{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1247305"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1247305/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1247305","accessionNumber":"B.249-2012","objectType":"Control unit","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This signal box was made by Bassett-Lowke in the 1930s and given to a young boy, Dennis Moye. He was evacuated from London in 1939, so the control box was put into the attic. By the time he returned from evacuation, he was too old for the toys so they remained in storage. The control box would be used to control the engines as they go round the tracks. ","physicalDescription":"Beige metal control box with two wires attached to it, one red and one black, with plastic covering. There are metal pins to hold the wires in place and a large knob to twist to generate power. There is significant wear to the paint on the metal on all sides, and the base of the box. ","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Bassett Lowke","id":"AUTH322636"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28674"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Painted metal","categories":[{"text":"Children & Childhood","id":"THES48980"},{"text":"Transport","id":"THES48881"},{"text":"Dolls & Toys","id":"THES48967"},{"text":"Christmas presents","id":"THES271501"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"YVA","id":"THES48593"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES343649"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Toy Train Control Unit","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Northampton","id":"x33929"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1930s","earliest":"1930-01-01","latest":"1939-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Excluding pins","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"8.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Base (The base is square)","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This control box was sold to the Museum by Dennis Moye. It was given to Dennis in the 1930s as either a Christmas or Birthday present, probably bought at Gamages toy shop, Holborn. It had limited use before Dennis was evacuated from London in 1939, at which point the toy was boxed at put into the attic. On his return to London, Dennis had outgrown his trains, so they remained in storage.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"6V DC toy train control unit made in England by Bassett Lowke in the 1930s","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["B.249-2012"],"accessionNumberNum":"249","accessionNumberPrefix":"B","accessionYear":2012,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-01","recordCreationDate":"2012-05-21","availableToBook":false}}