Norfolk & Western Class W6 0-8-0T Steam Powered Shop Switcher
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Rolling Stock |
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| Status: |
Final Release |
| Last Update: |
Tue Sep 17 2002, 09:03am |
| Leader: |
brperry - Bruce Perry |
United States |
| Team: |
n/a |
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Norfolk & Western Class W6 0-8-0T Steam Powered Shop Switcher
Most US railroads' steam powered shop switchers, were rebuilt road and yard switchers that had seen better days. The Norfolk & Western RR converted all of their Class W6 Shifters from Class W and W1 2-8-0 freight haulers built in the very late 1800s and early 1900s.
Shop switchers, sometimes referred to as shifters or shop goats, move wrecked or otherwise unpowered locomotives, detached tenders and damaged rolling stock, to and from various repair, maintenance and holding facilities within the engine yard. The shop switcher's shortness is a deliberate design feature, explained by their need to accompany their consist during maneuvers on the yard turntable and engine shop transfer tables.
The N&W Class W6, at just less than 42 feet, sacrificed pilot and trailer wheelsets and coal tender. The W6 carried up to 4,000 pounds of coal in an ad hoc coal bunker located directly behind the cab. The W6 also featured a "sporty" 2,000 gallon saddletank draped across the boiler near the center of the locomotive. This saddletank held enough water for about two (2) hours of operation between refills.
Class W6 Statistics
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Weight: 186,900 pounds
Boiler Pressure: 200 PSI
Bore & Stroke: 21" x 30"
Tractive Effort: 40,163 pounds
Length: 41 feet 11.5 inches between pulling faces
Height: 15 feet 3.25 inches to top of steam whistle on rear boiler dome
Drivers: 56 inch diameter
Operation: From the early 1900s until 1960
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