While workers would probably prefer new trains, they will have to set about repainting the old ones for a sixth time, to reflect a change of direction or ownership of the business.
But they are betting the new look under government ownership will not be the green and yellow paint job of current owner, Toll Holdings of Australia.
NZPA understands that the new name of the business and its corporate colours have been decided, but it is a closely held secret ahead of an unveiling.
Those planning the launch of the new livery are trying to line up examples of all the corporate colours that have adorned the locomotive fleet.
Because not all locomotives get repainted each time there are examples of all the corporate liveries are still in use.
Some of looks are known as fruit salad, bumble bee and corn cob in the industry.
In the 1970s -- before the corporatisation of the business -- locomotives were painted orange and yellow, dubbed clockwork orange by workers.
From 1978 fruit salad -- a mix of red, yellow, grey and black -- starting appearing on the rails.
When New Zealand Rail Ltd split from the New Zealand Railways Corporation in 1991 a livery of blue, yellow, grey and black appeared.
After rail was privatised in 1993 the New Zealand Rail logo was painted out and Tranz Rail painted in.
Around 2001, when the business was still Tranz Rail, the locomotives were painted black and yellow to help improve visibility at rail crossings.
This became known as the "bumble bee" period.
When Toll Holdings took control in 2003 the green and yellow colour scheme went on and so the "corn cob" period was ushered in.
The look was considered by most New Zealanders to be too Australian, but don't hope for black with a silver fern -- it wouldn't be visible enough at rail crossings.
