Once again, thanks to the Altamont Press:

BNSF employees to help move World War I box car

An old box car in Fresno, California, is getting a new home thanks to BNSF and the American Legion Voiture 31 organization.

The French "merci train" box car was given to the United States and sent to California in 1949 in appreciation of the American people for a "freedom ship" of food and clothing sent to France in 1948. The car was filled with many articles of crafts and heirlooms from the French people.

During its use, the box car carried men and horses during World War I (it’s marked that it could hold 40 men or eight horses).

The box car was placed in Fresno's Roeding Park and dedicated in 1957 as a war memorial. However, to increase public access and decrease vandalism, the American Legion Voiture 31 is moving the box car to the organization's property at 3509 N. First St. A grand rededication will take place at the end of this month.

The BNSF Railway Company is supplying the track materials necessary to place the box car at the new location, including two rails (20 feet long each), 11 ties, 50 spikes and tie plates. Several Fresno Maintenance of Way employees have volunteered to help move the box car and lay down the track. - BNSF Today, courtesy Larry W. Grant


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This bt got me interested and I read the Merci portion of the site (I was only prevously familar with the cars thanks to the NSRM)

It is amazing how quickly these fell into disrepair.