Soviet Armored Trains

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by 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!




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

Not picky at all, Wolster, thanks. Not all of them were captioned and all I could make out on that one was Lennigrad!

I'll see if I can order that Doc. I'm always looking for another perspective. :smile:

[Pirate-Drakk]

WW2 Rail-road armor

Red Army armored train

Good pics at these Russian web sites! Some of the same as Cyberia has been a postin' but some more as well.
Enjoy!

[cyberia]

Very cool P-D. Those trains a bit hard to find but well worth the effort. Some are so odd in appearance they almost have a sci-fi look to them.

[Jim O]

1942pr.jpg
Great sites. I love this camouflaged locomotive.

[Whiterook]

The self-propelled versions make a lot more sense to me, as ironically, the locomotive was often the most vulnerable and least protected component. Take out the loco, and you have some nice sitting duck waiting for roasting.

[Jim O]

No doubt on that. I simply like the look of the loco.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

The self-propelled versions make a lot more sense to me, as ironically, the locomotive was often the most vulnerable and least protected component. Take out the loco, and you have some nice sitting duck waiting for roasting.

Quite true, WR, that is in the beginning. It did not take long for German fire to convince the Soviets that their thinking was a bit flawed in having an unprotected engine and or tender pulling an armored train, as show in the photo below.

As they did when they first realized the need to armor train cars and gun platforms, the Soviets rushed into operation orders to armor train engines as well.

And they did so pretty much the same way. At various points around the country, with no set plans, and making use of whatever steel plating they could lay their hands on.

As one can imagine, the result was not a fleet of slick looking, camouflaged engines, such as the one Jim O found, but rather an odd collection of different shapes and designs. As show in the photo above, and those below.

However as mismatched as the Soviet armor trains may have been they did achieve two things:

They offered more protection to crews and cargo, and left military photo junkies like us some very cool images to discuss.

Not a bad deal.

[sniper1shot]

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

Actually, It is called Leningrad if you look at the spelling. There is only 1"n" in the begining.
Did I mention I can read Russian? I am no master at it, but if you look closely you will see the differece in the lettering.
One has the H while the other looks like a backward N.

[McCoy]

I think the whole idea with armoured trains is a moot point 'cos it's so easy to take ot the tracks...

[cyberia]

Not really, when you think of it from a supply point if view. Trains were a must for both sides on the Eastern Front where poor roads and vast spaces proved serious stumbling blocks.

German trains were subject to attack by both Red Army units and partisans.
The Russian trains by German troops and cossacks.

Then there was the constant threat of air attack.

Rail was the most expedient way to move armor or troops to hot spots. the same is true of artillery, especially siege guns, which could be moved by rail often to within range of large cities.

Armor trains in World War II evolved as both a tactical and defensive answer to these issues. The small armored self-propelled cars, or trolleys, were fairly useful patrol units and often sacrificial lambs for larger trains following behind.

Vulnerable, yes. But still pretty much a necessity in the extremes that war war being fought in.