PCM Y6b question

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

Hi Ed and others,
 
The allocation of Y6a # 2162 to Bluefield seems a bit of an anomaly.
Other than this loco, all Bluefield Y6s were Y6bs. Why this solitary
exception? If Bluefield required another Y6, why not allocate it
another Y6b? It would have made the job of the Bluefield fitters
easier. Or perhaps that was the point - to enable them to experience
working on earlier Y6 models?
 
It seems generally accepted that, once the earlier locos had been
upgraded, all locos of the 21XX series were (theoretically)
operationally equal in capability. And yet there seems evidence that
some of those involved in operations didn't think so. Why, otherwise,
were Y5s especially relegated to hump and yard duties in the '50s? Or
was that simply because they were older? And why did Y5s congregate at
Auville, as recorded in "Norfolk & Western in Color Volume 1" by Jim
Nichols?
 
The use of SA feedwater heaters on Y6bs must surely have been not
merely a question of aesthetics - although it certainly did (in my
opinion) improve their appearance. On many railroads, BL feedwater
heaters were apparently confined to smaller locos, suggesting that
they were not as effective as the SA type on large locos such as the
N&W Ys. Perhaps had steam lasted longer on the N&W, Y6s and Y6as would
have been altered to SA heaters?
 
Any comments or information on these matters?
 
Frank Hung
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