Model of the Month June 2009
KEITH AND DEREK'S GOSLING GVT'S by Keith Skillicorn and Derek Wiggins
Robin Gosling was one of the very first producers of models
for 16mm modellers, starting in the late '70s. He only
produced the GVT tram, the Festiniog 'The Prince' in early side tank
and tender form, and a Mills class chassis for you to add your own
bodywork. Robin's engineering was not in question, but the
lack of detailed bodywork was, we understand as a result of building
down to a price. The fact that so many of these models
survive, running as well as when they were new, is testimony to the
quality of materials and workmanship and design, and to this day
they are much sought after. Tony Sant of Finescale Engineering
took over the theme when Robin stopped, making his own version of
the GVT with revised mechanics and a much more detailed body, and
these are equally cherished.
It should be noted that many of the current Regner models
follow this idea of single cylinder and flywheel, and the quality of
their running endorses how much Robin got his sums right in those
early days!
The GVT has a lift-off body, surprisingly heavy, which is secured by sprung central buffers, making access to everything simple. The meths tank and three wick burner are held in by sliding clips, and generally steam is raised before the body is replaced. The model does not have a pressure gauge. It has a single oscillating cylinder geared to an external flywheel, with dead-leg lubricator, which accounts for the deep exhaust beat and legendary slow running.
The model is 0-4-0 as opposed to the original, with an
extended wheelbase and directional change by a lever in the cab.
The axles are linked by bevel gears, making for exceptional
traction, although the loco that Graham Lamb originally named
'Phurcombe Hall' has a Mamod type of band drive and is thought to
have been Robin's prototype. Boiler duration is around an
hour, provided you top up the meths after raising steam and halfway
through the run. Other than that, they can be ignored and
watched from a distance, and are very capable of hauling long heavy
trains.
Keith Skillicorn and Derek Wiggins
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