I'm looking for some suggestions for GE industrial locomotive contactors, especially 17CM12 contactors used for the engine start, series (line), and field shunt. Could be new, used, or a rebuild service that has parts because the ones I have are missing a number of pieces (tips, arc chutes, etc.).

Also, does anyone know who bought the inventory and perhaps also took over sales/rebuild from Western Star Rail Services in Newark, Ohio (Dennis Lavendar)? He had a lot of parts.

Tom Mack
Cincinnati, OH

I believe James Kopkey purchased a portion of Western Star's inventory. In May of 2025, James sent me this message:

"I made a list of parts I have for sale for the small GE locomotives.

These include various 17CM15 contactors, 17CM57 contactors, relays and magnet valves.
I also have some 17AF20B3 interlock parts, I can not break these down into individual parts or what they fit.

These are used or rebuilt parts that came from Western Star Rai Services when they recently shutdown."

I don't know if James still has these parts. His email address is: jkironhorse251@aol.com

Good luck!

Joe