Norfolk and Western 2174 was a Y6b class 2-8-8-2 compound Mallet steam locomotive, built by the Norfolk and Western Railway's (N&W) own Roanoke Shops, in 1948. No. 2174 and the other Y6bs were notably some of the most powerful steam locomotives ever built, being able to pull heavy freight and coal trains, unassisted.

The Norfolk and Western classes Y6, Y6a and Y6b were classes of 2-8-8-2 "Mallet" articulated steam locomotives, with a total of 81 locomotives built for the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) between 1936 and 1952.

Mar 6, 2025 · Visually, the most striking spotting feature is the feedwater heater. Y-6b's used a Worthington type SA, which featured a small "box" ahead of the stack, plus a water pump on the left side.

Mar 28, 2017 · Here's a N&W Y6b. Note how the lower part of the smokebox isn't rounded to match the rest of the boiler, but rather is cut away to accomodate the large steam pipes. The Y6b's were traditional compound mallets so the pipe led foreward from the rear engine unit wherre the steam was used first.

The Norfolk and Western Y6b class were a class of 30 2-8-8-2 articulated steam locomotives built at the N&W's Roanoke Shops between 1948 and 1952, numbered 2171-2200. They were used generally for freight service on the N&W, even on timed freights (which is …

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

1/25/02 - After two weeks of "it will clear tomorrow", the Y6b models have finally cleared U.S. Customs and a release order has been issued!! The models will be moved from Detroit Metro airport tomorrow morning and the shipping will begin on Monday.

Between 1948 and 1952, 30 examples of the Y6b followed, which would become the most modern Mallet locomotives in North America. They featured a larger firebox and a special mechanism that allowed them to run at all speeds with single steam expansion, increasing tractive effort at the expense of efficiency.

Our Y6b locomotive with 22-I tender and optional ‘A’ tank auxiliary tender. As mentioned, all versions of our Y6b will be equipped with round smoke box doors, there will be a total of five (5) versions. For purposes of selection, our sample should serve …

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