Several years ago while traveling thru the southern states I noticed an old European freight car in a public square. (can’t remember the state or city)… I was told that after WW2 France sent 50 cars loaded with goods to the states in thanks for liberating their country. The French Gov’t opposed this but the railroad workers combed old rr yards to did up the cars and paid out of their pockets for all expenses in this endeavour. 50 cars came across, one for each of the 48 states, and I believe one to District of Columbia and one to ths U>S> Army. I maybe wrong in some of my facts and could someone enlighten me and let me know where these cars are now
If they really want to be nice they’ll give the U.S some TGVs.[:D]
One at Spencer NC it is in the roundhouse.
The Utah one is at the Ogden Union Station Museum - looks a bit odd next to a UP 800 class steam engine and a turbine.
dd[:)]
There is one car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum,in Carson City.
I seem to recall this was after WW1.Anyone out there know for certain?
In 1991 I was visiting St.Albans,VT and a French boxcar was displayed near the IGA store.
I believe you’re talking about the Merci Train, sent to the United States by France after World War II. I found a history, and the location of the cars, at http://www.rypn.org/Merci/
One was donated to the Mid-Continent RR museum in North Freedom, WI.[8D]
One is also at the Natl RR Museum in Green Bay, Wi
These were called 40 & 8 Voitures. Voiture is French for Boxcar. They could hold 40 men for troop transport, or 8 horses. Nowdays you see 40 / 8 Voiture chapters of the American Legion / Veterans Groups. (See story and link below.)
Shame so many people in France seem to have forgotten.
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- Stack
http://members.tripod.com/~Post_119_Gulfport_MS/408main.html
About the Forty & EightLa Societe des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux, popularly known as the
Forty and Eight, is an independent Fraternal Organization of Veterans and
was organized in 1920 by American Legionnaires as a fun and honor society.
The Forty and Eight is composed of Veterans of both World War I,
World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm conflicts.
The Forty and Eight has nearly 50,000 members in over 900 Voitures Locale
(local units) located throughout the United States, Germany, Mexico, and France.
The Forty and Eight draws it’s origin from World War I when young Americans
were sent to France to fight a war to end all wars. The narrow gauge railroads
of France had boxcars (voitures) that carried little more than half the capacity of
American boxcars and these voitures were used to transport men and
horses to and from the fighting fronts. On the side of these little boxcars was
stenciled the capacity of each, holding either forty men or eight horses,
**and these voitures became the trademark of our organization.**If one could laugh at the train ride from the coast of France to the trenches
crowded in these little boxcars, only recently vacated by eight horses,
one could surely adapt to the changes in his life when he returned home.
Those who nobly served our Nation in war, would henceforth as Forty and
Eight Members, charitably serve our communities in peace.
In the 1950’s, wh
Junctionfan,
What would the USA do with a TGV? run it at restricted speed? hehehe.
I wonder what the quarter mile ET would be with just the lead unit running light?
ET would be infinity.
First, you would have to have cantenary at the right height, with the right voltage and current. Then you would have to apply to the FRA for a waiver on the 800000 lb buff force requirement and then get an evironmental impact statement OK’d from from the EPA, then…[sigh][:(]
I’m sure you could talk them in to letting you ahve some decent track to run them on too…
There is one in the B&O museum in Baltimore MD too.I always thought those 4 wheeled cars were neat looking!
There are/were? several of cars(similar to description) in Jeffersonville,In.
It has been several years since I’ve been to that location,so do not know
disposition of.
Tried the link above,but it doesn’t list that location in In.
They weren’t narrow gauge, just small. As far as I know they still are.
Found a up date http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/museums/rr/restoration.htm
There is a WWI French box car at the ND state capital in Bismarck. It is a forty and eight car as mentioned a previous post.
Yes there is one at the Ogden Union Station which is being restored. [:)]
[quote]
Originally posted by morseman
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Very interesting topic - thanx for posting it! [tup]
Also, the URL David Lustig posted is well worth the read:
Not to be a nit picker - there is NO literal translation for “box car” in French. “Voiture” is also used when referring to passenger cars as well. It can mean several things: car (as in automobile) - carriage, as well as All aboard!
Bon jour!
Here’s a good idea for a tee shirt:
“We liberated France and all we got were 50 lousey boxcars”
[}:)]