D&H RR Object

[jurtz]

I presume the D&HRR insignia means this was used on the Delaware & Hudson RR. It is a canister with a spout. Does anyone know what it was used for back in the day?

[CPSmith]

My first guess is a carnocker's can for journal oil. What do I get if I win ?!?!?

[Cosmo]

Drinking water can for the caboose and or engine crew.
Pree-1900 version of an IGLOO cooler-jug.

[BR&P]

My first guess is a carnocker's can for journal oil. What do I get if I win ?!?!?

Don't worry about the prize, you don't get it. Journals were oiled with a long spout.

Oiling journals.jpg (495.7 KiB) Viewed 1086 times

[NYCRRson]

That is a "hip flask" that was used by the D&H operating crews during Prohibition and the Depression. They had extra baggy overalls to cover up just such an item. Filled with bathtub gin, just what was needed to pass a few hours while waiting for a "high ball" to get back to your home terminal....

Kidding aside, it looks like an oil can. Too small to hold any meaningful amount of water. Maybe valve oil for superheated loco's ? Maybe just a different style of journal box oil can ? Clearly it's an oil can of some sort, maybe you could use it with an "add on" spout ?

[jurtz]

Thanks for the replies. I’m thinkIng Cosmo may have it - a type of water canteen. I took a close look at the interior and it is clean - no evidence of any oil based product ever being in there. I can imagine this sitting on top of a coal stove heating up water for the conductors coffee. It does resemble an overgrown tea kettle.

[BR&P]

Bear in mind there could be multiple uses for a given item. The railroad probably bought a couple hundred of them, and they could have been doled out to the track department, operating crews, mechanical and shop guys etc. My guess is a list of what was in them all over the years would be quite lengthy.