From December 1924, when the North Coast line was completed, a steam hauled non air-conditioned train provided the service.

The carriages were designed to travel to all parts of the system with a maximum axle load of nine tons, which was a challenge for the dining cars.

[4] Motive power was provided by diesel locomotives throughout until the North Coast line was electrified in 1989 with the 3900 class operating the service south of Rockhampton.

Following the cessation of electric locomotive working on the North Coast line, The Sunlander was again diesel hauled throughout.

[3] Following the reorganisation of Queensland Rail's freight operations in preparation for privatisation, the locomotives were provided by QR National.

[3] Facilities and accommodation onboard remained generally consistent throughout the history of the train, although some changes were made over time with the addition and removal of carriages.

Of those, three had been formerly used on The Sunlander:[11] Four of the M-class cars (including two of those listed above) have now undergone work to return them to traffic as the Queensland Pioneer Dinner train over the seven kilometres scenic railway outside Ipswich, and are sporting the blue and white livery they first wore in 1953.

They acquired a large number of Sunlander coaches and renovated them to become Australia's only dedicated fine-dining rail experience.