For those who are curious...
The last "new" information I have dates back a month ago, March 19. I have photographs which show #9 up on cribbing, still outside, with its center driver removed (presumably being worked on), rear driver machined, painted, and placed back under the engine, and the center part of the frame painted black. Other than these things, nothing else APPEARS to have been done to the engine at that point in time (again, this is nearly a month ago). The engine still had its gaudy white paint, now streaking off as the weather washes it off. I could be wrong, and other work was being performed at the time the photos were taken, out of sight to the camera.
As far as "newer" news, I haven't seen nor heard [nor spoke] a peep about the engine's statis, or its expected completion date (according to Mr. Marlin Ulrich himself, NOT from the mouths of the CHS).
This is my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps to know that nothing has been heard for a month...(doesn't reassure me that #9 will be running reliably on the Georgetown Loop Railroad by July 1, 2005).
Shane