40 hommes, 8 chevaux

[Dan Morton]

Fellow WWI nutz -

Have you ever wondered about the actual size of those French rail cars that they hauled the soldiers around in? They are mentioned in nearly every WWI memoir I've read. Two things -

In 1920 the American Legion actually formed a service organization called 40 & 8. Since then it has done marvelous charity work. It was formed by US vets who were transported all over France in the small box cars labeled. 40 hommes / 8 chevaux (40 men / 8 horses). If you are interested in the organization 40 & 8, their web site is: http://fortyandeight.org/

Some pics of the French box cars-

All the best,
Dan

 

[garyjd]

Dan, Neat post, thanks. It makes me think of Marijn's vignette. I't's amazing that those cars held 40 men, as they look a little on the small side.~Gary

 

[Dan Morton]

Gary - Here's what the typical stenciled sign looked like -

I even found a French model RR site that sold these.

And all from a Google search on "40hommes, 8 chevaux".
All the best,
Dan