Linda Leinen, a remarkable historian of all things Texas, wrote to me last week with some information about The Merci Train. Here is a little about the train taken from the Merci Train Website, which is HERE.
The Texas site is HERE.
The Merci Train was a train of 49 French railroad box cars filled with tens of thousands of gifts of gratitude from at least that many individual French citizens. They were showing their appreciation for the more than 700 American box cars of relief goods sent to them by (primarily) individual Americans in 1948. The Merci Train arrived in New York harbor on February 3rd, 1949, and each of the 48 American states at that time received one of the gift-laden box cars. The 49th box car was shared by Washington D.C. and the Territory of Hawaii. Parades and welcome ceremonies were conducted in the state capitals and major cities of almost all the states.
The train’s boxcars are maintained in honor of all those who helped liberate France during World War II. The work being done by Veterans and volunteers. Linda further stated that the boxcar sent to Texas is at Camp Mabry in Austin. I couldn’t help myself, so off we went to see for ourselves. I hope you enjoy the tour. We are catered by Luties of Austin, and our entertainment is Edith Piaf.
Brunch Menu
Pastries
Croissant Pain Au Chocolat Kouign Amann Cheese Danish
Frozen Yogurt, Melon, Cucumber
Matcha Overnight Oats, Strawberry, Raspberry
Lemon Soft Serve, Granola, Apricot
Petit Aioli
Estate Bread, Saffron Honey, Butter Terrine
Turkish Eggs, Yogurt. Chili, Flatbread
Bagels with Almost Everything
Hangtown Fry, Oysters, Bacon, Tomato
Oyster Mushroom Hash Brown, Fried Egg, Radish, Habanero Yacoro Rojo Crêpes, Soft Scrambled Egg, Mornay, Black Trumpets Gulf Shrimp Omelette, Smoked Trout Roe, Hollandaise Barbecued Gulf Shrimp, and Grits
Croque Madame, Smoked Ham, Sunny Side Egg, Gruyere Waffle, Roasted Banana, Pumpkin Seed
Sourdough French Toast, Tumeric, Golden Raisins
We are ready.
Here we are at Camp Mabry, an active military base.
The seal of gratitude and French flag from the people of France to the people of the United States.
A Forty and Eight boxcar from The Train of Gratitude (also called the Merci Train) shows the seals of all the French providences and the train seal itself.
The Forty and Eight explained. The car can carry forty men or eight horses without straining your eyes. The cars were used in the two World Wars to transport men and material to the front.
The display below the car shows items from left: The Life magazine article of February 28th, 1949, about the gift of the train, A World War I souvenir letter opener from 1918 to 1920, A Moroccan Koummya Dagger 1880 to 1940, and a German bayonet from World War I fashioned into a Simitar 1880 to 1918. The knives were gifts contained in the car.
The view of the other side of the car with a mannequin present showing the scale.
The French people gathered gifts and donated them to the effort. Some gifts, such as toys, dolls, and service medals, are very personal. All were from individuals. Here is a small sample.
The gift of a sword was included.
Morter and pestle
Handkerchiefs.
Horse drawings.
The front of a carving with the following story.
The back of the carving.
There were countless gifts in the car, and none of them are on public display. They are preserved at the Briscoe Center for American History on the University of Texas campus. You can see more photos of them by clicking the Texas link above.
Well, that is the tour. Now it is time to relax and enjoy the music. If you want to know more and find the car for your state, just click on the links above, then go to the banner and click on your state. There will be a location of the car for that state. I hope you all have a great week. Thanks to Linda for the heads up.
Fiction Favorites 
A lovey story, John, and one that I had never heard. Thank you for sharing!
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It was new to me as well, Lori.I’m glad you liked it. 😊
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That was an interesting tour, John. A bit sad, too, but history can be that way.
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I can imagine someone donating a treasured item not really knowing where it will end up. A lot of gratitude in that case. Thanks, Vera.
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A great story of that era, John. There is always another tale from that we are not aware of, no matter how much we read and research!
Thank you.
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I feel the same way, GP. These stories get lost as the generation fades, so I was glad to learn of and share his one. It was a privilege to see it in person. Thanks.
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Thank you for sharing such a wonderful part of our history. ❤
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It was an honor. Thanks, Annette.
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That’s so cool.
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It is. New Jersey’s is at 205 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
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We can learn so much from our history. Thank you for sharing this, John. Wishing the Howell household, a peaceful Sunday.
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Thank you, Jill. Wishing you and yours the same peace. 😊
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That is really interesting and informative, John. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Always something new to learn. Thanks, Tim
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Michigan has its boxcar in Lansing, just north of I-96 on Waverly.
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You should go see it. It is something to see.
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I hope I’ll get a chance to see it, John.
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😁
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Hi John, what an interesting visit. It was lovely of slings to let you know about this.
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Thank you, Robbie. Yes it was.
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I wonder why we never learned about this in our history lessons. Interesting find, John. It looks like the AL display is closer to me than the one here in Florida.
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If you are in the area I would definitely recommend seeing it.
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Munching on my oyster mushroom hash brown whilst inspecting that sword . . good times Boss. Good times.
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It is. That would be some toothpick. 😁
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Right?
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😁
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Something I’d never heard of before. I’m going to share this with my mother. I think she’d enjoy it.
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I’m sure she would. Of course she was just a little girl when this took place but it is still interesting.
