French Boxcar - Ogden, Utah
Posted by: BruceS
N 41° 13.318 W 111° 58.755
12T E 417919 N 4563860
Boxcar from the French located at the Ogden Union Station.
Waymark Code: WMBYHP
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 07/04/2011
Views: 10
Text of marker:
French Boxcar
During World War I and II army troops were transported around France in trains. Troops were transported around France in trains. Troops were frequently loaded into boxcars which were boldly stenciledwith their carrying capacity: "Hommes 40 - Cheveaux 8" (40 men or 8 horses"
The Merci boxcar was a gestue of gratitudefrom the people of France to the people of the United States for aid given to france after World War II. In 1949, the Merci Train was sent to the United States. It consisted of 49 '40 & 8' boxcars, one for each of the 48 states and one shared by District of Columbia and the Territory of Hawaii. Utah's boxcar was presented on February 22, 1949 filled with a variety of items donated by the people of France. Some of the artifacts remainin the care of the Utah Historical Society.