It seems the D&RG tried this experiment too. That famous Fred Jukes shot of the Chama enginehouse with 7 locomotives in view (1908) - shown in Narrow Gauge in the Rockies as well as CRM Annual #9 - shows #401 with the main rod connected to the #3 axle. 401 later became 345. I have yet to find another pic of a D&RG engine converted as such. The C-17's (#'s 417-422, later 300-304) and the X-F&CC engines (#'s 424-429, later 315-320) were built that way so they don't count. What we're looking for is a 200 or 400-411 class engine with a main rod connected to #3.
Happy picture hunting.