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Steam locomotive could be tourist draw

I appreciate that it may be too expensive to upgrade the tracks for heavy freight trains. But surely there is a tourism option.

As a long-time retired railroader on Vancouver Island, I am fully in favour of using our E&N Island rail corridor for much better use than its current abandoned state.

I appreciate that it may be too expensive to upgrade the tracks for heavy freight trains. But surely there is a tourism option.

Wouldn't it be a magnificent magnet to have a steam locomotive whistle stopping at various communities along the route?

This could be a fascinating old world experience for tourists and an economic boon for artists and artisans to sell their goods to the travellers.

There are a few old steam locomotives on the Island that could be called into service. All it takes is some imagination and we could have another first-class tourism draw for Vancouver Island and especially here in Cowichan Valley.

Gord Dickenson

Cobble Hill