Ironclad ashore

I have been gestating the idea of modelling something akin to the armed trains deployed in Egypt in 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian war for quite some time. Improvised by the crews of Royal Navy warships anchored off Alexandria following the bombardment, two armed trains were prepared. Despite their formidable size and armament, their use seems to have been limited to reconnaissance due to their vulnerability.

The configuration of the two armed trains is described in some detail by Goodrich (Report of the British Naval and Military Operations in Egypt, 1882, pp182–189), and Melton Prior gives the following account (Campaigns of a War Correspondent, pp162–163):

One of the most interesting novelties in connection with the fighting outside Alexandria was the armoured train, or, as the bluejackets nicknamed it, the “ironclad ashore,” or the “ironclad on wheels.” It was generally acknowledged to be a magnificent piece of naval architecture; the credit of the idea was due to Captain Fisher of the Inflexible; the construction was carried out by Captain Poore. It was not armoured in a very serious or ironclad sense, but had sandbags slung upon the engine to protect the boiler from fragments of shells, and some bullet-proof plates and sandbags in several of the trucks to make a shelter for the crew.

…

On the occasion when I was permitted to go on board, and we steamed out along the line in search of news of the enemy, I could not help thinking afterwards what a hopeless idiot I had been in my desire for knowledge. Shell after shell from Arabi's gunners saluted us as we approached their line of defence, any of which would have disabled our land-ship had it struck it, or even burst near us, and then we should most certainly all of us have stood a very fair chance of falling into the enemy’s hands.

One of the improvised armed trains, this one crewed by sailors from HMS Hecla, and named accordingly.

HMS Hecla, a torpedo boat depot ship. Torpedo boats can be seen on deck, and her RBL Armstrong 40pdr forward of the fore-mast.

There are a few posts on the blog already recording my initial thoughts and some research around the modelling of the principal armament, a RBL 40pdr Armstrong gun.

Links
Armed train
RBL 40pdr Armstrong gun


I am waiting on suitable models for the locomotive and rolling stock; once these are in my hands I shall update this article as the project progresses.