG: 9411210052
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE AND ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GUESS WHO PAID FOR TRAIN TO TECH

Unlike previous years, though, the rail ride wasn't sponsored by Virginia Tech. UVa didn't foot the bill, either.

This train trek to the biggest state gridiron battle in years was courtesy of Radford University's alumni association.

"We don't have football," Radford University spokeswoman Debbie Brown said. "It was something we could do."

The cost of the train trip, expected to include at least 40 legislators in its estimated 150-person load, was unavailable.

Bob Auman, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern, said the company was furnishing two locomotives and 12 rail cars to haul the group.

In a letter dated Oct. 15, Randal Duncan, president of the Radford University National Alumni Association, told invitees that the "Highland Express" should provide a "pleasant and relaxed mode of transportation to our beautiful campus in Southwest Virginia."

Virginia Tech's foundation spent $10,000 to do the same thing two years ago, when the game was last played in Blacksburg, but this year opted not to, university spokesman Dave Nutter said.

This year, a brunch with Gov. George Allen and other dignitaries is taking up Tech's time, he said.

The train, which stopped in Norfolk, Petersburg, Lynchburg and Roanoke, was to arrive in Radford about 5:30 p.m. Friday. A reception and dinner at Radford University was to follow, and buses were scheduled to take game-goers to Blacksburg.

The train will return along the same route Sunday.