This is a Bethlehem DES 465 switch latch for locking out a railway turnout. They were used in tandem on a track switch to lock the switching lever in one direction or the other. A padlock was used to prevent unauthorized movement of the switch. They seem to be fairly common online, though no pictures of one actually in use.
Somebody still sells what looks to be a welded (vs cast) copy, so maybe these switches are still in use in private railyards and need to be replaced occasionally. Odd that it's so cheap.
ReplyDeletehttps://kimessteel.com/products/k51-foot-lever-catch
http://lst-zittau.blogspot.com/2016/11/dreharbeiten-zum-lehrfilm.html
ReplyDeleteThey're used everywhere! and the new welded ones are cheaoer than the the antiques... Thanks for the links!
ReplyDeleteI still can't figure how they can make and sell that thing for the price of only 12 cups of Tim's medium regular coffee. Gotta be a misprint.
ReplyDelete