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MAXX Pullman Heavyweight Observation Coach

This is the closest I could get to replicating the SD cab-car in Rolling Line.

The SD was a passenger coach used on the Auckland suburban rail network from 2005 to 2015. Its accompanying SA coaches had first entered service in 2004. Like the SA's, the 23-strong SD fleet were all rebuilt from ex-British Rail Mk2 stock. The SD's differed from the SA's in that the former had a driver's cab at one end (hence the term 'cab-car'). Behind the cab is a small diesel generator set (used to power the lights), which is - in turn - followed by the passenger seats.

SD coaches have one set of double-leaf doors, and one single-leaf door on each side. The single-leaf door is right behind the generator compartment. If my research is correct, the yellow front on the cab-car is made of fibreglass.

In July 2015, the introduction of electric multiple units in Auckland was finished. After this, nine SA and SD sets (along with matching DC locomotives) were retained until September 2015 to run the shuttle service from Papakura to Pukekohe. Today the ADL class diesel multiple units operate the service, and the SA and SD stock no longer run in Auckland.

Today there is a large number of ex-Auckland SA and SD stock in storage at Taumarunui. The 6-car SX set has also joined them. Some of the SA and SD stock is being modified for future use on the upcoming Hamilton to Papakura commuter service.

The typical consist for a SA and SD set would be one locomotive (either a DC or DFT), three SA's and one SD. With the cab in the SD, the train could be operated in a push-pull configuration. This meant that the driver could simply operate the locomotive remotely from the SD's cab, without having to uncouple the locomotive and run around the train.

When you're using these MAXX coaches in Rolling Line's first-person view (like I usually do), here's what you do when the train has reached the end of the line. 'Walk' down to the observation deck at the back, and use the 'Q' and 'E' keys to control the train. This way you can pretend you're driving the train in push-pull mode.