As the project co-ordinator to pull 1215 from the park in Hanford, I can tell you that some of the engine is in very good condition. The main cylinder still have honing marks on them, the main journals were polished before she was moved, as were the tender journals. The boiler had no signs of major problems, but we didn't do an ultra sound so ??? Tires are VERY nice. Shop chalk marks from setting the cellars were still on the frame. It has all the markings of an engine just out of the backshops before placement in the park although there is wear on the valve gear. The Park folks had all the window frames WITH glass in a storage building, not on the engine!
Before we moved the engine we oiled the cylinders and lubed everything; she rolled off her plinth with little effort. The parks crew claimed she was steamed off the trailer she was brought in on. Now that seems a bit far-fetched, but EVERYTHING was connected between the tender and the engine, and there was a quantity of oil on the ground under her. . . .
We had one accident on the trip to Portola, went under an overpass on fresh pavement, and knocked the safety valves but good--also pushed down the center "rib" on the cab roof. We were 16' tall, and the bridge was no longer a full 16' from the pavement! From then on, I took a 16' measuring stick and checked low bridges ahead of the trucks. Didn't find any others, except the ones we knew we'd have to go around.
I hope they restore her to operation!