1947 Friendship Train

[hobo1960]

The 1947 Friendship Train
I have wanted to recreate this amazing train in the game for a very long time. Over the past few years, I researched and read some interesting books and articles. I viewed a variety of web pages and videos until I was ready to tackle this project. These repaints are the results. I hope that others find the history and the repaints.

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Two years after the end of the Second World War, France and Italy were still suffering from the effects of the German occupation and the fighting.

Well-known and respected Washington Post syndicated columnist, Drew Pearson, suggested that Americans should help people in those countries through something he called a Friendship Train—a train of aid donated by ordinary people.

His challenge was taken up and a plan put together, and on 27 October, 1947, amid a Hollywood extravaganza (including the appearance of such celebrities as John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and a host of other stars, along with a crowd of twenty-five thousand people) eight boxcars headed east towards Chicago and eventually New York City.

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The promoters had hoped to get at least eighty cars of foodstuffs collected. But as the publicity of the train grew, as it crossed the United States, more and more people donated food, clothing, medicine, fuel, and money, adding more cars to the train. At various stops along the route, the train was met by cheering crowds, and cars would be added to the train. Indeed, by the time the train arrived in Chicago there were so many cars of donated aid that two trains were required to transport it all.

Many of the donations were made by individuals, such as items collected by young children, and civic organizations. While the collected resources were a token of the vast amount of aid required, considering the extensive carnage from the war, it was effective propaganda for the ideological conflict with the Soviet Union and it helped many Americans feel good about the country.

When the train left Chicago it was split, with the New York Central Railroad going through northern New York state and the Pennsylvania Railroad going through Pennsylvania directly to New York City.

Although the train traveled through only eleven states, every state contributed by sending its boxcars or trains to meet the Friendship Train at a junction or by sending trucks to the train. Many communities not on the original route insisted on giving, thereby causing delays all along the journey. In fact, the enormity of the donations plus the mountainous terrain in the West caused the train to divide, and at its end, three trains were required. The estimated worth was forty million dollars.

The trains were easy to spot; communities along the way attached banners and signs to the cars to let people know where the gifts came from -- “Carload of Raisins from Fresno” -- “To the people of France and Italy from the hearts of their friends in Stockton” -- “From Pittsburgh, U.S.A.: Food For Friends” among many.

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Some of the cars were professionally painted by a sponsoring railroad, like NYC, SP, CB&Q, and CNW. There were also passenger cars to support the workers that accompanied the train, two of them painted with a Friendship Train scheme. There was also a flatcar with a podium, loud speakers, and three searchlights where local politicians could thank the always large crowds for their support. Each railroad used its own engines when on its tracks, and the Pennsylvania used a new Centipede set to pull the train.

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By the time the train arrived in New York City on 19 November, it included 270 boxcars of aid.

All costs for the entire venture were donated; the food, the transportation by rail and truck, the loading of the boxcars and trucks, the loading of the ship by the stevedores and the use of the ships was donated for the cause. It was a warm-hearted, entirely voluntary hands-across-the-sea gift outright from one people to another, with no strings attached. And when that show of friendship and brotherly kindness arrived in Europe just before Christmas, the people of those war torn countries rejoiced.

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For those who wish to learn more about this amazing train, I recommend the following resources:

Excellent book: Boxcar Diplomacy: Two Trains that Crossed an Ocean. by Jane Sweetland

A wonderful web site by Dorothy Scheel
https://www.thefriendshiptrain1947.org/index.htm

A short film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfxWYNf97Hg&t=662s

[hobo1960]

My train in the game...

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[hobo1960]

My files are available here:

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/uc4uhbe4t03mveo/Friendship_Train_Boxcars_40ft_mainelines.zip/file

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/uil22mlxibx3lan/Friendship_Train_Boxcars_50ft_greatnortherner.zip/file

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/9wsoffgpkw1toyw/Friendship_Train_Boxcar_DS_gtrax.zip/file

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/y82h5r85n2pvqpl/Friendship_Train_Reefer_40ft_Steel_gtrax.zip/file

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/uypoc10ctkta8fy/Friendship_Train_Heavyweight_msts.zip/file

[hobo1960]

Interesting follow up fact...

One of the cars I painted the CBQ "Lincoln Car" unfortunately, was not part of the original train but I added it anyway as it is part of the history of the project.

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By the time some people heard about the various trains supporting this effort it was too late to get their donations too where the cars were being loaded. People continued to gather resources and send them on, even after the original train had reached New York City. This particular car was sent to NYC in February 1948. The contents included care packages, each designed to feed a family of four for a month.

KB

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[mindenjohn]

Heck of a project. Thanks for sharing the models and the history.

[cnwfan]

Way too cool and nicely done! Thank you for bringing this forward and for doing the repaints.

[harryadkins]

What a great project. Thanks for sharing.

Harry