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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.

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
£5,223,118
Latest Expenditure
£5,623,128

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 17.1%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 9% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 344). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 15.9%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 4% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 82.3%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 3% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £272,689
Charitable Activities £38,770
Other Trading £0
Investments £1,137
Other Income £4,910,522

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £894,253
Raising Funds £4,612,986
Governance £14,260
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £115,889

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
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
2020
£3,268,964
£2,895,099£1,008,031£965,481£060 / 758

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 2024?

East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited reported total income of £5.22m and reported expenditure of £5.62m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited?

East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited has a program ratio of 17.1%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 9% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 344 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

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

Address
EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY
BOLTON STREET STATION
BOLTON STREET
BURY
BL9 0EY
Registration Date
28 November 2019
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
5133365
Charity Number
1186648

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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

Sectors & Classifications

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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