Frisco Modern 86/89' and 60' Flat cars HO scale

Tom, the crate might have been for a hand or power switch. Generally it was full of switch plates, wedges, braces and the special bolts. Most of the items came separate like some in a gondola, flat and part by truck. In planning for a switch relay all the parts would be laying close to the switch that was to be removed. They did not use a tarp, the crate is dead on. A good modeling idea might be some laying on the ground. You might also see a flat with rail, gondola with Frog, Points and Guard Rails setting in a track close to the work. The crate kinda brought that idea to mind. Most would think it was just a bunch of junk laying around.
Bill Jackson