Merci Train

This railcar is on the grounds of the Old State Capitol under a wooden awning. A granite slab in front of the railcar states that this is the Louisiana railcar of the Merci Train from France, and was presented to Governor Earl K Long by Consul General Lionel Vasse on February 22, 1949.

I found this site, by Earl Bennett, which tells much more about the history of the Merci Train. The Merci Train comprised 49 box cars (one for each state and one shared by D.C. and Hawaii) containing gifts from the French people. These gifts were to thank Americans who had sent over 700 rail cars loaded with relief supplies to France after World War II. Bennett's site has pictures of other Merci railcars and information on their locations throughout the US.