My Gent's Model 'A' Waiting Train Movement No.309 was built in about 1939. The "WT" (as it is affectionately known) is my lifelong, favourite type of clock movement. Having the benefits of reasonable size, electromagnets and finely-cut gears. All built into a beautiful whole thanks to the elegant cast frame. Where form not only follows function but has the gift of its own unique beauty.
It is unusual for a pendulum turret clock by being driven by low voltage DC electricity and electromagnets. Most turret clocks are driven by very heavy weights or a synchronous electric motor. This is a very simple, illustrated "How it works" website. Not a learned history. There was so little information available about the 'WT' online that I decided to help to correct that lack of information myself.
Hopefully the information found here might allow a WT to continue in service. Or avoid being permanently damaged by being plugged into the mains electricity!
20 Volts DC is usually enough for this smallest model.
I first discovered the Gent's Waiting Train in an old book in the local reference library as a schoolboy and was fascinated by the illustrations. I would never have believed that 40 years later I would actually own one!
All the images here are heavily compressed to cater for those still on a slow internet connection. But larger images of my 'WT' movement can be found on a complementary website here:
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/waitingtrain2/index.jhtml
If you know of a Gent's WT movement that might be for sale please contact me by email. There are a small number of enthusiastic would-be owners enquiring where they might obtain a Gent's WT movement of their own.
I hope you find something of interest here and will share my passion for this unusual tower (or turret) clock. I make no apologies for the repetition required for clarity in each of the movement sections described on each seperate webpage.
Please feel free to share any images or information on WTs or their installation. My email address appears at the bottom left of this webpage.
