OGDEN — Utah’s Merci Train boxcar is going to get a long-sought and long-needed renovation.

During its meeting Tuesday, the Ogden City Council voted unanimously to approve a $175,000 amendment to the 2022-2023 budget for restoration of the boxcar.

The boxcar was a gift from France as part of the 1949 Merci Train, which honored each state’s contributions toward France’s rebuilding after World War II. The car was acquired by the Museums at Union Station in 2002 and was given some restoration services by volunteers at this time, according to Ogden Comptroller Lisa Stout.

“Since that time, the boxcar has experienced the effects of weathering and sun damage,” she said.

Union Station has extensive plans for restoration now that the amendment has been granted, according to Stout.

“The museums are committed to state historic preservation,” she said. “First, they plan to hire a historic preservation company to do a professional restoration of the boxcar, including replacement of the rotting wood and restoration of the original roof. Second, they plan to build a structural cover for the car to protect it from future damage from water and weather.”

The boxcar is also set to be moved on the museum’s campus.

During the City Council’s June 6 work session, Christy McBride, Ogden City Arts, Culture and Events division manger, discussed plans for the boxcar.

“We plan to move it to the south side,” she said. “There is an area that was built to house it eventually and it just never did get moved to that area. There’s a round circular path where people can walk up and look at all sides of it. We plan to put it there and build a structure to protect it.”

During the public comment on the budget amendment Tuesday, Ogden resident Bill Dodge said the boxcar’s historical value can’t be overstated.

“There’s a great deal of American history that goes along with this boxcar,” he said. “It’s not just a simple train car. When the Friendship Train came through Utah in 1947, Utah donated four boxcars full of food, clothing and all kinds of things to the French. In reciprocation for that, the French people — all over the country — donated one of these boxcars to Utah full of gifts.”

He said it’s time to get the boxcar restored once again.

“You have an opportunity tonight to approve not much money to get this thing fixed again,” he said. “That’s been kind of a festering wound, if you will, for the last four years.”

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