Varney Trains Info

[Anonymous]

I recently acquired some Varney engines and rolling stock both assembled and in kit form. All in original boxes. I would like to receive any info on their worth and value as collectables. Thanks, Stan

[dknelson]

This depends on what the stuff is.
Varney made trains in the early 1950s, mostly metal, that might have some value. Their 4-6-0 and 2-8-0 have been taken over by Bowser but the originals are a bit different and might bring $30 to $60. Their bigger steam, such as the Berk or the articulated, have never been reissued. I have never seen them for sale at a swap meet. The original metal F3 was not much for looks but man could it pull. I have seen it sell for $15 or so but warning as the old zinc castings for the trucks tend to deteriorate. Ditto for their EMD switcher. When the F3 was reissued in plastic it looked crude and undetailed compared to the Athearn F7.
The original dockside B&O 0-4-0T might have sentimental value for some older types. The metal car kits with lithographed sides could be built up into a nice looking car and the paint jobs even now are first rate. But not many younger types might want to go to the bother and some details like ladders are now pretty crude looking. I see the kits sell for $7 to $10 at swap meets. I have never seen the passenger cars. Bowser at one time revived the metal reefer in brass.

Varney switched to plastic in the early 1960s and then sold the business. Some of the latter Varney molds are now seen as super cheap freight cars such as their gon and 36 foot reefer. I see no great value for their plastic RS-11 for example.
Sorry this is not much help. Summary: in its day Varney was an important maker but even by 1960 it seemed the times had passed it by.
Dave Nelson