QR class entered service in October 1997. Three (1499–1501) were not rebuilt but used as sources of spare parts at Hutt Workshops. 1460 class locomotive NO 1499 was due to be rebuilt as the prototype of the DQT class, a turbocharged version of the DQ class. But the programme was cancelled just less than a year later leaving 1499 as just an underframe, which was scrapped in 2001. 1500 and 1501 were also planned to be rebuilt as DQTs as well, but after the programme was dropped. Tranz Rail later approved to rebuild them as DQs, but this never commenced and were kept in storage at Hutt. Service 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. It was later assigned to freight services throughout the lower North Island. A further six DQs and seven QRs followed. Initially they were not preferred by locomotive crews due to excessive cab noise levels and emissions into the cab. Tranz Rail made modifications to DQ6324 that reduced the noise level to that acceptable to the Rail & Maritime Transport Union, and also diesel fumes from entering the cab. The QRs were modified and repainted for uses as slave units. The class were largely assigned to freight trains. They did see some use on the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection long-distance suburban services, and occasionally on the Overlander as far as Palmerston North. It was soon discovered that the DQ class were not particularly reliable. 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. Several were also used as bankers to help trains up the gradients from Dunedin, and later up the 1 in 37 (2.7%) gradient out of Picton. 1460 class loco NO 1500 was used occasionally as a shunter at Hutt Workshops. Then unrebuilt 1460 class locomotive NO 1465 was used on a Mechanical Test Train in August 1997. Exports to Tasmania Due to a locomotive shortage because of the planned replacement of TasRails English Electric locomotive fleet, twelve DQs and three QRs were sold to the company. DQs