One of a batch of eight Merchant Navy class locomotives whose air-smoothed casing was made of asbestos board, 21C9 was from the start in wartime black livery.

Shaw Savill was rebuilt in March 1957,[5] withdrawn from service in July 1964[5] and arrived at Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, in December 1964.

It spent just over 4 years there but with the Mid Hants railway buying more locos it was decided to move 35009 Shaw Savill again, to Bury.

[7] By 2019, Shaw Savill was still in unrestored condition following years of storage outside the shed in Bury; in September it was announced that the engine was to be restored to working order.

The engine's frames, boiler and other parts were moved to Riley & Son Ltd in Heywood for restoration to mainline standard.