In the spirit of "Giving" and saying "Thank You"

This is the 60 year anniversary of a special event. Only 39 of these cars exist today. Pictured is Maine's Merci Car "or "Thank You" which can be seen at Boothbay Railway Village. Forty eight of these boxcars were donated by France to the US. One for each state as thanks for US aid after WW2. Each car was filled with beautiful gifts from private citizens. The French citizens were showing their appreciation for over 700 box cars of aid and relief gifts collected all across the United States from American citizens in 1948. The cars from France arrived and were shipped by rail to each state in 1949.