Book Description

Norfolk & Western Railways Magnificent Mallets William E. Warden.Subtitled: The Y Class 2-8-8-2s. The N&W 2-8-8-2s hauled coal and fast freights up to the very end of steam in the fall of 196. N&W was the last hold-out for steam against the wave of post-WWII dieselization in the US. Most railroads abandoned the compound articulated design in the mid-192s in favorof the simple (single expansion) articulated design, and except on the N&W the big Mallets were con fined to slow drag freights, hump yards, and coal mine shifters. But N&W refined the design up to the last of the new Y-6bs in 1952, using them on all types of heavy trains in defiance of the proven efficiencies of diesels. This book explores their fascinating history. Sftbd., 8 1/2x 11, 6 pgs., 114b&w ill., 1 maps.