Re: Any updates on the loop? *PIC*

Yes, that is a coal tender; from C&S/RGS #74. The tender was restored by Uhrich Locomotive Works a few years ago, and was chosen to be used behind C&S #9 for the first season #9 is used on the Loop. This was done since #9's tender is in need of a COMPLETE rebuild (in other words, its a piece of junk right now, in need of a lot of TLC). Uhrich has fabricated a 700~800 gallon oil bunker to be placed in the coal bunker of #30/74's tender. So yes, #9 will be an oil burner, as with all of the locomotives on the Loop. #9 is supposedly in the process of being reassembled currently, and is slated to be arriving in Silver Plume in April or May. I sure hope that if they intend to use #9 for opening day, they have the TIME AVAILABLE to give her the proper amount of break in runs and tweaking that WILL BE necessary, and very, very TIME CONSUMING. That engine hasn't run in 50+ years, and is going to have a ton of random, possibly major kinks to be worked out before it can be trusted to perform reliably and safely on the point of a loaded passenger train.
Don't get me wrong, I want to see #9 run more than most (I've wanted to see her under steam on the Loop since I was a kid), I just hope that she is broken in carefully and taken care of properly. Beautiful locomotive, and from what I can tell, a beautiful restoration performed by Uhrich Locomotive Works.
Photo is of #9's cab, sans metal sheeting. Beautiful carpentry!
Shane