Meet the 89-Year Old Who Built a Train in His Backyard | WIRED

[@izaakfewton7536]

Great guy because you still see the the kid enjoying his life in his eyes. Forever young!!!

[@rockwellcowley1275]

Izaak Fewton actually, when you are 89, you are not under 18, I think...

[@katiecarney4142]

soo cool

[@isaaclegrand1852]

My name Isaac too

[@isaaclegrand1852]

That’s how I spell it

[@dust_jo2520]

"MAYBE NOT IN MY LIFETIME BUT WE'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN" that line strucks my heart.

[@hamydunn9183]

That is just a joke. His "lifetime" can end in any minute.

[@noahrudd8865]

Harry Niu dude that is terrible you are a terrible human being

[@hamydunn9183]

@@noahrudd8865 Why be stupid about it? When the old man says it, he implies clearly that there are not much left for him. He was simply stated the fact, so did I.

[@noahrudd8865]

Young Tom Hanks no u

[@bdnisd6527]

@@hamydunn9183 U are a dam stupid and uneducated

[@unitednerd7414]

"Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."

[@imabeapirate]

- anonymous Greek Proverb

[@lorrainephillips7250]

How very beautiful.......

[@17shots74]

United Nerd the entirety of the US gov should understand & live by that quote

[@d33pNacho]

idiotgucci Not only the US, every country in the world should live under that standard

[@unitednerd7414]

idiotgucci, yes insted it seems like we live by the idea of: spend/burn all you want now, our children will pay for it.

[@tilak231]

Still scratching my head understanding the actual size of the train!! 😁🤔

[@richardh6525]

It's pretty small. This one is maybe 8-10 gauge track. 14+ gauge can carry people like you see at six flags or Disney world.

[@dp9862]

Dario DeNiro stop being such a prick if your going to insult someone for not knowing the size of the train I expect you to know the measurements down to the mm

[@elijaht3087]

Ik right is it like a toy store r can someone go in it

[@anywhoyt]

1/6th scale. www.wired.com/story/flight-rail-vectorr-atmospheric-railway-train/

[@tashi321]

do this. do what you love. dont give a fuck what anyone thinks. this is amazing

[@soufian2733]

Beer Wizard you need money though

[@splurjay]

Beer Wizard I

[@mikiex]

You don't need money if you are a Beer Wizard....

[@jhopkins213]

Worst advice ever.

[@soufian2733]

John Hopkins ikr

[@gabrielzygel1539]

IS NOBODY GONNA TALK ABOUT HOW MAGNIFICENT HIS BACKYARD IS ???

[@Mr_Creasy_]

Before I clicked on the video I thought he built a train big enough to carry people in his backyard. Still pretty cool regardless!

[@ExposedChannel247]

My dad has one of those. What this guy's done is way more impressive :)

[@philinator71]

I know, I was like "woah, you have a big backyard to fit that"

[@lebigpeanutguy9996]

+dragnink09 You mean like a minimum gauge railway that can actually carry people or just like a garden railway that's just for show?

[@spassbanane78]

Mr. Creasy o

[@povsok3858]

Mr. Creasy well for me I thought that train was made out lego

[@berniestar1490]

Truly inspirational , the engineering behind this is simple and brilliant . I learnt something new today , but I'm not looking for fault in this concept . Of course it's not for every situation but the fact that this man built it is a huge achievement .

[@thecomputer1337]

The "I like trains" kid 80 years later.

[@metraforce441]

The Computer LMFAO you made my day. It's so true

[@bryanroman9014]

The Computer oh wow good one! Makes total sense!

[@adamosuilleabhain324]

"So whats changed since you were five?" "I got a degree in engineering..."

[@ericpolo4614]

True! It looks like that!

[@jamessindaco7998]

The Computer I saw that comment lol

[@Firstclassdrink]

Most advanced high speed train system ever built in California. 😂

[@steve-usmcvet8934]

Maybe they cancelled the other one to build this one?

[@t0scanelli]

What about the tram cars?

[@YoYo-xr3ew]

Lmao

[@crowtein6104]

Yep, but this one was actually built.

[@sandergjertsenstvold1051]

It's not particularly advanced though, just expensive

[@mikeyg9958]

That guy is awesome.

