Steam Locomotive  2-8-8-2 - Mallet Y6b

This particular articulated design is based upon standards praduced during World War I by the U.S.R.A. "United States Raitroad Administration", and the Norfolk & Western had various, less powerful, classes of similar wheels arrangements prior to the appearance of the final and most modem of tbc series-Class Y6b. Deliveries of Y6b's began in 1936 and were constructed in the railroad's own Roanoke Shops-a big boom to the local economy. This class was designed to pull very heavy trains at an average of 30-miles per hour, but they were so well balanced that under favorable conditions they could make 50 miles an hour without damage to either the rails or their chassis. Each Y6b in later years cast tbc company $260,(}00 each, as compared io the earliest versions-class Y3 of World War I, which only cost $91,569 a piece. In later years ali classes of these articulated locomotives had their drivers increased to 58" diameter. Some statistics on the Y6b include: steam pressure: 300 Ibs.; tractive effort: compound 126,838, simple 152,206; Weight of engine and tender 990,120 lbs.; while tbc tenders had a water capacity of 22,000 gallons and a coal capacity of 30 tons. Roller bearings on alt engine and tender axles. Road numbers for this class began with 2171. Later the N&W sold some of these locomotives to various railroads, amongst them-the Santa Fe, the Pennsylvania, the Virginian. These engines had lo be rugged since most of the terrain they operated aver was mountainous and their trains usually consisted of fully loaded coal hopper cars from the mines.

The articulated Locomotive type Mallet "Y 6 b'' of the "Norfolk & Western". A perfect and impressive reproduction of the prototype nr 2197, quite unique in its kind. High power motor, with cardanic transmission, which activated two powered groups of wheels for a total of 4 axles per group. Even if a big model is has a docile and smooth running capability; and thanks also to the articulation, it can work or minimum radius corners 400 mm. Front headlamp is fully operational, as so id the gearings, Tender with « Buckeye » bogies.

This model can be used on the turntable. As it has relative function already mounted.

Length cm. 40,5.

Produced by Rivarossi from 1946 until 1977

In the liveries of: Norfolk & Western, Santa Fe, Pennsylvania, and a generic non decorated version.