Enola shop critter question

Just wondering if someone can help me with some background on this unit. It is a box on a single B truck with standard couplers. On top of the box is a pair of cylinders and some other paraphernalia (strobe?, etc.). On the side of the unit is the information "220 VOLTS AC WHILE CHARGING" which leads me to believe it is a giant battery on flanged wheels. It is lettered CONRAIL, is in CR blue and the photo I've seen is dated 2002 with a Norfolk Southern locomotive plainly in view in the background.

The assumption I am making is that it is a battery powered shop lug. If someone would please correct my assumption if needs be and give me some history of this critter, I'd really appreciate the effort!

cheers,
Ori
VA3ORI - VA3XW

I have seen photos of this same critter in my judgement it looks like it is an electric battery powered critter.

Thanks for the note. On the Pennsylvania Railroad forum, it has been pretty well established that this is the type of vehicle I thought it was and about all that's been said about it is that it is a battery-powered critter that was seen as early as 1986! Other than that, no other light has been shed upon either its construction or its history. What has been shown, however, is that this type of vehicle was not unique. Such a critter was known to have been at Niles, MI possibly as early as 1940. As well, two other critters on different roads are known to exist. There are links to some photos on the Pennsy forum under the same heading as this one.

cheers,
Ori
va30ri - va3xw

Metro North called these "mules".

I suppose this is the critter you are referring to?

Came across this while catching up in the list here...

http://www.conrailcorp.com/cr0.jpg

From the 'For those with a thirst for Conrail' topic.

looks like an old Locomotive truck that had a large Battrie installed on it to power the generators on the wheels to help it more. My guess is that its a home built critter.
For me it would make for an intresteing modeling project. I'll have to try makeing one even if it dose not work it would still be a neat little eye catcher siting out side of a car or loco shop.

Tell me what you use, as i was making one in MN colors! but i could be swayed either way, or just make a few of em, just for the heck of it. Depends on the difficulty. PM me with the directions, please!