This book covers, country by country, the great variety of combat teams that were used for almost two centuries. It describes the place of the armoured trains in the evolution of the war, concentrates on the details of its design through a wide range of photographs and meticulous drawings of the author. Published in French in 1989, this highly prestigious work has been completely revised and extended for this edition in English. It's still the last word on the subject.

See the review online here.

Unos Cuantos Trenes

Armored trains not on your list of interests? How about world politics or military matters? Industrial history? Period photography? If you have trouble fitting “nuclear warfare” and “armored train” into the same sentence, you’ll want to read this book.

Read the complete review here.

Speed Readers

If we were to place reference books on a scale from general to specific, this one would evidently be about as far towards the specific side as could be. While its subject is indeed highly specialised, it is covered so comprehensively that the book is unlikely to be superseded.

Reference Reviews

As featured in

Eisenbahn magazin, August 2017

This book must be the definitive work currently available on this subject; the level of research is outstanding in its depth and comprehensiveness.
Rarely have I come across such a masterful tome on any subject, a true magnum opus.

The Railway Observer May 2017

If ever there were a railway equivalent of Jane's Armour and Artillery, this coffee-table tome would be it.

FineScale Modeler magazine, May 2017

As featured by

Military History Monthly, June 2017

I remember reviewing Christian Wolmar’s excellent Engines of War and thinking that an entire encyclopaedia devoted to armoured trains would be a fine idea. Lo and behold, wish, and it will appear (at least occasionally!).

Paul Malmassari served with distinction in the French military, NATO and the UN, so he brings a wealth of real life experience to this magnum opus. He is a superb writer and researcher and is well able to impart his knowledge.

Credit must also be given to Seaforth; this is a beautifully bound, printed and illustrated book.

Anyone who buys it will get a lifetime out of it, a thing of beauty and joy forever.

Hellbound, Steve Earles

A good selection of new railway books. The blockbuster is Lt Col Paul Malmassari's Armoured Trains 1825-2016.
A historian and modeler, his thorough research will fascinate those interested in railways and in military history. Armoured trains were once widespread, operating in the USA, Europe, ex colonies, Russia and even Argentina. Astonishingly they were used recently in conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Armour included sandbags, cotton bales, timber, concrete and steel plate.

Easily the best work on the subject. Formidable!

Society of Model & Experimental Engineers

As featured by

VaeVictis, March-April 2017

This is an altogether thorough work that is unlikely to be equalled.

Model Engineer, March 2017 – reviewed by Roger Blackhouse

If you have even a passing interest in armoured trains then this is the book for you. It is a fascinating subject and every range of fighting equipment that ran on rails over nearly two centuries is featured here. The level of detail is stunning as is the number and quality of photographs with the added bonus of some high quality drawings provided by the author to a constant scale.
Very highly recommended to military model makers, railway enthusiasts and historians of modern warfare.

Scale Military Modelling International.

This is a very authoritative book on a fascinating topic. Highly recommended.

Classic Arms and Militaria, February/March 2017 – reviewed by Bill Harriman

A masterpiece. An indispensable source for the modeller of military trains and for the creators of dioramas and vignettes related to the theme.

Read the full Spanish review online here.

José Manuél Rico Cortés (Mister JM) - Miniaturas JM

Among the many photos are some impressive scenes, and equipment which had clearly been specially built, others made in local workshops and others just using what was available locally. One in particular grabbed my eye, as it is a simple armoured box wagon, with rifles poked through firing ports in the side. It just so reminded me of the image of Dad's Army, and their drill using ports in the sides of Cpl Jones's butchers van. The whole book is just packed with fascinating material.

Read the full review here.

Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland

When you think how long trais have been a part of our lives, this is an extraordinary book, tracing the history of how nations with something to fear from opposing nations, fortified theirs with an enormous range of firepower. A brilliant history, with amazing photographs and illustrations!

Books Monthly, January 2017 – reviewed by Paul Norman

It is very evident that the author of this volume knows and loves his subject. Originally published in France in 1989, this revised and upgraded English-language version is well researched and, due to the depth of information, is likely to become the authoritative work on armoured trains.

NZ Crown Mines