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I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t know about this. What an interesting story, John! My husband (as a devout history buff) will want to visit the Merci train near us. It’s in Holly Hill, which is not a long drive at all. A perfect outing for when the weather cools a bit.
Thanks for another great Views of the Neighborhood post! Have a great day! 😀 ❤
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I think he will enjoy it, Marcia.
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I think we both will, even though I’m not “into” history to the extent Mark is. I’m looking forward to seeing the exhibit. Thanks again for such an interesting post! 😀
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😊
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John Mon Ami, thank you for the very interesting piece of history. You prompted me to find Indiana’s boxcar. It is located in Ft. Wayne Indiana at the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum. Unfortunately, it is not a very popular exhibit. It seems that the unrefrigerated box car was loaded with Bri and Fois gras. The Brie and Fois gras are long gone but the odor lingers on.
I’m off to have some Quiche and a nice Sauvignon Blanc for brunch.
Have a great Sunday.
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Sounds like the beginning of a great day. Yeah too bad about the Brie and Fois gras. Thanks for stopping in before your brunch.
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How sad to learn the Illinois boxcar possibly was destroyed. I guess it just proves that too often, people don’t appreciate what’s given to them (I know, that sounds like an old grouch!) Anyway, this is a great story, and it doesn’t surprise me one bit that Linda was the impetus for it — thanks to both of you!
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At least Millicent Hill got to be married in a gown from the train. It is sad the car was destroyed. Thanks, Debbie.
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Don’t you just love discovering wonderful and unexpected things like this? Who knew? I’ll have the Croque Madame whilst listening to one of my favourites…
Happy Sunday, John!
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Thank you Dale. I have to tell you that after my dad died (I was ten) my Edith Piaf record sustained me. This song is especially cherished for its uplifting view of self.
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My son told me when he was in France for VE Day with the 82nd Airborne that the French are STILL grateful to us and were very kind.
It’s so hot, I’ll have the frozen yogurt and melon.
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I have heard stories like that as well. The allied cemetery in Normandy is well taken care of by the citizens.
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I have never heard of this train. What a great story of thanks.
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Thank you, Denise. I had not heard of it either.
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What an amazing exhibit!! Thank you for sharing the gratitude of the French to their liberators.
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It was good to see too. Thanks, Monika.
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Excellent post, John. I did not know about this train.
I’m going with that last group – sourdough French Toast sounds pretty darn good.
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It does sound good for sure.
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Thanks for sharing another bit of WWII history that was unknown to me. Leave it to the French to do it in style! I’m glad you decided to check out the exhibit. Excellent brunch selections!
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My pleasure, Jo. It was worth seeing.
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I had never heard of that, John, and I hadn’t yet seen Linda’s post. Thanks to both of you for educating me.
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Linda wrote me an e-mail so it is not a post. Good to learn new things.
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Thanks for the info, John
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😊
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What a fascinating post, John. I enjoyed your photos and text immensely; I certainly am glad you were able to visit and share the experience with us. I’m glad that my Kansas friend visited her state’s Merci Train and shared that, too — think how many people may now take the chance to track down their own state’s train car, and have a visit!
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I hope they do, Linda. When you think of the personal gifts people made you hope the spirit of the Merci train lives on. Thanks for the tip in the first place. 😁
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I knew nothing about the Merci Train! I looked up the ones from the New England states. Maine has done the best job of preserving the car and the gifts. Massachusetts scrapped their box car in 1965. 😦
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That’s too bad about Mass. I guess they couldn’t find anyone to keep it up. Than ks for the information
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Yes, they decided that restoration was too expensive.
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My goodness, this is wonderful!
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It is. Did you look up your state?
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I did! Shame on Massachusetts for scraping theirs, and hooray for our home states for keeping and maintaining theirs.
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A shame for sure. Those cars stand in honor of those who gave their lives that the French could be free. They also represent the generosity of the American citizens after the war in sending supplies arranged and paid for by the public.
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Well said, and I am as upset as you are. I wonder if any other states scrapped theirs. No, maybe I don’t want to know…
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Yes, Illinois did as well.
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Sigh! 😥
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I know right?
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Indeed!
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I’ve never heard of this, so thanks for enlightening me, John. Now I want to look up the cars from states I’ve lived in.
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Great idea, Teri. Might be interesting.
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I did! Massachusetts scrapped theirs (shame) and our home states still have the trains (hooray).
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Gotta wonder who would order that move.
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My thoughts exactly!
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Wonderful share, John. This is the first I’ve known of the Merci Train. Thank you! 😊
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Arizona’s is in Scottsdale. This was my first experience with the train too. Thanks. 😁
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Fabulous post and slice of history John. I loved listening to Piaf sing her famous song. 🙂
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I do too, Debby. 😁
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🙂
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Great information, dear John! If only the modern people of the blue chicken country knew about it…they would not believe. They are incredibly mean at present! 🍤🍤🍤🍻😊
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A friend has a son who participated in the D-Day memorial ceremonies at Normandy and said the people were very nice. Maybe it’s a city thing.
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Well, Normandie is not France, you know…:-)
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Oh. I did not know.
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😁😁😁 Now, you do, dear John. Normandie, Bretagne, Alsace are not France as well as most of other provinces. They keep the local spirit & do the right thing. 😉😉😉😎
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Thank you for the learning.
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