Boxcar P. L. M. K -134980 was given to the people of West Virginia by the people of France on 2/7/49. It was one of many used during World War I and World War II to haul troops and supplies to and from the front lines. Printed on its side is “Hommes 40 – Chevaux 8,” referring to its holding capacity of forty men or eight horses. This boxcar was one of 49 sent to this country as gifts of appreciation. The cars, known as the French Gratitude or Merci Train, were the French people's grateful response to America's earlier aid to war-stricken France. In 1946 and 1947 the United States had sent food, clothing, and medical supplies totaling over 40 million dollars to France through a private relief effort by individuals from every part of America. In return, French war veterans selected 49 boxcars and filled them with sculptures, paintings, wine, perfumes, and other priceless French gifts. Shields depicting each of the 40 provinces of France were added, and one car was sent to each state capitol plus one to Washington D.C. West Virginia's boxcar was allowed to deteriorate and the gifts were scattered, with only a few ending up in the West Virginia State Museum. In 1994 the boxcar was found in South Charleston in an open field, with very little wood left and the metal badly rusted. The car was brought to Welch, West Virginia, on June 6th, 1996, and taken to the McDowell County Vocational School, where it was renovated.