I caught the end of a “short” running on TCM this morning. The topic was the “Friendship Train” that ran cross country in November 1947. I can’t believe I’ve never heard this story. Apparently the columnist Drew Pearson got the idea started after talking to a group of farmers who visited France and Italy during the European drought following WWII. What started out as 8 boxcars of food, medical and clothing supplies on the west coast resulted in over 700 railroad cars of donated supplies on the east coast 11 days later, ready for shipment to the war-ravaged citizens of these two countries. This was a fascinating grass-roots effort that captured the nation for a brief time but has been largely forgotten over the years. The French even reciprocated with their “Merci Train” or “Gratitude Train” as it was better known, full of gifts for their American counterparts.
My point in this history lesson – is there anyone out there who remembers this or perhaps even witnessed it as it happened? If so, please share your memories. I hang out on the MRR forum but will check back here for responses.