The development of a reliable 6-volt motor made it possible to produce model locomotives capable of pulling long trains.

[1] Varney sold his company to Sol Kramer in 1960, which became the basis for launching his own line of Life-Like Trains in 1970.

Varney's main significance to the model railroad community was his early advocacy of the HO scale and the development of a reliable motor small enough to power the locomotives of this gauge.

Gordon Varney played a crucial part in bringing the hobby to the smaller size and offering those with less space a tremendous opportunity to enjoy model railroading at its fullest.

With moveable wheels and incredible detailing, the accuracy was the result of the use of the AMT Corporation's 1/25-scale Customline, which was used as a master.

[2] Model trains continued to be produced under the Varney name until March 1970, when the branding was changed to "Life-Like."