Handmade 1940s Folk Art Toy Train Wooden Yelloe Locomotive

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Handmade folk art toy train marked on the underside: “Made by John H. Hart – 1940s – Elizabethtown, KY.”

I … Read more Handmade folk art toy train marked on the underside: “Made by John H. Hart – 1940s – Elizabethtown, KY.”

I found this piece at a small thrift store about an hour west of Nashville,TN. Constructed from simple materials likely sourced around the farm, it has the resourceful, hand-built character typical of mid-century homemade toys. The locomotive features wooden construction with metal hardware details, painted wheels, a working bell, and a metal smokestack. All wheels still roll freely, showing it was clearly made to be played with and enjoyed.

The underside bears the hand-written inscription “Made by John H. Hart – 1940s – Elizabethtown, KY,” identifying the maker and place of origin. Whether added by the maker or later by a family member, it provides a wonderful connection to the train’s history. See less