Not currently on display at the V&A

Mechanical Train

1975-1979 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This clockwork train engine is lithographed tinplate. Its mechanism is housed inside the body. When wound up with the accompanying key the train moves along on four plastic wheels connected to the mechanism. The toy was made, probably in Tokyo, by the Japanese Yoneya Company, but was bought in China.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Lithographed tinplate, with a clockwork mechanism
Brief description
Tinplate clockwork toy train engine made in Japan in the 1970s
Physical description
The engine is lithographed tinplate and the mechanism is housed in the body with the key protruding from the left side. It is red with black, pink, blue, yellow, green and white markings. The underside is black with silver stars. When wound up, the engine moves along on four plastic wheels set underneath that are connected to the mechanism.
Dimensions
  • Height: 1.5in
  • Width: 1.75in
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
Y in a circle with MADE IN JAPAN
Credit line
Given by Clio Whittaker
Object history
References: This collection of toys was acquired by the donor while attending Peking University in 1978 and 1979. The majority of the toys were made in China for its own market.

See additional notes, B. 106-1996
Summary
This clockwork train engine is lithographed tinplate. Its mechanism is housed inside the body. When wound up with the accompanying key the train moves along on four plastic wheels connected to the mechanism. The toy was made, probably in Tokyo, by the Japanese Yoneya Company, but was bought in China.
Collection
Accession number
B.155-1996

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Record createdApril 18, 2000
Record URL
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