Markers associated with the 1949 Merci Train, AKA the French Gratitude Train or the Forty and Eight, that were filled with French "gifts of gratitude" to the American people for their support during two world wars. One car went to each of the 48 states, with the remaining car shared by the District of Columbia and Hawaii.
By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2014
Arizona Merci Train Marker (wide view; marker on left; boxcar restoration plaque on right)
This boxcar is one of 49 that comprised the French Gratitude Train. Once filled with 50 tons of gifts, the Gratitude Train was a way for the people of France to say “Thank You” to the American people for their help during and after World . . . — — Map (db m126700) HM WM
This boxcar and the gifts it carried are a reminder of American support of France during two world wars, and of France's gratitude for that support. Such gestures between peoples deserve a lasting place in our memories.
People to People . . . — — Map (db m107797) HM
La Ville d'Etamps
a l'Amerique
This monument from General Patton's Route of Liberation is a gift of the people [of] Cannes, France to the people of California, sent via La Train de la Reconnaisance Francaise (Merci Train) and dedicated . . . — — Map (db m131236) HM
This is one of the French boxcars of the French Merci Train sent to the United States. in 1949 as a thank you token to the American people for the Freedom Ship of food and clothing sent to France in 1948. The car was filled with many articles of . . . — — Map (db m197216) HM WM
This French Merci Train Boxcar cover is dedicated to all veterans, past, present, and future, as a symbol of tribute to those who have, are now, and will in the future, borne the battle of war and conflict in the preservation of our nation. May the . . . — — Map (db m198102) WM
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 . . . — — Map (db m38658) HM
Merci Box Car — Arrived in America in 1949 — A token of appreciation from the people of France to the people of America — Built between 1872 and 1885 — They were called 40 and 8's, carried either 40 men or 8 horses . . . — — Map (db m34796) HM
This 40&8 boxcar is one of forty-nine cars that comprised the Merci or Gratitude Train, a gift to the American People from the Citizens of France. The 40&8 boxcars, so named because of their capacity to hold either 40 men or 8 horses, transported . . . — — Map (db m95638) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m267120) HM
The Louisiana box car of the Merci Train from France expressing the gratitude of that nation presented by Consul General Lionel Vasse to Governor Earl K. Long on February 22, 1949, in appreciation of the generosity of the American people.
Dedicated . . . — — Map (db m92828) WM
The French military used boxcars called forty-and-eights to transport goods and soldiers, first in WWI and again in WWII. The boxcars could hold 40 men or 8 horses, hence the name. This
is designated in French on the cars: 40 hommes, 8 . . . — — Map (db m127004) HM
This boxcar is one of 49 gift-filled rail cars that composed the Merci Train, also known as the French Gratitude Train, sent to the American people in 1949 by the citizens of France. The gift of the Merci Train was a spontaneous act of gratitude . . . — — Map (db m96574) HM
This is an original French boxcar. The 40 Homme et 8 Chevaux painted on the ends means this car holds 40 men and 8 horses (or mules). The plaques represent the French provinces. American troops rode these boxcars to and from battle in WWI and . . . — — Map (db m85073) HM WM
This Box Car was a restoration project of the Grand Voiture du N.H. of the Forty and Eight. This Box Car is one of the 49 Freedom cars sent by the French Government to each one of the 48 states and one to be shared by District of Columbia and . . . — — Map (db m19825) HM
Presented by the French National Railroads
to the State of
North Dakota
in gratitude for the help given to France
by the American people — — Map (db m44706) HM
One of 48 railroad cars sent to the United States by the people of France after World War II loaded with gifts in gratitude for the gifts sent to France by the people of the United States.
The plaques depict the coats of arms of the . . . — — Map (db m241279) HM
Background
The idea to send a "Thank You” gift to the United States for the $40 million in food and other supplies sent
to France and Italy in 1947 came from a French railroad worker, and World War II veteran, named Andre
Picard. Donations . . . — — Map (db m196654) HM
This 40 & 8 Boxcar is one of forty-nine cars that comprised the merci or gratitude train, a gift to the American people from the citizens of France. Pennsylvania received it at a ceremony in Harrisburg on February 6, 1949. All forty-eight states . . . — — Map (db m12546) HM
Boxcar presented to South Carolina
by the people of France
February 9, 1949
This boxcar and others were used to move soldiers and horses to and from fighting fronts during World War I 1917 - 1918
and soldiers during World War II 1944 - 1945 . . . — — Map (db m223000) WM
This is one of the 49 boxcars from the "Gratitude Train" given to the United States by a grateful French people in response to the 700 car "Friendship Train" sent to France after World War II. Each state and the District of Columbia has received . . . — — Map (db m112641) HM
During World War I and II army troops were transported around France in trains. Troops were frequently loaded into boxcars which were boldly stenciled with their carrying capacity: “Hommes 40-Cheveaux 8” (40 men or 8 horses).
The Merci . . . — — Map (db m273347) HM
On November 10, 1947, Ogden hosted the "Friendship Train" for Utah, contributing 3 boxcars of food and aid to the people of France after World War II. In all, over 700 boxcars of supplies were sent from United States citizens to aid in the dire . . . — — Map (db m273348) HM
Boxcar P. L. M. K -134980 was given to the people of West Virginia by the people of France on 2/7/49. It was one of many used during World War I and World War II to haul troops and supplies to and from the front lines. Printed on its side is . . . — — Map (db m178646) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m315833) HM WM
