This records the debut of a newly restored locomotive for National Collection, former Great Central Railway 4-4-0 No.506 Butler Henderson, near Manchester in September, 1960. Very clean ex-works former War Department 'Austerity' 2-8-0 2-8-0 No.90246 tows the newly restored 4-4-0 with brake van attached, at Romiley, and is first seen broadside on in bright autumn sunshine. The 2-8-0, which has since detached, then approaches from behind and couples up to the brake van to tow it...

This records the debut of a newly restored locomotive for National Collection, former Great Central Railway 4-4-0 No.506 Butler Henderson, near Manchester in September, 1960. Very clean ex-works former War Department 'Austerity' 2-8-0 2-8-0 No.90246 tows the newly restored 4-4-0 with brake van attached, at Romiley, and is first seen broadside on in bright autumn sunshine. The 2-8-0, which has since detached, then approaches from behind and couples up to the brake van to tow it away. The 2-8-0 then couples up behind the 4-4-0's tender and tows the locomotive backwards. A more distant shot shows Butler Henderson and the 2-8-0 to the right, while ex-LMS 'Jubilee' class 4-6-0 No.45656 Cochrane passes from the left with an express. There is a glimpse of a diesel multiple unit, and Butler Henderson is then towed backwards. The 2-8-0 detaches and the 4-4-0 is then seen in close up, firstly the front end, then the tender showing the GCR crest, cab brass numberplate, and reversing rod. There is a view of cab, smokebox, and along the running board. 2-8-0 returns and propels the 4-4-0 and then reverses with brake van in front of Butler Henderson. END Butler Henderson is one of only two surviving Great Central locomotives, both of which are in the National Collection, and the only ex-GCR passenger engine. Both were designed by J G Robinson, who was notable for the extremely handsome appearance of his locomotives. His 'Director' class was an outstanding design of superheated 4-4-0 of the World War I era, and No.506 was the first example of the improved version being completed at Gorton Works in December, 1919. Latterly stationed at Sheffield (Darnall) as BR No.62260 was in active service until late 1960 when it was fully restored at Gorton in a matter of a few weeks. (It was technically withdrawn from service in October, 1960 i.e. after this film was made). It was initially displayed in the former Museum of British Transport at Clapham, 1963-1973, and subsequently transferred to the Main Line Steam Trust at Loughborough. Since 1992 it has been on display at the National Railway Museum in York.