by using locomotives with secret modifications unsuited for daily work. However, the greater weight of evidence and analysis indicates that N&W did not cheat on these tests, and that the only improvements were the ones N&W publicized and later incorporated into many locomotives. Also, the major participants in this debate all appear to agree that N&W did ultimately modify most of its Y5, Y6, Y6a, and Y6b locomotives (including N&W 2156) with a new "intercepting/reducing valve" and ballast on the front engine, which increased their tractive effort. Operational history Norfolk & Western used 2156 and the other Y6-class locomotives primarily for slower, heavy freight trains in the more mountainous districts in the Pocahontas, Radford and Shenandoah Divisions. They mostly hauled manifest freight and coal trains. When diesel locomotives took over the mainline steam operations, the Y6-type locomotives spent their last two years mostly on mine and other coal-field runs. In July 1959, N&W donated 2156 to the National Museum of Transportation. Current status The museum cosmetically restored the locomotive in 1985. In 2014, the museum agreed to lease the locomotive to Norfolk Southern and the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia, in return for an EMD FT B unit. On May 9–12, 2015, the locomotive was towed to its temporary home. On May 31, 2015, 2156 was reunited with N&W Class A No. 1218 and the recently restored Class J No. 611 as N&W's "The Big Three". On June 10, 2020, 2156 left the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, VA to go back to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation. It arrived back at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation on June 15, 2020. The locomotive remains on static display in St. Louis as of 2021. References External links On display at the Museum of Transportation, July 22, 2007, Tracy Bone's Railroad Picture Archives Mallet locomotives 2-8-8-2 locomotives Freight locomotives Individual locomotives of the United States 2156 Compound locomotives Standard gauge locomotives of the United States Railway locomotives introduced in 1942 Preserved steam locomotives of Missouri