Yes, the #8 did suffer blown head in the summer of 1985 as a result of a failed crosshead key. It took out part of the cylinder too. I don't remember who did the repair, but it was successfully repaired and operated for the 1986 season. That was its last season of operation, though, as it got to the point where just about everything needed attention and it was never needed bad enough to make it economically viable to rebuild. It most certainly is rebuildable as it has no "fatal flaws" that I know of. Its a big, powerful machine and would pull just about anything you could put behind it.
Phil