[Doug]

This is a little company that produces kits mainly of WWI and WWII military vehicles, armament and buildings. I was interested in their train items as I am preparing a review on this very subject. Take a look at the link at the bottom of the post to their website that shows perhaps better photos of the items.

I am fascinated by armoured trains. Just think what it was like in the war. To spend time putting armour on a train, to be limited where you can go with the trains (by the rails) and then to get bombarded by planes just amazes me. You wouldn't find any armoured trains these days.

I have a review on the go (it was slightly interrupted by the Toy Fair) of some Liliput models. I'll finish it shortly and I'd like to expand the review later with more models that I have on order.

So here are a few photos of the Artmaster kits. A link to their site is provided that shows pricing and distributors.

Artmaster military railway listing: http://www.miniatura.de/artitec/arah055.htm

 

[neil_s_wood]

Very nice although it does lock you into a very specific era and layout type.

 

[simonj]

Is the wagon with the hook to rip up the track as you retreat?

 

[pedromorgan]

QUOTE (simonj @ 10 Feb 2008, 23:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is the wagon with the hook to rip up the track as you retreat?

Exactly.
http://parovoz.com/gallery/RU77/kryuk.jpg

Oddly enough i have actually been doing some reaserch into armoured trains myself. i think i am going to etch something but there is also a range of resin shells available from scalelink. i have never seen them in person but they look ok from the pictures.

I really wanted one when someone posted a picture of the micrometakit one for some stupid ammount of money!

There are a supprising number of preserved examples. i am told this is because the armour plate made them so difficult to scrap!
Peter

 

[Brian Considine]

Facinating models & they look even better in the flesh.

Modelling of this period seems to be getting more popular (or is it more a case of "coming out ?").

 

[Doug]

I have a Liliput Panzerdraisinen train - 4 units for review. I was running it in yesterday on my rolling road. I'll add a decoder to the motorized unit and take some photos, but I'll only probably have the review up next week.

I have another train kit on order: BP44

The train comes with 15 figures and a Pz.38t kit. I get the impression that the manufacturer has to go and make the model after I've ordered it. He has a moulding machine in his business premises that is not too far from me in France, but he said to wait a couple of weeks until he could have the kit ready.

 

[simonj]

How many of these armoured trains were actually built? They are very interesting but maybe they are like the Maus tank. Only three were built as prototypes and they never saw battle but you can buy many models of them ready for action!

I looked through there site, those buildings look pretty good prebuilt and weathered. Are there any official UK stockists yet?

 

[Howzatt]

Thanks for your excellent report from Nurnberg Doug, the information you have compiled fires the imagination.

Very interesting war models, all that's needed now is a sound decoder for gun wagons.

It would be great fun trying to get the gun turrets rotating using DCC. Just imagine that emerging from a darkened tunnel portal.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (Howzatt @ 12 Feb 2008, 07:36) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks for your excellent report from Nurnberg Doug, the information you have compiled fires the imagination.

Very interesting war models, all that's needed now is a sound decoder for gun wagons.

It would be great fun trying to get the gun turrets rotating using DCC. Just imagine that emerging from a darkened tunnel portal.

Just imagine if the gun actually worked!

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (simonj @ 11 Feb 2008, 19:36) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Are there any official UK stockists yet?

Probably not - the problem with this type of specialist product range (from a retailers point of view) is that there is very little profit margin, low sales & the fact that is often just as easy & about the same costs overall for the end user to buy direct.

We know this for a fact as "we've bin there done that" in the past.

 

[Doug]

They have distributors in the USA, Australia and South Africa.

Perhaps one of you guys can call them up and arrange to distribute in the UK.

Here is the list: http://www.miniatura.de/artitec/haendleri.htm

 

[Doug]

Good news about Artmaster. On Tracks have just started to add to their website the range of Artmaster Resin kits which they will be importing from this month. The range of kits include many unusual and niche model areas. They will be of interest if you have ever wanted to model:

* Harbours and marine themed models - HO/OO
* German Military 1:72 - Vehicles, Railway modified rolling stock, WWI, WWII, Planes, Gun emplacements
* HO/OO Model Railway Military subjects HO/OO
* U Boats, V2 rockets and German Planes. 1:72, HO/OO, N and Z scale

Looking forward to seeing more of this range.

You can order the Artmaster catalogue and see the Brand department here.

 

[Dinwiddy]

QUOTE (simonj @ 11 Feb 2008, 19:36) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>How many of these armoured trains were actually built? They are very interesting but maybe they are like the Maus tank. Only three were built as prototypes and they never saw battle but you can buy many models of them ready for action!

I looked through there site, those buildings look pretty good prebuilt and weathered. Are there any official UK stockists yet?

Would I be right in thinking that in WW2 the Germans used armoured trains in the occupied countries to deal with such things as partisan sabotage of the rail network - especially on the Russian Front?
And remember we had at least one armoured train in Britain - The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway was taken over for the duration and they constructed one, credited with shooting down a Heinkel I believe. Its total armament comprising I think a Bofors m/c gun and a Boys anti-tank rifle. If the Heinkel story is true I believe it may have been due to the pilot believing it was a fullsized train and approaching far too close due to its minature size.

regards
David Y

 

[poliss]

The pictures I've seen of the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway show it only armed with machine guns. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/01/page/9/

 

[Doug]

QUOTE Would I be right in thinking that in WW2 the Germans used armoured trains in the occupied countries to deal with such things as partisan sabotage of the rail network - especially on the Russian Front?

Yes, the armoured trains were used on the Eastern Front by the Germans. The Polish army also used them before WWII and the Germans improved on a few of the Polish designs.

 

[neil_s_wood]

I believe that they also took a few of the Russians too.

After reading Dougs Liliput tank review I bought that book on armoured trains. I really would like one of those but I am only aware of the Micro Metakit one which is a bit out of my price range. Where did you find the one you pictured Doug?

 

[Doug]

I also bought that book: German Armoured Trains of WWII. Very interesting.

I didn't get the BP44 in the end. I had ordered it from the factory and sent in my CC details, but they lost it

so I wasn't feeling like sending the details again.

 

[neil_s_wood]

I don't blame you.

Not a bad book though. I may get the second one too.

 

[Anthony James]

Check out this site for very good military items,they will also paint any Loco or wagon as well

http://www.reynaulds.com/rei.aspx

Regards

Anthony

 

[bluey robinson]

Thank you very much for posting this link!

They have the best on-line display of other modelling stuff I've seen anywhere. I've now seen the station I had in my head

(after some minor kit bashing!) I hope their P&H isn't over expensive.

Cheers, Bluey