The Editor,

The well-attended meeting of the Friends of the Steam Train held on Jan. 30 at the Chelsea, Quebec Community Centre heard updates on the railway and attendees had a chance to air opinions pro and con.

We also got the chance to see Wayne Anderson’s aerial video of the train presented by Duncan Marshall, and to see Neil Faulkner’s photo surveys of the water damage to the railway. Neil’s photos and descriptions made it clear that in 2011 clay sliding was a minor problem, limited to one small spot. The damage this time was from massive flooding June 23-24.

Chelsea and Gatineau got record rainfalls and flooding, and it would seem that such events could get worse as development alters drainage patterns; so future runoffs could damage more than just the railway (which acted as a control dam). Remedial actions are likely needed in the entire Chelsea Creek drainage basin!

Harry Gow

Saint-Antoine-sur Richelieu, Quebec