Perhaps the question should be "Did they make the 4014 produce steam, or rebuild a steam engine."

If it just makes steam but has a limited amount of power than how is it any different than Thomas? Just lipstick on the front of the train. And maybe that is mission accomplished from the UP side of things.

Where is its current spec sheet at? If is only has 1/4 of the HP or tractive effort etc, of its as-built design than that is a bit of a fail with the oil conversion/restoration.

It's like rebuilding a hot-rod but deciding that the V8 can run on 2 cylinders and still move around town, but as long as it looks cool while parked or at 20mph good enough.

Because the 4014 will probably never pull a train without a diesel in the consist, unless double headed(unlikely) with a proven capable engine like 261/4449/700 etc. to drag it around it seems like a tug-of-war would be the only way to settle this. With the weight advantage of the 4014 maybe not a fair fight, but seeing another engine drag it down the tracks with is wheels screeching out in pain would be a sight to see.