Russian armoured train Baikal

Baikal saw substantial changes in configuration between its reactivation in 2016, to its participation in the Ukrainian invasion in 2022. Originally, like its sister train Amur, Baikal only had one ChME3-type locomotive to power it and consisted of a total of 8 cars including locomotive. In total, Baikal was 102.4 meters long given that each wagon is made from the standard United Wagon Company Sgmmns 40’ flat car, which is 40 feet long.[1] Its 2016 layout was as followed: A cover platform at the front, an anti-aircraft gun car armed with a ZU-23-2, the ChME3-class locomotive, a kitchen and dining car, a sleeper car, a radio station car, a HQ car for command and control, and a electronic warfare jammer car armed with a Kamysh M4K system that could also be used for anti-mine purposes.[2] For defence, the anti-air gun car is protected by shields and rolled steel of unknown thickness and both Amur and Baikal utilize heavily on camouflage nets helps reduce the visibility of the armored trains as targets.[2]

By 2022, Baikal was extended from an eight wagon train to a ten wagon train. An additional ChME3-type locomotive was added to provide more power to the train and the train was overall, far more symmetrical. Its two locomotives for example, was protected by a corresponding anti-air armored car at the back, each equipped with ZU-23s. Meanwhile, the front of the train representing its 'face' consisted of an open-top armoured car filled with Russian troops, machine gun and AGS-17 grenade launcher emplacements.[6][7] Behind the front anti-air car, Baikal has a box car that is assumed to be armed with a covert anti-air missile system. An armored passenger HQ car follows behind said box car and following said passenger car is a flatbed car for vehicle transportation purposes in the central part of the train. Afterwards, there is an additional open-top armored car before transitioning to the second anti-air car and locomotive. At the end of the train lay another flatbed car for equipment loading purposes.[3] For defence, the anti-air gun car is protected by shields and rolled steel of unknown thickness and both Amur and Baikal utilize heavily on camouflage nets to help reduce the visibility of the armored trains as targets.[2] In total, the 2022 configuration made Baikal 131.6 meters long.

Amur and Baikal, was originally used for logistical exercises back in 2016,[8] however, with the advent of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Baikal performed a role similar to that of Yenisei, in which it was primarily used as a rear-line unit meant for technical reconnaissance, mine clearance, and the restoration of the railway track and small man-made constructions with minimal destruction.[9] Like Volga, Baikal also has a dedicated UAV drone team for scouting and reconnaissance purposes.[3]

• Armoured trains
• Russian armoured train Yenisei
• Russian armoured train Volga
• Russian armoured train Amur
• Krajina Express
• List of armoured trains
• 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
• List of Russo-Ukrainian War military equipment
• Russo-Ukrainian War