Life Like Proto 2000 Coupler Box Cover Plate

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am looking for a few Life Like Proto 2000 Coupler Box Cover Plates. This particular coupler box cover plate is a bit unique in that it snaps into place and is held secure by two tabs on the coupler box, as seen in the attached photo. You should be able to enlarge the photo by clicking on it.

There are workarounds and coupler conversion kits, but I am looking for exact replacements. Anyone know of any sources for this particular cover plate?

Rich

2

You might find some from Walthers, but I’d guess that you could also use one that you have, as a pattern, to make your own from sheet styrene of a similar thickness. Evergreen has various thicknesses of black sheet-styrene.

Wayne

3

A previous thread here with some suggestions:

https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/187271.aspx

You may also have some luck posting a WTB on HOSwap.

4

Good idea, Wayne, and I actually have tried that with some success. However, the actual plate has a raised circular rim on one side of the coupler box coupler plate to hold the coupler in place. So, I would prefer to find the actual cover plate.

Rich

5

Thanks for that link, maxman. I had actually seen that thread in which Sheldon pushes for the Kadee #455 coupler conversion kit, but I am hoping to locate the actual cover plate rather than install a complete coupler conversion kit.

Rich.

6

I’ll look in my “stash” (or is it cache?) later. I recently retrofitted half a dozen E units with Kadee #453 swing adapters and I’m pretty sure I have spares like that.

How many ya’ looking for?

Cheers, Ed

7

Rich.

I saw your post and had a look in my parts box. I’m sorry to say I do not have one. I do have a P2K GP7 that was converted using a KD #5 box and a short 2/56 screw.

Pete.

8

Thanks for looking, Pete. Much appreciated.

Rich

9

Ed, I need two. If you manage to come up with them, you will receive a king’s ransom.

The Walthers Proto line uses a different coupler arrangement. But the Life Like Proto 2000 uses the coupler box coupler plate that I am looking for. I can say for sure that the cover plate is used on the E6 and E7, the PA and PB and the Erie-Built.

Rich

10

Here’s some of what I have, Rich. I’ll throw in a few of those bronze centering springs, too.

Lifelike_vintage by Edmund, on Flickr

That should take care of your passenger fleet for a while [Y]

The early E7 and 8s had a rigid pad coming straight off the frame. These are the style that the Kadee 453 swing adapter was made for. Later runs went with the style as shown above. Then I believe Walthers modifies it again. Hard to keep up [:-^]

Regards, Ed

11

Ed, those are the ones. I will send you a PM.

Rich

12

Ed, I sent a PM and a personal email.

Rich

13

Got both [Y]

Time for one of your Old Fashioneds

SOU_DOF by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers! Ed

14

Oh boy! Hold on a second or two, and I will join you.

By the way, I just sent you another email on another topic.

Rich

15

I have some old Proto 2000 SD7s/SD9s that have a “U-shaped” plastic “cover” that snaps “downward” over a metal extension from the frame.

I believe this design is very similar to one that Athearn used years ago. The Athearn plastic coupler covers are still available. Not sure if they will fit in your application.

Go to ebay and search for item 353814058645, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

16

You are right OldE, those are similar. But, what I am after is the coupler cover plate which is shown in Ed’s photo right above those two copper strips.

Rich