Wanted 54 Ballest tamper front

[trainman413]

I am looking to buy a lionel postwar 54 ballest tameper front the gray thing with the red tampers I have a really nice unit but it needs this part If any one can help me Please email me at [e-mail] Thank You Ed

[cwburfle]

I think you are going to have a difficult time finding a postwar tamper assembly. The Lionel service manual pictoral diagram lists the same part number for for the tamper assembly, and the tamper cam shaft. The part number is 54-52. If you a missing the tamper assembly, you are likely to also need a tamper cam shaft.
If you are willing to settle for MPC parts, they would probably be easier to find, but the colors are probaly different.

[trainman413]

Hi cwburfle

   Thanks for your reply I think your right I would take a MPC one but I cant even find that one my cam is there along with the drive belt I would even take a broken one and try to fix it but if I cant I will just sell it as parts maybe some one can use it even to try to make a snow plow or something out of it its a shame the unit is in really  nice shape Well Thanks Again Ed

[cwburfle]

Here is an original postwar one on Ebay, its pricey:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190535495354

You could probably buy a Modern Era and take the tamper assembly for less.
As shown in the Ebay listing, the original had a grey frame with red tampers.
The first MPC one had a black frame with silver tampers.
MPC was very good about changing the colors and markings on their product to enable folks to readily tell the difference.