Soviet Armored Trains

[Pirate-Drakk]

Great pics Cyberia, it's hard to find good shots of armored trains!

[Jim O]

Awesome photos there. It seems that the Soviets really made use of whatever they could to make whatever would serve their needs at the moment.

[cyberia]

In addition to platforms, armored-up railway cars and armor cars modified for rail use, The Soviets also built design specific self-propelled armored battle wagons for the rail.

The MVB type battle wagon with T-28 turrets

This MVB was named the "Leningrad"

A top side view of a Soviet rail battle wagon

This rendering is of a later war Soviet BTD class battle wagon with T-26 turret
This class closely resembled the German design of rail battle wagons, as see in the photo below

[cyberia]

As stated earlier in this thread, Soviet armored trains had types, but no set designs for said types. What follows is a collection of photographs demonstrating just how different one armored train could be from another:

A BP-43 type making use of T-34 turrets

NKPS-42 type with angled riveted turrets

Round, riveted turrets for 107mm guns on an unknown type train

OB-3 type with some very oddly angled riveted turrets

An unknown type with tall, very large cylinder like turrets

[Pirate-Drakk]

Originally Posted by cyberia

A BP-43 type making use of T-34 turrets

I suspect those T-34/76 turrets were readily available when the Soviets were upgrading to the T-34/85. May as well put them on a train...

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Pirate-Drakk

I suspect those T-34/76 turrets were readily available when the Soviets were upgrading to the T-34/85. May as well put them on a train...

Good point P-D. It is also a testament to Soviet "make due, make use" ingenuity. Like the Germans, anything that still worked and could welded or bolted to something else was used. I suspect much of what went into these trains started out as something else.

Not only does it make for interesting designs and photos, but one can't help but admire the can do spirit that put these trains together and on track.

[lufttiger]

First time i've ever seen Russian armor trains, and their incredible
Thanks for posting these, something new for me.

[Jim O]

I posted a Russian video at World War II Zone Forums - Russian Armored Trains which has some decent footage of armored trains.

[cyberia]

That was Great, Jim. Anyone following this thread has to check that video out!

[Wolster]

Some great pictures Cy. If you ever get a chance watch 'The Unknown War'. It is the english language Soviet answer to 'The World at War' Narrated by Burt Lancaster.
Not armoured trains but some great videos of camoflaged trains. Well worth a look!

Originally Posted by cyberia

This MVB was named the "Leningrad"

OK, I know i'm beeing picky but it is called 'For Lenningrad'.