TPS Magic Choo-Choo with Box

Collectibles : Toys : Tin Windup : Tps

 

From the Premier Japanese toy manufacture, T.P.S. (Toply, LTD.), this is the “Magic Choo Choo”, manufactured around 1965. According to William Gallagher’s Japanese Toys, Amusing Playthings from the Past, this toy was limited to a worldwide production run of 40,000 pieces. The box carries the T.P.S. trademark, while the platform has the trademark of a subcontractor, Hirata.

This toy is called a platform toy. When wound up, the train shuttles around on a rail and changes direction on the roundhouse bridge. The key-wind is built into the platform, rather than using a separate key. Never have to worry about losing the key!

The tin lithography is very good: nice pictures of the railroad yard. There are circular scratches where the train is wound up, an unfortunate result of playing with this toy. Many Japanese toys were designed with this kind of self destruction built in.

The box has great detail, with multiple colors. It even includes a price tag marked down from a dollar to 75 cents. Don’t you wish we could sell it for that?

The box lid is in very good shape with some edge-wear all around. There are the usual creases and bends of the cardboard with a toy of this age.

This is a nice example of the platform toy. Choo, choo, choo, choo.

Item ID: 0049