here are a few more for you guys: And somewhat of a rarity- A non-grafiti marked Golden West Service boxcar:
OK. Someone hook me up with a web site for those WWI box cars. I cannot remember the entire story. Except that after the war, France sent a bunch over here as momentos. Believe they are called a "40 & 8." Because they could cram in 40 men, or 8 horses? Boxcab E50
You are correct! As a THANKS from France to the US for our efforts during World Was I they sent 49 Cars, one to each of the 48 "States" (As of 1949) plus one to "Washington D.C" that so far I have personally found two; but, know more are still out there. There was a topic I started awile back which I was seeking help in finding the others but there was little responce. I would love to know how many still exist and where they are located today. I will have to see if I can find that topic as it did list where a few more were at. "Hommes 40 - Chevaux 8": French phrase meaning that the capacity of 40 men or 8 horses [ March 03, 2006, 01:38 PM: Message edited by: Stourbridge Lion ]
Some of the URL's I have found tonight: http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Military_Affairs/ftig/history/French%20Gratitude.htm http://www.rypn.org/Merci http://www.haysusa.net/Attractions/Military_Attractions/body_military_attractions.html http://wasteam.railfan.net/home.html http://www.awon.org/boxcars/boxcartn.html http://www.co.ottawa.oh.us/OCHome/CampPerry.htm http://www.therailroadpark.com/merci.html
Found my old TrainBoard topic of these Boxcars. TRAIN DE LA RECONNAISSANCE FRANCAISE which was in "TrainBoard.com » Railfanning » Railfanning Discussions" back on 19 May, 2004.
Darned if I know. Not up here. I don't recall it in Missoulagrad. Helena is the capitol. Billings? Hmmm. Dunno..... Boxcab E50
Are you trying to give an old fart a heart attack? My schoolin' days is over! That word- Haven't heard it in 35+ years! Boxcab E50
Your not alone with this "Required Assignment" as right now I don't know if/where the one for COlorado is either right now.
Well, apparently you'll be looking a long time, for one in Colorado! According to what I have found, there are 39 surviving, on display. Here you go: List of Surviving Merci Cars Happy surfing! Boxcab E50
Hey, that is one of the URL's I found last night but hadn't really looked at it. See you did good with the "First Half" of your homework. Now you need to travel to Ft. Harrison National Guard Base to get a picture of it. The Colorado Merci car has been missing for several years. It was reported to have been on display at Eagle, Colorado form 1949 until 1954, but we know nothing of it after that. The Colorado State Museum reportedly has a small brass plate that was on the box car when it arrived from France. We would welcome any further historical or current information about the box car and the hundreds of gifts it delivered to the state. For me I need to see if the small brass plate is the plate I think it is and at least get a photo of that as it loks as if Colorado has been lost to time.
Hard to believe something that size is actually "lost." I fear it was probably junked out. Or something nefarious happened. Going by those dates, it should have still been in decent shape! Fort Harrison is just outside of Helena. There's a swap meet in a couple weeks. May not go. Cost of gas to get there makes the trip questionable. Boxcab E50
