 Workshops at Addington (Christchurch), East Town (Wanganui) and Otahuhu (Auckland) were closed.Guards vans (aka Brake vans) were withdrawn from the rear of all freight trains on 30 May 1987, and were replaced with Flashing rear-end devices (known as FREDs).By 1989 large operating losses and interest had generated a debt of $1.2 billion.