Surviving 2-8-8-2's

[dredmann]

The database at steamlocomotive.com says that there are two surviving standard-gauge 2-8-8-2's, both N&W, one a Y-3 and the other a Y-6a, both at museums in the midwest. However, neither museum's web site seems to indicate the presence of such a locomotive, and I can find no pictures of either at railpictures.net. So: are there really any surviving 2-8-8-2's, and if so, what and where? Thanks!

Dave

[MopacBarrettTunnel]

N&W Y6b 2156 is at The Museum of Transport here in St. Louis.  Sister Y3 2050 is at the Illinois Railway Museum.

[dknelson]

The IRM website is not the easiest to navigate but they do have info and a picture of their 2-8-8-2.   I seem to recollect that at one time the N&W expressed interest in leasing the engine back and adding it to their steam excursion roster. 

http://www.irm.org/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi?steam=Norfolk+&+Western=2050

Photographer: Walter P. Murphy

Dave Nelson

 

[feltonhill]

2156 is a Y6a.  No Y6b's survived.

[dinwitty]

I was in the cab of the Y3 so I know its there. 8-D

[dredmann]

Thanks for the updates. Are there any relatively recent, decent-sized (say, 640x480 or larger) pictures of either locomotive online?

Dave

[spokyone]

Thanks for the updates. Are there any relatively recent, decent-sized (say, 640x480 or larger) pictures of either locomotive online?

Dave

Here you go. This is best one at St. Louis
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=822737

 

[MopacBarrettTunnel]

2156 is a Y6a.  No Y6b's survived.

True; I'll admit to laziness in going with 2156's upgraded status, rather than her as-built status.  However, to my logic - based on my own research - the difference between the Y6 a and b classes seems to be more a matter of semantics, rather than a concrete, radical mechanical difference.  Sorta like EMD's mind-games with it's NC's and NC2's, or the later BL1 / BL2 "nuances."

[feltonhill]

The Y6 and Y6a were identical in appearance as far as I can tell.  The only reliable spotting difrernce is the loco number. 

The Y6b's had a different feedweater heater and air pump locations.  The Y6/Y6a had aWorthington BL on the fireman's side and two air pumps on the engineer's side.  The Y6b's had a newer type, same as that used on the J's and A's, with the heater in front of the stack.  The Y6b's had one air pump on each side.  The slightly longer smokebox gave the Y6bs an almost elegant appearance from the 3/4 front view (IMO anyway).  No long "front porch".   A Y6b viewed from the side is about the most compact "block" of power you can imagine.  There just isn't any wasted space.

N&W liked standardization, and there was virtually no difference in the Y5-Y6b's as far as performance is concerned after all the improvements were installed in the mid-50s.

[dredmann]

Thanks, that picture on rrpicturearchives was the best recent one I've seen so far.

Not long after I posted this question, I found (maybe at the Virginia Museum of Transportation web site?) the statement that Mr. Moorman has, three times, publicly called for the return of 2156 to Roanoke. It makes you wonder what plans are spinning around in the back of his head. I had always assumed that a mallet would make a bad excursion engine not only for its huge upkeep and operating costs but also for its low speed. Then I read that the Y-6's were designed for speeds up to 55 mph. That and all roller bearings sounds quite interesting . . .

 

[BigJim]

There is more than a few people that would like to see the "Big Three" united again!

[CAZEPHYR]

The database at steamlocomotive.com says that there are two surviving standard-gauge 2-8-8-2's, both N&W, one a Y-3 and the other a Y-6a, both at museums in the midwest. However, neither museum's web site seems to indicate the presence of such a locomotive, and I can find no pictures of either at railpictures.net. So: are there really any surviving 2-8-8-2's, and if so, what and where? Thanks!

Dave

 I have been to both of the museums and each has a 2-8-8-2.  The Y3 is under cover in one of the buildings at IRM and the Y6a is now under cover at St. Louis.

I viewed the Y6b at the St. Louis passenger station about fifteen years ago when they moved it up to the station for temporary display at one of the conventions.   It was moved back to the museum later on that summer, but it was towed both directions.  

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=473

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=742

 

 

Cheers

[BigJim]

CAZ,
  The 2156 at St. Louis is a Y6a.

[Virginian]

There is currently a picture and data book out on 2156.  I don't have it but it looks pretty good.  Warden's book, "N&W's Magnificent Mallets" is quite good, and of course Prince's "N&W; Pocahontas Coal Carrier" and Jeffries' "N&W; Giant of Steam" are both great and full of all kinds of pictures.  Your library may have some or all of them.  We often forger about libraries, but they have a lot of good stuff.  Like the online image base of N&W photographs at the Virginia Tech library.  Go Hokies!  (Gee, ever wonder how Va Tech and the N&W got the same colors?)

www.vt.edu

 

[dredmann]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, the three books you mention all appear to be out of print. I quick check at Amazon shows that the cheapest prices are, respectively, $120, $150, and $50. Of course, if you have any suggested sources for acquiring these books, that would be appreciated.

 

[BigJim]

Of course, if you have any suggested sources for acquiring these books, that would be appreciated.

Go here:

http://www.nwhs.org/

and click on "Commissary". Then order up.

[Virginian]

Dude, look HERE !

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/testdata/nw/nw.html

It's F R E E !!

[dredmann]

Thank you, sir. A quick look there (specifically, http://www.nwhs.org/commissary/Books-Others.html) showed:

N&W Y Class Articulated Steam Locos - "This book is a complete revisitation of the 64 page softcover book released in 1993 as N&W's Magnificent Mallets" - listed as "Not Printed---TBA", tentatively priced at $29.95

N&W: Giant of Steam (Revised Edition) - apparently available at $59.95

N&W: Pocahontas Coal Carrier - apparently not listed

I think I will have to get Giant of Steam.

[New Haven I-5]

Thanks for the updates. Are there any relatively recent, decent-sized (say, 640x480 or larger) pictures of either locomotive online?

Dave

Here you go. This is best one at St. Louis
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=822737

 

Great condition!!

[espeefoamer]

I saw the N&W 2-8-8-2 in St Louis in 1967 at the museum's old location.The loco was parked on a curve there,showing the swiveling front set of drivers.I remember being fascinated by this as a teenager.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[Virginian]

All are at Amazon, but I was past astounded to see that "Magnificient Mallets" and "Pocahontas Coal Carrier" are both over $150.00.  Wonder what my personally autographed "Pocahontas" version is worth.  (Richard Prince knew my Grandfather)

[ndbprr]

The Y3 at IRM was the standby steam source for the #2 open Hearth at Armco Steel in Middletown Ohio for many years.  I climbed all over it when I worked there in the late 60's.  It defniitely exists at the IRM.  i was surprised at how short it was when I first saw it in the plant.

[Virginian]

An example of the photos contained in the Virginia Tech Image Database.  HUNDREDS.

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns1003.jpeg