The LNER Encyclopedia

I was recently asked by a friend about this peice of rolling stock
http://www.flickr.com/photos/minthamie/ ... 3879433709

The photo was taken in (or near) a place called Duisburg in Germany. I can't really think what such a thing could be used for, especially with a winch mounted sideways. Looking at it closelyI find it unlikely it would be able to move under its own power as I can't see any gears or chains (not even an axle).

Note the 'rail gripping brakes' too.

I would appreciate some insight into this, it looks an interesting oddity. (Maybe it isn't odd at all)

Looks like some sort of winch with a capstan. The clamps I have seen on other lifting tackle used mainly to stop things lifting from the rails or toppling. Perhaps used for hauling vehicles without locos, a mechanical shunting horse!?

It is as you say a winch, although mounted in what appears to be the wrong plane the rope will be taken through the fairlead and turned 90 degrees at the capstan. I would guess it is being used for shunting wagons.
The NER used rail clamps to secure pulling tackle to recover derailed locos.

I was thinking around the idea of a re-railing winch, to bring something back to within reach of a crane jib....

It wouldn't be for use on a traverser or similar would it?