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Merci Train

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Merci Train
Photograph of boxcar from French "Merci train," a gift from France to the United States in grateful recognition of U.S. aid to France after World War II.

The French Gratitude Train (French: Train de la Reconnaissance française), commonly referred to as the Merci Train, were 49 World War I era "forty and eight" boxcars gifted to the United States by France in response to the 1947 U.S. Friendship Train. It arrived in Weehawken, New Jersey on February 2, 1949.

Background

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The idea to send a "thank you" gift to the United States for the $40 million in food and other supplies sent to France and Italy in 1947 came from a French railroad worker, and World War II veteran, named Andre Picard.[1] Donations from the Merci Train came from over six million citizens of France and Italy in the form of dolls, statues, clothes, ornamental objects, furniture, and even a Legion of Honour medal purported to have belonged to Napoleon.[2]

History

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Main article: Forty-and-eights
Merci Train presentation ceremony in the Fourteenth street Yards opposite the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, D.C., February 6, 1949.[3]

The boxcars were "forty-and-eights" used during both world wars. The term refers to the cars' carrying capacity, said to be 40 men or eight horses.[4] Built starting in the 1870s as regular freight boxcars, they were originally used in military service by the French army in both World Wars, and then later used by the German occupation in World War II and finally by the Allied liberators.

In 1949, France sent 49 of those boxcars to the United States (one for each state and the Territory of Hawaii) laden with various treasures, as a show of gratitude for the liberation of France. This train was called the Merci Train, and was sent in response to trains full (over 700 boxcars) of supplies known as the Friendship Train sent by the American people to France in 1947. Each of the Merci Train boxcars carried five tons of gifts, all of which were donated by private citizens.[5]

The Train and all 49 cars arrived aboard the Magellan on February 2, 1949, with over 25,000 onlookers in attendance. On the side of the gift-laden French freighter was painted, "MERCI AMERICA".[5] Immediately the trains were distributed amongst the states.

Boxcars

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The Merci Train boxcars were opened and turned into travelling exhibits before each state committee distributed the entire contents. The 43 surviving boxcars are on public display within each state as follows:

