Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

And now for something completely different: The Tri-ang Hornby Battle Space Turbo Car

5802 views
13 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 12:14 PM

What a Hoot! (and I wonder how many kiddies got their fingers sliced?)

And now one can be had for the paltry price of 344pounds (x2.5 to make that Canadian $$$)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/triang-battle-space

Thanks for the memories as I remeber my cousin had one

 

Fergie

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • 195 posts
Posted by JDL56 on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 9:50 PM

[quote user="dti406"]

Nothing new!

http://www.hoseeker.net/AthearnBrochuresAds/TURBORACERFLYER.jpg

Rick J

As noted, Tri-ang wasn't the only company to enter the fantasy market. Atlas also made a Turbo Express racer for racing on train tracks. It seemed to be a response to the slot car craze of the 1960s. More info and photos, plus pictures of the German prototype (the Schienenzeppelin, built in 1929) that might have inspired these models, at http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.ca/2014/02/more-blast-off-atlas-turbo-express.html 

John Longhurst, Winnipeg

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 10:40 AM

LGB had a propeller driven machine in G scale. I saw it at a train show a couple of years ago. It was slow to accelerate, but had a high top speed. It was kind of a fantisy theme

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Monday, February 24, 2014 7:29 AM

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 917 posts
Posted by Southgate on Monday, February 24, 2014 2:52 AM

LensCapOn

Nice, but is it faster than a dead stock Hustler?

 

Ah! I figured someone would beat me to that... The Hustler could definately out accelerate the Turbo car off the line. Still an interesting little piece of rail-toy history. Dan

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 24, 2014 2:21 AM

The beast reminds me of the famous Kruckenberg "Schienenzeppelin" of the 1930´s. It reached 142 mph during trials, but never saw actual service.

... there is a prototype for just anything!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, February 23, 2014 10:15 PM

I wonder how fast the wee beastie would go if it still had all the propeller blades?!?

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Sonoma, California
  • 331 posts
Posted by Javelina on Sunday, February 23, 2014 9:26 PM

Wickedest. Rail. Car. Ever.

Lou

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • 649 posts
Posted by LensCapOn on Sunday, February 23, 2014 1:16 PM

Nice, but is it faster than a dead stock Hustler?

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, February 23, 2014 12:56 PM

Looking at it again. The main body, resembles a Flash Gordan space ship from the 50's.

Frank

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Potomac Yard
  • 2,767 posts
Posted by NittanyLion on Sunday, February 23, 2014 12:18 PM

I'm not an aerospace engineer, but I think that more and thinner blades would have been the wiser choice on that propeller.  Unless it can go underwater.  Which I'm not prepared to rule out.

Now I'm curious if anyone's got an MX train on their freelance post 1985 layout...

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, February 23, 2014 12:11 PM

I never cared for the look of the 3-piece rear window style, but I did like the 53,54 version Studebakers. I guy I know very well from the custom car club, that I belong to, has a 39 Stude. pick-up, now that sure is a looker. Sorta like a Metallic copper color, beautiful truck.

The Studes. were way ahead of their time.

Frank

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Sunday, February 23, 2014 11:09 AM

Marvelous.  It has a surprising resemblance to my dad's 1949 Studebaker. 

Atlas had something similar in the early 1960s if I recall correctly.

Dave Nelson

 

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • 195 posts
And now for something completely different: The Tri-ang Hornby Battle Space Turbo Car
Posted by JDL56 on Sunday, February 23, 2014 11:04 AM

And now for something completely different this Sunday morning: The propeller-driven Tri-ang Hornby Battle Space Car from the late 1960s. 

Read more, and find a link to a video of the car in action, on my blog at http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.ca/2014/02/blast-off-battle-space-turbo-car-from.html 

John Longhurst, Winnipeg

 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!