40 and 8 Boxcars

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

You're right Jerry, but as a former infantryman I look on the bright side - 
it beats marchin'!

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: Re: 40 and 8 Boxcars

>Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 03:22:00 +0000

>

>Hi Al, you are correct about the 40&8 meaning 40 men or 8 horses, but I 

>think that I would hate to be one of those 40 men crammed into that tiny 

>car!

>

>I have not been able to find one site that gives a comprehensive list of 

>all of the 40&8 cars.  I have seen all of the ones discussed to date - 

>Welch, Spencer, & Newport News, but that is absolutely all that I know 

>about.  I too would be curious to learn if there is a comprehensive list.

>

>Jerry

>

>-------------- Original message from nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org: 

>--------------

>

>

>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

>

>

>

>

>________________________________________

>NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org

>To change your subscription go to

>http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-mailing-list

>

>

>

>

>No virus found in this incoming message.

>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

>Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.1/104 - Release Date: 9/16/2005





>From: 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 12:37:28 +0000

>________________________________________

>NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org

>To change your subscription go to

>http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-mailing-list








>________________________________________

>NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org

>To change your subscription go to

>http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-mailing-list