>>1363878In a "cold war", where nations are antagonistic to each other, but aren't actively exchanging fire, even armoured trains are suitable. They are a projection of force, and their faster speeds than any tank or armoured vehicle allows for fast deployments to new locations as part of power projection.
Trains like these may also prove highly effective in guerilla warfare situations, where the guerilla forces may only have improvised explosives as a response. Especially if protecting trains with VIPs or military hardware/troops, they offer effective protection against ambushes by infantry.
Strategic weapons, such as the Russian RT-23 may also be taken across vast distances quickly, and even hidden among regular rail transport. In a "cold war", an antagonistic nation won't be interested in attacking the rail lines, as that would lead to an escalation.
Finally, in the event of a "blitzkrieg", the use of trains, including armoured trains provides a clear and effective way to flood in military hardware and troops which would only otherwise be possible with a large strategic airlift. Accompanyment by an armoured wagon would mean that any quickly put together reaction forces would be incapable of dealing with what is, a tank on tracks.