Boxcar Image Location City or town Notes
Alabama U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
34°41′31″N 86°35′10″W / 34.692051°N 86.586194°W / 34.692051; -86.586194 (Alabama Merci Train Boxcar) 		Huntsville The Alabama State Archives has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[6]
Arizona McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
33°32′15″N 111°55′24″W / 33.537500°N 111.923333°W / 33.537500; -111.923333 (Arizona Merci Train Boxcar) 		Scottsdale The Arizona Capitol Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[7]
Arkansas American Legion Post 41
34°31′39″N 90°35′18″W / 34.527528°N 90.588361°W / 34.527528; -90.588361 (Arkansas Merci Train Boxcar) 		Helena–West Helena The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[8]
California American Legion Post 509
36°46′56″N 119°46′22″W / 36.782337°N 119.772787°W / 36.782337; -119.772787 (California Merci Train Boxcar) 		Fresno
Colorado Unknown Car has been lost. The Woodruff Memorial Library has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[9]
Connecticut Destroyed The Abbey of Regina Laudis was gifted a French church bell from the boxcar.[10]
Delaware American Legion Post 6
38°38′39″N 75°36′33″W / 38.644101°N 75.609211°W / 38.644101; -75.609211 (Delaware Merci Train Boxcar) 		Seaford Owned and maintained by Forty and Eight Voiture 1320 of Sussex County[11]
Florida Holly Hill City Hall
29°14′40″N 81°02′25″W / 29.244416°N 81.040179°W / 29.244416; -81.040179 (Florida Merci Train Boxcar) 		Holly Hill The city hall has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[12]
Georgia Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
34°01′26″N 84°36′52″W / 34.024000°N 84.614400°W / 34.024000; -84.614400 (Georgia Merci Train Boxcar) 		Kennesaw The Georgia State Archives has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[13]
Idaho Old Idaho State Penitentiary
43°36′10″N 116°09′43″W / 43.602700°N 116.162000°W / 43.602700; -116.162000 (Idaho Merci Train Boxcar) 		Boise The Idaho Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[14]
Illinois Unknown Possibly abandoned and destroyed at the old 1948-1949 Chicago Railroad Fair site.
Indiana Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum
41°05′36″N 85°14′46″W / 41.093330°N 85.246208°W / 41.093330; -85.246208 (Indiana Merci Train Boxcar) 		Fort Wayne The Fort Wayne History Center has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[15]
Iowa Antique Acres
42°36′35″N 92°27′27″W / 42.609824°N 92.457628°W / 42.609824; -92.457628 (Iowa Merci Train Boxcar) 		Cedar Falls The Iowa Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[16]
Kansas [1] Veterans Memorial Park
38°52′19″N 99°18′03″W / 38.872050°N 99.300760°W / 38.872050; -99.300760 (Kansas Merci Train Boxcar) 		Hays Owned and maintained by Forty and Eight Voiture 1543 of Ellis County[17]
Kentucky Kentucky Railway Museum
37°39′26″N 85°35′36″W / 37.657103°N 85.593405°W / 37.657103; -85.593405 (Kentucky Merci Train Boxcar) 		New Haven The Kentucky Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[18]
Louisiana Old Louisiana State Capitol
30°26′49″N 91°11′20″W / 30.446881°N 91.188861°W / 30.446881; -91.188861 (Louisiana Merci Train Boxcar) 		Baton Rouge
Maine Railway Village Museum
43°54′11″N 69°37′18″W / 43.902926°N 69.621776°W / 43.902926; -69.621776 (Maine Merci Train Boxcar) 		Boothbay The Maine State Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[19]
Maryland B&O Railroad Museum
39°17′08″N 76°37′57″W / 39.285509°N 76.632619°W / 39.285509; -76.632619 (Maryland Merci Train Boxcar) 		Baltimore The Montgomery County Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[20]
Massachusetts Destroyed scrapped in the 1960s
Michigan American Legion Post 183
42°40′04″N 84°36′25″W / 42.667663°N 84.606928°W / 42.667663; -84.606928 (Michigan Merci Train Boxcar) 		Lansing Owned and maintained by Forty and Eight Voiture 946 of Eaton County.[21]
Minnesota Minnesota Military Museum
46°04′52″N 94°20′49″W / 46.081073°N 94.347034°W / 46.081073; -94.347034 (Minnesota Merci Train Boxcar) 		Little Falls Owned and maintained by Forty and Eight Grand Voiture du Minnesota.[22]
Mississippi Old GM&O Depot
32°17′55″N 90°10′45″W / 32.298546°N 90.179118°W / 32.298546; -90.179118 (Mississippi Merci Train Boxcar) 		Jackson The Museum of Mississippi History has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[23]
Missouri Dakotaland Museum
38°41′30″N 93°15′33″W / 38.691700°N 93.259033°W / 38.691700; -93.259033 (Missouri Merci Train Boxcar) 		Sedalia Owned and maintained by Forty and Eight Voiture 333 of Pettis County.[24]
Montana Montana Military Museum
46°37′21″N 112°05′51″W / 46.622532°N 112.097600°W / 46.622532; -112.097600 (Montana Merci Train Boxcar) 		Fort Harrison The Montana Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[25]
Nebraska Destroyed partially scrapped in 1951, remainder converted to shed and destroyed in 1961. The Nebraska Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[26]
Nevada
Nevada Merci Train car
Nevada Merci Train car
 Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City