[@famousamos]

Cool. Reminds me of the man who built a rollercoaster in his backyard.

[@jrpower5]

This man is amazing! He doesn't care about the opinion of others and goes as he wishes (lives his dream). On his age, I hope to be as vital and awesome as he is!

[@harrytodhunter5078]

If its in a vineyard he could use it to transport stuff

[@bharatAV]

Yeah, but I don’t think he uses it for a business

[@thebidstar26]

If you know what I mean

[@keeIie]

@@bharatAV no

[@ulfmusskacken]

would be funny, but I'm sure it'd not be worth it. Some sort of sprinkler system train would be pretty cool though lol but again, probably not worth the time.

[@techytech4826]

Moss!

[@366coolgirl]

What an inspiration this man is! I strive to be as persistent as he is and make our world more modern, even after my grandchildren have children of their own. Engineering is awesome!

[@nigelcarren]

Bravo that man! "A creative adult is a child that's survived". 🏆

[@grahamboaviation]

The production quality of this is *off the rails*

[@CSDonohue11]

Lol Nice... both of ya

[@DENPTrains]

I'd love to make a pun, but it seems my train of thought has been delayed

[@topfelya]

Amazing technology

[@nunyabusiness4489]

yeah, amazing 20th century technology! Amazing!

[@haroldfultonwayne1288]

Poo0

[@jcbacongrease]

This dude is an inspiration. God bless him.

[@jimwattenburger4545]

Max is an absolutely wonderful Gentleman ! A very intelligent mind and holds many patents. Very glad to call him a Friend.

[@JAIMELUIS]

Inspiration. And a beautiful thing to have.

[@qupidmox]

J'AIME LUIS U

[@robertfeld5829]

It is beautiful. While I like the maglev, I think this method is just as good. It's more quieter.

[@metralla]

and money, and a vineyard...

[@tawongamunyanduri5874]

He's better than the whole state government of Carlifornia😂😂

[@LeBum6]

tawonga munyanduri thats a oof

[@wafflenovas]

Lmao "Carlifornia"

[@amanofmanyparts9120]

The Three Stooges were more organised than most governments.

[@cooljingmoney]

gavin newsom saw this and said its too small to put the homeless in

[@charliebrownau]

Because he isnt a Anti white left wing commie

[@DandamanV]

What an elegant and clean way to power locomotives. I learned something today.

[@nemanja9911]

lmao that in fact is not a locomotive, but okay

[@Dwaoh]

Also, if you create the electricity for the pumps with gas turbines it's not very clean anymore. I furthermore think the efficiency of electric engines on the axle is higher than this. Prove me wrong if I am talking crap.

[@Bracci0]

Cold Star has the point. In a regular train (super simplified) you only have to transfer electricity to movement using the train's motor, while for this one, you are using the energy to maintain the pumps, which then moves the carrier thing, that moves the train. To calculate efficiency, you have to multiply each and every transfer's individual efficiency, thus for most of the time, the more you transfer things, the less efficient it is in overall

[@CSDonohue11]

Bracci Would be great if they could use solar power & generate enough energy to run such a large vessel.

[@TheFrontyer]

Pure electric trains will be cleaner. Only benefit this train has is to clumb steeper hills.

[@sreekarpradyumna]

3:11 These wide shots look like they're a part of a Wes Anderson movie.

[@Metrodragon]

Sreekar Pradyumna just wanted to write the same. Totally his style.

[@brodyarmstrong8719]

Yes! Very correct

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

The music at the beginning is also very Wes Anderson.

[@imabeapirate]

This will be my retirement. This is also why engineering is the best field for life-long enjoyment. Fantastic job!

[@maxk8486]

Hmm, personally I would say something like biology/woodwork or the sort would be more suited as then you can apply expertise to hobbies (bit hard for arthritic geriatrics to build and ride trains lol)

[@LightYagami-wt1jw]

No

[@ifb6368]

@@maxk8486 The thing is, if you were to spend your life woodworking you wouldn't enjoy it as a hobby. If you spent your life working on trains you wouldn't enjoy making a rail system as a hobby,

[@escapetherace1943]

you're forgetting that 97 percent of people aren't smart enough to be "engineers" to begin with

[@ehvway]

God bless this man. What a great and brilliant man he is!

