A very special thank you to:
The Nevada Humanities for their support and encouragement.

Earl Bennett whose passion and research have helped us learn more about the wonderful history of the Merci Train.

Aurelie DeLaissez-Forstall whose energy, commitment, connections, and knowledge have propelled us farther than we thought we could reach.

Marcel Leandri who shared his story and his time with us, and who gifted an additional set of 5 soldiers in 2009 to add to our collection.

Robert Morrill for sharing your memories and your time.

The Staff of the Nevada State Museum who went above and beyond the call of duty in helping us get this project underway.

Dr. Elizabeth Covington and Veronique Guyot for translating and researching.

Wendell Huffman, Chris DeWitt, Lee Hobold, Brian Sheldon, and Rick Stiver at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, for so patiently making the Boxcar move!

Neal Cobb for taking the time to share your recollections.

REFERENCES:
"French Show Gratitude by Merci Train Gifts to Nevada." Nevada Highways and Parks, 1949. June-September, Volume IX, Number 2, p. 20-30.

"For Nevada Only: The Friendship and Merci Trains in Nevada, 1947-1949." by Dorothy R. Scheele. Nevada Historical Society Quarterly Winter 2003 Vol. 46, No. 4, p. 287-298.

Vail Pittman Papers, Friendship Train, French Train documents courtesy of the Nevada State Library and Archives.

Here are a few sites we have found helpful and interesting:

http://www.mercitrain.org/
The most comprehensive website on the Merci Train that we have seen so far.

http://history.nd.gov/fgt/index.html
North Dakota has a wonderful website on their Merci Boxcar with over 500 images of the gifted objects.

http://www.frenchculture.org/
Official Website of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy

http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org/
Consulate General of France in San Francisco

http://nevadaculture.org/museums/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412&Itemid=123
Nevada State Railroad Museum