Norfolk and Western Class Y6b

Norfolk and Western Y6b
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	N&W's Roanoke Shops
Build date	1948-1952
Total produced	30
Classification	Y6b
Rail gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Standard Gauge
Cylinders	Four: two low-pressure (front), two high-pressure (rear)
Fuel type	Coal
Performance figures
Tractive effort	170,000 lbf (756.2 kN)
Service information
Running numbers	2171-2200
Disposition details
Preserved	None were Preserved
Disposition	All Scrapped

The Norfolk and Western Class Y6b was a class of 2-8-8-2 Mallets built between 1948-1952 with a total of 30 examples built for the Norfolk and Western Railway.

History

The Y6b was known as the workhorse of the Norfolk and Western Railway and the epitome of the compound mallet development design.

They were an improvement of the previous Y6a class with the only difference between the Y6as and the Y6bs was that the Y6bs were longer than the Y6as, had a larger firebox and had a greater tractive effort. With the Y6as only generating a tractive effort of 166,000 lbf (738.5 kN) and the Y6bs generating a tractive effort of 170,000 lbf (756.2 kN). The locomotives delivered 5,500 horsepower. The weight of a Y6b locomotive about 582,900 lbs with 522,850 lbs directly on the drivers.

When the Norfolk and Western Railway ceased their mainline steam operations in 1959, 50 of the Y6s were still running out serviceable miles in the coal fields waiting for the final order of diesels to replace them. The last of the Class Ys were retired in the summer of 1960.

None of these examples survived into the preservation days.

Excursion Run

Although, One nearly made it into preservation and it was No. 2174, No. 2174 ran on the Norfolk & Western's Farewell to Steam excursion train along with a Class A No. 1240.

Fate of the 2174

Once the Norfolk & Western's Farewell to Steam excursion train had finished, the 2174 was stored away in a scrapyard in Roanoke, Virginia with a tender-lacking Y6 No. 2143 but when both engines fell under ownership of a British firm who had no interest in preserving the two engines. Both No. 2174 and the tender-lacking Y6 No. 2143 were scrapped, rendering the entire class of Y6bs extinct.

Accidents and Incidents

• On September 26, 1950, No. 2188 was operating on a freight run when it derailed, flipped over and rolled down an embankment at Alnwick, West Virginia.

Stock list

Image(s)	Number(s)	Build date(s)	Status	Notes
	2171	-	Scrapped
	2172	-	Scrapped
	2173	-	Scrapped
	2174	-	Scrapped	Used on the Norfolk & Western's "Farewell To Steam" excursion train, retired in 1960 and was scrapped in 1976
	2175	-	Scrapped
	2176	-	Scrapped
	2177	-	Scrapped
	2178	-	Scrapped
	2179	-	Scrapped
	2180	-	Scrapped
	2181	-	Scrapped
	2182	-	Scrapped
	2183	-	Scrapped
	2184	-	Scrapped
	2185	-	Scrapped
	2186	-	Scrapped
	2187	-	Scrapped
	2188	August 22, 1950	Scrapped	Involved in one accident, repaired and returned to service, retired and scrapped.
	2189	-	Scrapped
	2190	-	Scrapped
	2191	-	Scrapped
	2192	-	Scrapped
	2193	-	Scrapped
	2194	-	Scrapped
	2195	-	Scrapped
	2196	-	Scrapped
	2197	-	Scrapped
	2198	-	Scrapped
	2199	-	Scrapped
	2200	-	Scrapped	The final mainline steam locomotive ever built in the USA

Gallery

• Gallery

List of Norfolk and Western Y Class 2-8-8-2s
Classes:	Y • Y1 • Y2 • Y3 • Y3a • Y3b • Y4 • Y4a • Y5 • Y6 • Y6a • Y6b
Excursion Star:	No. 2174 (Y6b)
Extinct:	Y • Y1 • Y2 • Y3 • Y3b • Y4 • Y4a • Y5 • Y6 • Y6b • HH1
Preserved:	No. 2050 (Y3a) • No. 2156 (Y6a)
Pennsylvania Railroad:	HH1
Never built:	Y7