**Charity Registration No. 284406 (England and Wales)** 

**Company Registration No. 01126590 (England and Wales)** 

## **WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED** 

**ANNUAL REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 



WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMrrED
CONTENTS
P•g•
L•9al and a(knini8trntiv• Infrmi•tion
Chair's r•port
Stst•m•nl of truil•M' Ymponsil
10
Ind•p•nd•nt r•FK*t
St•t•rn￿t olfin•ncld aGthlb•*
14-15
nc•
18-17
18
19-39

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Stephen Evans
Peter Smith
Gregory Watson
Richard Hawkins
Neil Ga￿00d
Jonathan Morrbs
Graham Sumner
(resigned 07 Jun8 20241
I￿SIgned 28 February 20251
Secretsry
Rachael Sumner {appoinled 26 September 2025)
Anc*rew Bearpark lappoinled 12 March 2025, resigned 09 July 20251
Rebecca Oall8y lappointfrd 08 April 2024, resigned 12 March 2025)
Peter Smith Ir8signed 08 April 20241
Charity numbgr
(England and Wales)
284406
Company numb•r
01126590
Reglstered officg
r8sford Station
Alr8sford
S024 9JG
Chlef Exe¢utlve Offl¢•r
Rebecca Dalley
Group Treasurer
Gregory Watson
Soll¢ltor$
Taylor Fordyce
1 & 2 Clty Business Centre
Hyde Street
Winchester
S023 7FA
Paris Smith
1 London Road
Southamplon
S015 2AE
Banker
National Westminster Bank PIC
Uoyds Bank P
Audltor
Alets Audit Services
Third Floor, Gateway House
Tollgalg
Chandlers Ford
Hampshire
SO53 3TG

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
CHAIR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Let me start at tho erKI. The closing days of the financial ye8r 20242025 saw thè retum to steam of the Watercress
Lino Heritage Railway Trust's Merchant Navy locomotive. 35005 C8nadion Pacrfc. Thls w8s marked by a high profile
launch. with the guèsts of honour includlng the Chlef Executlve of Ihe Nabonal Lottery Horitago Fund and the
Canadian Deputy High Commissioner. The ev8nl stretched beyond railway boundaries by comm8morating the
Canadian marfners who kept Britain supplSed in the dark days of wI￿d WarTwo and by c8lebrating the current cl¢)se
rolationshlp bthgon Canada and the Unlted Kingdom.
Bringing 'C8n Pa¢. back into serv1¢8 was the centre p￿eca of 8 long-torm project to engage people of all ages, and
from all backgrounds, in rallway he￿I8ge. Thls was the vlsion of those who designed the project. a decade and a half
ago. and who S￿Ured the nec88sary fvntling from the National Lottery and other donors. We remain hugely grateful
lo all GOn￿me￿ for thair extraordinary pali•nc8 and generosity. It took a very long lime but we delivered.
By delNering, we demonstrated al the national level that the Watercress Line's dedlcatod and skilled volunteers and
paid stsff carry out complex engineering tasks to the highest starbdard5. maklng full use of the excellent faclllties
at Ropley Including our boiler and machin8 shops. HavSng fabricated the first Innerfire box for a Merchant Navy slnce
British Railw8ys days. we've shown that no engir￿TIng challange is too great.
We overhaul8d 35005 for a reawn. That was to posltion us as one of the very fgw heritage railways. perf)aps tho
only one, lo offer the opporiunity to travel behind 8 Class 8 Pacific on regular services al a fraclion of the prtco of a
main 1Sne rail tour ticket. In tum, that means that we can expect an uptick In visitor numbers and revenues in 202
2026 8nd beyond. Even more importanuy. il allows us lo enthuse a new generation In the wonders of steam
locomotive engineering, which r•ached its apogee with the rebullding of the Merchant Navies IL￿1 a de(*de b8fore
the end of steam on Brlllsh Railways.
Encouragingly the Watercress Llne's ffinanoyal recovery continued through 2024-2025. Thls has enabled tho Trust
and Mid Hants Railway Boards to pivot towards a more slructUTed approach to assurtng the W81ercress Line's lon*
temi fvture. Included th1$ process is a MO￿ rigorous approach lo the valuabon of our rolling stock, prompt8d by our
audllors, that has seen us redu¢8 their audit valuo on the books. as you wsll see In the dbtail of our 8ccounts. Thls
does not affect our ple8sing cash trading bul 18 8 prudent revaluallon of our assets as advised by the Finanual
R8portlng Council.
We hav8 Started to dovelop a 'Strat8gy 2050, whi¢h will set ¢yJt what the enterprise aspires to become and how It VAII
get Ihare. The emerging findings of this exeruse wll be shamd members and shareholders 81 the 2025 Annual
Gen8ral Meeting, with the Strategy Otself due lo be finalised in 2026 aftgr a full consultation process.
