>>referred to as a 44-tonner, is that in what it is rated as being able to pull?<<
44 tons is the rounded figure representing the weight of the locomotive itself, not its pulling capacity.
>>What exactly is needed to operate a locomotive/boiler? <<
It depends. The FRA only deals with railroads in specific scenarios; involving the crossing of a public road, etc. The Georgetown Loop does not fall under the mandate of the FRA; however, its original builders and operators and their crews pretty much kept the locomotives to the standards that would have been required by the FRA anyhow.
Part of the FRA's new policy in the past 5 years is a 15-year Form 4 inspection. This involves tearing out the front flue sheet of the locomotive (the case for most smaller narrow-gauge locomotives unless you can squeeze down through the steam done and are willing to work in such closed space!) and rip out all of the tubes. An ultrasound is done to test the thickness of the boiler shell after using a needle gun to remove any scale to assure the reading is accurately testing the steel itself. This is an EXTREMELY thorough process the FRA has laid out. An FRA rep will want to poke his nose in and see the boiler with everything is out.. Everything then goes back together, what needs replacement gets replacement. It's hard work (as anyone who's done it can tell you) and a costly process, and has sidelined many operable steam locomotives since it was put into action. Many organizations have no plans to bring their locomotives to comply with these rules and will use them for display purposes only.
However, in the case of the Georgetown Loop, this isn't needed. Any steam locomotive to operate on the Loop should only have its boiler fall under the control of the State of Colorado. Also, I don't believe anything under 2' gauge, by default (regardless) also of concern to the FRA. If the late Tommy Thompson's 18" gauge operation in Anacortes, WA, for example, it would fall under this category. The state inspectors are responsible from anything down to a little hobbyist live steam boiler in the realm of railroading, but the majority of their work by far has nothing to do with railroads. They inspect boilers, a general classification (electric boilers, watertube boilers used in industrial and commercial applications, etc.) I believe they have one inspector assigned to cover any particular region.
Lastly, regardless of state, FRA, whatever…a yearly hydraulic (also known as a hydrostatic or “hydro”) test will need to be performed. There was an earlier thread going on hydraulic tests earlier. It basically involves testing the boiler for leaks with pressurized water. The inspector will write the bill for whatever pressure he deems safe for the locomotive to operate at.
The former GLR crew can tell you more on this and set me straight if any of the above is inaccurate, but this is what I know.
PS: If the C&S #9 or the 30 is to operate with their present boilers (both un-reinforced, lap-seam boilers), there will be an entirely different and more difficult procedure.
