Howdy all,

Here's another Chapter of interesting and unusual military modeling 'Variants'.......the TRAINS. In these pages I will be sharing both photos and discussion regarding one of the most forgotten heros of military modeling. Armoured Trains have been around for certainly longer than the Tank, and have been built by more countries than you can imagine.
So again, sit back, and enjoy the ride............(pardon the pun)

To start things off, and to keep with my recent 'Soviet' flavour......


This is the Russian Zaamuret's Armoured Train (dated) 1916
Hope you like it.

Tread

For some strange reason this one reminds me of the ion cannons on Empire Strikes Back.

Don

Here's another.

LOL.......I agree Don.....nice catch!

Tread.

Just as there were armoured trains with turrets and such, there were 'Flak' trains. A long line of train cars jam-packed with Anti-Aircraft Flak guns.


Tread.

The Brit's even tried their hand at it....


Tread.

Here's an interesting Hungarian example......not bad.


Tread.

Here's a great example of camoflage(could you actually miss seeing a train?) from the Italians...


Tread.

Here's a great model of an armoured train.....


Tread.

Hey Tread is this a scratch/kit bashed model of your design? I like it. This is an area that I have no knowledge at all. But I find it very fascinating.

Here's another armoured train, British this time.....the HMS Terror.


Tread.

Ola People

At the moment I saw the title of this topic I immediately thought of an absolutely Stunning Diorama from Mr. Neumeyer called "Treacherous Crossing". Wich shows an German Armored train that is under attack by two Allied fighters.
Here is a sample pic:

More can be found under this link: Treacherous Crossing

More Stunning Dio`s by Mr. Neumeyer can be found here: www.dynamicdioramas.org

I love all this train stuff. When I was reeeeal little, I would play with trains all the live long day. It was great!

This is the stuff that got me going!
Cuhail

tread with all the love affairs you been having are you sure you ain't feeling perhaps a bit lonely...lol #:-) Now take two asprin and go to bed and stop hallucinating...lol #:-)

Mr Roo, Please let Tread dream, you know how he gets when he doesn't dream.

Heard that some civilian trains were damaging traks because they were too heavy, now imagine a train with thick armor and amunition

Tread, A truly fascinating thread... I have to admit, that should I ever find myself with a large mansion-type dwelling, one of my first priorities will be the construction of a LARGE model railroad.... :-) Regarding the fascinating pics you posted, last christmas, I was thumbing through a spanish book about the armored trains of the Spanish Civil -war. Many it appears, were in service on both sides. There was absolutely no standard construction of the trains, simply sheets of iron or steel were welded to the vehicles in a rather haphazard manner. Some 'false' armored trains were also built using wood to fool the enemy, All of the (disparate) groups on both the republican and nationalist side had their own variants, I have even seen pictures of vehicles painted up in the markings of the anarchist CNT.... There was an article in Military Modelling a few years about the subject, I'll see if I can dig it up andscan it...All the best, Jim

I've got a thick book about German Armored trains, so I could post pictures of Amored trains for the rest of the year if you want to!

Thanks for the great pictures !
If you enjoy armored trains, check "5 star models". they have several models in 1/35th and 1/72nd scale.
For display, you can have tracks in 1/72nd scale by RPM. Those in 1/35th scale are easier to come by.

Right now, i'm building the "Krasnaya Zvezda" in 1/72nd scale by Planet hobby, and it's great ! It's a soviet armored train with a KV1 turret on top !

What was the point of armored trains? They seem to me to be sitting ducks since they follow a set path and its pretty easy to blow up a rail to stop them

I will testify that trains are big, intimidating and loud. Many of you will testify that armor is big, intimidating and loud. I can truly understand the appeal of mixing the two. As for why, most of the arms and troops moved across the eurpean conflicts were moved by rail. Therefore, many trains were armored to protect such shipments. Also, most armored trains were supplied with tools and equipment to repair damaged rails along the way.
That's my take.