Here’s an irresistable snippet from the BBC (bold text mine).

In 1970, the British Railways Board filed a patent for a spacecraft powered by “controlled thermonuclear fusion reaction”.

The original patent application said the reaction would be “ignited by one or more pulsed laser beams”.

A patent document reads: “The present invention relates to a space vehicle. More particularly it relates to a power supply for a space vehicle which offers a source of sustained thrust for the loss of a very small mass of fuel. Thus it would enable very high velocities to be attained in a space vehicle and in fact the prolonged acceleration of the vehicle may in some circumstances be used to simulate gravity.”

British Railways running flying saucers?  The mind absolutely boggles.  The possibilities are endless….

“All interplanetary services leave from Kings Cross High Level”.

“The saucer on platform two will not call at Mars due to ongoing engineering works.  Please use the replacement bus service that may add several years to your journey.  Unfortunately there are no buffet facilities or toilets on this replacement service”.

“British Railways catering announce their new interplanetery restaurant car menu.  New items include the weightless curling sandwich and the fusion grilled glowing toasted sandwich”.

I’m sure you can think of better ones…..