Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Interesting piece! I am not at all familiar with it.

I count 8 steel plates and 8 points on the star wheel.

I am guessing the vertical rod was to be sure the star wheel system was grounded and it likely works without it because it may ground through the bearings to the frame. To avoid sparking on the bearing surfaces may be why there's a rod.