Over on Trainorders, where I'm not a member, jwilton posted a picture and a question about the Bessler passenger engine (kind of an RDC type unit) two-car set built for the New Haven back in the 30s. He ran across a film on it and wondered if more than one was built.
No, just the one, using a Bessler/Doble type engine in the front truck and a small Steam generator unit, much like the Doble steam car (Bessler took over the Doble plant, etc. Bill Bessler was a very clear steam person. The request was for a unit that could replace small passenger trains with a savings in fuel, crewing, and maintenance. The unit did to all that, but the New haven wanted a 4 car train. Bill said they could do it, if the train were equipped with roller bearings. NH said, "No WAY!" and that was the end of that experiment.
If anyone wants to post this over there, please feel free to do so. Bill Bessler was, at least when I met him, a quiet unassuming guy, and very nice. He was also quite a genius!