40 and 8 Boxcars

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

You're correct Al.  It was one or the other.  And I ran into several of 
these cars in 1971 in Vietnam.  Most were in bad shape (there's a surprise) 
but one or two still made the trip from Saigon to Danang and a bit north to 
Hue every now and then.  I have pictures someplace....

Ed Svitil



>From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>Reply-To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>Subject: 40 and 8 Boxcars

>Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 07:52:14 -0400

>

>Jerry Kay, et. al.,

>

>Does anyone know of a resource giving the current status of all of the 

>original "Merci" (40 Hommes/Chevaux) boxcars?

>

>Although I have often read these cars were called "forty and eights" by the 

>doughboys, I assume it meant 40 men or 8 horses.

>

>Albert Burckard

>

>---------Original Message -----

>   From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>   To: NW Mailing List

>   Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 12:44 AM

>   Subject: Unique U.S. Rail History

>

>

>   Virginia's 40&8 car is located at the Virginia War Museum in Newport 

>News.  It is the featured item in an exhibit called "Hampton Roads Port of 

>Embarkation".

>

>

>

>   This exhibit commemorates the role of the Hampton Roads region of 

>Southeast Virginia during World Wars I and II as a center of activity for 

>numerous paramilitary organizations and as a hub for the movement of 

>millions of troops. The focal point of the exhibit is the railway boxcar 

>that houses it; one of the finest remaining examples of a "Merci" Train 

>boxcar (40/8) - one "Merci" boxcar was given to each of the States of the 

>Union after World War One to show appreciation of American sacrifices in an 

>effort to help protect France from the Central Powers. It was rededicated 

>after World War Two.

>

>

>

>   Jerry Kay

>

>

>

>

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