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World's Smallest Working Model Train

By Minnesotastan in Everything Else, Toy & Video Games on Oct 26, 2009 at 10:35 am


Model train enthusiast David K. Smith has built a miniscule train layout which works – the train travels in an ellipse, including through a “mountain.”

“Thus, what was intended to be a Z scale model of a 4- by 8-foot HO scale layout became a Z scale model of a 2- by 4-foot N scale layout! After I picked myself up off the floor, I made a few quick calculations… the modeling scale would be an eye-popping 1:35,200, and the finished layout would measure .125 by .200 inches…”

The video shows the basics of the layout and the clever solution re the motor.  Further details re the construction are here.

Neatorama has previously posted links to about 80 of the world’s smallest things.

YouTube link.  Via Nothing to do with Arbroath.


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COMMENT
  1. Leonard Low
    Oct 26th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    The idea of using a flexible plastic tube to achieve this effect is simply genius! Nice work!

  2. LeftyXBuffalo
    Oct 26th, 2009 at 7:41 pm

    It's not a actual model train! There are no individual cars, an operating engine, or anything else that would make it qualify as one. It's a clever hack that sort of ~looks like~ a train. Sheesh!...

  3. lansing wedding photographer
    Oct 26th, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    genius solution for the movement! still, not quite a train. i doubt it would make the Guinness book of world records for "smallest model train".

  4. ted
    Oct 27th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    Cute idea. I liked it.

  5. Serris
    Oct 28th, 2009 at 11:35 am

    @LeftyXBuffalo: yeah, but that doesn't make it any less awesome! 7(^o^)7

  6. Sean D. Freuduh
    Oct 29th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    I have to agree with #2 and #3 -- it's not a model train, and it only looks like one from the right angle. This is like me calling a fleck of lint a 1/100,000 scale model of a cloud, even though it's not made of water.

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