The Guardian reports that British Rail patented plans for a nuclear-powered flying saucer in 1973.
‘Charles Osmond Frederick, patented the design for a craft powered by laser-controlled thermonuclear fusion. Designed to reach high speeds in space, it was meant to move us around the globe and even to other planets.
Its “lifting platform” was designed for the British Railways Board and the patent was filed under the name of Jensen and Son.’
A bizarre and rather funny story. 1970’s British Rail staff being in charge of nuclear-powered vehicles just doesn’t bear thinking about. Although it could have made their limp sandwiches a bit more crispy!