[@Kat-jw7sy]

This is just as impressive as it is adorable

[@alexanderwiand6997]

Adorable?

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

perhaps

[@dubstepphene82]

That's what's up. We need more guys like this !

[@Urbanpowertw]

I like trains

[@fatha2092]

Urbanpowertw **gets hit by a train**

[@BrawndoQC]

I like turtles

[@seanm1328]

I like dancing

[@ltaproductions7989]

Don't do that tortoise

[@simarsingh6302]

Sean M same here

[@bobstratton6362]

I love this concept because it’s elevated and no need for a rail base

[@PowahSlapEntertainmint]

I'm sure he _trained_ really hard for this...

[@rah1752]

Lame af

[@The.Breakfast.Burrito]

at least 32 people disagree

[@MrAwawe]

PowahSlap Entertainmint Get out!

[@dfalconerio]

PowahSlap Entertainmint if you stay on track any things possible. steam on ahead and choo choo choose your destiny

[@KoenMueller]

This is better than you're getting credit for.

[@БориславПарасков]

Very inspiring man. This idea has so much potential.

[@tinateews9494]

Beautiful story, may God continues to bless you many more years to come.

[@will006]

Love this old dude. Wish he had more time.

[@MrAledro84]

you really need to be loco and motivated to come up with something like this loco motivated

[@MRWALLFan]

ale84 I get it.

[@ridernakal]

LOCOMOTIVE

[@zahmad007]

You also need to be trained.

[@dreindenver798]

It really helps to be on the right track too.

[@geepuller1]

ale84 it helps of there's no negative influence to de-rail you.

[@Whiteshirtloosetie]

As an English Brit, Max for me is a utter total legend, we need more across the Pond like people like this. ;) This great guy for me is a hero and legend like Isambard Kingdom Brunel and I hope our American cousins appreciate great people like this as I do. 100% respects to this great man.

[@rock3tcatU233]

Holy fucking shit, my inner train nerd just blew his wad.

[@DangItshere]

ⵔⵓⴽⴰⵜⴽⴰⵜ yep, me too 😀😀😀

[@MarkInLA]

I don't think the folks at NASA would phrase it in such a ugly way !!!

[@thecpmr6276]

ⵔⵓⴽⴰⵜⴽⴰⵜ priceless dude.

[@erikasullivan4031]

What a magnificent and genius man! God bless him.

[@jeffreyariel2001]

Can I adopt him as my grandpa?

[@bharatAV]

No

[@mynamejeff8401]

No

[@rickyclarkson9586]

No

[@nahiyanalamgir7614]

No

[@diegomurua4798]

No

[@haroldalexis4200]

I have a respect for this genius. He's awesome with his model high speed train! More power to this.😂🚄🚃🚃🚃🚄

[@5MadMovieMakers]

All aboard

[@TheLinposterIsSus]

Your pfp is a political compass

[@5MadMovieMakers]

@@TheLinposterIsSus haha I never looked at it like that

[@Grepes2]

@@5MadMovieMakers i love your vids man! :)

[@7822welshsteam]

What an inspirational man. My life obsession is big, loud locomotives so this isn't my idea of a beautiful future at all but what a guy!

[@adampecore6917]

Glad he spent his time and money on something useful.

[@kurosumomo]

Not particularly useful, vacuum or pressure pumps are inefficient regardless of what this video says. It's a nice hobby and project he has, but super conducting magnetic levitation is the future, efficient, fast and realistic (unlike Hyperloop); kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXTckHyba6-NjdU

[@viswanathanramakrishnan7613]

The successful attempt by this gentleman in making garden a live one and that too at 89 years of age. Really to say I too also wish to follow him in designing a loco in my house in a small way.Hats off to his venture and let the almighty bless sound health to achieve more

[@Extra_Mental]

how does it work with multiple trains and switchtracks?

[@lukenewman9485]

that's what I was thinking, probably works great for a single loop but would probably be a nightmare for multiple lines and multiple trains. Probably require multiple venting systems and pumping stations and the maths would require a beefy computer but probably nothing more than we have already. I suspect it is probably meant for long distance routes rather than subway systems, apparently the biggest detractor at the moment is actually the cost of all the tunneling required.

