Abstract: The present invention is to a lockable railing trough. The railing trough may have end panels, forming a bin. The locking mechanism comprises a mechanically separate item from the trough. The trough or bin may be hung on a railing, perhaps on a man lifter, by a hook portion of the trough or bin and locked there with the locking mechanism, which engages the trough or bin and not the railing. The trough or bin may hang on the inside of the railing or on the outside of the railing. Matched pairs of troughs and/or bins may be arranged in saddle-bag fashion, with their hook portions overlapping over the railing. A plurality of bins and troughs may be used on a plurality of railings on a single man lifter. The bins and troughs may be adapted to particular work environments such as painting, electrical work, or plumbing. The troughs and bins may comprise compartments, trays, tool tethers, and other adaptations to particular work requirements.