> complete, so the main database file has been frozen for 8 months, and
> all the changes since May 2013 have accumulated in the delta.

  This is too strong statement.

 

<SL> Agreed.  In fact, AFAIR, while the main database file would be frozen, the delta file should only contain the latest/un-garbagecollected row versions.

 

<SL> Garbage collections should still be running/following the standard rules (i.e. long running transactions).  The only effect should be that the new rows/pages would be written to the delta file.