French
boxcar
New Haven,
KY

Title	:	French 40-et-8 Boxcar, Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven, KY
Date	:	October 8, 2009
Description	:	This 40-et-8 boxcar was a standard European boxcar made in France and used during World War I and II. During both wars, the boxcar was used to transport 40 soldiers or 8 mules and horses around Europe. The car was built in Lyon, France in 1905 or 1908 for use on the Paris-Lyon Mediterranean Railway (PLM). After World War II, the French people donated one car to each state plus one to be shared by the District of Columbia and the Territory of Hawaii. The boxcars were filled with items of appreciation that may have included crafts, food, art, and gift items. In 1949, the cars were presented to each of the states. This 40-et-8 car was given to Kentucky Railway Museum in 1958. Between 1997 and 2001 the Nelson County Technical Vocational School, located in Beardstown, Kentucky, restored the car to its original state under the supervision of Mr. Chris VerDow. The plaques that are displayed on each side of the boxcar represent the provinces of France. The car was returned to the Kentucky Railway Museum in May 2001 where it is on permanent display. Funding for the restoration project was provided by the Kentucky Order of Colonels and the 40-et-8 Society of Elizabethtown.