From Its Inc8Ptlon wi 2024-2025, thls straleglslng has been Ilnked lo a refresh of the Twsl'$ approach to fijnd
raislng. This has included identifying indivlduals with expertise in this area who could be brought onto the Trust board.
strengthening conla¢ts with key external stakeholders and potgntial fundef5. and dgsigning now. financially.viable
projects that can fijrther the Watèrcress Line's objectives. These projects are noljust about locomotives. rolling stock
and infrastructure. Rother they focus on peopl8 and skllls because that is where the future of our railway lie5.
On that note, I pay tribute to all those who have gol the railway to where 1118 now In heritage and commerd81 terms
and who increasad the momentum in 2024-2025. It's a cast of thousands ssJpport8d by key institutions and groups
including the National Lottery, our bankeTS. our auditors, the local authorities, Ioc81 communities. and our visitors from
across the country and from abroad.
That's what ￿1n9'H￿r￿Pshiro'S Heritage Rel￿9Y, is all about and we look forniard with confidon¢o10 th8 ￿ar$ ahoad.
St•ph•fi Evans CMG OBE
Chalr
Date.. 08 De￿mber 2025

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
What we do
The Watercress Line is Hampshire's heritage railway that presetvès thè memories and skills of the pasl and promotes
sustainable transport for the future. We deliver social value to our volunteers and visitors,. economic valuÈ to our
region,. and cultural value to Ihe nation in the preservation ol stations, line, track, locomotives and rolling stock of Ihg
Southern Railway, reflecting the golden era of steam travel through a time of change.
The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Tnjst's objectives ar• to piès•rve. restore, maintsin, operate. exhibit, educate,
instruct. stimulate, promote and gn¢our8ge interest in heril8ge railways, locomotives, rolling sl¢xk, buildtngs, artilac15
and equipment and to foster and support railway preservation. Tho Watercress Line Hgritsge Railway Trust supports
thg railway Ih8t is managed by Mid-Hants Railway Llmiled I'MHR'I, of which the Trust is the m8jorlty shareholder.
The Watercress Line is the trading name of these combined entities. In setting our objectives and planning our
aclivilies, the Truslges have Considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and to ils
supplementsry public benefit guidance on advancing education and on fee-charging.
Presetvation and resloralion
The Trust fulfils ils purposg lo ensure our railway forever remalns a thrfvlng ar￿ beloved part of Hampshlre's
heritage and transport story by supporting the Watercress Llne lo-
Maintsin and operate relevanl period locomotives, folling stock, stations, processes and practices.
Invest in thg ovethaul. conservallon and restoration of relevant period stèam locomotives and tlie8el traction
units. Svc¢essfully Completing the iesloration of the 4-6-2 Merchant Navy Class locomotive 3500S Canadian
Pacifi¢ and continuing work on projects which includes our BR Standard Class 4 locomotive 75079, Standard
Class 4T locomotive 80150 and the diesel-electric Hampshire Multiple Unil 1125.
Invest in the overhaul and resloralion of relevant pedod carriages and wagons. including improvements in
accesslbility and prestrnt8lon across its signfflcanl collection of Mk 1 Carriages and the Bull¢id carriage 4211.
Support education programmes that brlng chlldren and young people to the railway to experience the magic of
stsam and leam about the history, science, technology, engine81ing and maths behind it.
Promote Watercress Line heritage through an outreach programme across the region.
Enabl8 the provision of opportunities for the public lo enjoy and learn by experiendng a joumey on the Tal￿Vay.
through its support ofMHR.
Su
ort for Mid-Hanls Railwa
Limlted
The Trusl owns the majority of shares in MHR whlch operates the Watercress Line across ten miles of Hampshire
countryside bord$ring the South Downs N81ion81 P8rk, wilh four vlnlage sl81ions from Alton lo Alresford and a large
flgel of rolling stock. 11 supports MHR to maintain heritage engineering and operational ski115 from th$ last generation
of stèam, sp8cific31ty'.
Maintaining and 0￿rating its collection for thè public to Èngage with.
Maintsining specialist practical skills and knowledge in the rnaintenance and operation of induslrlal heritage. in
particular..
Locomotives. Carriages and wagons from the last ggneration ol steam.
Original and re¢onfigLJrèd signalling equipment, their mainl8nan¢8, intègration and operation.
The firing and management of sleam locomotives on a challenging steep gradlent line.
The managemènt and maintenanc8 of historic stwctures and track known as the Pemanent Way
Creating appr•nticeships and training opportunities in heritage engin￿ring.
Organising and dglivering a suite of structured learning programme$ for schools, youth groups and unlverslty
Students.
Providing a¢ce5s and inlerpretslion lo its engineering facilities from viewing galleries.
