A short discussion on the differences of Lionel's 224 engine.
Prewar 224 was cataloged 1938 - 1942
Silver Hand Rails, Squared off cab floor, long silver drawbars on both,
Variations include: Black with black metal 2224W Tender
Black with Black plastic 2224W Tender
Gun Metal Gray metal 2224W Tender
Gun Metal Gray sheet metal tender 2689W
Postwar 224 cataloged in 1945 as part of the only set which was outfit 463
Black Hand Rails, Squared off cab floor, only engine had a long black draw bar
The 1945 tender also had black hand rails and an oval punched out in frame
*Note that the postwar tenders did not have side hand rails on tender vs prewar
Postwar 224 cataloged in 1946
Silver hand rails engine & tender(a few are known to have black handrails)
Cab floor changed to a rounded end and not squared off like previously
Both engine and tender now have black draw bars