Bit of a long shot but hoping someone may be able to help

Hi Guys    I'm looking for a part for my Hornby Class 50 and hoping someone may be able to help. The part below in the diagram surrounded by arrows has disintegrated in my Hornby class 50 (50 035), having looked on various forums this is a know problem with some of the Hornby class 50's. I have contacted Hornby and they are unable to supply the part as its not a spare and don't have any returns they could rob the part from.  I have tried all the usual spares suppliers but without any luck. Is there anyone out there who has a chassis which they are braking up or know where I might be able to get the part? I would be grateful if you could either contact me or point me in the right direction. As it stands I have a loco which is not operational because of this small part being broken. 
For everyone's information I discovered the problem as the lights stopped working and the loco body had started to lift up at the end next to the buffers
Thanks in advance 

Andy

Hi Andy

Is is brass?  You might be able to make one.

Hi Max, its a metal casting. If I can't get one I will have to have a go at making one. The casting just crumbles when touched, shame really as the class 50 is a great model. Maybe its made from the same metal as some of the early class 31 chassis which broke
Regards
Andy

Bummer!

It sounds like it's a common problem, Andy.

I was wondering if there are any Hornby forums around where you can get some help?

Good Luck with it.  I'm sure that if all else fails, you will be able to fabricate one.

Have you tried Peters Spares or perhaps Ebay. You never know your luck. .

Could this be a job for one of these new 3d printers?

(Just thinking out loud)



Ed

Had the same thought Ed..does it have to be metal ?

 Cheers
   Matt

Or, try and assemble it to be able to make a mould to then cast it in resin - if successful, posible a small home market opportunity

Paul