The Bluebell Railway Trust
Encouragement of research into railway equipment and safety, preservation of heritage railway items including rolling stock, maintenance and support of museums for the preservation of railway equipment, provision of recreational facilities connected with railways and assistance for persons in need connected with railway personnel, especially charitable purposes connected with the Bluebell Railway.
Activities & Mission
Encouragement of research into railway equipment and safety, preservation of heritage railway items including rolling stock, maintenance and support of museums for the preservation of railway equipment, provision of recreational facilities connected with railways and assistance for persons in need connected with railway personnel, especially charitable purposes connected with the Bluebell Railway.
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.
Local Authority
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 47% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 344). How is this calculated?
Higher than 81% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 79% 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
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | £1,465,642 | £1,145,630 | £1,139,936 | £3,493,371 | £1,130,739 | 0 / 75 |
| 2023 | £803,207 | £1,254,432 | £1,247,114 | £3,173,359 | £534,179 | 0 / 78 |
| 2022 | £596,197 | £1,429,894 | £1,423,714 | £3,624,584 | £675,573 | 0 / 65 |
| 2021 | £1,781,155 | £1,274,322 | £1,269,865 | £4,458,281 | £511,831 | 0 / 70 |
| 2020 | £2,604,748 | £1,094,614 | £1,091,967 | £3,951,448 | £1,066,074 | 0 / 64 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Bluebell Railway Trust
What does The Bluebell Railway Trust do?
Encouragement of research into railway equipment and safety, preservation of heritage railway items including rolling stock, maintenance and support of museums for the preservation of railway equipment, provision of recreational facilities connected with railways and assistance for persons in need connected with railway personnel, especially charitable purposes connected with the Bluebell Railway.
How much income did The Bluebell Railway Trust report in 2024?
The Bluebell Railway Trust reported total income of £1.47m and reported expenditure of £1.15m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The Bluebell Railway Trust?
The Bluebell Railway Trust has a program ratio of 77.8%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 47% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 344 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The Bluebell Railway Trust registered as a charity?
The Bluebell Railway Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 30 August 1985 as charity number 292497. It has been registered for 41 years.
Who runs The Bluebell Railway Trust?
The Bluebell Railway Trust is governed by a board of 1 trustee. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Bluebell Railway Trust operate?
The Bluebell Railway Trust operates across 4 areas: East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex.
Is The Bluebell Railway Trust a registered charity?
Yes — The Bluebell Railway Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 292497.
Details
Sheffield Park Station
Sheffield Park
Uckfield
TN22 3QL
Registry Information
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Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated