I need a piece for a Life Like Proto E8. It is the piece on the lower front end that the coupler goes thru. I don't know if it is called the plow or whatever. I called Walthers that owns Life Like and they said that it has been discontinued and the parts are no longer available. I really don't want to have to buy an E8 dummy just to get the part. Besides I need three of them. I bought three custom painted shells at my LHS but the bottom front was not included. He suggested calling Walthers. Anyone know of a source for them. I would rather not have to fabricate them and possibly mess up the shells. Thanks
The only part I found on Ebay is this...HO brass E-8/9 diesel nose by Challenger Imports ...I don't think this is what you're looking for...sorry. But a dummy Proto 2000 E-8 can be purchased on ebay in the auction style format for as little as $20. Are both your A units powered? If not you can use the motor for your unpowered A unit and take the part you need and do whatever you want with the rest of the shell.
I beleive what you are looking for is a pilot.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/190-442 (http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/190-442)
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/229-2214 (http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/229-2214)
The E7/8/9 and F units all had the same or similar pilots offered. Note that there are two basic types, coupler hidden or coupler always exposed.
If you are looking for a pilot, call Walthers again, and ask for E7 pilots, they just released a NYC E7.
Thanks for the help ABC and Nigel. Nigel that is exactly what I am looking for and I will call about the E7.
You might also be able to go the Details West route. They make detail castings for numerous locomotives. Pilots, grills and headlight fixtures being among the most useful I've found.