In August 1999, a contract was awarded to Walkers for two diesel tilting trains to operate services from Brisbane to Cairns.

In October 2010, Downer Rail was awarded a contract to build a further diesel tilt train with two power cars and 12 carriages to replace locomotive hauled stock on The Sunlander.

The original paint scheme, or livery, was yellow, purple and silver in colour, which was retained until the Spirit Of Queensland had a major overhaul in the mid-2010s.

In October 2013 when the first refurbished set returned to traffic, the service was named the Spirit of Queensland.

In 2014, the additional train was delivered to operate as a replacement for The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, meaning the only service on this route is the Spirit of Queensland.