Cheyenne in Laramie County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar

You Will Not Be Forgotten

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

1. The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar Marker

Inscription.

Built between 1872-1885 French boxcars, such as this, transported commodities during peace time. During WW1 the boxcars transported soldiers, horses, and military equipment to the front lines. They were given the name quarante hommes et huit chevaux for the capacity they were able to hold, (forty men or eight horses). During WWII allied personnel and civilians were inhumanly packed into each car to be transported to German prisons and concentration camps. Our grateful nation honors the Prisoners of War (POWs) who experienced the hardship of imprisonment in liberating Europe and defending our freedom.

Erected by American Ex-Prisoners of War and Francis E. Self American Legion Post 6.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Patriots & Patriotism • Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Merci Train Boxcars series list.

Location. 41° 8.291′ N, 104° 47.632′ W. Memorial is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County. It is at the intersection of East Lincolnway and

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Big Horn Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Lincolnway. Marker and Boxcar are on the American Legion Post 6 grounds. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2001 East Lincolnway, Cheyenne WY 82001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Laramie Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Mighty Big Boy" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cheyenne's Big Boy 4004 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nellie Tayloe Ross House (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Nellie Tayloe Ross House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Babbitt Baxter House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Thomas and Ruie Hunter Home (approx. one mile away); Barkwell House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map

The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

2. The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar and Marker

of all markers in Cheyenne.

Also see . . .
1. Merci Train at Wikipedia. (Submitted on November 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Merci Train Organization story on the Wyoming Merci Train Boxcar. Includes photos of artifacts that came with the French boxcar that are on display at the Wyoming State Museum (https://wyomuseum.wyo.gov/index.php/travelling-exhibits/120-the-merci-train-gift-from-the-people-of-france) (Submitted on November 6, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

3. The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

4. The Merci Train 40 & 8 Boxcar

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.