Several years ago, while at a train show in Columbia, S.C., I happened upon a display of PRR engines that had been re-motored with new chassis and drive trains but the shells were of a vintage model. Upon inquiring as to the make of the shells they turned out to be made by Varney and Co.
Each engine had a German motor installed with smooth running linkage to the trucks. He only wanted $50.00 per engine. They had lights installed, the shells themselves are a heavy metal and for the money really looked good so I bought one. Here it is, I thought some of you who appreciate the impact Varney made on our hobby might be intersted. Believe me it is heafty.
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
My Varney F unit came in a box of used stuff that I bought years ago. Man could that thing pull! As with yours the shell was metal (they later had plastic F-3 units) and the frame itself had a large weight over the front truck. It was an incredible puller in spite of rather blunt detail. I would have it still … but the trucks disintegrated. They were the old and bad zinc alloy. The original open frame motor itself was large and surprisingly quiet. i still have it somewhere.
As I recall the trucks were a modification of their switcher trucks and thus the wheelbase was not full prototype.
In a box of junk I acquired a Marx HO scale F-3 – and it was clearly a knock off of the Varney, but with a horrid motor.
Dave Nelson
I am a bit of a fan boy for the F units and this one looks a treat. They always seemed to run light but this one would hug the rails with the Varney shell. Just like the real thing I says. [:)]