Varney Scale Models
Varney Scale Models was an American pioneer of commercially produced HO-scale model trains and railroad accessories.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Varney Scale Models was an American model-railroad brand founded in 1936 by Gordon Varney. It became one of the early commercial advocates of HO scale, a relatively compact model-railroad scale that allowed enthusiasts to operate more extensive layouts in limited space. The company’s importance rested not only on the locomotives it sold but also on its engineering work, especially the development of a compact and dependable motor suitable for HO-scale equipment. Varney’s V-1 motor operated on six-volt direct current and was small enough to fit inside an HO locomotive while providing sufficient power to pull a long train. This helped make practical, powered HO locomotives more accessible at a time when the scale was still emerging as a viable commercial segment. Varney introduced steam-locomotive models including a 4-6-2 Pacific and a 2-8-0 Consolidation in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Pacific used a USRA-style boiler and was associated with a Southern Pacific prototype, while the Consolidation represented a Reading 2-8-0. A 2-8-2 Mikado and additional locomotive types followed. One of the brand’s best-known products was its model of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad C-16 0-4-0T switcher. Varney’s advertising called the locomotive “Li’l Joe,” and the model became a notable success within the HO hobby. The company also benefited from sustained visibility in the specialist press: Varney advertisements frequently appeared on the back cover of Model Railroader, a leading model-railroad magazine. Some of those advertisements used photographs by John Allen, a highly influential model railroad builder and magazine figure. Varney expanded beyond locomotives into railroad accessories and miniature vehicles. Its vehicle range included HO-scale representations of Ford automobiles and trucks, as well as a Studebaker Starliner. These products emphasized fine detailing and were derived from larger-scale commercial models used as masters, including products associated with AMT and National Products. In 1956, selected vehicles were offered in clear styrene, allowing hobbyists to paint the bodies while retaining transparent plastic window areas. The business moved from Chicago, Illinois, to Miami, Florida, in 1955. Gordon Varney sold the company to Sol Kramer in 1960. The acquisition became part of the foundation for Kramer’s Life-Like Products model-train business, which introduced its own Life-Like Trains line in 1970. Products continued to be made under the Varney name until March 1970, when the branding was changed to Life-Like. Some earlier Varney steam locomotives also passed to Penn Line Manufacturing, which was later acquired by Bowser Manufacturing. Varney Scale Models is therefore primarily a historical brand rather than a current operating manufacturer. Its surviving locomotives, mechanisms, rolling-stock-related products, vehicles, catalogs, and components remain of interest to collectors, restoration specialists, and model railroaders. Gordon Varney died in 1965, and he was recognized in 1985 as a Pioneer of Model Railroading by the Model Railroad Industry Association, now associated with the Hobby Manufacturers Association.
History
Gordon Varney established Varney Scale Models in 1936 in the United States. The company entered the model-railroad market when HO scale was beginning to develop into a practical commercial format. Its central contribution was the promotion of HO as a way for hobbyists to build meaningful railroad layouts in less space than larger scales required. Varney’s early engineering work focused on a compact traction system. The company’s V-1 motor used six-volt direct current and was sufficiently small to fit inside an HO locomotive while still providing useful pulling power. This made it possible to offer powered locomotives capable of hauling longer consists and helped address one of the main technical challenges of early HO production. The first major locomotive offerings included a 4-6-2 Pacific and a 2-8-0 Consolidation, introduced in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Pacific reflected a USRA-style boiler arrangement and a Southern Pacific-related prototype, while the Consolidation was based on a Reading locomotive type. Varney subsequently expanded the range with a 2-8-2 Mikado and other models. Its B&O C-16 0-4-0T switcher became particularly well known. Advertised under the nickname Li’l Joe, the model was one of the company’s most successful products and reportedly sold more than 50,000 units. The company also produced accessories and miniature road vehicles. In 1954 it introduced a model of the 1953 Ford Customline Fordor Sedan, followed by several 1949 Ford F-1 truck variants and a 1953 Studebaker Starliner. The models were praised for their detail and used larger-scale commercial models as references or masters. Some vehicle bodies were later molded in clear styrene, a presentation that gave advanced hobbyists greater control over painting and window effects. Varney maintained a strong presence in the hobby press. Its advertisements often occupied the back cover of Model Railroader, then one of the most important publications serving model railroaders. Several advertisements used photographs by John Allen, a prominent model railroad builder whose work helped define the visual culture of the hobby. In 1955, Varney moved its operations from Chicago to Miami. Gordon Varney sold the business to Sol Kramer in 1960. The acquisition formed part of the business foundation from which Kramer developed Life-Like Products and, later, the Life-Like Trains product line. Some Varney steam-locomotive tooling or models also moved through Penn Line Manufacturing, which was subsequently acquired by Bowser Manufacturing. The Varney name remained in use for model trains until March 1970, when the branding was replaced by Life-Like. The company consequently ceased to exist as an independent current brand, although its products remain collectible and continue to be discussed among model railroad historians and restoration enthusiasts. Gordon Varney died in 1965. In 1985, he received recognition as a Pioneer of Model Railroading from the Model Railroad Industry Association, now associated with the Hobby Manufacturers Association.