35°58′13″N 114°51′25″W / 35.970306°N 114.856810°W / 35.970306; -114.856810 (Nevada Merci Train Boxar) 		Boulder City The Nevada State Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[27]
New Hampshire 126 Reed St.
42°59′48″N 71°28′56″W / 42.996633°N 71.482133°W / 42.996633; -71.482133 (New Hampshire Merci Train Boxar) 		Manchester Saint Anselm College has a collection of gifts from the boxcar.[28]
New Jersey Destroyed The New Jersey Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[29]
New Mexico Expo New Mexico
35°04′50″N 106°34′14″W / 35.080554°N 106.570564°W / 35.080554; -106.570564 (New Mexico Merci Train Boxcar) 		Albuquerque The fair grounds has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[30]
New York Forty and Eight Voiture 92
43°06′41″N 75°20′48″W / 43.11138°N 75.346719°W / 43.11138; -75.346719 (New York Merci Train Boxcar) 		Whitesboro The Met has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[31]
North Carolina North Carolina Transportation Museum
35°41′15″N 80°26′00″W / 35.687539°N 80.433338°W / 35.687539; -80.433338 (North Carolina Merci Train Boxcar) 		Spencer The North Carolina History Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[32]
North Dakota North Dakota Heritage Center
46°49′06″N 100°46′48″W / 46.818435°N 100.779894°W / 46.818435; -100.779894 (North Dakota Merci Train Boxcar) 		Bismarck The North Dakota Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[33]
Ohio Camp Perry
41°32′33″N 83°01′13″W / 41.542523°N 83.020277°W / 41.542523; -83.020277 (Ohio Merci Train Boxcar) 		Near Port Clinton The Ohio Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[34]
Oklahoma J. D. McCarty Center
35°13′54″N 97°24′35″W / 35.231790°N 97.409588°W / 35.231790; -97.409588 (Oklahoma Merci Train Boxcar) 		Norman The Oklahoma History Center has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[35]
Oregon Simpson Park
43°24′57″N 124°13′28″W / 43.415892°N 124.224374°W / 43.415892; -124.224374 (Oregon Merci Train Boxcar) 		North Bend The Benton County Historical Society has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[36]
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Mercicar on display at Fort Indiantown Gap
 Fort Indiantown Gap
40°25′56″N 76°34′12″W / 40.432089°N 76.569960°W / 40.432089; -76.569960 (Pennsylvania Merci Train Boxcar) 		Near Jonestown The Blair County and Lycoming County historical societies have collections of gifts from the boxcar.[37]
Rhode Island Museum of Work and Culture
41°59′57″N 71°30′58″W / 41.999296°N 71.516107°W / 41.999296; -71.516107 (Rhode Island Merci Train Boxcar) 		Woonsocket The museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[38]
South Carolina Memorial Park
34°13′10″N 80°14′51″W / 34.219331°N 80.247577°W / 34.219331; -80.247577 (South Carolina Merci Train Boxcar) 		Bishopville
South Dakota State Fairgrounds
44°21′48″N 98°13′47″W / 44.363464°N 98.229703°W / 44.363464; -98.229703 (South Dakota Merci Train Boxcar) 		Huron The Dakotaland Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[39]
Tennessee American Legion Post 145
36°35′09″N 82°10′53″W / 36.585750°N 82.181491°W / 36.585750; -82.181491 (Tennessee Merci Train Boxcar) 		Bristol The Tennessee State Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[40]
Texas Texas Military Forces Museum
30°18′50″N 97°45′41″W / 30.313761°N 97.761278°W / 30.313761; -97.761278 (Texas Merci Train Boxcar) 		Camp Mabry The Briscoe History Center has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[41]
Utah Utah State Railroad Museum
41°13′19″N 111°58′45″W / 41.222013°N 111.979280°W / 41.222013; -111.979280 (Utah Merci Train Boxcar) 		Ogden
Vermont Vermont National Guard Library and Museum
44°30′02″N 73°09′27″W / 44.500439°N 73.157397°W / 44.500439; -73.157397 (Vermont Merci Train Boxcar) 		Colchester The Vermont Historical Society and the Wood Art Gallery have collections of gifts from the boxcar.[42]
Virginia Virginia War Museum
37°01′10″N 76°27′13″W / 37.019476°N 76.453647°W / 37.019476; -76.453647 (Virginia Merci Train Boxcar) 		Newport News
Washington Sarg Hubbard Riverside Park
46°36′07″N 120°28′29″W / 46.601932°N 120.474826°W / 46.601932; -120.474826 (Washington Merci Train Boxcar) 		Yakima The Karshner Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[43]
West Virginia
Veterans' Park
37°25′06″N 81°35′24″W / 37.418257°N 81.589946°W / 37.418257; -81.589946 (West Virginia Merci Train Boxcar) 		Welch Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[44]
Wisconsin National Railroad Museum
44°29′00″N 88°02′53″W / 44.483306°N 88.048000°W / 44.483306; -88.048000 (Wisconsin Merci Train Boxcar) 		Ashwaubenon The Hoard Historical Museum and the Wisconsin Historical Society have collections of gifts from the boxcar.[45][46]
Wyoming American Legion Post 6
41°08′18″N 104°47′38″W / 41.138219°N 104.793853°W / 41.138219; -104.793853 (Wyoming Merci Train Boxcar) 		Cheyenne The Wyoming Museum has a collection of French gifts from the boxcar.[47]
Territory of Hawaii Hawaiian Railway Society
21°19′55″N 158°02′46″W / 21.331897°N 158.046105°W / 21.331897; -158.046105 (Hawaii Merci Train Boxcar) 		Ewa Beach

