BP44 Armored Train Infantry Car

With captured Polish and Russian trains as templates the Germans went about creating a standard model of armoured train in 1941. This was known as the BP42, and with later additions, the BP44. These new trains borrowed from the captured designs’ increased artillery capability over the existing German trains. They also overcame some of the perceived design flaws in the captured trains by splitting the artillery car in two, leaving only one gun on each car and thereby reducing loss of firepower if an artillery car was knocked out. Modern anti-aircraft guns and tank-hunter cars were also added making a formidable self-contained fighting unit.

Like the marines of a battleship, many armoured trains carry an infantry platoon in a specially-equipped assault car for its own protection and to clear obstacles from the track. The infantry platoon travels safe under the thick armor of the infantry car, only dismounting when they are needed.

The BP44 Armoured Train can also include the Tank Hunter Cars and of course needs some train track in order to move.