How a German Truck Became the Symbol of the USSR’s Mega Project

Video Description

The Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) was one of the USSR’s most ambitious mega-projects — a 4,300 km railway through Siberian wilderness, permafrost, and mountains. It was meant to be a symbol of Soviet strength, a construction site for thousands of young people, and a strategic alternative to the Trans-Siberian Railway. But here’s the twist: the legendary trucks that built this “road of the century” were not Soviet at all. They came from West Germany — bright orange Magirus-Deutz trucks, the same brand that also served in the Bundeswehr. Why did the USSR choose Western technology for such a massive project? How did Magirus trucks end up becoming legends of Soviet construction, even receiving monuments along the BAM route? And why do some of them still survive today? In this video, we dive into the forgotten story of German trucks that helped build the USSR’s most ambitious railway project. 🎥 Like what I do and want to support the channel? Here’s how you can help: 👉Sponsorship https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1CKAu0cgFqIqjnUX_arcw/join