BOONTON, N.J. — The long-lost New Jersey car from the post-World War II “Merci Train” has been rediscovered and will be returned to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey for restoration.
The URHS reports the car has been donated by the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. It was found in a Tennessee field in 1993, subsequently stored by the museum in a warehouse, and last year was positively identified as the New Jersey car.
“For rail historians, this is like finding buried treasure,” URHS Executive Director Kevin Phalon said in a press release. “We would have never expected to see this car again, so we are incredibly grateful to the National WWI Museum and Memorial for saving it. We are honored to be entrusted with its restoration and return to New Jersey.”
The four-wheeled boxcar was built between 1893 and 1895 and was used during World War I to transport troops and supplies. In 1949, it was one of 49 sent to the U.S. by the people of France, filled with gifts of gratitude for U.S. support during and after World War II. Each state, and the then-Territory of Hawaii, received a boxcar with gifts of sentimental value, such as artwork, dolls, wedding dresses, and historic artifacts.
The cars arrived by ship at Weehawken, N.J., and New Jersey’s car was transported to Trenton, where it was presented by the French Consul General to Gov. Alfred Driscoll. Many of the gifts were displayed at the Newark Museum and New Jersey State Museum; some of the items are still part of their collections.
The whereabouts of the car itself, originally gifted to the American Legion, had been unknown for more than 60 years.
“The discovery of this boxcar marks the resolution of one of New Jersey’s great mysteries of history,” said Nicholas Ciotola, curator of cultural history at the State Museum. “More importantly, its restoration and preservation will help ensure that the history of our country’s role as a military and economic leader, protector of Europe and savior of democracy in the tumultuous World War II era will never be lost or forgotten.”
The boxcar will be moved by truck to the URHS restoration facility in Boonton this spring. The organization plans to pursue efforts to add the car to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and, with adequate support and funding, to complete restoration by Memorial Day 2027. It will then become a traveling exhibit and memorial.
The effort will be aided by the first URHS platinum sponsor, Boxcar, a New Jersey-based commuting, parking, and services app.
“As a veteran who served overseas, helping bring this boxcar home to New Jersey is personal,” said Boxcar CEO Joe Colangelo. “It’s a symbol of what America stands for — service, sacrifice, and the lasting bonds we’ve built through leadership and generosity.”
The URHS is soliciting additional corporate sponsorships to assist with the car’s transportation and restoration. More information can be found at this page of the URHS website.
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