On February 2, 2025, people came from all over to celebrate the 75th anniversary of J-58220, and all the people who worked together to return a beloved boxcar to its former glory.
Aloha and welcome to the Hawaiian Railway Society! Visit us and ride on a train! (click on image)
J-58220 stands proudly on a very special track made for a very special boxcar.
The company that originally owned the boxcar: Compagnie des chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée (PLM).
The boxcar could either carry 40 men...
...or 8 horses (but not both at the same time).
By law that had to be painted on the outside of the boxcars. The American "Doughboys" called them "40 & 8s."
The official Merci Train logo (click on image)
Created by Robert Louis, a prominent French heraldic artist.
Builder's Plates
"After the war, PLM, the company that owned the boxcar, a new name. They engraved the name on a metal plate and fastened it to the frame."
Merci to the people of Hawaii for their sweet gift to the people of France during the post-war famine.
Robert Louis designed the shields to represent the original French provinces.
The French side of the boxcar.
One of the historic locomotives in use.
All aboard! Inside Coach 57, one of the passenger cars.
There was a yellow locomotive...
There was a green locomotive...
There was a locomotive the color of candied apples.
There was a very special train car that Queen Lilioukalani once rode in.
Built in Honolulu in 1900, Coach 64 was sometimes called the Ambassador.
Oak, mahogany, and birds eye maple created an interior of 1900's-era luxury.
Finally meeting The Unforgettable Boxcar!
There were speeches.
There were television crews covering the unforgettable event! Action!
The ceremony began with a blessing of the boxcar.
The Daughters of the American Revolution who volunteered countless hours during the restoration present Jeff with a medal.
The authors and an akamai historian.
Jeff Livingston, historian and major contributor to our book! Mahalo Jeff!
Mahalo to beta reader Lori Arizumi, member of the Ewa Villages Historical Society (click on image).
Salina, Hawaiian Railway Society's amazing Administrator.
The author with HRS power house members!
Mahalo and thank you to everyone who helped make this very special day a reality for all.
J-58220: home at last. :)
Did you know...
Did you know...
The Hawai`i public school system is the oldest public school system in the United States west of the Mississippi and the only one created by a king (King Kamehameha III)
