The latter series, up-rated, were the basis of the almost identical New South Wales 44 class, of which 100 were built from 1957.

[1] The first six (single-ended) locomotives were delivered in 1955 and 1956 to operate over the steeply graded Adelaide to Tailem Bend line and onwards to Serviceton.

All were delivered with broad-gauge bogies and worked across the South Australian Railways network.

[2] In hot weather, crews frequently marshalled the locomotives with the "B" end leading so that the front door could be opened to provide more air circulation.

From 1982, some were converted to standard gauge using bogies from State Rail Authority 44 class locomotives hauling trains from Adelaide to Whyalla and Broken Hill.