Organising h8nds•on leaming or skills actiwlie5 for children and young people during school holidays.
Taking specialist knowledge and training lo other organisation5 through outreach.
Maintaining a specialist archive.
Carrying over 80,000 visitors during the year.
Continuing its successful strategy of layerin9 highly tsrgeted events for differenl audience segments in¢luding
on-lrain experiences.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trust also supports MHR in the effective management of Watercres5 Line assets such as:
A collection of period locomotives, carriages. vans, wagons and steam cran8s owned by a variety of partners
including the Twst and MHR. and operated for the public for around 2(X) days a year as part of our visitor
attrath'on.
resford SlalSon- a d8stinalion station that houses a café, shop and pedod buildings on the edge of a characterful
Georgian town. It has a community and events space in the tormer Goods Shed owned by the Twst and owns
car paTk le8sed to Hampshire County Council.
Ropley Station- an event venue slatlon that houses a major engineering m8intenanc8 and restoration f8cility and
visitor infrastructure including an evenl café and shop.
Medstead and Four Marks Station lh8 highest st8tlon in Soulhem England, a delightlul interfude that hosts
occasional event facilities and exhibitions.
Alton Stslion 8 gateway leased from Netsvork Rail that gives the W8tsr¢r8ss Line direct access lo London
Wat8rloo and South Western Railway seNices and a historic market town once knovm lo Jane Austsn.
More than 40 acres of land bordering the South Down5 National Park on which the track. Sidings, yards and
stations sil. includlng cuttings, culverts and bridges.
Partn8rshi
The Watercress Llne delivers ils objectives and manages its asse15 through partnerships 8r*d ne￿OrkS of
organisations and groups without which il could not function, induding..
Regional Groups Ihat meet lo support and maintain inl8T8St in the railway.
Private ownor individuals and groups that own key rolling stock, event and opèrational assets.
The Urie Society and Wadebridge Ltd that own partner lo¢omotives and undertake resloralion prolects.
The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust that own5 P8rtner locomotives and museum objects.
Ne￿ork Rail that owns infrastruclufe Ihal the Watercress Line uses and provi¢Jes support to the railway.
South Western Rallw8y that operates London Waterloo services from Aton.
The National Railway Museum that owns locomotives based al the Watercress Lin8.
The Waler¢ress Line is a member of the Heritage Rail Association and has a contract with th8 National Lottery
Heritage Fund for the restor3tion of 35005 C8n8dian Pacific. 11 participates in the inform81 Southern Six ne￿ork of
local heritage railways, and is a member of the Hampshlre Chamber of Commerce antl the Destination Marketing
Or9anisalions Visit Winchester, Visit Hampshlre and Tourism South Ea$l.
VolL¢nlee
The effgctive operation of th8 Watefcre5s Line is dependent on 550 volunteers who work as footplate crews, provlde
engineering expertise, run èvents, serve on dining trains. fill safety and cuslomer service roles on the station3 and In
signal boxes. They maintain the stations across horticulture, buildings maintenance and cleanliness. set up and break
down events. clean carriages, cook breakfasts and mea15, park ¢ars, and provide ticketing services, maintsin emall
and telephone lines. produce magazines, ¢reat• and edit films, take and market photographs, and distribute leaflgts.
They provide r051ering, timatabling, compliance. safely management and training services across railway.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the continuing financial and physical involvement and support of membèrs and
volunteers to resloralion projects and running the railway. Without their commiknent and enthusiasm, the Trust and
the Watercress Line would not be able lo op8rate.
ional Grou
The Trust valu•s the work and c<mtributson of its sevèn Ragional Groups. scattered acros5 the south-east, who meet
regularty and set their own programmes. Thtrse groups are a vital outreach of interest in and support for the railway
with promotion. fellowship and fundraising al their core.
FundTaisin
The Trust raises funds through membership subs¢ripliDns, donations, grant5, legarjes and fundraising events. It is
regisler8d by and upholds the stsndards ofthe Fundraising Regulator. It appeals forfunds from members, SLbPPOrters
and the giving public including in the Watercress Line News, on the website and on slalions and in trains. The Charity
does not sèll or pass on any details about its members. 5UPPOrters and dorbors to any other organisation and complies
with current data protection requirements.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Slrale
ic lans
The Trust continually Teviews the slralegie5 necessary lo achieve its objectives and meets with MHR Directors to
consider slrategio prioritie5. The Trustees and Directors have formed a working group to review the core strategic
intent for 2050 an¢J shape the Investment landscape for the Watercress Line. In the meantime, MHR is delivering its
objectives through the 2023 Strategic Next Steps Plan in which the WateTcre5s Line aspires to be..
Sltuat•d: recognised and valued 85 a backdrop lo Hampshire and the South Downs.
Brand the Watercress Line with the South Downs and celebrate our views.
