New Haven in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

40-et 8 Box Car

Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024

1. 40-et 8 Box Car Marker

Inscription. The 40-et-8 box car was a standard European Box Car made in France and used during WWI and WWII. During both wars, the boxcar was used to transport 40 soldiers or 8 mules or horses around Europe.

After WWII the French people donated one car to each state plus one to be shared by the District of Columbia and Hawaii. The boxcars were filled with items of appreciation that may have included crafts, food, art and gift items. In 1949 the cars were presented to each of the states.

The 40-et-8 was given to the Kentucky Railway Museum in 1958. Between 1997 and 2001, the Nelson County Vocational School located in Bardstown, KY restored the car to its original state under the supervision of Mr. Chris VerDow.

The Plaques that are displayed on each side of the boxcar represent the provinces of France. The car was returned to the Kentucky Railway Museum, in May of 2001 where it is on display.

Funding for the restoration project was provided in part by the Kentucky Order of Colonels and the 40-et-8 Society of Elizabethtown. To learn more, go to www.rypn.org/merci.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in

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these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 37° 39.428′ N, 85° 35.575′ W. Marker is in New Haven, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It can be reached from Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the Kentucky Railway Museum, in the Errol P. Johnson II Pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 136 S Main St, New Haven KY 40051, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: L&N Steam Engine 152 (a few steps from this marker); Fight at New Haven (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln's First School (approx. 2 miles away);

40-et 8 Box Car and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024

2. 40-et 8 Box Car and Marker

Goodwin (Goodin) Fort (approx. 3.2 miles away); Down by Knob Creek (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named Lincoln Knob Creek Farm (approx. 4 miles away); The Lincolns at Knob Creek (approx. 4 miles away); Living Off the Land (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Haven.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lincoln Knob Creek Farm (was approx. 4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

40-et 8 Box Car image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024

3. 40-et 8 Box Car

The "Errol P. Johnson II" Pavilion tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024

4. The "Errol P. Johnson II" Pavilion tablet

The "Errol P. Johnson II" Pavilion is dedicated to all who served in the World War I & II European Theaters, those who came home and those who lay at rest in Europe's fields.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 27, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.