They also ran in regular service hauling Main Trunk expresses between Wellington and Paekākāriki, where they would be exchanged for a steam locomotive for the run north.

This led to the cabs being laid out in an ergonomic fashion which made them easy to operate, making them a favourite of the unions.

In 1980, EW159 (EW 1805) was briefly sent to Otira following the Goat Creek washout, which had damaged three of the EO class locomotives.

As the EW class was not worn out, NZR management decided to have the six remaining locomotives placed into interim storage until a new use could be found for them.

EW165 was chosen and was moved to Wellington for remedial work along with DE1389 (DE 508) prior to its official inclusion in the fleet.

EW113 went to Linwood for a period before it was later towed to a siding at Woolston alongside the South Island Main Trunk where it remained for a short time before being scrapped in early 1990.

The EW was not sold until August 2005 when it was purchased by Ian Welch of the Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.

It is intended that the locomotive will be used to operate suburban railfan trips around Wellington when the overhaul is finished, although this is pending certification and the construction of a suitable length of overhead into the depot to allow 1805 to move around.

The locomotive was revealed as EW 1805 over Labour Weekend 2008 when it was towed to Feilding to take part in the NIMT centenary celebrations.