The East Lancashire Railway like every heritage railway in the country relies on our income from our special events, and general train travel.

Since 2020 we have seen large scale increases in the cost of our coal, diesel fuel, energy and materials needed to keep our railway and its vehicles in good condition, we have refrained from large scale price increases to our customers as we recognise that general living cost have also increased.

To give you some details in what challenges we face here are some examples of cost increases.

Coal for our steam locos in 2020 was £155.00 per tonne / 750 tonnes per annum £116,000.

£365.00 per tons/ 750 tons per annum = £273,550 an increase of £157,550.00

Diesel Fuel in 2020 was 54p per litre - 120,000 litre a year - £76,800. Average price was 79p per litre @ 120,000 - £94,800 an increase of £18,000.

Utility costs in 2020 was £79,286 , in 2023 it was £213,275 an increase of £133,988.

This represents a £309,000 increase in our yearly operating costs.

Average costs to run a steam train for one day is around £2100.00.

To help us with these substantial increases in our cost, we are seeking for donations to help us from passing these costs to our valued customers and supporters.

It does not matter how much you can give it all helps keeping pour heritage railway alive for all to enjoy.

Thank you for your support!