Varney General Motors 1000 HP Diesel Switcher

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Gentleman: I have recently aquired the loco listed above. The description being from the Varney literature. The cab appears to have “zinc illness” -so i want to replace it. I’ve seen cabs in WMKW catalog, but to be honest I’m not sure they are meant for this loco. Could someone tell me what model the engine is meant to represent and suggestions for decals and paint schemes would be appreciated.

2

I seem to recall that at one point, perhaps when some plastic parts had been introduced, that Varney sold this engine billed as an SW-7. But a bit of internet Googling came up with one discussion where the concensus of the group was that it was an NW-2. I do not know what distinctions that makes for the cab. What is quite likely given the era it was made is that Varney may well have worked off of EMD switcher photos and drawings in a generic fashion and the engine may have elements of many end cab switchers of its era. Similarly some of the freight car models of that era are hybrids. I would say that if the cab is showing signs of zinc illness, the frame and drive train are probably suffering the same ailment too. That is what did in my old Varney F-3, which was the best pulling HO locomotive I ever owned.

Dave Nelson

3

Here’s the proper cab for the Varney switcher:

http://shop.cannonandco.net/product.sc?productId=58&categoryId=9

It’s out of stock at Cannon and Walthers.

A Kato NW2 cab would also work. So would an EARLY cab from Broadway Limited.

I won’t guess whether any of these would be drop-on, or not–might take some work.

Ed

4

Thanks for the Id help Dave- the rest of the little beast seems ok-its just the cab that seems to be affected.

5

Thanks Ed. Figures that Walthers is out of stock-this gives me a point of reference to start looking around though

6

A check on eBay shows no current listing either. But two different sellers sold one 9/12 and another 10/5. So they are still out there. Do an eBay search for “Cannon Thinwall Switcher cab”. Then check the results for 1503. Good luck with your hunt.

7

Cannon itself is out of these right now. I suggest you go to the Cannon & Company site, track down their e-mail address (It is there, really), and send a VERY FRIENDLY note that you’d sure like one of these. Dave (the owner) makes runs of various of his parts when he can.

Come to think of it, I’d like one myslelf.

Ed

8

Thanks Ed, I’ll write a request-but before I send it-I will have my wife double check it for the “nice” factor!