Develop partnerships with local Organisalions and businesses.
Celebrate local walercress, food and drink culture through our catering offerings.
Contribute to a sense of place and social cohesion for new local residents.
Salient: clear about its identity, purpose and relevance.
Focus on the last generation of steam and the first generation of diesel and celebrate our post-war heritage.
Fund and expand our STEM education programme.
Celebrate and leverag& our operabonal and 8n9ineering 6xp8ttise.
Racognise, measura and dgvise siTalegies to minimiso its anvironmental impact.
Pollshod: known for excellenc8.
Have an award-winning bdu¢ation programme.
Ensure our volunteering experien¢8 is 'bgSt in class,.
Pass on our operallons and englneering expertise lo the next generation.
Plan lo fund and cieale undercover storage for rolling stock.
Support Ihe continuous revlew and improvement of the railw8y'$ ￿fety culture.
Accesslble: easy for everyone to use.
Invest in our ststions and rolling stock lo be physlcally accessible.
Explain the operation and pu¥pose of the railway as well as engineering al a level that everyone can understand
across our visitor touch points.
Celebrate the ernotional connection of our target and local audience to the last days of steam.
Create consistency and clarity in our experiences largeled lo a wide and ctearfy defined range of users.
Performance Report for the Year
Ke
achievements
Canadian Pa¢ifi¢ and the Bulleld Story- The Power to Dream
The highlight of the year the completion of the resloralion of the 4*.2 Merchant Navy Class locomotive 35005
Canadian P8cifie and its return lo steam in Ma￿h 2025. This is the Culmination of a multi-decade and multi-million
pound project to bring this 1941 locomotive back into operation and. in the process, highlight the human stories
surroijnding It. The Trust funded the ¢ompSetion of the lo¢omoliv9 on lime through ils legacy income, highlighting
Ihe importance of those remembering thg Railway in their wills.
Al the same lime. the Bulleid carriage 4211 restoration was completed, featuring an innovative roof sèaling
methodology lo improve the lrfe of the canvas.covered wooden roof.. and intemal changtrs to improve accessibility
advised by the slud¢nts of the local Treloars Sthool.
In addition to thè enginè8ring a¢hievomont, thè launch of the locomotiv8 markèd a slep change since the Covld
ntra¢tion in the organisats'on's ability to engage stskeholders and generate news coverage. A PR Strategy based
on the main th8mes of the PfOjg¢1
Fr¢edom in the wartime slorles of sacrifice in the contgxl of thg locomotlve build at a lime of material
shortages and th8 Merchant Navy shipping losses aft8r which the dass was named., the women who look
over war work lo build the locomotive al Eastleigh Railway Works,. and the Tole of the locomotive around D-
Day and repalrialion
Hop¢ in the pea¢trtime storfes of the Windrush and £10 POMS whose flrsl and last journeys by rail in the
UK wèrè the trains lo and from thè south coast ports; the holiday boom after the war and the glamorous
boat trains that promoted international travel by rail

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Power in Bull8id's innovative and American-inspired design improvoments lo produce a loco of speed and
capability that defied the BR standard test equipment., sel speed r8coTds,' and modemised the technology
and ergonomics of locomotive design of its day.
The18un¢h week mado a signrficanl contribution to the Railway al a koy moment. coming oul of tho winter period
and welcomirvJ more than 2,500 guests on Ils Celebra￿On trains.
Railwa
200
The Watercress Lino look an early lead in promoting and engaging the publlc with the national ¢elebralioris for the
200 anniversary of the first passenger rail joumey. The Leaming and Outreach Co-ordinator partn8red with the
Winchester Poetry Festival to work wlth over 100 authors and poets who conlribulgd to the creation of a rablway
PO8ty and pros& anthology which can be viewed on the railway's website. The team also ran an award-winnlng
¢r8ative community engagtrment project working with ov8r 100 individuals and community groups and funded by
the Arts Soclety Alre5ford. Ta¢tile textile panels inspirèd by Railway 200 stories were collaboratively designed and
crafted by the volunteer5 and launched into a programme of ¢Ji$p18y across the region in the Railway 200 year.
Business stabili
The Waler¢ress Line welcomed 80.317 passengers in the year, an 8.5% increase al a lime of visitors falling across
the heritage sector. Blssiness corbtinued to manag8 on an 'avslerity' footing, reviewing and managing ils resources
relenlle5s1y by improving transparency, driving out inefficiencies, raising margins, strearnlining processes and
focussing on the visitor oxperience. Emblematic of this 5uc¢trss was the vital winter Steam Illuminations event
which ran f8wer services, attracted mre visitors, and improved the experience, delighting nearfy 20,000 visilors
while dglivering a 12•A Improvement In Revenue P9r Pa5sengar Mile on the prior year.
