Here are the highlights I gleaned from the article...
After the 2006 operating season, Railstar did an assessment of No. 9's condition. When the engine was restored, the Department of Interior directed that as much of the original locomotive be preserved as possible. But the Loop's demanding operating conditions (steep grades and tight curves) took its toll on the 123-year-old machine. The CHS put out bids for repairs to the locomotive, but they came in higher than the expected, at $190,000. One reason bids were high was that the CHS hoped to have the locomotive ready for the 2007 season and would have to pay a premium to do so. Bell says the CHS has now decided to take its time with No. 9 to make sure the work is done right and is currently preparing another bid proposal. The society may tap some federal funds for the work, and Bell says that restricts the bidders to those that can meet complicated federal bid requirements. There is a chance that No. 9 may be ready late this operating season, but it is more likely it will operate again in 2008.
No. 12, a 1927 Baldwin 2-6-2, is undergoing repairs by Railstar at Silver Plume. The engine requires three driving axles to be replaced. Each of the three axles has radial cracks between the hub liners and journal boxes owing to improper repair procedures carried out in the late 1980s. Repairs are expected to be complete by May so the locomotive can power trains this summer.
New to the Loop this season will be former Sumpter Valley 1203, a narrow-gauge Porter diesel that was completely overhauled by the Sumpter Valley Machine Works for the CHS.