They might have been ahead to buy a smaller engine that need fewer repairs. That way they would still have a steam program while their first engine had its work done. Or maybe, they should have bought that 2-6-6-2 Mallet before Black Hills Central RR got it. It would have been perfect for them--plenty of power, traction, and was designed to pull heavy lumber trains through mountains. It's also pretty easy on fuel. BHCRR runs theirs on waste auto oil if I remember right.
Kent in SD
