Adam Savage Recounts the Difficult Mythbusters Train Tanker Car Implosion Shoot

Summary:

Adam Savage shares the challenging behind-the-scenes story of the "Train Tanker Car Crush" myth from MythBusters:

The myth involved a tanker car imploding due to extreme temperature differentials when sealed.
The shoot was one of the toughest, taking an extra four to five days in eastern Oregon/Washington's high desert heat (105 degrees).
Two tanker cars were acquired; neither imploded easily, despite using a massive industrial vacuum.
To trigger the implosion, Jamie Hyneman suggested dropping a heavy object to create a nucleation site.
The production team, led by Eric Haven, resourcefuly sourced a crane on-site by leveraging local connections.
Adam used a bomb suit for safety, humorously noting it was newer than the local bomb squad's.
The high-speed footage of the eventual implosion was spectacular and deemed worth the extensive effort, despite Adam himself missing the exact moment.

Adam Savage recounting the challenging Mythbusters shoot [ 00:00:05 ]

The Train Tanker Car Implosion Myth [0:00]

Adam Savage discusses the "Train Tanker Car Crush" myth from MythBusters, which was one of the show's most challenging shoots.

Understanding the Myth [0:27]
- The myth states that if a tanker car, often used for transporting various liquids, is emptied and then sealed with an extreme temperature differential, it can implode.
- This phenomenon is known to occur in real life, prompting the MythBusters team to investigate.
Sourcing the Tanker Cars and Location [0:57]
- The team spent time contacting train yards across the country.
- They found a suitable location in the high desert of eastern Oregon (or Washington), where temperatures were around 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Two used tanker cars were purchased: one newer car that was expected not to fail and one older car predicted to fail.
  - Ultimately, neither car imploded on its own as easily as anticipated.

The team faced several difficulties, extending the shoot by multiple days.

Equipment and Failed Attempts [1:40]
- Despite placing numerous cameras, the tanker cars repeatedly failed to implode.
- An industrial vacuum, the size of a truck and producing 100 dB of noise, was used to create a full 30 inches of mercury vacuum on the old tanker car in less than two minutes, but it still did not implode.
Adam's Bombsuit and Local Interactions [2:08]
- Adam acquired a bomb suit for personal safety, as the shoot involved explosive elements and working in close proximity to the tanker car.
  - He humorously notes that his personal bomb suit was newer than the one owned by the local bomb squad.
- The production dealt with local explosive ordinance folks and the bomb squad.
  
  Adam Savage discusses the difficulties of the tanker car implosion shoot [ 00:00:30 ]

With the vacuum alone proving insufficient, the team devised an impromptu solution.

Jamie Hyneman's Idea [4:26]
- After numerous failed attempts, Jamie suggested dropping a heavy object onto the tanker car to create a "nucleation site" (a weak point where the implosion could start).
Resourceful Production [4:44]
- The producer, Eric Haven, overheard the discussion about needing a crane and quickly sourced one from the sheriff's brother, who owned a crane nearby.
- The crane had a weight rating slightly lower than the concrete block they intended to drop.
- A negotiation ensued with the local sheriff, safety officials, and the insurance company to safely proceed, by creating an extra-wide perimeter and acknowledging that the crane's safety rating was conservative.
The Successful Implosion [6:38]
- The plan to drop the concrete block was executed.
- The implosion was "absolutely spectacular" and captured on high-speed cameras, justifying the extra four to five days of shooting.
- Adam personally missed seeing the exact moment of implosion with his own eyes.
  
  Adam Savage animatedly describes the on-site problem-solving during the shoot [ 00:05:04 ]