Finished
Product Description
This model became too expensive to sell on Shapeways ($100+) considering the finish and dimensional accuracy of the print is usually not that great. Nonetheless, to anyone with a resin printer or access to one, the file is for sale...including a multiple part model that will fit on smaller printer build plates. Look up Bone Valley at CGtrader. https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/miniatures/vehicles/ge-mate-ho-scale-3d-printable
All you need to complete the model are couplers, old Athearn blue box dummy Blomberg trucks (if you want it unpowered), and handrails (holes are provided for Utah Pacific 87 GE stanchions). Depending on if you want to pair this with an Athearn or Atlas U36B, you may need to raise the ride height slightly using something like styrene as shims between the trucks and bolsters. This model was a lot cheaper before Shapeways restructured its pricing, but it is what it is. This model was pre-tested, but since I'm an N scale guy and not an HO guy, I welcome any feedback about any ways to possibly improve this model. These MATEs were used by Seaboard Coast Line, paired with a GE U36B. They were mostly used for Bone Valley (near Tampa, Florida) operations. They were used from the 70s (SCL) until the early 90s (CSX). MATEs differ from ordinary slugs in three ways: their 65,413 to 67,588 pounds of added tractive effort surpasses that of most slugs, they were designed to operate at road speeds (they are equipped with Blomberg trucks with GE 752 traction motors), and they also served as fuel tenders. Each MATE carried 3250 gallons of fuel that the modified U36B can draw on while under way. These remain the only road slugs constructed by a major builder. The first 10 MATE's (originally SCL #3200-3209, later SBD #5200-5209) were single ended, and could only take power from the mother at one end. The second batch (SCL #3210-3224, SBD #5210-5224) were double ended, and could take power from either end, or in a third mode of operation, could be placed between two mothers and draw power from both. The double-ended MATE's have headlights and numberboards at both ends, the single-ended MATE's have a headlight and numberboards at one end only. This model is double ended.
All you need to complete the model are couplers, old Athearn blue box dummy Blomberg trucks (if you want it unpowered), and handrails (holes are provided for Utah Pacific 87 GE stanchions). Depending on if you want to pair this with an Athearn or Atlas U36B, you may need to raise the ride height slightly using something like styrene as shims between the trucks and bolsters. This model was a lot cheaper before Shapeways restructured its pricing, but it is what it is. This model was pre-tested, but since I'm an N scale guy and not an HO guy, I welcome any feedback about any ways to possibly improve this model. These MATEs were used by Seaboard Coast Line, paired with a GE U36B. They were mostly used for Bone Valley (near Tampa, Florida) operations. They were used from the 70s (SCL) until the early 90s (CSX). MATEs differ from ordinary slugs in three ways: their 65,413 to 67,588 pounds of added tractive effort surpasses that of most slugs, they were designed to operate at road speeds (they are equipped with Blomberg trucks with GE 752 traction motors), and they also served as fuel tenders. Each MATE carried 3250 gallons of fuel that the modified U36B can draw on while under way. These remain the only road slugs constructed by a major builder. The first 10 MATE's (originally SCL #3200-3209, later SBD #5200-5209) were single ended, and could only take power from the mother at one end. The second batch (SCL #3210-3224, SBD #5210-5224) were double ended, and could take power from either end, or in a third mode of operation, could be placed between two mothers and draw power from both. The double-ended MATE's have headlights and numberboards at both ends, the single-ended MATE's have a headlight and numberboards at one end only. This model is double ended.
