East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited
Analysis
East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bury. It was registered in November 2019, 7 years ago. Its declared purposes cover recreation, which this site groups under amateur sport and recreation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02023981). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited reported income of £6.2m and spending of £6.5m, spending 105% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £4.6m to £6.2m (+36%), an average of +7.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.
Among 12,174 England and Wales charities whose main cause is amateur sport and recreation and that reported income, East Lancashire Light Railway Company Limited sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. 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 Uwe Students' Union (£5.9m), British Universities and Colleges Sport Limited (£6.2m) and London School of Economics Students' Union (£5.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 21%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £9,478. Charitable activities took 28% of spending and raising funds 69%. It employed 68 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 21%
- Legacies 0.2%
- Charitable activities 0.3%
- Investments 0.0%
- Other 79%
In the charity's own words
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.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Uwe Students' Union | Bristol | £5.9m |
| British Universities and Colleges Sport Limited | London | £6.2m |
| London School of Economics Students' Union | London | £5.9m |
| Bolton Community Leisure | Bolton | £6.3m |