The Norfolk and Western Class W6 was the sole example of an 0-8-0 Tank Engine that was rebuilt by the N&W's own Roanoke Shops for the Norfolk and Western Railway on their yard duties as a switcher in 1898.
History[]
The Baldwin Locomotive Works built about 30 Class W 2-8-0 tender engines for the N&W, numbered 800‒829, between 1898-1899. Eventually they were all retired once they were replaced by stronger, faster, and more modern locomotives. Instead of scrapping all of these engines right away, some were rebuilt and modified to serve other purposes for the railway.
In August 1920, the engineers in the Roanoke, Virginia, shops completely rebuilt No. 800 and converted it into an 0-8-0 tank engine to serve as a "shop goat": an engine used for various switching duties in restricted areas. It was reclassed as a W6 and served in the Roanoke Shops from 1920 to 1958. It was most likely scrapped after it was withdrawn from service.
Trivia[]
- Working from December 1898 to July 1958—nearly sixty years—engine No. 800 was the locomotive with the longest continuous service to the Norfolk & Western.