[@imrmalibuz5145]

should work out like it does on underground electrical trains on switches. Each section is blocked off after the train is in there and a "new" pushing vent is opened. if you need to switch tracks, it works like on any normal railroad except that the tunnels need a switch in them as well that can be moved. power in those places isn't totally necessary if parts in front or after the switch can power it. Thats at least what id assume.

[@imabeapirate]

a train can use whatever magnet drive it wants. the magnets turn off at the end of a tube, and new ones under the desired track take over, like a hand-off. pretty simple really

[@Extra_Mental]

imabeapirate but it's taking up a magnet that a train behind could use, that's not simple at all

[@GrumpSkull]

You could use a sector plate that would move laterally to line up with the other routs. Another huge engineering task but so is running large diameter tubes all over the country.

[@Brian-xt2ge]

Grant this man immortality right now!

[@cdlg000]

0:18 The producer legit said okay let’s get a shot of you guys looking at the train. 😂 no wohoo, pointing. Nothing 😂

[@weizhang2834]

This grandpa is so cute :) love him and his pure heart:)

[@elninorosario]

How can we have more than one train on the same track? .. how are trains going to change tracks?

[@TheMyarse]

elnino rosario yeah but you could use this on a closed circuit, an example would be like an airport monorail and for transportation at docks etc

[@TheLetusGarden]

elnino rosario you would need to split the track into “sections”. Each section would be independent of each other, and there could be 1 train on a section at a time. Each section would be independently controlled by its own pumps.

[@david33mtrb]

Changing tracks could be accomplished using a method similar to the way roller coaster trains are shunted on to storage sidings by having a straight section slide perpendicularly to the direction of the track and an “s” curve piece slide into its place. Then it’s simply a matter of devising a system of seals that will maintain the air pressure in the tube once the transition occurs. Mechanically speaking, this is far less complicated than many of the engineering feats accomplished in the 20th century.

[@elninorosario]

@@david33mtrb that still seems to be complicated

[@Seanachan91]

@@elninorosario Yeah those were some of the reasons why the original Victorian trains failed. Also they can't be shunted around like conventional trains can, or at least as easily. This guy did solve some of the big problems that caused the old trains to fail though.

[@piloto7061]

Amazing! This Gentleman is an inspiration. The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

[@TheMadmaurice]

"It runs on electric pumps, so it can use renewable energy!" Well electric trains can use renewable energy, too. And while laying down the tracks you don't have to burry big pipes and air pumps. Then there's the additional energy loss while transforming electrical energy into a strong enough partial vacuum to move several tons of train, instead of just powering an electrical engine. And a train could actually reuse energy collected while braking. It is a fun concept but in no way better than what we already have...

[@toddratson7526]

Old thread I know but I have never seen a train of any kind go up and down a 10% grade without a gear rack. So it DOES do something no current technology does and it does it quickly.

[@bsadewitz]

@@toddratson7526This comment caught my attention also. The author of the original post clearly didn't think any of his objections through. If he did, he'd see that there are at least potential answers. This 90+ year old engineer has worked at refining his invention for decades. Clearly, he would have wasted all of this mental energy, time, and money building this test setup if it were obviously infeasible. This is someone who doesn't understand enough to understand how little he understands.

[@burgerpommes2001]

@@toddratson7526 for big gradients tired metros gondola cable cars or monorails are better solutions

[@burgerpommes2001]

@@bsadewitz this is a fun toy he buit for his garden not a inovation

[@NanobanaKinako]

I hope his children becomes railway engineers and introduce this concept in the Philippines.

[@minecrafter0505]

This system is a far better idea than the hyperloop to be honest...

[@markfryer9880]

Yeah, for starters you are not putting people inside a capsule inside a partial vacuum tube. Hyperloop is great while it works, but what happens when it breaks down and you have people trapped somewhere inside a very long tube?

[@anirbandutta8000]

Mark Fryer What happens if the engines of a flying plane fail ! If we abandon the hyperloop concept based on these fears, we should stop flying too

[@Hugh.Manatee]

+Anirban Dutta, agreed, though building one in eartquake prone California still seems like a questionable move. By the way, I still say skip the hyperloop and start developing the tech required to build an orbital ring.

