Voiture 1116 40 et 8

During World War I the capacity marking stenciled on French box cars (voitures) was “40 et 8”--forty men (hommes) and eight horses (chevaux). “Forty and eight” became a symbol of comradeship among the American veterans of that era. In 1920 a Philadelphia group of American Legionnaires organized the first Société Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Chevaux. Soon there were chapters across the nation. In 1933 this chapter, “Voiture 1116-40-et-8,” was chartered in Genesee County.