[3] Following the delivery of the 90 class in 1994, the Broadmeadow-based units were released to replace older locomotives on other freight duties.

They were later exchanged for 13 of the earlier locomotives which were permanently transferred to National Rail for use around Australia as high-powered shunters.

In February 1999, 81s began operating in South Australia, when FreightCorp won a contract to haul brown coal on the Leigh Creek to Stirling North line from Leigh Creek to the Northern Power Station in Port Augusta.

Pacific National operates the majority of the class in NSW, on a variety of workings such as grain, cement, intermodal and aggregates.

None have been officially allocated to Victorian workings and are typically transferred to and from Southern NSW to run grain trains South of the border.