This mass operation was led by the Ministry of Magic, at the time headed by Minister Ottaline Gambol, in an attempt to acquire the Hogwarts Express in order to solve the age-old problem of student transportation to and from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The details surrounding the origin of the Hogwarts Express are not widely known and have never been conclusively proven, although there are confidential records at the Ministry Headquarters detailing this operation.