The Metropolitan and Great Central Joint Committee, which was responsible for the section of the line between Verney Junction and Harrow-on-the-Hill, which included Quainton Road, was set-up in 1906. It did not own any railway vehicles except this crane, which was appropriately given the number 1. Built by Cowans Sheldon of Carlisle in 1914, it is described on the original drawings as an "accident crane", with works number 3282.

It is entirely hand-operated and its maximum capacity is 5 tons at 16-ft radius. Most of its life on the national system was spent in Harrow goods yard. The Society purchased it from there on 21st May 1970. With the assistance of the manufacturers, it was returned to working order and for a time was in regular use around the Centre. The original match wagon is not currently suitable for use, so L.M.S. Flat wagon No. 4417 is currently being used as the match wagon.