Remarkable People

Gas turbine model train looks (and sounds) incredible

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Developed by Hidepon Works, this train is about as bad-ass as model trains can possibly get. It's powered by a gas turbine engine, thus giving it a very noisy and very sexy jet-like sound as it prepares to "take off" on its run. We took a closer look at Make Fair in Tokyo.

It doesn't hurt that this particular train was big enough to sit on and ride either, as the designer had a control box with him in his seat near the back. While few real trains use this method of propulsion these days, it certainly makes for an impressive model.

Besides the engine itself (which appears to supply power to the wheels via an electric transmission) the body of the train is very well-crafted too, following the style of Japanese trains.

At Tokyo Make Meeting this model was drawing quite a big crowd, despite only having a few meters of track on which to perform demonstration runs. Check out our video below of Hidepon Works' quick run up and down the course. Pay special attention to the audio, because the sound is absolutely amazing.

Be sure to browse the Hidepon Works YouTube channel for even more videos of the maker zipping around on his train around like a boss. There are other interesting projects as well, such as this unusual train that sings a tune as it moves.

Hidepon Works.

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5 comments
Muraculous
Excellent, all he needs is a heat exchanger (recuperator) to lower the dB to about 80 and he has a winner.
Mr Stiffy
Oooooo that evil drug - faster and more.....
Like wouldn\'t it be sooooooo good to have a few Km of dead straight track....and
Ooooooo how about gassing that up into a rocket sled.... the big one...
How about putting an ICBM behind it...
A Saturn 5.....
Warm Drive......
Too much is never enough.....
Great start - Ohhhhh the evil drug.....
Andy Minton
I Want to know what model that engine is. Anyone have any idea on what it is, cost, or where someone can acquire one?
Daniel Plata Baca
Extremely usless invention, big gas consumption... low acceleration is provided by those engines that\'s why helis have to be always started up minutes before TO... you\'re like on the simpons scince fair. in love eith a project just because it\'s mini. (hamster flying a biplane)
dsiple
subway stinking of jet fuel instead of urine and ozone. Just what we need.