Leamin
and Outreach
The Education and Oulrgach team was shortlistetl for the Heritsge Railway Association 'Tgam of the Yearf award in
February 2025 and received a highly commended award. Tho team was also the Linkedln Communlty and Archive
Heritage Group's Group of the Month for ils Rallway 200 work.
A lotsl of 3,463 leamer$ were engaged across on and offsite activities including fomal and inforrnal, 18d and self-
gui(Jed vlsitors lo the railway. A further 678 learners wer9 turned away due to capacity ¢onslTaints. New volunteer5
were trained and the t8am expanded in the year. The Lltdo Locos early years club was discontinued due to year-
round Competition in the local area. The Educallon Room ot Ropley is hampered by a18ck of healing lo sustain year-
round activity.
Education aclivilles are core funded by the Trust and delivered by a Learning and Outreach Officer supported by
thirteen volunteers.
Institutions
Leamers
Education:
Key Stages: Earty Years, Receptlon and Year 1-2
Schoc*ls
Key Stage 34 schools
Further and Higher education
Home Education
rou
Youth Groups..
Scovting and Girl Guiding groups
Evenin
visits at Ro
le
Outreach talks and workshops=
Youth groups
Adult and Commun
33
1241
42
129
46
8 groups
15
rou
199
451
6 gTOUPS
21
rou
205
1150
rou
ren
ceshi
s and Trainin
Apprentice Matt Parr left hi5 apprenticeship at the end of March 2025 In his third year as a Fitter M8¢hinist apprenlico
WOTking with Fareh8m College.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Volunt$erin
During the year, a volunteer learn from the Watercress Lin8 inlroduced the Heritage Operations Pro¢esslng Systems
IHOPSI for the management of volunteer staff informatson and complianc8. This project, led by the Signalling
Department, has enabled the organisation lo move its compliance managèment away frorn distributed paper and
legacy dalabasts systems, and to enable better rostering, team visibility, communiealions and compliance check5. 11
is an ongoing piolecl bul has been an exemplary volunteer team effort.
The Volunteer Steering Group is a group of volunteers that manag8s the development of volunteering processes and
recruilmenl. 11 has had huge success wrth ils in year recruitment by retheslablishing and revilalising ¢ommunlcalions
and a¢livilies that were lost over Covid, setting up systems, running regular voluntèer recruitment days., responding
lo volunteer enquiries and galvanising inlemal teams lo improve the darity of their needs. responses and inductions.
More than 100 ngw volunteers have b8en introduced to the Railway.
M8mb8rshi
Membership of the Trust continued to decline al a rale of 3.6°1o, Wth the rates identical a¢ross life and discretionary
members, and a chum rale of 150/0 in discretionary members. A membership research project commencèd to
rgvi8w options for a major drive for new members and to irnprove the retention rates of existing membership. We
thank the volunteers for ¢ontinuing to manage the adrninislralion of members and company shareholders and the
Watercress Linè N8ws production team who keep our Members up lo date wth the Railway's activikn'es.
Structur•. Governanc• and Management
Governin
document
The Watercress Line Haritagg RaiKvay Trust Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee. It was granted charitable
status in May 1982 and is registered with thè Charity Commission. Revised Articles of AsS￿latiOn, effective frorn 1
April 2022, were agreed and registered by Companies House and the Charities Commission. The liability of Memb8rs
is limited to £1 each.
Trustees
Trustees Iwho are also Directors of the Company for the purptsses of company lawl who seNèd through the year are
outlined on page 1. Trustees are subject lo election or re-election a￿ordIng to procedures sel out in the Articles of
Association.
The Trust's Articles of Association p8rmit th8 apw'ntment of a minimum of three and up lo nine TrusleelDireclors
who have lo stand4own after three years but may be re-elecl8d for furth81 pèriods. All are requirtrd lo be
appropriately skilled, according lo needs, to form an effeclive Board. Trustees receive appropriatè induction,
ongoing training and annual performance appraisal. On appointmenl. new Trustees work alongside existy'ng
Twstees to galn experience. Training is made available for all Trustees.
Or anisation and Mans Èmenl
The Charity operates through a Board that determines the general policy of the Trust. Committees with membership
that in¢ludes both the Tnjsl and the Company m8n8ge the laclical business of the Railway. The Business and
Finance Committee ensurgs dgcisions are aligned and deliverabltr, 8n¢J the Safely & Assurance Committee
provid8s ovèrsight of MHR'S ¥ailway and operational safely management system.
The Board meets regularty throughout the year and is support8d by the Chief Exècutive Officer vh)0 advises on and
implements deThsions. The Board is responstble for sethng strategy and direction with MHR running railway
operations and commgrcial aclivitses. Routs'no adminislralive functions are undertaken by MHR.
