There are sites on the Oyster Creek Railroad that are difficult to access and don’t offer a convenient place to put down a standard size tool box. On prototype railroads, needed tools and equipment are brought to the site by the work train.
So I tasked the OCRR shop created a tool box which doesn’t need to be carried to the site and doesn’t need to be put down on the uneven ground and they came up with a “tool boxcar”. Most frequently used tools are located in the tray on top of the tool box with small parts like rail clamps and screws neatly stowed in plastic containers below the tray.
Tools are primarily for leveling and re-ballasting track, removing track sections for tie replacement, removing switch tracks for repair, etc. Assorted screw drivers, wrenches, small tools and track levels are stored in a removable top tray. Rail joiners, screws, railroad track wheel stops, and miscellaneous small parts are neatly stored in recycled baby food containers below the tray.
The shop installed a single hinge hidden behind the sliding door track which allows the roof to be swung open. A thick spacer between the hinge and the roof positions the roof above the hinge line. This allows the roof to move outward to clears the side of the car when the roof is hinged open. The reinforced smoke jack provides a convenient handle for opening the roof.
Even if you don’t have access problems, you still my find a working tool (box) car to be a useful and convenient way to store and organize small tools an parts for track maintenance. And tools that have a specific home are less likely to be misplaced when the work is done.
It is also easily transported to the work site even if that site is at a friends railroad. There you and your tool car help your friend with track installation and maintenance.
Maybe its time you actually put your work train to work.