Set the controls for Roanoke!
Here we see the controls of the sole survivor of Norfolk & Western's amazing Y6 class of 2-8-8-2 freight locomotives. Right now this immaculately preserved machine is at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri along with many other fantastic locomotives including Big Boy 4006 which was just repainted. Recently it was announced that 2156 will make a trip to Roanoke on loan to the Virginia Museum of Transportation where it will join kindred Class A 1218 for a few years. Once 611 is restored, it will be possible to recreate N&W's "Big Three" family portrait with 611, 1218 and 2156 together in one place. With museum permission I climbed up into the cab to take photos. While perhaps a a bit dusty in the cab, 2156 seems as if you could just light a fire and steam her right up. Y6a 2156 does have a kindred older Y3 at the Illinois Transportation Museum. I am always amazed at the myriad of controls in a steam locomotive cab, and how none of them have any labels or even markings. I guess you just have to know what the setting is on each knob.