Risk Mana
ement
The Trustees regularly rèview the finances and risks of the Cha￿ty and Its 8ubsidlary companies and examines the
major risks the Charity faces whgn pr8p3ring and updating Ihelr plans. In conjunction with lh8 MHR Directors, the
Charity has developed systems to monitor and control these risks and manage any impact thal they may have in the
future. MHR controls the Safety Management Systems for the operation of the railway and on90ing reviews includ&s
risk analysis and assessment.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Tho Trustee5 hav8 identified the top three risks Eo the Trust are..
Financial resilience due to changing demographlcs and giviThJ h8bits
Environmental preparèdness due lo changing18gislation and cultural expectstions
Leadership and skills due to increasing competition for @ffeclive tslenl
key risks for the Company arg..
cash flow, which is being managed In an active turnaround
matching products with changing consumer spending
filling technical skilled roles
supply chaln disruption an(1 prico volaUIIty
Related arties
The Charity has two Subsidiary bul not wholly owned cLJmpanles:
Mi**Han15 Railway Limited which oper8tss tho railway under the brand name'The W8lercrnss Line,.
Wadgbridge 1340071 Locomotive Limited which owns the Southern Railway Wost Country class Ic￿0M0t1Ve
'Wadebridge'. which is in resloT8ti0n.
Shares in each can only be purchased ty the Trust and existing shareholders are encouraged lo transfer their shares
to the TTUSt.
Sustainabili
Th8 Charity Commissbon encourag8s Trustees to ￿nSider the sustainabllity of their charity and its future. The
Trustees recognlse the steps that have been taken lo secure the fijlure of the railway. the dearer financlal
transparency, success in attracting talent, in¢￿0$e in visitors, improved company trading and successful volunt9er
rgcruilmenl. 11 has supported the active turnaround of the Company and Invèsted in its Locomotive Projects
providing assets, securing skills and supporting the cornpany. It has confidence in the future and the abllity of the
Charity to attract support to secure the long-tem) sustainability and viabitily of th8 railway.
Flnanclal Revl•w
The Trust las a group) reported strong Income from its tradin9 and charitable aclivilies. However, the Trust reports
net deficit of £2,544,173 compared lo a surplus of £462,281 in 2024. This deficit has arisen thTough a write-down In
the value of a number of fixed assets in the Current period following thè adoption ol more ri9oTous and consistent
methodology to determine the audit value of rolling stock, pa￿'CUlarlY locomotives. lor which there is little markot data.
and which recognises the restoration costs now run ahead of realisable valug .
The subsidiary companles. Mid-Hants Railway Limited reported a loss of £683,152 and Wadebridge 134007)
Locomotlve Limited reported a loss of £420.253 in tho yèar ended 31 March 2025.
MHR has laken active measures to tum around throughout the persod. supported by the Trust in improving financial
transparency, attracting talent. reviewing its ass8ts and buslness and winning th8 support of its volunteers and
funders. These measures have been bolstered firm and positiv8 support from its bank.
As a Group. the Wat8rcfess Line derives revenue from
Travel on and around h8ritag8 assets and events that sUPPOrt ils charrtable aims.
Trading activities to support visitors and trvgnts.
Rerbts and revenue from railway estate and infrastructur8.
Earned income from specialist ongineering activibes.
Donations. grants and legacies.
Reserv8s
olic
The policy of the Charity is to malnlaln a level of unr8stricted funds, not committed or invested In tangible assets.
whlch will enable the Charity lo ensure conlinuily of activity and have the ablllly to adjust. in a mea$uTed way, to any
significant changes in resources. Th8 Reserves Policy recognlses that reserves are necessary lo maintain the day
to day operations of the charity for a period of six months. The Trustoes seek to keep a £150,000 buffer between
available funds and committed funds. Al the year end this criteria was not mel but action has been taken since the
year end to bring thls in lin8.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
As of 31 March 2025, total funds of the Charity were £6,465.38412024.. £9,009.557). Of Ih88e, £942.75012024'.
£1,107.6381 are restricted funds. and £5,523,332 {2024-. £7,901,919} are unrestricted funds. Of the unr8Stricted
lunds, £6,745,902 12024-. £8,888,601) is represented by tsngible fixed assets, and £308.137 represented by net
current liabilities12024.' £64,295 net current assets.) There are long-lemi liabilibes and provislons of £914,43312024:
£1.050.9771.
Plans for future
riods
The Boards of the Charity and MHR met during the year to review Ihe financial pos1￿0￿ of the companies, develop
the fvndraising slratogy and 9ranl appllcations.
The Charity's income includes a large proportion of grants. donations and 18gacy income. By ils nature Ihe18vel of
this income cannot be assured in any year. The Trustees acknowled9e that they would be able to delay capital projects
if required to balance cash flow were there to be a shortfall in expe¢led income.
