The train was NZRs attempt to compete with the introduction of jet aircraft for business traffic between Auckland and Wellington. It was intended to improve the Railway's staff morale and image, and the concept was based on a shorter version of New South Wales Government Railways "Southern Aurora", with its 75-foot, 20-berth sleeping cars introduced in 1962, providing Pullman-style luxury equal to the last United States trains, the "Broadway Limited", the "Chief", the "Crescent" and the "Panama Limited". Planning for the new Auckland to Wellington overnight express began in 1963, and the concept of the train, as 31 stainless steel cars (two trainsets each night) of five "twinette" cars, five single-berth sleepers (16 beds per car), a licensed buffet car and a power car, never changed.