Re: Thanks

Matthew,
I respectfully diagree. SP and ATSF were both very seriously engaged in using oil to fuel steamers around if not well before the turn of the century - I'd have to dig for the details. Second, it is part of the history of steam to adapt locomotives for better and safer operation. Bottom line is, conversion to oil is not as much of a break with history as you make it sound.
Yes, it would be nice to keep the coal burners as coal burners, but in their environment, safety is a concern. UP 3985 was converted some years after it restoration because it could be a serious fire hazard even without a scorching extreme weather around it. (Yes, many of her sisters were oilers to begin with, so this remains closely true to her family's history.) The C&TS engines supposedly were much better in this respect, so conversion would not have had a significant benefit. I do not know where No.9 would have to be classified in this respect.
Cheers, Jochen