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MAXX Pullman Heavyweight Coach

The livery on this coach (and its accompanying Observation Coach) is inspired by the SA and SD passenger coaches.

The SA stock is actually a fleet of heavily-rebuilt ex-British Rail Mk2 coaches. They were shipped to New Zealand in the late 1990's, and - following rebuilding at Hillside Workshops - started running in Auckland in 2004. The modifications included conversion to 3ft 6inch gauge track (British Rail uses 4ft 8.5 inch gauge) as well as the alteration of the door layout. The original Mk2 design is intended for regional and intercity services, with the doors being arranged in a single-leaf design at each end of the coach. SA coaches (post rebuild) now have two sets of double-leaf doors on each side. This arrangement is design to reduce station dwell times, which is ideal for a commuter rail environment.

(I speak from experience on this next bit) - The typical formation for a locomotive-hauled train in Auckland was one locomotive - usually a DC - with three SA coaches and one SD cab-car. Between 2010 and 2015, three DFB's and one DFT were also used in Auckland commuter services. These engines ran with 6-car trains (five SA's and one SD). Sometimes a DC could also be seen hauling 6-car SA sets.

After being replaced in July 2015 by electric multiple units, nine sets of SA and SD coaches (along with their matching DC locomotives) were retained until September as temporary motive power for the Papakura to Pukekohe shuttle. By September, enough drivers had been trained to use the ADL class diesel multiple units instead. Today the ADL's are the sole motive power on the Pukekohe shuttle.

Today the majority of SA and SD coaches are now in outside storage at Taumarunui. In 2018, three SA coaches were rebuilt by KiwiRail into AKS class luggage vans. One of these is now running on the Northern Explorer, and another is on the Tranz Alpine. 12 former SA / SD coaches have been converted into SR / SRC / SRV coaches for Te Huia.