New Zealand DQ and QR class locomotives

[3][4][5][6] The second batch followed on the inter-island rail ferry MV Aratika, which was returning from Brisbane after a heavy engineering inspection, with twelve 1460 and three 1502 class locomotives.

The QR class were overhauled with auto-transition couplings and were also repainted in the Cato Blue livery, and were only used as trailing locomotives as they were not fitted with the safety equipment required to lead trains.

Following the introduction of DQ6007, the loco was used between Wellington and Palmerston North for shakedown purposes for two weeks, and also to sort out teething issues.

Generator failures were particularly common, and so they were removed from long-distance operations to less-demanding short-haul runs, such as between Middleton Yard in Christchurch and the port of Lyttelton on the final leg of coal trains from the West Coast, and on the Ohai Branch line to and from Invercargill, hauling containerized coal trains.

[25] After purchasing AN Tasrail in 1997, Australian Transport Network (ATN), which shared the same Wisconsin Central ownership as Tranz Rail, quickly needed locomotives to replace the run down fleet of Alco and English Electric locomotives it inherited.

The modifications made to the units were changing the drawgear back to the originally Queensland Railways standard height, increasing the fuel tank capacity, relocate the battery boxes, installation of a sludge tank and engine room sump pan, fitting of the "Kaitiaki" vigilance, fitting of ZTR electronic anti-wheelslip technology and upgrading dynamic brakes.

[27] The first two DQs, 2001 and 2002, were loaded on the MV Polar Queen on 28 August 1998, and arrived in Bell Bay on 2 September 1998.

[15] The third batch left on 23 February 1999 on the Edisongracht, compromising of DQs 2006, 2007 and 2008,[15] and arrived in Tasmania on 3 March 1999.

[32] The last batch, which consisted of DQs 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, left Wellington on the Melanesian Chief on 28 September 1999,[33][34] and arrived in Tasmania on 5 October 1999.

Reductions in rated haulage capacity reduced the number of in service failures and train operating problems.

Two DQs are carrying special advertising panels, in-place of TasRails logo.

[38][5] The three QRs were again used as trail units in Tasmania due to the lack of radios and other equipment, as what are fitted to other lead locomotives.

[5] In 2017, it was announced that DQ 2007 would be converted into driving trailer DV2 for the Railton to Devonport cement trains, to replace DV1.

The trio of QRs were seen used as slave units on freight trains in both islands, and occasionally on the Coastal Pacific.

[44][5] In mid-November that year, DQs 6324 and 6382 were also allocated to the South Island for banking services between Oamaru and Dunedin.

[46] In 2003, the trio of QRs and the two un-rebuilt 1460 class locomotives were sold to the National Railway Equipment Company.

[2] In November 2005, the five locomotives were shipped to Mount Vernon, Illinois in the United States.

1460 class locomotive NO 1500 is owned and operated by the Magadi Soda Company in Kenya, and renumbered as their NO 5001.

[48] 1501 is now owned and operated by CMP in Chile, and renumbered as their NO 9, and entered service for its new owner circa 2008.

[52][45][53] On 20 June 2011, DQ6376 was damaged when it, and leading unit DFT 7117, collided with a slip at Claverley, south of Kaikōura.

[5] It was then withdrawn and taken to Hutt Workshops and not returned to service, and became a source of spare parts.

[54] DQ6324 was withdrawn in mid to late 2012 had worn its wheelsets down to the minimum code, and was also placed into storage at Hutt Workshops.