Planet's smallest model train set revealed to macro lenses, microscopes (video)
By Darren Murph 
posted Oct 26th 2009 8:21AM
posted Oct 26th 2009 8:21AM
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ok.................
Whatever, dude. That's the most meta thing I've seen in a while. A frickin' model OF a model.
Awesome.
It is awesome... but I didn't make it.
I know, there must be 1000 David Smiths in New Jersey, but I just didn't want to take the credit for this.
wouldnt really call this a "working scale model" since the train really isnt powered. its just on the end of a spinning tube.
Exactly... it's not even on rails!
It's working. It's a model. It's scale.
Fits the bill.
I guess you were expecting nanobots. Sorry- those aren't consumer-grade yet.
Do the usual scale models of trains work in exactly the same way as the proper things?
If not then this is just as valid as those.
Also, if this were on proper tracks imagine how hard it would be to find the train after a derailment!
I was suckered in by the headline. Although very tiny and I'm sure it was a PITA to put together, I'm not sure I can call the vaguely discolored edge of a piece of plastic a "model train". I guess I'm jaded and was hoping for something made by MIT or Caltech or Dr. Evil.
I agree... it's definitely nifty and clever, but only because it's so small and blurry that it causes you to see a "train"
You're missing the point. It's not a "model train." It's a model of a model train. That's like saying "Goldmember" (the movie-within-a-movie with Tom Cruise starring as Austin Powers) should be as good as the real "Goldmember" (with Mike Myers starring as Austin Powers).
But yeah, by that regard, the headline is misleading.
Actually, IIRC the movie-within-the-movie was called Austinpussy.
Still hilarious.
BY THE GODS! THAT IS TINY (thats what she said!)
No she didn't. She had a mouthful.
Monorail, monorail, monorail!
I hear those things are awfully loud
Mono... doh!
When is he going to add some switching opportunities or block signaling?
The Simpson's did it
Well, I’ve heard of scaling back for the holidays but this is ridiculous.
Regards,
Dan
Pretty amazing none the less. Optical illusions are part what make life interesting.
Don't care about the model of the model, but that nail at 1:50 needs some work.
OMG! That's the tiniest model railroad I've ever squinted at! ;)
While these aren't nearly as small as the one pictured above, they work on a similar principle. The engine and cars are attached to a band and are pulled along the "track."
http://www.creativearts.com/tiny-trains/
As a model railroader myself (O scale, N scale and Z scale), I find both models equally impressive!
Yeah, pretty sure all the d-bags scoffing at this guy's hard work in this comments section are not model railroaders. I'm not either, but my father-n-law is, so I know what kind of intricate, painstaking work is involved on "normal" model RR. When I saw the footage of the guy actually holding it between his thumb and forefinger, I LOLed. Holy cow, that's small. Well done, David Smith.
Damn, that is one cheap trick, it's not even a model of a train, it's just a plastic tube
that guy could have clipped his nails before recording the video.. gosh
and borrowed a hd camcorded with a macro lens... you spend all that time and effort making the thing and then video it on your phone.
Ironically, he never held it with his fingers before taking that video. For goodness sake, I don't want to see your cruddy fingertips. Hold the thing with some proper tweezers.
I assume that if the macro quality was high enough we could see this thing doesn't even look like a train
I think this is cool, but it certainly isn't a model railroad - there is no rail and the trains isn't on a rail system. Nice try.
yes but does it have WiFi?
Does it blen . . . never mind.
there's an app for that....
Check this guys micro-sculptures out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBKV4rOgSJU
But can it run crysis?
it runs a model of crysis
Felt jilted after finding out it's just sitting on top of some rotating tube... Run it on rails and then it'll be pretty damn cool.
a) I would break that in a few hours. (If not seconds)
2) I would lose it
and
5) My cat would prolly wind up eating it on me!
Cool tho...
It can even be reversed? And here I went all these years thinking motors only worked one way.
HAX!!!
Next up Micro Earrings with Trains that work. Think of the Major $$$ this Christmas. The perfect gift for that special person in your life. I have a source for micro flat motors that will fit on an earring head. Made micro disco balls for my Girlfriend once...
Dude, stop biting your nails.