I personally have no idea, maybe it's an urban myth.
These were often found on wooden trestles and were used to dip water out of a stream, river or from the locomotive tender to put out a small fire that may have started on the wooden trestle members. They were also often found attached to barrels of water spaced alongside the trestle for use in fire fighting.
Mark
the reason for the conical shape is reportedly to prevent the buckets from being stolen. If the bucket doesn't have a flat bottom to set it down on - then it is not very usable for another use.
dd
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
RJ
"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling
http://sweetwater-photography.com/
Phoebe Vet wrote:I believe that roughly translates into "one who studies tiny iron horses", .... lol.
That would be the general idea, although I do 'study' 12 inch to the foot versions up close and personal on a fairly regular basis.
Now back to your regularly scheduled program...
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