Other mistake: At the start Gordon's buffers are crooked.
Revealing mistake: When the boys sing, the camera shakes.
Revealing mistake: When Gordon is being pulled from the pond, in the close up scene of Gordon reversing up the sleeper bed, the front of his buffer beam/running board catches on the upright stake to the right hand side of the worker figure, pulling it back before it rights itself. (easier to see on widescreen version). (00:04:10)
Revealing mistake: When Gordon puffs into the ditch his face looks wonky and wires are visibly attached to his cab.
Revealing mistake: When Gordon falls into the ditch, wires under his cab are visible.
Answer: Butch the breakdown truck must have pulled Gordon's tender all the way up the rails so the breakdown train can reach it and also Butch helped to get Gordon close to the winch.