The Trust has developed a fundraising strategy and in 20254 will leverage the retum lo steam of Canadlan Pacrfic
and develop its long term strategy to create a vision for the Railway in 2050. It will ¢onlinue lo run campaigns lo
support the Railway and specific projects as well as developing capacity and capability. These campaigns will help
lo shape and bed in the staff. structures and habits of fur¢draisin9 that will allow the Trust lo continue lo raise regular
funds to support its charitable objectives across the Railway.
Looking forward. the Trustees expect incom8 to be a continuing mix of grants, subscriplions, donations and 1ggoQy
income.
Dlsclo8ur• of Inlormatlon to audltors
In so far as the Trustees are 8ware'.
there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable group's auditor is unaware; and
Ihg Trustees have tsken all steps that Ihgy ought lo have taken to make themselves awore of any relevant
audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that infoimalion.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information in¢lutled on
the charitable group's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and dissemination of
financial slatements may drffer from18gislation in other jurisdictions.
Audltor
ets Audit Service5 were appointed a5 auditor to the charitable company and group and a resolution proposing that
they be rg-appointed will be put to a General IAeeting, in accordan¢e with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees, report. including the Dlreclors, report and slraleglc report, was approved by the Board of Trustees.
y Ord•r of the Board
Stephen Evans
Chair of th8 Board of Trusts8S
Date.- 08 December 2025

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees (who are also Directors of Water¢ress Llne Heritage Railway Trust Limile(I for the purposes of company
lawl are responsible for prep8rsng the Trustees, Annual Report lincluding the Directors. and Strategic R$portl and the
financial statements in accordan￿ wlth 8pplieable law and Unlled Kingdom AccountirvJ Standards (United Kingdom
Generally A￿pted Accounting Practice).
Company law requir8S the Trustees lo prèpare financial stslemenls for each financial year. Under company18w the
Trustegs must not approve thè financial statements unless they are s81isfied that they give a tru& and fair wew of the
state of affairs of the charitable company and th8 group and of the incoming resources and application of resour¢8s.
including the income and expenditL¢re. of the ch8ritsbl8 group for that P8riod. In preparfng these financial statements.
the TTLislees are required lo-.
select 5uKable accounting policies and then apply them ¢onsistenlly',
observe the methods and principles in the Chariti8s SORP 2019 {FRS 1021..
make judgements and eslimales that 8rg reasonable 8n¢J prud8nt'.
ststè whether applicable UK Accounting Sl8ndards have been followed.,
prepare the financial slalements on the going concem basis unless il is Inappropriate lo presume that the
Charitable 9roup will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping ad8quale accounting ￿ordS that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any
time the financial position of thè ¢harilable group and ènable them to ensure that the fin8n¢i81 ststements CoM￿Y wilh
the Comp8nies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safèguarding the as$8ts of the charitsble comp8ny and the
group and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the pfevenlion and d8leclion of frau(J and other irregularities.
10-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
Oplnion
We have audited the financial statements of Watercress Line Heritagg Railway Trust Limited (the 'charilable parent
company'l and ils subsidiaries (the 'group'l for the year end8d 31 March 2025 which comprise the consolidated
statemènt of fin8ncial aclivilies, the group and charitabl& parent company balance sheets, the consolidated statement
of cash flows and the notes lo the financial statements, including Signif￿nI accounting policies. The financial
reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting
Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United
Kingdom Generally Accepl8d Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial stalernents..
give a true and fair view of the stal8 ol the group's and charilable parent company's affairs as at 31 March 2025
and of the group's incoming resources and 3ppli¢ation ol resources, for the year thèn ended.,
have been proptsrly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally AC￿pIed Accounting Practice., and
have been prepared in accordance with thg requlrements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basls for oplnlon
We conducted our atjdit In accordance with International Standards on Auditing {UKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law.
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the
financial statèments se¢tion of our report. We are independent of the group and ¢harilable parent company in
accordance wlh the ethi¢al requirements that are relevant lo our audit of the financial statements in the UK. including
the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance wllh these
requirements. We believe that audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provido a basis
for our opinion.
Concluslons relatlng to golng ¢on¢¢m
In auditsng the finan¢ial stslernenls, we have concluded that the trustees. usa ofthe going concem basis of accounting
in the preparation of the financial ststernents is appropriate.
Based on the work we have perfomied, we have not identified any material uncertainties relab'n9 to events OT
conditions that, individually or collectively. may cast significant doubt on the 9roup or charitable parent company's
ability to continue as a going ¢oncem for 8 peri(Kl of 81 least fvlelve months from when the financial statements are
aulhorised for issue.
Our respon5ibililies and the ￿sponSibl11t1eS of the trustèes with respect lo going concern ar8 d8s¢ribed in thg relevant
sections of this report.
