Over-the-top engineering: The Thermonuclear propelled Flying Saucer of British Rail

Not really an "unusual machine in action" - but (in 1973) a granted patent application:

Attachment 38872 Attachment 38873

"A controlled thermonuclear fusion reaction is ignited by one or more pulsed laser beams
produced by lasers and reflected or focused on to a central reaction zone on the underside of the platform."

Video (2:27)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-ZeCXYr_Uw

Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britis..._flying_saucer

https://www.theguardian.com/science/...ansportintheuk

Patent application/ How-To for intrepid HMT:ers,
(who really wants to push the limits of Backyard Ballistics beyond Outer Space via thermonuclear propulsion):
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB1310990