British Army Concept Train Mk2

Further concept Art for a Cold War Era British Forces on the Rhine armoured train.

In the first years of the 1980's the potential risk for a Soviet Invasion across the North German Plain and across Europe reached an all time high. Due to the overwhelming nature of the predicted Soviet assault, it would be likely static firebases would be vulnerable to being rapidly overrun or destroyedartillery/airstrikes. NATO needed mobile fire support to reflect the fluid nature of the predicted conflict but wasn't reliant on air support.

With the introduction of the RLC's Command Support Trains the Royal Artillery took an interest and commissioned several trains of thier own.

Raised from troops within the Royal Artillery and Railwaymen from the RLC. Again using the combined expertise and resources of the Vulcan Foundy, Alvis, and British Leyland. Many elements of the armoured trains would be modified exisiting stock due the urgent operation requirement. A number of existing MOD owned wagons were requistioned for use. To reduce build time, the trains weapon systems would be reconditoned and repurposed surplus rather than newly designed. This rapidly reduced the construction process, and allowed the trains to be rapidly deployed to continental Europe.

Each train would be pulled by two Class 37 diesel-electric locomotives. These provide more than enough motive power along with enough redundancy to be able to continue should one locomotive take damage or break down. The Class 37's body work has been armour plated to protect critical areas such as the fuel tanks. Exhaust flues have been added as well to better disperse exhaust heat, make the locomotives harder to target with heat seeking munitions.

Due to the requirement of the train being towards the rear of the front lines and less likely to be engaged by enemy ground forces, the protective arnament is slightly different from its RLC counterparts. The trains would be headed and tailed by a CIWS wagon. Armed with a retrofitted Scorpion tank turret. The turrets are equipped with 76mm cannons and 7.62mm co-axel GMPG's, the wagon is designed to engage a variety of targets including enemy infantry, 'soft' and armoured vehicles, and attacking helicopters. Two multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers are also fitted each side of the turret and the armoured structure, to assist the anti tank wagons in shielding the train from enemy fire. The wagons also feature an intergrated Phalanx CIWS system. Used to protect the train from incoming missles it is armed with a 20 mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun autocannon. An entirely self-contained unit, the mounting houses the gun, an automated fire control system and all other major components, enabling it to automatically search for, detect, track, engage and confirm kills using its computer-controlled radar system. Due to this self-contained nature, Phalanx is ideal for the armoured trains, which due to thier nature lack integrated targeting systems.

Ariel defence is provided by two warwell wagons mounting the Rapier surface-to-air missile system. Each launcher is equipped with 4 missiles supersonic contact detonated fragmentation warheads. Armed with both optical and Blindfire detection/rader systems they Rapier is capable of engaging incoming targets at 15km in all weather. Enabling enemy aircraft to be neutralised before reaching the train.
A 7.62 GMPG is equipped on each wagon for anti helicopter and infantry defence.

The trains artillery battery comprises of 3 wagons each mounting an Abbot SPG turret. Armed with a 105 mm L13A1 gun in a fully rotatable turrent, it is capabale of firing up to 8 shells a minuite. The recoil system has been upgraded to reduce the blast shock or destabilisation of the wagon it is mounted on. The guns are stowed facing aft while the train is in motion to prevent them being damaged during transit. When operational the battery can lay down accurate fire support at distances of nearly 18km from the train.

Shorter range fire support is provided by a battery of 4 81mm mortars. Each located in an armoured structure fitted onto a turntable mount, enabling the barrels to rotate 360 degrees, maximising the arc of fire. Able to fire HE, flare, and smoke rounds, they provide flexible fire support for the armoured trains.

Fire control is directed from the Battery Control Wagon in the centre of the train. Equipped with communications arrays, an observation deck and a signal/searchlight, it relays co-ordinates to the Battery for firing. Part of the wagon also comprises an armoured munitions locker, allowing the 105mm and 81mm ammunition to be resupplied while on the move. Due the highly volitile nature the cargo, it has been placed in the centre of the train for the best protection.

The train is better viewed when downloaded.