Grips held everything from toiletries to treats

Who knew that the old time railroad men carried their toiletries, clothes and time papers in real macho overnight cases? Made of galvanized sheet steel, the “grips” as they were called had iron hinges, hasps for locking, and wooden handles. The one pictured below was probably fabricated in the L&N Sheet Metal Shop. John (Pete) Davis, L&N engineer for 50 years, always carried one of these to work. Upon his return from his run to Clarksville, his grandchildren remember looking forward to getting chewing gum from his grip. Source – Johnnie Davis Bickerstaff (granddaughter of John Davis). Submitted by Ray Harding.