Back on May 12, 2005, Steve Freer described #9 in this way:
FYI: She was already on the siding as of June 1989, complete with beartrap cap and beautiful (????) red paint. Seemed to be mostly together although the headlight glass was borken out. (#14 pulled our GLRR trip.) While in the area, also stopped in Idaho Springs to see the "09" (smokebox numberplate was flipped) and *RODE BEHIND* #71 in Black Hawk/Central City.
[Here's the link to Steve Freer's post
[www.ngdiscussion.net] ]
So per this post from Steve Peer, #9 sat outside --unprotected-- through at least 15 Silver Plume winters.
The picture that Stephen Peck posted was taken at an angle that made her look to be in much better shape than she actually was. She was so far gone that, honestly, seeing her operating last year was the closest I have ever come to seeing an actual ghost.
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Chris Webster
[www.speakeasy.org]