Seems that the flexible staybolts, since they are just that, flexible, that they seem to last a long time. Taking the caps off and inspecting them is just part of annual maintainence.
No, taking the caps off is NOT part of ANY maintenance, annual or otherwise!
True, not required but when many of the caps are old, thin and worn replacing caps and seals now makes sense.
How did they get "old, thin, and worn", when they were all NEW in 2004/2005?
The code book does not say they can not preform the types of repairs they are making. In your opinion what they are doing is a waste of time and money, to them, they are trying to start over at ground zero with a fresh rebuild, a clean boiler, tender and move forward.
And there-in lies the difference between the current manager's thought processes and the entire rest of the industry!
