This unit started life as a storage-battery electric (there were a number of these built between 1915 and 1930, mostly by GE and Westinghouse) working for Newport-News Shipbuilding. It was converted to diesel sometime in the 50's. This one was at Moss-American (a tie treating operation) in Navassa, NC in this 1971 view.
The worst of railroad design. Please, send me your entries / suggestions for the "Album of the ugly trains of the world" (past or present, paint scheme or shape).