[1][9] The vehicle had a turntable mounted beneath it, which could be lowered onto the track surface, allowing the car to be lifted up and turned by hand to face the other direction.

[11][12] The name stuck, at least in part because of its role in carrying the general manager and other senior staff on inspections of the railway network.

It neatly describes the instrument which enabled a man of Mr Mackley's endless untiring energy to cover the territory in the most unexpected fashion, so that he might arrive anywhere at any time.

[11] Following successful trial runs on 9 and 21 January 1934,[14] the railcar was used for an inspection tour of the North Island by Mackley in February 1934.

[15][16][17] After the 5 March 1934 Paihiatua (Horoeka) Earthquake,[18] the "new rail-car was immediately requisitioned" so that the Chief Engineer and inspecting officers could travel through the Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, and Manawatu districts to inspect, and where necessary test, track and structures such as bridges, tunnels and culverts.

[20][21] By September 1934 Mackley reported that he had travelled over 7000 miles (11,250 km) in the railcar and had "made a comprehensive personal inspection of the whole railway service.

[7] The Red Terror was rebuilt in 1941 into an overhead inspection platform vehicle, and reclassified PW 2.