This is for you D&RGW standard steam era folks. Did the D&RGW have any 4-8-2 Mountains with 3 axle Vanderbult tender?
I went through D&RGW Historical Society on line and did not find any.
D&RGW:
No, all of the 1500 and 1600 series Rio Grande 4-8-2's had standard 6-axle coal tenders. The only two series of Rio Grande steam that had 4-axle Vanderbuilt tenders were the 1000 series 2-8-0's, and the 1400 series F-81 2-10-2's. The 1000 series 2-8-0's came from Baldwin early in the 20th century, and were largely supplanted by the 1100 series of 2-8-0;s from Alco. From what I understand, many of the 1000 series ended up being rebuilt into narrow gauge locomotives.
The F-81 2-10-2's were used primarily as road power and helper locomotives on coal trains over Soldier Summit in Utah, and since their running range was relatively short, they retained their original stubby 4-axle Vanderbuilt tenders for the most part, during their entire running lives. Some of them were given 6-axle tenders from scrapped 2-8-8-2's that the Rio Grande bought from Norfolk and Western during WWII, but several of them retained their Vandy's from building to scrapping. 2-10-2 #1408 was one example. Here's a photograph of my PSC model on my own layout--as you can see, the Vandy tender is large and short.
But as far as the 4-8-2's, they retained their original 6-axle tenders throughout their working lives. Unlike some other railroads, the Rio Grande very seldom if ever 'changed out' tender types on their locomotives. Here's a photo of one of my 1500 series 4-8-2's to illustrate.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!