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Greenberg's Guide to Varney Trains by John Spanagel Hard Cover
Greenburgs Guide to Varney Trains by John David Spanagel
Hard Cover
168 pages
Copyright 1991 First edition
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction vii
Chapter One Gordon Varney: the Dean of HO Scale 11
Chapter Two An Overview of Varney Scale Models
Production 24
Chapter Three Early Production: Printed and Embossed
Freight Cars, 1936-194929
Chapter Four Steam Locomotives 44
Chapter Five Tenders 60
Chapter Six Passenger Cars63
Chapter Seven Diesel and Electric Locomotives 73
Chapter Eight Stamped-steel Freight Cars 80
Chapter Nine Plastic Hoppers, Tank Cars, Gondolas, and Reefers 94
Chapter Ten Plastic Flatcars, Cattle Cars, Boxcars, and Ore Cars 112
Chapter Eleven Varney Cabooses 130
Chapter Twelve Train Sets, 1954-1969 134
Chapter Thirteen Catalogues and Brochures144
Chapter Fourteen Varney Boxes 154
Glossary 161
Index 163
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive listing with current market prices for the Varney locomotives, rolling stock, parts, and accessories which were produced from 1936 to 1969. Variations are included which were authenticated by various contributors, all of whom are listed in the acknowledgments. In a few cases we ask the reader to provide further information where details are missing or doubtful.
All items in this book come from my personal collection unless otherwise noted in the caption or listing. The sources are listed in the book's acknowledgments. The dates (i.e., 1957-1958) provided in this listing are the years that Varney had the item in production or catalogued.
Current values are listed for most items in the format described below. First the original Varney catalogue or sales sheet price is shown. To the right of the original price is the current average price of a item in good condition as observed at swap meets, toy train shows, and auctions. To the far right is the current average price for the item in excellent condition. The prices are listed at the end of a description and listing, in the following manner:
1.98 5.00 8.00
DETERMINING VALUES
Model railroad equipment values vary for a number of reasons. Of first consideration is the relative knowledge of the buyer and seller. A seller with a rare variation of a particular item may be unaware of its true value and sell it for the price of a common piece. Another source of price variation is the short-term fluctuations which depend on what is being offered at a given train meet on a given day. For example, if three collections of metal-sided Varney passenger cars are offered at a small meet, we would expect that supply would out pace demand and lead to a price reduction by one of the sellers.
A related source of variation is the season of the year. The train market is slower in the summer and sellers may at this time be inclined to reduce prices in order to move their merchandise. One also has to take into consideration the relative strength of the seller's desire to sell and the buyer's eagerness to buy. Obviously, a seller in economic distress will be more eager to offer bargain prices.
Additional consideration must be given to the degree of interest held by the buyer and the seller. For example, an old Varney plastic-framed F-3 diesel may be highly regarded by one collector and yet, sold in the bargain box by a disinterested seller. Nevertheless, it is in the best interest of sellers to present their merchandise in the best possible light. Thus a seller may state emphatically that a particular Varney metal- sided freight car or a specific metal-shelled F-3 diesel is a true rarity worthy of an inflated price.
A final source of variation is simply the personality of the people involved in buying and selling. Some sellers like to turn over items quickly, and therefore price their items to move; others seek a higher price and will bring a particular item to meet after meet until they find an interested buyer.
Notwithstanding the above listed variables, the values in this guide represent reasonable estimations of the nominal prices one could expect to pay at an East Coast or Midwest train show or swap meet. Prices for trains purchased in hobby shops, on the West Coast, and through mail order firms may be higher. Sometimes person-to-person mail purchases of train equipment result in significantly lower prices. Writing for lists advertised in the model railroad magazines can sometimes yield bargain prices, especially if the buyer knows the description, road numbers, and reporting marks of a particular car incorrectly listed. A quick double check of the Varney guide could determine that the item is a rare Varney variation. Knowledge is a valuable tool in train collecting.
CONDITION
For each item, we provide values in two categories: Good and Excellent. The Train Collectors Associations (TCA) defines these conditions as follows:
GOOD - Scratches, small dents, dirty, essentially a piece which has seen normal "consumer" usage.
EXCELLENT - Minute scratches or nicks, no dents or rust. No significant damage (such as a broken step on freight cars, cracks, discolored or weathered paint, etc.) should be present.
MINT - Brand new, absolutely unmarred, all original and unused. "Mint" is considered by many HO collectors to mean the model is in absolutely new condition, with the original box in excellent condition (not shop worn). Additionally, the model may still be in kit form or expertly constructed.
All TCA description standards are concerned with surface condition or finish. In all categories, except Mint or Like New, parts may be missing. Any such missing parts must be noted when describing the piece, as well as any replacement parts or exceptions to the category. All restored or refinished items must be so stated. All standards apply to original items, but no grade above Excellent may be applied t
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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