The Forty and Eight history began with servicemen riding in these small WWI box cars. The following link to the Merci Train web site goes into detail on each of the box cars given to the United States by the citizens for France.
After WWII was over citizen across the US gathered together to help their less fortunate friends in France. They created a 700 boxcar long train filled with relief supplies. Then in 1948 the French people responded, decorating 49 boxcars and filling them with gifts and letters for their American friends.
The link will take you to the Merci Train web. Enjoy.
To donate to the Califorinia Merci Box Car, send a check or money order payable to The California Box Car Maintenance Fund to:
Bernard Foley (Chairman)
311 W 6th St.
Perris, CA 92570-2096