GNR 251 was built at Doncaster in December 1902 as the first example of the C1 class.
It was fitted with a superheated boiler in August 1918 and in December 1923 the valve gear was changed to piston valves. The frames and cylinders are believed to have come from 1438 which retained this feature up to withdrawal in August 1947. The (superheated) boiler came from GNR 278 which was condemned in July 1945.
Depots allocated to-
| Doncaster | |
| March 1924 | Grantham |
| April 1925 | Doncaster |
| February 1934 | Sheffield |
| March 1937 | Kings Cross |
| February 1938 | Sheffield |
| July 1946 | Kings Cross |
It was withdrawn from service in July 1947 whilst based at Kings Cross.
Following withdrawal from service it was placed on static display at the LNER York Railway Museum which was then based in Queen Street. This museum had been opened in 1925 on part of the site of the York Queen Street Works.
In 1953 it was steamed for a series of specials celebrating the centenary of Doncaster Works. The restored 251 exhibited poor steaming due to its saturated boiler that still retained the flues from a previous superheater. Hence, these specials were piloted by class C2 990 Henry Oakley. In 1954, 251 hauled more specials, this time it was often helped by D11 62663 Prince Albert
After a visit to the Doncaster Paint Shop, 251 returned to the York Museum in March 1957.
251 remained there until 1975 when the National Railway Museum at York was opened and the locomotive was moved to the new museum.
It remained at the National Railway Museum until September 2004 when it moved to the National Railway Museum at Shildon upon the opening of that museum. It stayed at Shildon until April 2005 when it moved to Bressingham Steam Museum where it was on static display until April 2012 when it moved to Barrow Hill Roundhouse.
In January 2021 the locomotive was moved to the Danum Gallery Library and Museum at Doncaster. The NRM has agreed an initial three year loan agreement for the locomotive.
| Home Base | Current Status | Owner |
| Danum Gallery Library and Museum at Doncaster | On static display | National Railway Museum
NRM Object Number{1975-7005} |
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 