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.

The Merci Train was a train of 49 French railroad box cars filled with tens of thousands of gifts of gratitude from at least that many individual French citizens. They were showing their appreciation for the more than 700 American box cars of relief goods sent to them by (primarily) individual Americans in 1948. The Merci Train arrived in New ...

A different gauge from US railroads, the cars were loaded onto flatcars in New Jersey for delivery, at no charge, by the nation’s railroads to state capitals across the country. The “Forty and Eight” draws its origin from World War I.

May 12, 2016 · These were crammed into 49 railroad cars, meant to be divided amongst the 48 American states with the remaining car to be shared by Washington D.C and Hawaii. Each boxcar was decorated with a painted 'Gratitude Train' ribbon and with 40 coat-of-arms representing the provinces of France.

Jul 12, 2007 · Placard in front of Merci car. Photo by Jim Berry: Merci car at old location in Roeding Park, prior to restoration Photo by Earl Bennett

Apr 9, 2007 · Although the Forty and Eight car (40/8), later renamed the Merci car, has traveled many miles to transport cargo during peacetime, soldier’s during World Wars I and II and later, gifts of gratitude to the American people in 1949, its illustrious travels will end at our museum when it is moved to permanent display

The Merci boxcar was a gesture of gratitude from the people of France to the people of the United States for aid given to France after World War II. In 1949, the Merci Train was sent to the United States.

the merci car list. Brief History: The French 40 & 8 Merci boxcars were used during World War 1 to transport 40 soldiers or 8 horses or 8 mules throughout the European battle zones.

In 1949, Indiana was gifted one of 49 Merci Train railroad box cars. This gesture was in response to and with appreciation from French citizens after more than 700 American box cars of relief goods was sent to them, including from donations by many individual Americans.

Feb 7, 2019 · The Merci Car, as the name suggests, was a thank you to Americans for the “Friendship Car,” a massive donation of food and necessities to France and Italy at the end of World War II.