226E Tender Question

[ADCX Rob]

EIS2

1) Has this tender been modified with the 'Pennsylvania' markings?

Yes.

EIS2

2) What is the purpose of the pointed nut immediately above the front axle (below the front axle in the image)?  There appears to be a solenoid or something behind it.

Someone has replaced the front coupler-less tender truck with a coupler truck from another tender.   The coupler parts - hook & hood - have been removed and the coil core/armature left.

[cwburfle]

I have not seen that tender with Pennsylvania markings.

It looks like your front truck has a pickup assembly / electromagnet for an operating box coupler.
I know of two mechanisms. One uses a solenoid to move a plunger, which in turn lifts the box coupler head via a metal bar.

The second mechanism, which you appear to have, uses an electromagnet to attract a metal bar attached to the coupler head, lifting it.

The metal bars are very different.

[EIS2]

I have this 226E and tender.  I have two questions:

1) Has this tender been modified with the 'Pennsylvania' markings?  The only tenders I have ever seen with the 226E have the 'Lionel Lines' markings.

2) What is the purpose of the pointed nut immediately above the front axle (below the front axle in the image)?  There appears to be a solenoid or something behind it. 

Thanks...

Earl