Steve,
The locomotive has been sitting outside for over 50 years, first in South Dakota, now in Colorado.
The locomotive appliances were torched off (not removed, TORCHED) by the previous caretaker when it became obvious that the locomotive was going to move from Hill City to Georgetown. From what I understand, his includes the Bell Hanger, Boiler Checks, Injector and Throttle Rod.
The Tender (as was posted earlier) is rotton, having never been properly drained after 50 years of rain, snow and various precipitation carrying weather patterns. I would be afraid to pop the journal box lids on the tender trucks for fear of seeing all of that wonderfully lathed babbett and brass in little flakes at the bottom of the box.
The Lagging is still Asbestos. Personally, I feel that the asbestos abatement paranoia displayed by the CHS is WAY, WAY overblown. The Asbestos is easily removed by wetting it and packing it in 55 gal. drums. The fact of the matter is that the longer that it remains, it continues to trap water beneath it, contributing to the further deterioration of the boiler. This effect was negated by locomotives in service through the heat of the boiler itself and the evaporation that took place from that heat. No. 9 hasn't been officially fired up since 1939.
Then there is the frame. I don't know if it's cracked or not, but with the snow that the 9 had to buck when assigned to the Leadville Passenger train (that plow was on there for a reason), I wouldn't doubt that hairline cracks have deteriorated to major gaping chasms. I doubt that a true inspection has been done of the Hub liners, Grease Cellars and wheel bearings on the drivers.
It is highly unlikely that the side rods been Magnafluxed or had the rod caps pulled so that the rod bearings could be inspected. Along with this, the Stephenson link has to be checked for bearing wear on the axle eccentrics, along with the slop in the bearing blocks as they travel forward to reverse.
The cab is rotted and barely there. It was that way in South Dakota in the '60's, new paint not withstanding. It is certainly in no shape for daily use.
All in all, it would be easier and cheaper to jack up the dome bases and covers, roll out the wheels and scrap and rebuild the rest. (I'd say "jack up the whistle" but it's gone, too.)
Rick