[@MisoNyah]

hyperloop is still better

[@donov25]

You are delusional if you think an orbital ring is in anyway related to the hyperloop. Space elevators are nonsensically difficult.

[@metanumia]

Wow, my grandfather would've been ecstatic if he had seen this when he was still alive! In his place, I am enjoying it immensely for him. Very impressive! :)

[@kylesunfit]

Sheldon would be proud

[@Harry2001-l4r]

they are the elderly we need in this world

[@urdadscooking]

My grandpa built a cheeseball machine that, when he turns it on, will feed him a cheeseball every 30 seconds.

[@markearwaker7844]

3:50 i like the way he didnt say "die"

[@iliketrains3601]

Oh my god this makes me so happy for some reason ❤️😍

[@BuildYourOwnWatch]

"Sort of a stagnation point in the way people think" - beautiful quote of the state of human evolution. Very cool build that works to demonstrate the technology, people need to see it. Thank you! This, and you, are Awesome~!

[@mortenharket3265]

Imagine the world being governed by men like him...

[@kingdon3719]

Sadly not

[@Inji9517]

Stop giving us false hope

[@iRaps1]

Um. Why don't "men like him" hide in engineering then instead of atleast trying to govern anything?

[@mortenharket3265]

@@iRaps1 why don't you ask him? I'm sure he had his reasons why.

[@zanefraser714]

We would be in future by the 20th century and by 21 we would be beyond the wildest dreams of some

[@DemolitionRepublic]

We need more people like him and less politicians!

[@jr-7069]

RESPECT...Old People,I like trains

[@ranjirhodes]

He's a true engineer , you can see the passion in his eyes .

[@emptyangel]

narrator totally butchered the pronunciation of isambard kingdom brunel...

[@QuinctiliusVarus]

Plus, she has that irritating vocal fry that so many young women have these days.

[@squiddi1393]

Who the fuck cares, he's been dead for some 200 years. Focus on the real purpose of the video.

[@KapnKerfuffle]

IZ em bahd, not Is em bard. Correct?

[@lamondjack4349]

emptyangel A rose by any other name is still a rose just the same! Got to make things your own sometimes. It’s the American way. Merica!

[@Horizon301.]

Squiddi well on the railways here in the UK his creations are still recognised and praised seeing as most of his creations still exist. London Paddington, Bristol temple meads, Clifton suspension bridge etc.

[@zzef2650]

The old man is a legend

[@OmarDelawar]

This is like a transitional hyper-loop train concept. The atmospheric tube is what hyper-loop is based on but instead of running the train inside the tube, you are running the train ON TOP of the tube. Pretty genius.

[@makdemir]

Infact vice versa...

[@smashedcaboose6526]

I modified some of my HO trains and made them like the vector. I saw this video and was relieved that I am not alone for thinking of this idea. The magnets I use are very strong. I can get one of my trains going at least 7 mph without crashing. I feel like my set is pretty neat. If you don't finish your set, I would love to finish it for you for free because I enjoy this stuff.

[@Ben31337l]

THIS IS AMAZING I LOVE the concept.

[@utubedano]

89 years old! And doing this? Mad respect! I salute!

[@samuelm1373]

This would make an awesome roller coaster

[@siddhantkhorjuvekar]

Salute this man..

[@JBibleStudy]

Wow! Not only I like the idea, but also his challenge to the "standardized" concepts of the world.

[@techieboii]

may be not in my lifetime... but he is so confident. i admire.

[@brurbejj5158]

He is the cutest old guy I have ever seen.

[@robloxfan4271]

...

[@darthcreaper8173]

ummm....

[@cocoduck7745]

Wait what

[@bharatAV]

Ok.................

[@BIackDynamite]

bob brown what?

[@RenegadeScooter]

Okay, this guy DESERVES a Nobel.

[@Thursdaym2]

He's noble in opinion.

[@br1ann88]

When you ask your mom to go to the toy store for a train and she says no

[@mirandadh4297]

This story deserved a better interviewer, a person who was actually interested in it.

[@yeaitisashtray2542]

Smart old man

[@bubba3667]

WHY ARE WE NOT FUNDING THIS!

[@TadRichard]

I wonder if it would be more efficient to use hydraulics instead of pneumatics? Gas compresses, liquids don't.

