26 April 2004 Steam-Powered Service Can Still be a Winner I read an article on the Trains.com Web site telling of the recent attempts to create an Island-based non-profit entity to own the E&N property as a major step forward toward ensuring a long-term future for rail passenger service on the Island.   We invested well over $1 million US to launch the Pacific Wilderness operation and were not able to generate sufficient ridership to cover our direct operating costs, even though we got rave reviews on service, equipment, scenery etc.   Our biggest problem was the myriad rules and regulations imposed by the City of Victoria regarding directional signing, use of the depot area for a passenger appropriate facility etc. Our second biggest hurdle was the extremely high costs imposed by CPR to rent the previously abandoned yard in Victoria and their high insurance demands.   A tourist passenger operation can succeed out of Victoria provided that the City of Victoria is a pro-active supporter, the railroad is owned by a co-operative entity and that the priceless Victoria roundhouse, turntable and car shop are saved and employed in the operation.   To reach its full potential the service must be steam-powered which will be impossible without the Victoria facilities.   I hope that the new entity will succeed in gaining ownership of the line and that Victoria will get its act together so that the next tourist operator has a fighting chance to make it the winner it can be.   Ross Rowland,   Princeton, NJ.