Initially entering service in October 1993 with CountryLink, the Xplorers are mechanically identical to the Endeavour railcars, though feature a higher level of passenger amenity.

Following the election of the Greiner Government in March 1988, consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton was commissioned to prepare a report into NSW rail services.

On purely economic grounds, the report recommended closing all country passenger services as they were judged unviable, however this was not politically acceptable.

One of the casualties was the Northern Tablelands Express from Sydney to Armidale which was operated on alternate days by a locomotive hauled HUB/RUB set and XPT.

[2]After suffering a number of losses in northern NSW electorates where services were cut during the March 1990 Federal Election, ensuring a decisive majority for the Hawke Labor government, the National Party decided a policy reversal was needed.

An auxiliary 135 kW (181 hp) Cummins LT10R(G) diesel engine drives a Newage Stamford UCI274F alternator to supply power for the air conditioning and lighting.