[@slewjm]

Possibly, Although Hydraulic locking (which is caused by liquids not being very compressible) could severely damage the system if the timing isn't right, if the train stops for some reason and the pumps don't, etc. Otherwise Hydraulics sounds like a good alternative.

[@blauwzakjecrack]

pumping millions of liters f fluids around is not really efficient, and i guess pumping millions of liters of gasses around also is not that efficient, especially on long sections, since ,as you said, you have to battle (more) compression without direct result. I dont think this system is a good alternative for regular trains.

[@abmbarry]

Engineering Brilliance Applied! .... My hat is off to you and I wish you well for the next decade and onward. .....

[@irenerosalie590]

Wow! loved it

[@kwokwing7502]

Very Good demonstration of a forgotten option ; hoping to see it take off. GOOD HEALTH AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

[@micahmackenzie]

This world is so strange...How can 618(For now) people dislike this?

[@austingode]

micah mackenzie I would say that that's the problem with the world 🌎.......

[@peterkobor5470]

2 % that do not agree . 98 % like it = 33 k .That says it all

[@LiveYerLife83]

He took the hobby to the next level!! Amazing

[@Mike518Mike]

The problem is not that people don`t think out of the box. The problem is, that new infrastructure is just to expensive. Same thing killed the transrapid project in Germany.

[@jaypee112233]

Well, I think it's also partly the lobbyism that downtalks on such projects. While China has simply bought the Transrapid Germany has said it's just too expensive and the project has been a downfall here, sadly. I think we can't blame it on the money, though. We put millions in an airport that still isn't open and is a disastrous project. Look at our BER.

[@TheCatThatNobodyKnow]

The music and framing makes this feel like something out of a Wes Anderson film.

[@kimjonglongdong3158]

My only question is... what truly worthwhile advantage does this offer that would make it feasible to replace an existing electric train? I could see this possibly being built as an alternative on new routes, say maybe in extremely mountainous or very hilly terrain. But other than that, the cost of replacing current tracks with this system seems like it would not offer any advantages to just using plain old overhead power lines and electric locomotives.

[@awildfilingcabinet6239]

In the end, it could easily be more efficient. Today, it is still more expensive, but at the very core, the idea is basically just a tube with a fan at each end. Less air resistance and rail friction would mean that these types of trains can theoretically reach crazy speeds while still being a smoother ride than typical rails. Installation is more intensive, but running costs would be much lower.

[@lenmediastudio]

I'm also seeing some problems with this when multiple trains run on the same line. Also there are already alternative solution to inclines, such as cable, rubber tyre, rack railway, etc

[@Sam42069]

He reminds me of my grandad. He also loved trains. I miss that man

[@Peasmouldia]

One word, points(UK) or switches (US). How do you change tracks? Complex and inconvenient.

[@gauravkumarjain1537]

That's why we need magnets now... Thruster and train is seprated and are connected by magnets On Junction we simply put magnets with different polarity and change tracks

[@DennisBrownDhighway]

This man is not only passionate about his love of trains, but a genius in the renewable energy needed in today's world.

[@avmp9382]

This is what Sheldon Cooper would have done if the Big Bang theory did not end

[@nicopavvi8494]

Probably is what is doing with the Nobel Prize money

[@richardh6525]

My grandpa was 84 when he passed away 2 years ago and has built a dozen trains or so. With trains much larger that are used in national parks and amusement parks.

[@4GUESTS]

The stagnation point in the way people think is dictated by those in power, in this instance, the fuel companies.

[@riccigiambruno4661]

89 and super sharp that’s the key stay sharp and you can live forever

[@jerryarcher6916]

An why aren’t we doing this...it makes great sense to install it. Got a good place use the Old Central of Georgia rail right of way between Savannah and Atlanta GA. The right of way is still available.

[@flintfredstone228]

Is it for sale?

[@hogsworthhammer9211]

Training under pressure at its finest. Awesome.

[@dirtytreerat14]

I’m sure he *_trained_* hard in school to become an engineer.

[@joey5773]

No.. just no. 😂

[@bluefoxy6478]

Yes.

[@Ericlawless]

😂😁😂

[@kasyapchakra1271]

I really respect this guy. This is genius