References

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  1. ^ "Merci Train".
  2. ^ "WWII Encyclopedia: The Forty and Eight".
  3. ^ "American Legion To Get Torch for Arlington Today". The Sunday Star. No. 36. Washington, D.C. February 6, 1949. p. E–14.
  4. ^ "What is the 40 & 8".
  5. ^ a b "The "Merci" Train". Life Magazine. 26 (9): 72–74. February 28, 1949. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "Merci Train – Alabama". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  7. ^ "December 20, 2013 – Arizona State Capitol". Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  8. ^ "Merci Train – Arkansas". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Merci Train – Colorado". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  10. ^ "Merci Train – Connecticut". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  11. ^ "Forty & Eight Boxcar". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  12. ^ "Merci Train – Florida". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  13. ^ "Merci Train – Georgia". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  14. ^ "Merci Train – Idaho". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  15. ^ "Merci Train: Gifts of Gratitude from France". Allen County and Fort Wayne Historical Society. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  16. ^ "Merci Train – Iowa". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  17. ^ "Kansas Merci Boxcar & Veterans Memorial Park". Hays, Kansas. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  18. ^ "Merci Train – Kentucky". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  19. ^ "Merci Train – Maine". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  20. ^ "Merci Train – Maryland". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  21. ^ "Merci Train – Michigan". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  22. ^ "Merci Train – Minnesota". Merci Train. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  23. ^ "Merci Train – Mississippi". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  24. ^ "Forty and Eight Voiture 333". Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  25. ^ "Merci Train – Montana". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  26. ^ "French Gratitude Train Collection". History Nebraska. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  27. ^ "Merci Train – Nevada". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  28. ^ "Merci Train – New Hampshire". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  29. ^ "Merci Train – New Jersey". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  30. ^ "Merci Train – New Mexico". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  31. ^ "Merci Train – New York". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  32. ^ "Merci Train – North Carolina". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  33. ^ "French Gratitude Train Online Exhibit". State Historical Society of North Dakota. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  34. ^ "Merci Train – Ohio". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  35. ^ "Merci Train – Oklahoma". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  36. ^ "Merci Train – Oregon". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  37. ^ "Merci Train – Pennsylvania". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  38. ^ "The Merci Train Visits Woonsocket: A French Connection". The Online Review of Rhode Island History. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  39. ^ Van Poll, Louise (September 1, 2015). "The Merci Train of Gratitude" (PDF). The Daily Plainsman. No. 209. Huron, South Dakota. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  40. ^ "Merci Train – Tennessee". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  41. ^ "Merci Train – Texas". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  42. ^ "'Merci Train' Treasure Gift of Grateful French People". Vermont Sunday News. No. 37 (Franklin County ed.). Burlington, Vermont. February 13, 1949. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Merci Train – Washington". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  44. ^ "Merci Train – West Virginia". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  45. ^ "Merci Train". Hoard Historical Museum. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  46. ^ "Merci Train – Wisconsin". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  47. ^ "Merci Train – Wyoming". Merci Train. Retrieved May 5, 2022.

Further reading

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