The David Clarke Railway Trust
Analysis
The David Clarke Railway Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Loughborough. It was registered in July 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. It says it makes grants to organisations, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The David Clarke Railway Trust reported income of £1.6m and spending of £845k, leaving 48% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income fell from £1.9m to £1.6m (-16%), an average of -4.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 89%. Over the whole period it spent 60% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The David Clarke Railway Trust sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Natural Resource Charter Limited (£1.6m), Julies Bicycle (£1.6m) and The Gardeners' House - Penzance (£1.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 97% and investments 2.7%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £851k. Charitable activities took 89% of spending and raising funds 1.4%. Grants to other organisations totalled £747k. Reserves of £851k would cover about 11 months of spending at that rate.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 45%
- Legacies 52%
- Investments 2.7%
In the charity's own words
The trust was established to contribute to the education of the public in railway transportation systems e.g. the preservation and operation of locomotives, rolling stock, signalling systems, buildings and the production of educational material and the promotion of events. The trust will continue to focus its attention particularly on the Great Central Railway and groups based there.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Resource Charter Limited | London | £1.6m |
| Julies Bicycle | London | £1.6m |
| The Gardeners' House - Penzance | Cornwall | £1.6m |
| The Audrey Muriel Stratford Charitable Trust | King's Lynn | £1.6m |