User:Mista Trainmasta/sandbox/Norfolk & Western 2174

The Norfolk & Western Steam Locomotive number #2174 is a 2-8-8-2 articulated mallet type steam locomotive built in 1948 by the Norfolk & Western's Roanoke Shops. #2174 is a Norfolk & Western class Y6B. N&W Y6Bs are said to be the most Powerful steam locomotives to ever thunder down the tracks. #2174 spent its years hauling heavy freight and coal trains on the N&W. As diesel and electric locomotives grew increasingly popular on other railroads,the Norfolk & Western decided to start withdrawing most of their mighty steam brutes. In 1959, #2174 lead a "Farewell To Steam" Excursion and shortly after sold to a scrapyard in Roanoke, Virginia. After 16 years of rotting away in the scrapyard, The scrapyard's manager had decided to sell the locomotive for $10,000, but for railfans that tried to save the #2174,it was impossible. To cripple the goal for $10,000, the manager unfortunately had passed away, and the person who took his spot was a new, impatient manager. The new manager had no intent on selling #2174,and the #2174 was quickly scrapped. This is very sad because the Y6B is my favorite locomotive and it is sad to say that despite the efforts that railfans tried to save it, poor #2174 had suffered a fate that it would've gone through if it had been cut up years before.

But, Fortunately N&W's Y class 2-8-8-2 "Mallet Mikados" are still existing. #2174's predecessor relatives that survive are Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2 Class Y3A #2050, and Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2 Y6A #2156. #2156 keeps the link in the chain, of Roanoke's Big Three. Roanoke's Big Three consisted of a Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 1941 J Class, A Norfolk & Western 2-6-6-4 1936 A Class, and a Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2 Y6 Class. The surviving members that make up Roanoke's Big Three are Norfolk & Western #611, Norfolk & Western #1218, and Norfolk & Western #2156. A Replica of #2174 is planned, but progress has either gone sluggish, or unfortunately ceased.