Life-Like Proto 2000 No. 433-31706 is an HO scale model of Erie Railroad No. 830, an EMD E8A passenger diesel locomotive. This version was factory equipped with Sound & DCC and decorated in Erie’s distinctive dark green, gray and yellow passenger scheme.
The original TrainReference photographs provide front, three-quarter and broadside views of Erie No. 830, clearly showing the locomotive’s road number, Erie nose herald and streamlined E-unit body.
At a Glance
- Manufacturer: Life-Like
- Product line: Proto 2000
- Item number: 433-31706
- Prototype: EMD E8A
- Road: Erie Railroad
- Road number: 830
- Scale: HO
- Control: Factory Sound & DCC
Proto 2000 Erie No. 830
Life-Like offered Erie Railroad No. 830 as part of its Proto 2000 line of detailed HO scale diesel locomotives. Walthers’ product archive identifies the model as item 433-31706, an EMD E8A with factory-installed Sound & DCC.
The model reproduces Erie’s streamlined passenger locomotive appearance with dark green upper bodywork, gray side panels, yellow striping and the prominent Erie diamond herald on the nose.
EMD E8 Passenger Diesel
Electro-Motive Division introduced the E8 in 1949 as part of its line of streamlined passenger locomotives. The E8 used two diesel engines in a six-axle carbody locomotive and became a familiar sight on major passenger trains throughout the United States.
The E8A designation identifies a cab-equipped locomotive. Matching E8B booster units were built without a cab and could be operated together with A units in multiple-unit passenger locomotive consists.
EMD built E8 locomotives through 1954, when the externally similar E9 succeeded the design.
Erie Railroad No. 830
The Proto 2000 model represents Erie Railroad No. 830 in the railroad’s passenger colors. Its streamlined nose, paired windshields, side portholes and six-wheel trucks are characteristic of EMD’s E-unit passenger locomotives.
The TrainReference photographs make the model particularly easy to identify. The number 830 appears on the nose number boards and side of the cab, while the Erie diamond herald dominates the center of the locomotive’s nose.
Model Features
Walthers identifies No. 433-31706 as the factory Sound & DCC version of the Proto 2000 Erie No. 830.
Proto 2000 E8 models from this generation were designed as detailed HO representations of EMD’s streamlined passenger diesels. Features associated with the Sound & DCC E8 series include:
- Factory-installed sound and DCC
- Heavy die-cast chassis
- Five-pole skew-wound motor
- Precision gearing
- Directional LED lighting
- Magnetic knuckle couplers
- Separately applied body details
Identifying Life-Like No. 433-31706
The key identifiers for this particular release are:
- Life-Like / Walthers item: 433-31706
- Railroad: Erie
- Road number: 830
- Locomotive: EMD E8A
- Equipment: Factory Sound & DCC
Some Walthers product families were marketed more generally as E8/9 models because the E8 and E9 were externally very similar. The archived listing for this specific Life-Like release, however, identifies Erie No. 830 as an E8A.
Life-Like, Proto 2000 and Walthers
Erie No. 830 originated as a Life-Like Proto 2000 product. Walthers acquired Life-Like’s model railroad business in 2005 and subsequently continued the Proto line, eventually using the WalthersProto name.
The Life-Like item number on this model is therefore useful for distinguishing this release from later WalthersProto E-unit production.
Original Photos
The photographs below show Life-Like Proto 2000 Erie No. 830 originally documented for TrainReference.
References and Further Reading
Related Proto 2000 References
- Walthers Proto 2000 UP 933 & 939B E8 A-B Set
- Proto 2000 Santa Fe 1791 – 2-8-8-2 Y3
- Proto 2000 New York Central E7 A&B – 20th Century Limited
- Browse Walthers and Proto model train references
Current Proto 2000 Erie E8 Listings
Current eBay listings related to Proto 2000 Erie E8 locomotives are shown below. When looking specifically for this release, check for Erie road number 830 and item No. 433-31706.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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PROTO 2000 HO SCALE #8703 E 8/9 ERIE #827
HO NEW Proto 2000 Heritage #23287 HO Erie USRA 0-8-0 NIB
HO Proto 2000 Erie diesel engine (lot 6796)
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How can I buy this Erie # 830?
Denny Custer