Rhodesian Combat Support Train- completed

[sandiego89]

I'm in.  Took a few weeks to gather the parts.  

Rhodesian Combat Support Train. 1978. Used as a forward re-arming and supply point for Rhodesian Forces. 1/87 scale.  

I have flat cars to transport trucks and to serve as platforms for weapons and fighting platforms, a locomotive (to portray a English Electric DE3), tank car to refuel helicopters and trucks, passenger car to move troops, an Alouette III as a K-car armed helo, Unimogs, big guns, small guns, jerry cans, Land Rovers, sand bags, etc.  Will not be a full armored train, but will cover vital spaces against RPG attacks and have fighting positions for crew served weapons, an odd mortar or howitzer or two. Anything else? Can't find the attach pictures link in the additional options link now. Have things changed?  

[Weaver]

The attach pictures link has been disabled because the site is full. The only way to insert pics now is by putting them on a third-party hosting site like photobucket and then hotlinking them to here.

Re the train, how about an Eland (Panhard AML-90) armoured car on a flat bed? ACE do a model of one, although it's 1/72nd rather than 1/76th. I bet you could find a white metal or resin one in the wargames world in 1/76th.

[sandiego89]

Sorry about the delay, had to crack the photobucket code.  So I have my unimogs, helos, guns etc.  Time to get going!

[rallymodeller]

Don't forget that it has to be narrow-gauge (3' 6"), and you might want to look at 3-axle trucks for the rail equipment as African railways have really light loading limits. Example: that Union Pacific FP9 is too heavy; when Montreal Locomotive Works (Alco) sold engines to Zimbabwe they had to add extra 2-wheel "pony trucks" to the engines to reduce axle loading, and that was for the lightweight "export" diesels.

Otherwise, awesome idea!

[sandiego89]

Thank you Jeremy.  I did notice the multiple axles on the DE3, but went with the FP9 as it was reasonabaly close in shape. Debating what to do with the wheel layout. 

[Taiidantomcat]

I like where this is going ... you have to camouflage and armor that train 

[sandiego89]

TT thanks, don't worry it will be cammo (green and tan) and will have firepower. 

[sandiego89]

Work begins.  Chopped the locomotive down to give it lower look to represent the English Electric DE3.  Primer on.  Added additional trucks/wheels.  Added armor plate to cover engineers compartment.  Cut first gun hatch, more to follow. 

before:


Primer on and modifications begun:

[sandiego89]

overhead shot

[Taiidantomcat]

Oh!! That is great! Sweet armor 

[sandiego89]

Passenger car, taken off the Victoria Falls line.  

And with a fighting position and armor added.  

[sandiego89]

Flat car, for vehicle transport and repairs.  Before.



And with a ramp added.  Drop top land rover.  Still more vehicle mods required.

[Taiidantomcat]

Looks the part 

[Army of One]

OOh......I now have an interest in trains......this looks really great......

[sandiego89]

Up next, a tank car to refuel trucks and helicopters.  Will need some plate to protect it from RPG's.  The flat car will be a weapons platform.  Scratch mortar tubes and the howitzer.