MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times A Norfolk Southern freight train passes Cambria Depot in Christiansburg where passenger rail service to the area ceased in 1979. On Wednesday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that Virginia has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to extend passenger rail to the New River Valley. MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times Donald âDJâ Stadtler, Jr., center, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, is charged with implementing the Western Rail Initiative along with other state transportation projects. MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times Gov. Ralph Northam and Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine announced Wednesday that Virginia has reached an