RHYL STEAM PRESERVATION TRUST
The Trust's objects are to preserve and operate the historic miniature steam trains on the Rhyl Miniature Railway, in the County of Denbighshire, for the benefit and education of future generations.
Objects
TO PRESERVE AND OPERATE THE HISTORIC MINIATURE STEAM TRAINS ON THE RHYL MINIATURE RAILWAY, AT RHYL MARINE LAKE IN THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE, FOR THE BENEFIT AND EDUCATION OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves amounted to £325,008 at year-end, with the trustees aiming to increase these reserves to cover annual costs without borrowing. The charity reported a decrease in net current assets of £38,824, primarily driven by capital expenditure on a new locomotive and maintenance. The trustees confirmed adequate resources for going concern, noting no material uncertainties.
What the accounts disclose
“The policy of the Trust is to build up sufficient reserves to enable at least these costs to be borne each year without the use of borrowing.” — page 6
“Justin Bell, a Trustee, received remuneration of £13,960 during the year in respect of his role as Railway Manager.” — page 14
“A Trustee has made a loan to the Trust, totalling to date £29,559 (2024: £1,021) . No interest is charged and there are no terms for repayment.” — page 4
“During the year, the Trust reimbursed Mr S Townsend, a Trustee, a total of £99,975 in respect of direct charitable expenditure paid on behalf of the charity.” — page 18
“A Trustee has made a loan to the Trust, totalling to date £29,559 (2024: £1,021) . No interest is charged and there are no terms for repayment.” — page 4
“During the year, the Trust reimbursed Mr S Townsend, a Trustee, a total of £99,975 in respect of direct charitable expenditure paid on behalf of the charity.” — page 18
“The Trust has a trading subsidiary company, Rhyl Miniature Railway Limited.” — page 4
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2025
- Volunteers: 15
- Government income: £255 — grants £255 (1); under 1% of the £187,309 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit
- Has a trading subsidiary
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 15
- Government income: £255 — grants £255 (1); under 1% of the £158,955 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit
- Has a trading subsidiary
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 20
- Government income: £255 — grants £255 (1); under 1% of the £164,617 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for acting as trustee
- Has a trading subsidiary
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: RHYL MINIATURE RAILWAY LIMITED Companies House 13971700
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £244k
- Loan from parent charity
“Loan from parent charity 244”
Trustees
- MR LES HUGHESchair
- CAROL HUGHES
- JUSTIN DAVID BELL
- LOUISE WEBSTER
- LUCILLE GREEN
- SIMON TREMAYNE TOWNSEND
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £187k | £178k |
| 31/12/2024 | £159k | £174k |
| 31/12/2023 | £165k | £172k |
| 31/12/2022 | £164k | £164k |
| 31/12/2021 | £155k | £131k |
Common questions
Is RHYL STEAM PRESERVATION TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves amounted to £325,008 at year-end, with the trustees aiming to increase these reserves to cover annual costs without borrowing. The charity reported a decrease in net current assets of £38,824, primarily driven by capital expenditure on a new locomotive and maintenance. The trustees confirmed adequate resources for going concern, noting no material uncertainties. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 16/09/2004 | £583k | "New Station and Museum Building for Rhyl Minature Railway" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE MICHAEL MARSH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE HAROLD AND ALICE BRIDGES CHARITY | 1 | £2k |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- LITTLEHAMPTON HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION
- VINTAGE TRAINS CHARITABLE TRUST
- RIBBLE STEAM RAILWAY LIMITED
- THE ROBEY TRUST LIMITED
- RHYL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
- THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHYL STEAM PRESERVATION TRUST | £187k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| LITTLEHAMPTON HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION | £51k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| VINTAGE TRAINS CHARITABLE TRUST | £3.6m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| RIBBLE STEAM RAILWAY LIMITED | £220k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROBEY TRUST LIMITED | £46k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| RHYL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION | £104k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |