I agree John, if taken care of the machine will last a long time. GCRY No. 18 is pretty special for me, as I was part of the original GCRY team that returned the 18 to service (under very dificult conditions) back in 1989. It was also the first standard gauge steam locomotive I ever fired and ran. The 18 was returned to service in a hurry back in 1989 and was used exclusivly in the fall of 1989 and into 1990 until the 29 was returned to service that year. We double headed with the diesal at times, but not often. We nursed the 18, and worked here pretty hard during that time, and she just kept going, with very few problems. If we had a problem, the engine crew tried to take care of it, rather than get any mechanical people from Williams, as we didn't want to take them off the 29. I remember Marty Fischer and I were called as the crew for that engine for 30 straight days (boiler wash to boiler wash) and we did what we could to take care of her and keep her going. It was not unusual for us to re-pack grease sellers at the Canyon during layover. The 18 at that time was just slightly out of quarter and at 35-40 mph rode pretty rough. At that time the seats were boxes with cushons on them and there were no arm rests yet installed. You held on for dear life as you zoomed between Qivero and Anita! She didn't smooth out until she was at about 41-42 mph, slightly over the speed limit for that locomotive.
It was the first steam locomotive to the Grand canyon on the new Grand Canyon Ry, and I can not begin to tell you how proud I was to be a part of this and to contibute my small portion when this locomotive was returned to service.
What a machine!