- 1985
Gordon Varney recognized as a Pioneer of Model Railroading
[1]Gordon Varney received posthumous industry recognition as a Pioneer of Model Railroading.
- 1970
Varney branding replaced by Life-Like
[1]Model trains continued under the Varney name until March 1970, when the branding changed to Life-Like.
- 1960
Acquired by Sol Kramer
[1]Gordon Varney sold the company to Sol Kramer, whose later Life-Like Products business became the successor context for the brand.
- 1955
Operations move to Miami
[1]Varney relocated from Chicago, Illinois, to Miami, Florida.
- 1954
Expansion into miniature road vehicles
[1]The company introduced a detailed model of the 1953 Ford Customline Fordor Sedan and expanded its vehicle accessory program.
- 1939
Early steam locomotives enter the range
[1]Varney introduced its early HO-scale Pacific and Consolidation locomotives during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
- 1936
Company founded
[1]Gordon Varney founded Varney Scale Models in the United States, beginning the company’s work in model trains and railroad accessories.
- 1936
V-1 motor supports HO-scale locomotives
[1]Varney developed a compact six-volt motor intended to power HO-scale locomotives while retaining enough pulling strength for long trains.
Products and positioning
A technically innovative, detail-oriented American HO-scale model-railroad manufacturer serving hobbyists who wanted compact layouts, reliable powered locomotives, and finely rendered accessories.
HO-scale steam locomotive
4-6-2 Pacific
One of Varney’s earliest major HO-scale locomotive offerings, the Pacific used a USRA-style boiler form and was associated with a Southern Pacific prototype. It represented the company’s effort to make powered, detailed steam locomotives available in the compact HO format during the scale’s formative commercial period.
HO-scale steam locomotive
2-8-0 Consolidation
The Consolidation was an early Varney HO locomotive modeled after a Reading 2-8-0 type. Together with the Pacific, it helped establish Varney’s reputation for producing practical powered locomotives for smaller layouts and demonstrated the usefulness of the company’s compact motor technology.
HO-scale steam locomotive
2-8-2 Mikado
The Mikado expanded Varney’s steam-locomotive portfolio beyond its first Pacific and Consolidation models. It formed part of the company’s broader effort to provide recognizable American locomotive types for HO-scale operators and collectors.
HO-scale steam locomotive
B&O C-16 0-4-0T switcher (Li’l Joe)
Varney’s B&O C-16 tank switcher was promoted with the nickname Li’l Joe and became one of the brand’s most popular models. The compact switching locomotive was especially suited to small layouts, and reference material reports sales of more than 50,000 examples.
HO-scale vehicle accessory · 1954
1953 Ford Customline Fordor Sedan
Introduced in 1954, this approximately 1¼-inch miniature reproduced a 1953 Ford Customline four-door sedan. It featured movable wheels and detailed bodywork derived from an AMT 1/25-scale model used as a master. Later clear-styrene versions allowed hobbyists to paint the body while preserving transparent window areas.
HO-scale vehicle accessory
1949 Ford F-1 truck series
HO-scale vehicle accessory
1953 Studebaker Starliner
The Studebaker Starliner extended Varney’s vehicle range beyond Ford products. Based on an AMT model reference, it was offered in several molded colors and later formed part of the company’s clear-styrene vehicle presentation for detail-focused hobbyists.
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