Help Identifying this object found near railroad tracks in old coal mining territory

[AzureFox]

Hi all,

Found this buried in the dirt near an old Southern Railway line that used to carry coal from mines up on the Cumberland plateau. Not sure at all what it is but I feel it is obviously railroad or mine equipment related. It is lettered 1958-L-1 on the back and has some unique pathways for what I am guessing is an electric component. Base is made of some hard and stone-like material while other parts are brass or copper.

Thanks for any advice!

 

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[DizzyDigger]

Could you take images of both sides, and include something
in the image for size reference?

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

It kind of looks like the speaker or mic from a phone or a call box. Look up vintage carbon microphone then go to images.

 

[lackaff]

Google Lens says it is a Manhole lid

 

[crashbandicoot]

Vacuum tube related?

 

[invent4hir]

The base looks like it is made of the same material as brake pads...Agree size and pics of both sides will help ID.

 

[DizzyDigger]

The OP has not been on the site since June...don't hold your hopes up.

 

[pepperj]

The OP has been on the site since June...don't hold your hopes up.

Makes one wonder why-even bother in the first place.
I guess the first reply wasn't quick enough to hold the short attention span.
Looking at the twill on the towel it's not overly big in size.

 

[invent4hir]

Good points, totally missed the twill...

 

[DizzyDigger]

Corrected to "has NOT been on the site..."

 

[GoldieLocks]

Google Lens says it is a Manhole lid

I agree, is it big enough?

 

[CTwoods]

Size?? if small, It looks like the insulated base of an vintage TV tube or old radio tube, The brass terminal 'pins would be in each hole