A rare and poignant artifact from World War II has arrived in Georgia. On Friday, August 1, the Georgia Ports Authority received a 1902 German box car—one of the few surviving examples of its type. Originally constructed for freight transport, the railcar was later repurposed by the German military during the war to move Allied prisoners of war to prison camps throughout Europe. On Tuesday, August 5, the box car will be delivered to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, Georgia, where it will serve as a centerpiece for the museum’s upcoming expanded Airman’s Fate exhibit. Scheduled to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, the renovated exhibition will delve into the POW experiences and Escape & Evasion accounts of Eighth Air Force airmen during the Second World War.
Enclosed railcars of this type, manufactured between 1900 and 1927, were originally designed to carry goods shielded from the elements. During both world wars, however, their purpose shifted to a far more somber role. Known as “40 and 8” cars—signifying a capacity of 40 men or eight horses—they became a grim means of transporting POWs across occupied Europe. Over time, the car underwent various modifications, including the replacement of its original wooden doors with steel ones. As part of its preservation, the steel doors have now been replaced with authentic wooden doors salvaged from original stock, restoring the artifact’s historical accuracy.
“We are honored to welcome this extraordinary artifact to the museum,” said Tiffany Bueno, Research and Collections Manager. “This box car represents an important and often sobering chapter of the airmen’s history—not only their service in the skies, but the hardships endured by many after capture.”
The arrival of the box car is a key milestone in the museum’s ongoing Maximum Effort Capital Campaign, which supports major exhibit upgrades designed to preserve Eighth Air Force history and deepen the storytelling experience for visitors. Once complete, Airman’s Fate will offer an immersive and deeply personal look at life behind the wire, paying tribute to the resilience, courage, and sacrifice of those who faced imprisonment or fought for freedom under dire conditions. More information on the railcar’s transatlantic journey and exhibit progress will be shared in the coming months. The box car is set to leave the Georgia Ports Authority at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, for its final trip to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. For more information, visit www.mightyeighth.org.
About the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
The museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Eighth Air Force—the largest air armada in history—by honoring the character, courage, valor, and patriotism of those who served. Through films, exhibits, artifacts, and archival materials, the museum tells the personal stories of the men and women whose sacrifices contributed to Allied victory in World War II. Highlights include a fully restored B-17 Flying Fortress and the Mission Experience—an immersive theater presentation that simulates a bombing mission using authentic combat footage. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is located at 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, Noon–5 p.m. For more information, call (912) 748-8888 or visit www.mightyeighth.org.
