2224w 2235w. 2245w tender

I can't confirm there was a 2224 variations with a cast in coal pile.   All I have seen have the bakelite coal pile.

Looking at the service reference manual, the 2235T/W, 2224T/W and 2245T/W tenders used the same body and frame.  The only difference between the 2224 and 2235 that I have found is the drawbar used.  The 2224 truck mounted drawbar with the hole and slot.   The frame would have the hole for the top mounted circular drawbar for the 225.    I haven't seen a 2245T/W but  the list shows the 2245T/W and 2235T/W use the same drawbar 2235T-7.  Most likely the rear coupler height is different between the 2235 and 2245 for the two prewar heights.   My list doesn't show the trucks used.

Changing any of these tenders to use a slot drawbar mounted at the front truck can be done.  These are often modified for Postwar trucks

The 224 slot style drawbar will not work on a 225.  I have a postwar drawbar added to my 225, It was from a 736 I believe.  I had to bend a joggle into it near the mount point to get the height and spring slot to align.   Also flatten the little guide clip.  It took a couple of bars.  The first to work it out, but it was too beat up by then.  The second one I bent just once after I figured it out.   It works on my O31 track.   I can't guarantee it will work on 027.   For O27 you may have to grind the drawbar sides down where it goes through the back for more side movement.

This next shows how I mounted the spring through the drawbar, similar to a 726.

I was thinking of putting a proper 225 drawbar  up high as usual for a 2235 or 2245 tender but also incluude a postwar drawbar on the  front truck so that a  postwar "Baby Hudson" or Berkshire could pull a string of pre-war cars

I am wondering if the cast in cole pile came when MPC  brought the tender back for the Alton set and JLC loco  as everything else looks right

Please see attached tender shell photos