Great pictures of the #340 thanks Dave, Rick and all ! Steve and I have researched these tender pretty extensively and here is that info.
The header picture that was posted by Student Was taken sitting next to the Montrose roundhouse by a couple of people. Maxwell took the same shot. Maxwell, by the way, told at least two people I know of that the boiler was not green,(nor the 605) it just showed up that way in the photo. This tender still survives with the #340 at Knott's Berry. THis tender was on #317 until going to 318 in 1935. It then went to #340 in about 1950. then to Knott's 3/13/1952
The picture Rick posted has what we call the "beadless tender" This tender was on #345 while being used on the C&S and went to #340 by 8/1940. It then went to #318 by 1950 so it would have the capacity to work the Ouray branch.
Dave's first picture shows the "long tender". I have seen a Don Rodgers photo taken in early 1938 with that tender in the same spot. This tender was on #340 in 1933 and went to #317 by 10/24/1940. It went to #315 7/1941 and stayed they until the beautiful rebuild a few years ago.
Dave's second picture is from Kindig. THere is a Burt Ward almost identical taken 6/1940. It shows the "tall tender" that is very short in length. This tender was on #318 1933-1935 until the Pagosa branch was abandoned. It then went to 317 until 1940. then to 340 but was never used. It went to the #345 by 8/1941 was later used as the Durango switcher.
Interesting note about #340. It was serviced with a new firebox in 1936. It was set out in Gunnison and not used, although it switched tenders. It sat there until 12/1941 when it went to the RGS for 1 1/2 years until the end of July 1943. Then it sat again until 3/1944 before becoming the Gunnison switch engine.
Would love to see some more photos!
Tony Kassin
