Need info on old railroad item!!

[Csxgp38-2]

Hi all, I was exploring the remnants of the Apex-Erwin spur of the D&S, when in the old drainage ditch off to the side of the embankment, I saw 2 rusty pieces of metal, at least 5 feet long. One at first looked like an old leafspring assembly from a pickup truck, but upon further inspection after dragging it out of the briar filled ditch, it appears to be a railroad item. The other item I pulled out was an old track spacer bar, not the proper name, but I've know that's what it was. Back to the mystery item, it was made in Lufkin Texas by Texas Foundries Co, no date could be found, but lettering that appears to be:
B8 148 on one side of the rod part, and ASF 14-15 on the other side. This was located near a still intact switch, and near the concrete footings from a signal, if that helps.
Attached are pictures, any clue?
Before removal from the ditch:

After I dragged it up to the tracks:

Texas Foundaries markings (a search on this company reveals a picture from 1910 of the facilities, therefore it's old.):

One side of the rod:

The other side of the rod:

The complete assembly:

The rail spacer I also found:

After retrieving both items:

[philmoberg]

It's a brake beam, probably from a freight car truck, given the location. The brake shoes were fitted in the casting on either end (one of the castings appears to be missing) by means of a flat metal key, and the whole thing was hung by means of a simple link hanger from the brake shoe brackets. There is a good diagram of a somewhat more modern setup on the third page of this document: http://sctco.com/pdf/Section1.pdf. Interestingly, it appears that brake beams now ride in slots on the inside of the truck side frame, which no doubt greatly diminishes the risk of dragging equipment, such as with a broken hanger. I suspect that's what happened to the one you found, given that the brake shoe bracket is gone from one end.

[simer4]

Wow, thanks for all that info and link to that page, I shall put it to good use!