Ironically the slogan wrapped on one of the lead or slave wagons "Supporting Queensland Industry" contradicts itself, the PN[clarification needed] sugar fleet was manufactured in China.

Due to the increased demand of locomotives required by PN, rumours spread of the spasmodically used 88 Class being sent to Townsville to haul 3 sets of RGWY hoppers for the Burdekin Sugar Mills.

On 23 March 2019, 8804[clarification needed] arrived at PNs Toll North depot in vehicle on 82P9; Moolabin to Townsville Intermodal.

Trialling continued on all members of the class with issues concerning communication between the locomotives and telemetry systems for loading and unloading of wagons.

[citation needed] After the 2019 sugar season ended, Pacific National began trialling the fleet in their Intermodal Division, having 15 locomotives rostered with little to none to spare.