This is a salutary evolution with all concerted efforts with a lot of generalizability between them, even if their goals and processes are somewhat different. The more you do, the more you find generalizability, some redundancies, and you just get better and faster at doing. If nothing else, it helps to keep labour costs down, or volunteer/paid hours.
The UP must be doing very well, including in determined leadership and marketing, for them to have this strong commitment to a extensive steam programme. Ironic, sadly, that the 611 folks are beginning to feel the pinch in the east.
The plan was always 844 first then 4014 then 3985 to get them all up and running. My hubby and I have a close friend in the steam shop at the UP in Cheyenne they are planning on getting 3985 back up in running in 2021 2022 at the latest. They have learned so much from the 844 and 4014 overhauls that they can do 3985 faster and also have reestablished a supply chain of parts makers for the engines.
Ed Dickens discusses some aspects of the 4014 restoration, here concentrating on lubrication. Some interesting details; note the emphasis on 'many years of service' (which is NOT to be taken as indicating 3985 will not get 'the treatment' soon after 4014 is done)
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