Can anybody identify this piece of cast iron?

The top part turns a little on the base. It was found next to an abandoned rail line that
operated from 1881 to 1931. I searched all of the antique railroad sites and could not find a clue. Thank you for looking at this!

Hank

 

How big is it?
Without having any idea of size, I'll guess it's some kind of hitch.

 

about 3 feet high from the ground, maybe 16 inches in diameter. The top part has two extensions that fit into the base and swivels very slightly.

 

Hi Hank, welcome to the boards!

I don't really know much about railroad equipment but I've spent the last couple years working right next to a railroad that dates back to the 1850s (with lots of updates of course). So I have seen some bits and pieces but not much.

Maybe a shot or two from a different angle would help someone to figure it out. It looks like you're maybe using it as yard art which is cool!

 

Great sculpture!!

 

Maybe this would help the cause.

 

Is it just standing there or connected to something?
My guess......very old switching mechanism. They are much different now but maybe this was rotated with a wooden bar to change track direction.

 

You may be right......this cast iron "whatever" was moved from its original position and given to someone.

 

I think this because it would have to be massive to sustain the torque required to move the track especially in snow and ice. Now the joints are heated. Perhaps more than one man operated them.