Hello all. I've uncovered multiple rail related items in my yard over the past couple years. I can usually figure out what they are. This one has me stumped. Any help would be appreciated!

Surely someone has a thought on this...

I can see how it works but don’t know what it’s for. Looks like a clamp of some sort. Interesting...

It reminds me of a clamp used to hold a log in a sawmill, commonly referred to as a " dog ".

Thank you, Boiler Water! You are a genius!!
I found one that looks JUST like it an old farm / sawmill site. This has been driving me crazy.