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East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited

To preserve, restore and operate the railway lines, together with such lands and buildings adjacent thereto in Greater Manchester and Lancashire and in particular the East Lancashire Railway line, for the advancement of technical, historical and general education and for the permanent preservation, of steam and other railway locomotives, rolling stock, road vehicles, equipment and relics.

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Activities & Mission

To preserve, restore and operate the railway lines, together with such lands and buildings adjacent thereto in Greater Manchester and Lancashire and in particular the East Lancashire Railway line, for the advancement of technical, historical and general education and for the permanent preservation, of steam and other railway locomotives, rolling stock, road vehicles, equipment and relics.

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Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£6,205,745
Latest Expenditure
£6,509,877

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 29.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 28.5%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 69.6%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £1,298,735
Charitable Activities £19,157
Other Trading £0
Investments £2,678
Other Income £4,885,175

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £1,853,919
Raising Funds £4,516,941
Governance £13,600
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £139,017

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£6,205,745
£6,509,877£1,853,919£197,436£068 / 750
2024
£5,223,118
£5,623,128£894,253£628,144£062 / 750
2023
£5,538,367
£5,914,221£1,011,991£1,028,152£064 / 782
2022
£5,130,263
£5,245,761£765,176£1,404,007£064 / 812
2021
£4,572,583
£4,018,557£1,091,412£1,525,116£058 / 777

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited

What does East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited do?

To preserve, restore and operate the railway lines, together with such lands and buildings adjacent thereto in Greater Manchester and Lancashire and in particular the East Lancashire Railway line, for the advancement of technical, historical and general education and for the permanent preservation, of steam and other railway locomotives, rolling stock, road vehicles, equipment and relics.

How much income did East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited report in 2025?

East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited reported total income of £6.21m and reported expenditure of £6.51m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited registered as a charity?

East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 28 November 2019 as charity number 1186648. It has been registered for 7 years.

Who runs East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited?

East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited is governed by a board of 10 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited operate?

East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited operates across 3 areas: Bury, Lancashire and Rochdale.

Is East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited a registered charity?

Yes — East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1186648.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Registration Date
28 November 2019
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
5133365
Charity Number
1186648

Trustees

ALAN LEE
Also governs 1 other charity
Carl Phillips
DAVID LAYLAND
Gary Thomas
GRAHAM THORNTON
Also governs 1 other charity
Keith Whitmore
Also governs 1 other charity
Richard Law
Also governs 1 other charity
Robert Chapman
Sean Michael Lea

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
2 November 2026
Report a data issue