The Pennsylvania Railroad's class B6 was its most successful class of switcher locomotive, or as the PRR termed them "shifter". The PRR preferred the 0-6-0 wheel arrangement for larger switchers, whereas on other railroads the 0-8-0 gained preference.

Top Photo: Shown here (L to R) are PRR engines #1670, #94, #460, and #6755; all are presently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. #1670 is a B-6SB (0-6-0) switcher built in Juniata in March of 1916.

PRR 0-6-0 1670 by R. Glueck. Class B6sb 0-6-0 #1670. This 0-6-0 "shifter" had modern features like superheating, a power reverse, and a Belpaire firebox making it a very "modern" 0-6-0. After retirement, 1670 was stored for a time at Northumberland, PA. Photos. PRR 1670 (2009 photo courtesy Richard Duley) PRR 1670 (2011 photo courtesy R. Glueck)

The B6sb No. 1670 is the first of five historic Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives to be stabilized as part of the Ready For The Roundhouse project. Next up is the H10s No. 7688, which is in a containment area prior to undergoing media blasting, painting and basic repairs.

PRR 1670, B-6SB, c. 1957 : Burkey. Here is a photo by an unidentified photographer that was taken in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, c. 1957. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #1670, a B-6SB (0-6-0) switcher built in Juniata during March of 1916 and presently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. (#7 of 25)

PRR built 1670 in their Juniata shops in 1916. The locomotive weighs 180,300 lbs and has 56" drivers and 22" x 24" cylinders. It also has the distinctive sloped tender of a yard switcher. PRR 1670 is housed in the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

When it came to switchers, here called “shifters”, the PRR stuck to locomotives with a maximum of three axles, but still sufficient tractive power until the mid-20s. The most successful class here was the B6, of which a total of 372 were built between 1902 and 1920.

Aug 13, 2022 · Replace and rivet the really worn down pieces and get rid of existing rust so it will stop rusting. Then onto the next steam engine. There's a number that will get this treatment …

Jan 11, 2025 · PRR 1670, B-6SB, c. 1957 : Description: Burkey. Here is a photo by an unidentified photographer that was taken in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, c. 1957. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #1670, a B-6SB (0-6-0) switcher built in Juniata during March of 1916 and presently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg ...

The Pennsylvania Railroad class B6 were the most successful class of 0-6-0 switcher, or as the PRR termed them, "shifter". The Altoona Works constructed the prototype B6 in 1902. The B6 had the Pennsylvania's trademark square-shouldered Belpaire firebox and 56-inch (1.422 m) drivers.