What is the importance of Whistle Stop, Alabama in the novel, The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop?

Whistle Stop, Alabama is the small railroad town where Bud Threadgoode grew up. Dot focuses on her memories of this town in her Christmas letters. The town died when the railroad switching yard shut down. Bud misses his hometown so much that he sneaks away from his retirement home to ride the Amtrak from Atlanta to Birmingham hoping to see the town again. Recognizing Bud’s yearning for the town and needing something to do, Evelyn and Ruthie take on the project of revitalizing the town and reopening the Whistle Stop Cafe.