@Tinplate Art posted:Interesting. What is it and who made it? Some type of coaling station?
It's a windup toy dredge. It was made by Oro Werke in Germany under the trade name Orobr around 1920. The windup mechanism is in the engine part of the toy and moves the pistons up and down. The black wheel is some type of flywheel that prevents the windup mechanism from moving until it starts to turn. There is a lever on the opposite side that turns a lever on the bucket elevator to make them move. It's a fascinating toy that is very addictive to play with.
George