Re: Historic Moment in Narrow gauge

As I have said before I am still learning quite a bit about railroading and I have been following this GLRR thing and have a few questions.
The diesel that is being talked about is referred to as a 44-tonner, is that in what it is rated as being able to pull? The question of axle loading being heavy I do not understand. I have been around a tourist railroad that has a 45 ton engine and it seems much bigger that the one at GLRR. The group that was trying to run it complained about the brake system, it was something about #14 I think. Does the one at GLRR have the same system, is there a design problem with that type of system. In trucking there are some valves that are basically "banned" for various reasons, does the railroad industry have the same problems?
Of topic but yet concerning the GLRR there is quite a bit of talk of paperwork for the boiler on the #12. What exactly is needed to operate a locomotive/boiler? Some people I have talked to say you need an insurance company to certify it, some say the FRA, some say state agencies and others say you can just run them. It seems as if there are strict testing procedures in place for boilers from a question I had asked concerning hydro testing a couple of weeks ago but yet now it seems as if there is a broad scope of who and how boilers are deemed fit for service. Any information is great, I really want to get into this but want to know what I am getting into.
Mike