We see pictures of pre-depression cabooses and tenders with tool boxes slung beneath. What was in them and why did they fall out of favor?
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A guess???
1. Tools to re-rail a car.
2. Tools, (and parts), to fix, or replace a broken coupler.
@Greg2 posted:We see pictures of pre-depression cabooses and tenders with tool boxes slung beneath. What was in them
Various hand tools, such as hammer, chisel, spare knuckle and knuckle pins, cotter pins, wrenchs for changeout of air brake hose, spare air brake hose.
and why did they fall out of favor?
Steam engines and cabooses are gone.Plus, fewer and fewer persons on the train crew.
@Greg2 posted:What was in them and why did they fall out of favor?
Diesels have boxes for knuckles, chains, pins, etc. out on the long hood end behind the non-door side of the cab and places inside the short hood end for air hoses, wrench, hammer and chisel. It seems like some western road units would carry a rerailer hanging on the side of unit somewhere, although we never had them on the NS.
On the caboose, tools were kept in a locker inside.
It was not uncommon for passenger cars to carry hot box supplies. This included blocking, journal jack, spare brass and wedge, a bucket with oil soaked waste and journal oil. Every Pullman has these tools in a box under the car. This material was also carried in some cabooses. Other common repairs were rerailing, changing knuckles and air hoses. Freight cars could be set out and a wheel change car could address more serious issues.
IMO, East Palestine, Ohio train wreck, the modern, crane equipment was quickly available. Cat dozers with the side-winder crane, etc. Handling hazardous materials probably also part of modern train wreck procedures.
