Varney Scale Models

Varney was a United States manufacturer of model railroad equipment.

History

The company was founded by Gordon Varney in 1936. Varney's main significance to the model railroad community was his early advocacy of the HO gauge and the development of a reliable motor small enough to power the locomotives of this gauge. Varney's early catalogs contain editorials that clearly show an understanding of the mind of model railroaders that still rings true today. Varney sold the company in 1960.

Varney models were above average in quality and detail and are still quite popular with collectors and model railroad enthusiasts.

As of 2007, versions of many former Varney products remain on the market in the Bowser Manufacturing and Life-Like lines.

Gordon Varney was correctly named the "Dean of HO scale". He definitely played a crucial part in bringing the hobby to the smaller size and offering those with less space a tremendous opportunity to enjoy model railroading at its fullest. Varney's famous V-1 motor was the beginning of his HO endeavor. It was small enough to place in an HO scale loco, with enough power to provide modelers a nice sized consist. It was 6 volts, like most of the motors of that day.

Varney first offered the 4-6-2 Pacific and the 2-8-0 Consolidation in the late 30's, early 40's. HO scale was just beginning when these famous locomotives made their appearance. The Pacific had the USRA boiler style and was patterned after the Southern Pacific prototype. The Consolidation was designed after the Reading 2-8-0. Soon the 2-8-2 Mikado followed, and the other models were also added to the line.

Varney was also a leader in HO-Scale railroading accessories, the most popular of which were miniature Ford vehicles. In 1954, Varney created a 1 1/4" model of the 1953 Ford Customline Fordor Sedan. With moveable wheels and incredible detailing, the accuracy was the result of the use of the AMT Corporation's 1/25-scale Customline, which was used as a master. Released at the same time were a 1949 Ford F-1 pickup truck, panel truck and stake truck, all pantographed off 1/32-scale models made by National Products. The stake truck was later modified so it could be assembled as a van or a flatbed. A 1953 Studebaker Starliner (also spawned by AMT) soon joined the Ford line-up. Originally offered in gray, red and black, in 1956 they offered these same models molded in clear styrene, allowing the really detail-oriented hobbyist to paint the vehicles and have clear plastic window glass.

All of these models looked a bit crude by today's standards, but with a some effort and customization, made a beautiful prototypical model . The mechanisms were of the finest manufactured and were many times referred to as "running like a fine-tuned sewing machine". Varney's kits were a bit costly, but represented the top-of-the-line quality of the day. The result was a smooth running, powerful locomotive that would rival any model on the market. The quality was apparent then, and now, many 50- and 60-year-old models are still in operation today.

External links

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