It's a speed control gauge from a Swedish steam locomotive. Why? What did you think the Swedish word fart means?
Dalton Richards of the blog Railyard visited the Järnvägsmuseet, a train museum in Gälve, Sweden. This photo from there spoke powerfully to my inner twelve-year-old.
Pretty funny. Reminds me of all those "Ausfahrt" signs in Germany. That thing in the picture is not a speed control gauge. It is an an engine order telegraph or E.O.T. from a ship. It is used to relay engine speed commands from the bridge to the engine room. Locomotives would not need one--they have a throttle in the cab. The brass topped barrel-like items next to it are binnacles which are protective housings for a ship's compass. Apparently that train museum has some maritime displays too.
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It's interesting that the Swedish word "Full" has the same meaning in English. Full Fart ahead!
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