A depot was built alongside the Newport to Sunshine railway in the western Melbourne suburb of Spotswood to cater for this.

The class could also not lead on the Victorian standard gauge network due to the lack of suitable radio equipment.

[citation needed] In late May 2006, NR33 was involved in a level crossing incident at Lismore, being the third locomotive on Adelaide to Melbourne freight service AM3, behind DL40 and NR52.

[citation needed] On 30 January 2009, train 5PS6 derailed at a washaway near Golden Ridge, just east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

Locomotives NR35 and NR51 finished up on their sides, badly damaged, and spent several years out of service before the decision was made to repair them.

NR's 48 and 81 had suffered similar fires several years earlier, both also were repaired but without the Pacific National signage on their hood sides.

[8] On 24 December 2019, 7MP5 hauled by NR80/NR59 collided with the rear of 2K66 Watco/CBH grain train, at Jumperkine, Western Australia, which resulted in a driver fatality.

[citation needed] On 31 December 2023, emergency services were called to the Barrier Highway after train 7SP5 with NR41/NR79 collided with a truck.

[citation needed] The NR Class cab was designed taking into consideration the results of an extended consultative process with the end users.

[11] The design is a long hood unit locomotive, with only one cab but two separate sets of controls, which allow it be driven either "A" or "B" end leading.

This locomotive had to pass all tests, such as being able to shunt if required, drive "long end leading" if needed, and allow drivers to do checks on fuel, brakes, and sand.