Dining on the Train

Before dining cars in passenger trains were common in the United States, a rail passenger’s option for meal service in transit was to patronize one of the roadhouses often located near the railroad’s “water stops”. Fare typically consisted of rancid meat, cold beans, and old coffee. Such poor conditions discouraged

Continue reading

The Merci Car & the Gratitude train

Many American soldiers who served in France during World Wars I and II will recognize and have “fond” memories of riding in cars like this French box car, called a 40 et 8 (40 and 8) car because the French military had rated the cars to carry 40 soldiers or

Continue reading