The Y6b was known as the "workhorse of the N&W". Starting with locomotive number 2120 in 1936, the Y6 class would become the final refinement of the 2-8-8-2 design. The model Y6b would be the epitome of the compound Mallet (Malley) development. With the completion of locomotive number 2200 in 1952, this Y6b would become the last mainline US manufactured steam locomotive produced.

The N&W shops in Roanoke, Virginia gave all "Y" Class engine and tender axles roller bearings and they used the same outside frame lead truck as the Class "A". The trailing truck also was equipped with roller bearings which were fit into an outside frame design. With these improvements the Y6's cost considerably more than their earlier brethren, but just as the maintenance records show, these locomotives had a time "available for assignment" rating far superior to any of the predecessors.

The Y6b had a starting tractive effort in simple configuration of 152,206 pounds. While in the compound mode, a tractive effort of 126,838 was achieved. These locomotives delivered 5,500 horsepower, a substantial bit of power indeed. The Y6b locomotive engine weight was 582,900 pounds with 522,850 pounds directly on the drivers.

When the N&W ceased their mainline steam operations in the summer of 1959, 50 of the Y6's were still running out serviceable miles in the coal fields waiting for the final order of diesels to replace them. The last of the Class Y's were retired in the summer of 1960.

Industry-Leading Features:
Product Information:

ALL-NEW Paragon2 Sound & Control System
Synchronized PUFFING SMOKE with Chuff Sound
Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight, Rear Light
Factory Installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
Near-Brass Caliber Detail at a Plastic Price
Heavy Die Cast metal Body with Heavy Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
Locomotive + Tender Length (coupler to coupler): 16.4 inches
Locomotive Weight: 2 lb.
Tender Weight: 12 oz.
Metal Kadee-compatible Couplers (2)
All-Driver Drive and All-Wheel Electrical Pick-up except for pilot trucks/trailing trucks
Separately Applied Handrails, Ladders, Whistle, and Brass Bell
Operating Cab Roof Vents
Will Operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail
Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches

Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon2: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon2 sound and control system. Each Paragon2 locomotive comes with BLI's own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon2 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with: superb back EMF motor control in DC and DCC, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, the same detail level as the original Paragon Series, and the familiar sturdy maroon box!

Industry-Leading SOUND Features:

Operates in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
16-bit Sample Rate for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
Playback Whistle for multiple whistle lengths and patterns
Choice of 3 selectable Horns
Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
Passenger Station Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
Freight Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
Lumber Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
Farm Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
Crew Radio Communications - Controlled with Function Key
Maintenance Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
Demo Mode for display and demonstrations
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Simple Programming with Integral DCC Decoder
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal - When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse. toots three times.
Chuff sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings


**Specifications on this page subject to change.