Product Description

First seen during the American Civil War and later appearing in the Franco-Prussian War and the Anglo-Boer Wars, the armored train came to prominence on the Eastern Front during World War I. It was also deployed during the Russian Civil War and the technology traveled east into the Chinese Civil War, and the subsequent war with Japan. It saw service on the Russian Front in World War II, but was increasingly sidelined because of its vulnerability to air attack. Steven J Zaloga examines the origins and development of the armored train, focusing equally on the technical detail and on the fascinating story of how armored trains were actually used in combat. This title will appeal to armor, military history and railroad enthusiasts alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #221338 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, .0 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

About the Author
Steven J Zaloga was born in 1952. He received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has published numerous books and articles dealing with modern military technology, especially armored vehicle development. His main area of interest is military affairs in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in World War II, and he has also written extensively on American armored forces. Steven lives and works in Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Very good on forgotten subject
Interesting little book that covers a completly forgotten subject.
Plenty of good plates and pics also.
US Civial War only touched briefly.
Deals heavily with WW1, Russian Revolution.
I melted through this book because it was something different to usual uninspiring mass production Osprey books.
Recommended buy if your interested in Tanks or Railways or the stretigic thoughts behind the rails that cross the world.
Overpriced as all Osprey books.

An excellent introduction to armoured trains!
I bought this book on impulse although I have never been particularly interested in any kind of trains. Now, after reading the book I am particularly interested in armoured trains! Mr Zaloga has really succeeded to cover this obscure subject in a fascinating way.

The text covers the utilization of armoured trains from the 19th century to the post World War 2 period. The emphasis is in the First and Second World Wars and the Russian Civil War. The most discussed trains' user-nations are Russia/Soviet Union and Germany (WW 2). It is a pity that the book is so short, I would really have liked to read more. But unfortunately the format of Osprey's New Vanguard booklets is to be small and short introductions to their subject matters. Fortunately Mr Zaloga provides an extensive list of articles and publications for further reading. In addition to the splendid narrative, the colour illustrations by Mr Brayan are as well nice. However, he shoud have omitted the two camoflage colours from the "cutaway" illustration of Soviet PL-37 artillery wagon. Mono-colour wagon (e.g. green) would have made the illustration much clearer. This is a minor drawback though.

I warmly recommend this book. Get one and find out how interesting the armoured trains are!