Making Tracks 
July 2025

N&W Y6, Y6a and Y6b

By Greg Warth, Editor

Y6aBy ausdew - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ausdew/52796690476/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146584593 (Y6a-photo by Wes Barris)

The Y5, Y6a and Y6b were Norfolk and Western classes of very powerful 2-8-8-2 "Mallet" articulated steam locomotives built in the 1930s by the Roanoke Shops and were used primarily for long coal trains coming out from the Appalachian and Blue Ridge coal mines. Public demand for coal was one of the few commodities that increased during the Great Depression. These engines were built with cast steel frames, roller bearings for the wheels and automatic lubricators. In addition to coal, they pulled merchandise freight trains, operated as mine shifters on branch lines, switchers and humpers in yards and pushers for heavy trains going up steep grades. Of the 81 that were built, only one, No. 2156, of the Y6as survived and was donated to the National Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, Missouri. It was leased to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke between 2025 and 2020.

Train Song of the Month
Presented by Frank Reed

Freight Train Blues
Bob Dylan (1962)

https://youtu.be/ZOwU5q0zFT4?si=x6vSwoDd-Pvawkgq

Other notable versions:
Red Foley 1935
Roy Acuff  1947

"Freight Train Blues" was the last song Bob Dylan recorded to appear on his debut album, Bob Dylan (1962).  The recording session took place at Columbia's studios in New York City on November 22, 1961.  The album notes indicate that the song "was adapted from an old disk by Roy Acuff".
John Lair's 1930s composition is identified as the base for the song.

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Considered by many as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

For more “train songs” check out the “Train Songs for Model Railroad ” YouTube playlist at

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL07n2-n5FoRHYzhKfA--soywuLOFvEv1l&si=IODFaTIeOe7OBQ7G

Our STEAM Program Opens Tomorrow!

Our first session will be a hands-on clinic showing how to make rocks and trees on Wednesday, July 9 at the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads in MacArthur Center from 1-3pm. There is no fee required for this session. The first lesson will be an introduction to the program, a hands-on clinic showing how to create rocks and trees for scenery, and how to weather buildings, locomotives and railcars to look aged and more realistic.

Our next scheduled session will include building a table and creating a track plan.

Later in the program we will be learning about how to design a model railroad using scientific and mathematical principles. You will learn terms like theme, purpose, era, locale, radius, circumference, oval, rectangular, angles, S curves, parallel curves, taking measurements, mainlines, branch lines, switches, turnouts, polarity, how electricity works, electrical shorts, bus lines, feeder wires, and more.

Handouts will be available that students can take home. Any materials that are needed for these early sessions will be provided. Later we may ask for a small fee to cover the cost of modeling materials.

We will also discuss how often students wish to meet, along with the duration of each meeting, the different phases of the program, and what we hope to accomplish over the next several months.

These meetings are intended to be fun and also a learning process. Students should never be afraid to ask questions. There are no formal tests or grades. But the ones who learn the most, have the best attendance, get along best with the others, or have the best leadership qualities may receive a prize at the end of the program.

MacArthur Center

It appears that our Museum will have to move at the end of this year or shortly thereafter. The City has other plans for the Mall. Rest assured however that we will still be somewhere close by. With any luck, we might be able to move into the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) at that time, but there are no guarantees of that. If you would like to see us  continue our work in that building please call or send a letter to your Councilman or Councilwoman and let them know.  Thank you for your support!

Videos of the Month: How to Make Rocks & Trees for Your Model Railroad

Thank you!

Thanks for reading our newsletter and for visiting our website. If you haven't seen our Museum yet, please stop by from 12-6 on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday to see what we're working on. We love seeing and talking to our visitors. We're on the second floor of MacArthur Mall in Norfolk, VA. If you have any questions, call 757-816-8399. Hope to see you soon.

Sign Up for the Newsletter Here!

Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads Logo ©

Share this site on your favorite Social Media page!

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Making-Tracks-July-2025

    Jul 08, 25 09:50 AM

    Y6a
    Making Tracks is the official newsletter for the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads bringing you the latest updates and photos from the Museum.

    Read More

  2. Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads Photo Gallery

    Jun 17, 25 08:49 AM

    Warrington
    Enjoy the gallery of photos submitted by the model railroaders of the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads.

    Read More

  3. Making Tracks June 2025

    Jun 13, 25 11:49 AM

    The official newsletter for the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads.

    Read More

The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads is a fantastic community center based on running, operating and even building your own model railroads! There's something for every age here.

Learn about the real history of this area and how important it was in the building of America. Watch how railroads were built, the people involved, where America's roots were formed. 

As they build their own railroads, students will be learning about science, electronics,  architecture, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the art of 3 dimensional model landscaping. They can earn rewards for completing projects and winning contests.

Try to solve yardmaster problems on a switching layout like getting the lumber from the forest to the furniture store, by way of the saw mill and the lumber yard.

Run your train around blockades and other trains to get to the station on time without speeding or crashing.

Play railroad monopoly using model railroads. Winner is the one who can collect the most cars into his yard within an hour.

There will be programs for autistic and special needs kids, disabled adults and veterans.

School tours. Holiday Shows. Library and video rooms.  Even youngsters will have their own wooden models to enjoy. There are classes and hands-on clinics for adults. Learn how to get started in the hobby. Or just enjoy the fun.

Everybody loves trains and this will prove it!  Just click on the either the blue DONATE button below to make it happen... 

PayPal Giving Fund:

No Credit Card Fees

DONATE

OR...

Charitable Donations through PayPal,  Credit or Debit cards:

(Opt in or out of paying credit card fees)

Get Updates and Special Offers in 
the MRMHR Newsletter:
Making Tracks 
Sign Up Here...

The official newsletter for the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads