Vintage Trains Charitable Trust
Analysis
Vintage Trains Charitable Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Birmingham. It was registered in September 1994, 32 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02848449). It says it provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Vintage Trains Charitable Trust reported income of £3.6m and spending of £3.7m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.3m to £3.6m (+175%), an average of +29% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 152%. Over the whole period it spent 105% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Vintage Trains Charitable Trust sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Trust for Welsh Archaeology (£3.5m), Harlaxton College (£3.6m) and Ukgbc (£3.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 91% and donations and legacies 4.6%. Charitable activities took 2.7% of spending and raising funds 96%.
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 4.6%
- Trading 91%
- Other 4.2%
In the charity's own words
The principal activity and object is to encourage and promote public interest in the preservation of steam and other railway locomotives and rolling stock of historical importance. The company continues with the restoration of locomotives and rolling stock.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Trust for Welsh Archaeology | Carmarthenshire | £3.5m |
| Harlaxton College | Grantham | £3.6m |
| Ukgbc | 71-91 Aldwych House | £3.5m |
| Sheffield Wildlife Trust | Sheffield | £3.6m |