High-quality black-and-white photographs of large old machines and tools

[bruce.desertrat]

Better rigidity, too; this is a specialized machine to crank out wheels. I don't expect resale value was ever accounted into the system; this was designed to be used to make wheels until it was scrapped.

This isn't what a railroad shop would install; they'd want to ensure that the wheels were properly concentric to each other, but if you're making hundreds or thousands of wheels to ship out this is the machine you would use...notice the stack of blanks waiting alongside

[Toolmaker51]

Better rigidity, too; this is a specialized machine <snipped>.....notice the stack of blanks waiting alongside

And the cute little hex wrench, securing wheel to fixture.
I'll bet there is some kind of key driving it!

[Isambard]

Actually, companies like Sellars, Niles etc made those specifically for railways. With a fixed crosshead, they were made to machine both wheels & tires.
Wheels had to be machines prior to pressing on axles...