D. P. CLARK FRICTION HILL CLIMBER TOY TRAIN DATED NOV 2, 1897

This primitive toy has a friction mechanism (called Hill Climber) that works and is made from wood and pressed steel.
Unusual find as this could be a P.D. Clark or Schiebel. Information stamped under pilot states: "Pat. D Nov. 2, 1897"
Could this be a possible prototype of some kind? I would appreciate any information on this piece.
Thanks...