Our new ‘Friendship Train Series’ will feature 12 prototypical freight and passenger cars that were part of the American Friendship Train in 1947. The Friendship Train collected food donated by Americans in cities all across the U.S. to be shipped to the people of France and Italy who desperately needed help following the end of World War II. Without involvement of the government, the food was loaded, transported by rail and truck and shipped overseas for free due to the generosity of the American people and their businesses.

There were over 250 Friendship Train box cars that travelled through eleven states from Los Angeles to New York City and ultimately to France and Italy. Many of the cars had large banners and placards on the sides and crates individually labeled so there was no mistaking where the food came from. This series will not include a locomotive.

This 50’ flat car with platform enclosure and covered spotlight load was part of the 1947 Friendship Train which collected food donated by Americans in cities all across the U.S. to be shipped to the people of France and Italy who desperately needed help following the end of World War II. Ultimately, over 250 railcars of food and clothing were donated.