The first 2-8-8-2 Mallet locomotives were built by Baldwin in 1908 for the Southern Pacific. Over its many years of service, the 2-8-8-2 proved itself to be a capable hauler on mountain grades, enabling the replacement of several smaller locomotives and hauling longer trains than before. These massive workhorses provided reliable service, primarily with mountain railroads, until the end of steam in 1960.
The final and most modern of the 2-8-8-2 were the Class Y6b's built in the Roanoke Shops of the Norfolk & Western in 1936. These locomotives were so successful that in 1954 the N&W tested an A-B-B-A set of Electro-Motive F7's against Y-6b #2197 and, at the time, were not impressed enough with the diesels to place orders. The N&W would eventually roster 191 of the remarkable Y-6b's. Finally, the Y6b's also had the honor of closing out N&W's legendary steam era when #2190 departed for the last time from Williamson, West Virginia on May 6, 1960.
Through the years, the PRR did roster a few 2-8-8-2's first receiving one Class HH1s #3396 from ALCO in 1911. This unique loco provided workman pusher service until scrapped in 1928. They also purchased six Y3's Mallets from the N&W in 1943. We could find no evidence that they ever rostered any Y-6b's. Rivarossi, which offered the first model of Y6b #2197 in authentic N&W livery in 1964, proceeded to produce, upgrade and offer successive versions of N&W #2197 until 1977 when, no doubt bowing to economics, they also released it in Santa Fe and PRR livery with both also numbered 2197. Production ceased after 1977 until their final N&W Y6-b was offered for a single year in 1997. Several other manufacturers have since offered their own versions of the legendary Y6b.
FEATURES:
Upgraded C-8 Condition with Very Good Original Box and Repro Paperwork
Little or no evidence of run time.
MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified.
Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Directional Back up Light.
Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Always On Doghouse Light.
One-piece boilers, engine covers, cabs and tenders of pressure-cast high impact plastic.
Steel main and side rods, guides, hand rails, fittings and coupler lift bars.
Twelve Wheel Long Haul Tender.
Scale 58" Drivers.
Many additional fine details.
Powerful Can Motor with .7 Amp Maximum Current Draw.
Dual "Cardanic" Drive System provides power to all 16 Drivers .
Silent, flexible drive and slippage-free oversize knurled drive wheel axles.
Easy rolling steel needle point truck axles.
Upgraded with working rear Knuckle Coupler.
Optional Upgrades Available:
SOUNDTRAXX 852204 Standard DCC Decoder Installed.
SOUNDTRAXX 852204 Standard DCC Decoder w/810160 Keep Alive Installed.
SOUNDTRAXX TSU1100 Digital DCC/Sound Decoder Installed.
SOUNDTRAXX TSU1100 Digital DCC/Sound Decoder w/810160 Keep Alive Installed.
SOUNDTRAXX TSU2200 Ltd. Edition "Big Steam" Digital DCC/Sound Decoder installed
