Hawaii's "Merci" boxcar is a gift from the citizens of France in recognition of the generous donation of two boxcar loads of sugar donated by the citizens of Hawaii to the American Friendship Train. Forty-nine French boxcars arrived in New York on February 2, 1949. One for each of the then 48 states and one shared between Hawaii and Washington D.C. Each boxcar was packed with gifts given by French citizens. The gifts were divided between D.C. and Hawaii with Hawaii receiving the actual boxcar in November 1949. The boxcar has been restored and will be rededicated to the people of Hawaii and their continuing and enduring sprit of Aloha.

Jeff Livingston
Historian
Hawaiian Railway Society