Regarding the original posting about the Enola Critter. There were originally 4 of these like the one seen at Enola. They were built by the New York Ceentral and they were handed down over the years to the PC, CR and finally to the NS. I believe one is based at Altoona and another at Enola. One was also based at Selkirk yds but transferred to Conway. More on that one later. Not sure if the 4th is still around or not.
These were constructed mainly from a Bloomburg truck. Most likely fro an old F unit or first generation Geep. Most of the normal brake systems were removed as you can see the cylinders etc were removed. A simple braking system has been added. It works of a single lung pump located in the center access door. An air line runs to the bottom and between the 2 wheelsets is a brake assembly. Each of the 4 corner cabinets contain locomotive batteries which run the traction motors. I believe there is 16 cells per battery, 64 total. It can be operated by a remote tether or by the small control box on the one porch. Common forwrd and reverer loco electrical contactors and relays make it all work.
Getting back to the one that worked Conway. Over the years locomotives kept getting larger and larger and heavier and heavier. The turntable at Conway has a slight down slope into the roundhouse. The litle "critter" or more correctly reffered to as "The Bug" could no longer supply enough braking power when moving these new locos in and out of the enginehouse and off and on the turntable. Conrail set it aside and went back to using switchers.
Our railway historical society inquired about its future and possible donation to the chapter. That is where it resides to this day. We have owned it forseveral years now. It sees service most every day in a small railcar repair shop in western Pa. The batteries are charged everynight and is ready to come alive the following morning. It is a bit tempermental and surely could use a good electritian to look it over, but it plugs away as is. I can post a pic of it once I find the right file name.........GM
PS: OK, I found the file that contains the photo of the Bug. It can be seen here:
http://www.angelfire.com/film/prrpics/bug.html
Enoy the model as well......