New Haven early electric locomotives and early diesel locomotives

[NP Eddie]

I have seen pictures of early New Haven electric and diesel-electric diesel locomotives having a "0" (zero) in front of the number.

It seems like this was to distinguish those locomotives from steam locomotives. 

Am i correct is this assumption? When was the leading zero discontinued as I have seem post WW2 pictures of the zero being painted out.

 

Thank you,

Ed Burns, Happily retired NP-BN-BNSF Clerk from Minneapolis and an ATCS host in Anoka, MN

P. S. I am happy to answer questions about the BNSF Staples, Wayzata subs and the Twin Cities Termina.

 

[daveklepper]

I think, but am not certain, that the "0" was dropped during or after WWII.   I have resource and will check on this, if someone else does not do so first.

[EMD History Researcher]

I would be safe to assume the "0" was dropped after the steam locomotives are off the books.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The PA's and FA/B's had the "0" prefix, although the FB2's and the RS3's did not.  The EP-5's also did not have the prefix, so I would guess that the prefix was dropped around 1954.  I don't know when New Haven ended steam operations.

[Firelock76]

For all intents and purposes New Haven steam ended in 1952.   There were steam excursions run in '52 and '53, and a New Haven Mikado "starred" in a 1958 Doris Day film  "It Happened to Jane",  but  those were exceptions.

[daveklepper]

Plus the 0-6-0T's an Van Ness shops to 1957.