Seaford in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Forty & Eight Boxcar

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

1. Forty & Eight Boxcar Marker

Inscription. This car is one of 49 given to the American people by the citizens of France in thanks for aid rendered during and after World War II. Utilized for hauling military cargo during two world wars, they were known for their complement of “forty men - eight horses.” The “Merci” or Gratitude Train was assembled by French veterans, who decorated each car with the coats of arms of the provinces of France. On February 12, 1949, the citizens of Delaware formally welcomed the gift-laden offering at a ceremony held in Wilmington. A statewide exhibition tour followed. The car is owned and maintained by the American Legion’s Society of the 40 & 8, Voiture #1320 (Marker Number SC-94.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Merci Train Boxcars series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1799.

Location. 38° 38.659′ N, 75° 36.552′ W. Marker is in Seaford, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Poplar Street, on the right when traveling south on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker: Killed in Action Memorial (here, next to this marker); Nanticoke Post No. 6 (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Luke's Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor William H. H. Ross (within shouting distance of this marker); Gateway to Freedom: The Tilly Escape (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John's United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Seaford Fire Department (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Mercitrain.org website about the Delaware Boxcar. Contains photos of some artifacts donated by the French people and dedication photos. (Submitted on February 11, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 5, 2024

2. Forty & Eight Boxcar Marker

Forty & Eight Boxcar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

3. Forty & Eight Boxcar

American Legion Nanticoke Post 6 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 5, 2024

4. American Legion Nanticoke Post 6

Delaware's Merci Train image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 5, 2024

5. Delaware's Merci Train

Nanticoke Post 6 maintains Delaware's Gratitude Train.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,903 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 2, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 3. submitted on December 2, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on March 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.