These big locomotives developed over 100,000 pounds of tractive effort on their 16 57 inch drivers and weighed in at 240 tons. Alco, Baldwin and the N&W all built various examples of the class. Major differences between subclasses of the Y-2 and Y-3 were cylinder size, boiler tubes and tenders. The locomotives enjoyed long careers on many lines, but none as long as the N&W. These earlier 2-8-8-2s were in service as late as 1959. The N&W was still building new 2-8-8-2′s, the ultra-modern Y-6b, in 1952

Six Y3s served on the Pennsylvania Railroad, five on the Union Pacific, and eight on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. In 1948 seven were sold to the Virginian Railway

 
Here is the American Flyer version of the Y3 inside out.

 
The Y3 chassis is  running in on the treadmill testing the drive systems. Note the backhead firebox glow the ashpan glow LEDs.               

 
To remove the shell from the chassis there are 5 screws to remove. One is behind the smokebox door.                                                                          

 
Two more are in the center of the loco.

 
The other two at the rear of the loco.

 
The cow catcher and front cylinder details. 

 
This is the pilot truck detail.

 
Trailing truck detail.

The BEMC Legacy Driver board is in the middle of 
the chassis. It is the latest design similar to the U-33's. 

The motor and drive is a new design for AF locos. The motor is fixed to the chassis therefore eliminating any  strain on the wiring.  You can see the slotted holes for the drivers assembly swivel screws.  
                                                                    

 
The Legacy RCDR receiver is the latest type and is coded for the Y3s.                                                         

 
The drive coupling is greatly improved over the Challenger and Big Boy designs and should not have any coupling  wear issues.                          

 
Here is the new design fan driven smoke unit.
 The fan runs at low speed at idle.                     

 
Here is the innards of the smoke unit. It has a 16 ohm element.                                                            

 
The rear tender  truck has an Electrocoupler and is articulated.                                                                      

 
 
Bottom view of the new tender truck design

 
There is a new option on this loco that will identify the    loco as it passes over sensors in the track and can be used for triggering scripts you program for accessories and other future automation features.                               

 
The draw bar is self centering on the tender and loco. It closely couples to the loco.                       

 
The tender casting is beautifully done with realistic coal added.                                                                                  

 
There is a working backup light.

The tender has a new sound baffle system.

Here is the  Railsounds board and volume           control. The volume knob is accessible through a removable water hatch on the tender.