while writing this https://www.marklin-user...ault.aspx?g=posts&t=7007 I started thinking of this idea that I'm sure some of you might find appeasing.

scratchbuild a tender or few and optionally put in fixed quarter to half full load of coal then leave it as it is and build a operating coal tipple tower (if you're rather into coal bunkers by the trackside..hmm tricky..operateable coal scooper crane?) and have the steam locomotive(s) coming out of the shed to head to the tipple to fill up before going out on their assignments .. one more relastic operation detail to watch

My (really) old 3000 and 3005 look the part of discarded locos and I have them in "Rotten Row" which is a section of Hornby Flexi-track that runs off my turntable and will be beside my Roundhouse when I finally build it.
I have removed the contact shoes and couplings and then I had the same idea.
Use a Dremel cutter around the edges of the coal and cut it away (and the support struts underneath) and lower the coal feature to the bottom of the tender, scratch building the sides if required.