So I just bought myself one of these on eBay, but it's still delayed by weather somewhere in the country, last known position was somewhere in Pennsylvania(I'm in California, the seller is in PA). I've been trying to figure out the differences between the various N&W Ys, but the trail is extremely convoluted. What are the differences between variants?
This site is a decent start. Not fully accurate across types, but close enough for a start:
Steam Locomotive dot Com
In the top marqee, find 'wheel type' or whatever it is, scroll down through the index until Mallets and Articulated, then find the roads you're insterested in, and then look at the information provided by clicking.
"N&W: Giant of Steam" is a good book, by Jeffries. N&W heritage site store or possibly on amazon.
Steven,"N&W Giant of Steam 2nd or Revised Edition" would be your best source of information. You won't be dissappointed.Also, try "Norfolk And Western Steam The Last 25 Years". It is a much smaller softbound book and will get you started on the different classes of N&W Y locomotives.
.
The Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 represents Norfolk & Western Class Y-3 original USRA 2-8-8-2's, constructed under US Government control based upon blueprints actually provided by N&W for the Y-2a engines. There is another book--Uncle Sam's Locomotives--that also has great information about this story.
Road numbers for Class Y-3 were 2000 to 2049, if I remember correctly, and these were among the engines that went secondhand to many railroads during WWII (also older Y-2a's went as well). Class Y-3a represents an N&W "upgrade" or what is known as basically a "USRA Copy" locomotive. There were I believe 30 Y-3a's beginning with engine number 2050.
The Proto 2000 N&W model represents the typical 1930's and later appearance of the N&W Y-3 original USRA engines (after N&W rebuilding), with the big Worthington BL-2 feedwater heater on the left side of the boiler, which moved air pumps to the right side of the boiler. They retained that appearance till the end.
Other Proto 2000 models depending on roadname (not N&W, ATSF, or PRR) may represent the original as delivered USRA 2-8-8-2, with air pumps located on the front of the smokebox.
I've read and studied much about these engines through the years...and forgotten some. N&W found they could build their own 2-8-8-2's and made many changes through the years, also building several classes and subclasses ultimately culminating in the Y-6B. ALL later classes are variations/upgrades of the original USRA Y-3 design, which itself was heavily based on the N&W Y-2a. Numerous upgrades were made through the years, even after engines were in service as they were rebuilt. Cast frames, roller bearings, the latest appliances to get the most out of compound steam operation...
The Y-6B represents the ultimate development of the compound 2-8-8-2.
Respectfully submitted.
John
PRR8259The Y-6B represents the ultimate development of the compound 2-8-8-2.
Perhaps more interesting is why so little dimensional change was involved in the refinements; why there was little way to improve on that chassis layout even by the 1950s.
And while we are on the subject of ultimate developments, ATSF seriously thought about using the 'evolved' N&W boiler on a class of 4-8-4s (!!) which let's face it would be glorious. Probably have been given rotary-cam poppet valve gear, too. All that would remain would be to borrow Voyce Glaze's balancing book for a bit...
We had a Y3 at Armco steel in Middletown, Ohio that was used to supply steam to the open hearth when the power plant went down for maintenance. At some point probably mid 80s it was moved to the Illinois Railroad Museum in Union (I think) Illinois where it is on static display. People would come from all over the country to take photos of it in the mill.
OP didn't state if his engine is Life-Like or Walthers. There was one batch of LL engines that came with bad motors...or maybe to say it better, motors that over time go bad and have to be replaced.
yup, that's 2050. If I visit Illinoi I'll check it out.
ndbprr We had a Y3 at Armco steel in Middletown, Ohio that was used to supply steam to the open hearth when the power plant went down for maintenance. At some point probably mid 80s it was moved to the Illinois Railroad Museum in Union (I think) Illinois where it is on static display. People would come from all over the country to take photos of it in the mill.