Other Infomiatlon
The other information compris8s the infonnalion included in the annual report, other than the financial slatgments and
our auditorfs report thereon. The tnjslees are responsible for the other infomialion contained within the annual report.
Our opinion on the financial statements does nol cover the other infofmation and. ex¢epl lo the extent otheNise
explicitly slated, we do nol oxpress any form of assurance conclusion Ihereon. Our responsibility is to read the olher
infomation and, in doing so. consider wh8lh8r th8 Other information is materially inconsistent with the financial
ststements or our knowledge obtained in the Course of th8 audit, or otheNi$e appears to ￿ m3leTially misslate(J. If
we identrfy such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, wé are required to determine whether
this gives rise lo a material misstslemenl in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have
performed, we concludt that there is a materi81 mi8318tement of this other informatlon, W8 are required to report that
lacl.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Oplnlons on other matters pres¢rSb•d by the Companles Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the coursg of the audll..
the information given in the trustees, report, which includes the strategic report and directors, report prepared
for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statemènts are prepared Is
consislenl with the financial slalemenls., and
the strategic report and the directors, report included wilhln th8 Iruslegs, report hav9 baen prepared in
accordance with the applicable legal requirements

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMrrED
Matters on whlch we are rwulred to report by èxception
In the I￿h1 of the knowlgdge and understsnding of the group 8nd charitable parent company and ￿$ environment
obtained in the cwrse of Ihe audit, we have not identified mat8rbal mis5t8tements in the straleglc report and the
dlrgctors, T8FKIrt included within the truslee$' raport.
We have nothlng lo report in respect of the following m8tters in r9101ion lo whlch thg Companies Act 2006 requires us
to report to you rf. in our opinion..
adequats and proper accounting rewrds have TK)t beèn kept. or retums adequate for our audit hove not been
received from branches not vlsiled by us., OT
the financial statements are not in agraement wolh the 8ccounts.ng Tecords and retums.. or
certain di￿10$ureS of trustees, remuneration specifiod by law are not made.. or
we have not received all the infomiation and explanations we require lor our audit.
Retsponslbllltle$ of trusto0s
As explained more fully In the staternenl of trustees. responsibilitles, lh8 trustees (who are also the directors of the
chadlable parent company fof thg purpose of Company lawl are responsible for thè preparation of the flnanclal
statemènts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such inlemal control as the trustees
delerming is necessary to enable the preparation of financial ststements that are fro9 from matsrial misstat8mgnt,
whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial stat8ments, the trustees are responsible for assessing tho
group and charitable parent company's ability to continue as a going concem. disclosing, a5 applicable, matters
related to going conc8m and using th6 going concern ba515 of ac¢ounts'ng unless the tfuslees either inlond lo liquidate
the group or charltable parent company or to cease operations, or have no reallstic altemative bul to tlo so.
Audltorfs respon$lblllties for the audtt of the flnanclal slatements
Our objeclivos are to obtain Te8S0n8ble assurance about whethèr the financial statements as a whole are free from
materi81 misstalèmenl, whether due to fraud or error. and to issue an auditorfs report that includes our opinion.
Reasonablg assurance is a high lev81 of assurance but is not a guarantee Ihal an audit conducted in accordance with
ISAS IUKI will always delect a m8t8rial misstslemenl when rt exists. IAisstatements can 8rise from fraud OT error and
arè considered material if, Individually or in the aggregate, they eould ieasonably be gxpected to inlluence the
economic d8cisions of users lak8n on the basis of these financial slalements.
A furth8r d8scriplion of our responsibllilles 1$ available on the Financial Reporling Council'5 webslle al
hll s'.Ilwww.frc or
.uklOur-WorklAuditlAu(Jil-and-assurancelSlandards-and-
uidancelslandards-and
uidance-for-
auditorslAuditors-res
r-audiUDescfi
tion-of-audilofs-res
onsibililies-for-audit.as
Thls description forms part of our auditorfs r8POrt.
12-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of dotecting ivrègularitiès, in¢ludlng fraud
Irrègularities. in¢luding fraud. are ins18nces of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in
line with our responsibilities. outlined above, lo delecl material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including
fraud.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-complianc8 with laws and r8gul3tions, including fraud, we deslgned
procedures which included..
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around acbjal and potential litigation and claims as
well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud.,
Revlewing minLrtes of meetings of those charged with governance..
Assessing the extent of ¢omplian¢e with the laws and regulations considered to have a diréct material effect on
the financial $181em8nls or th8 OP8ralions of the enllty through enquiry and inspecth'on.,
Reviewing financial statement dis¢losures and lesling lo suppoth'ng documentation lo assess compliance with
applicable laws and regulations.,
Pertorming audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls. including testing of joumal
entries and other adjuslmenis for appropriateness, evaluating tha business rationale of significant transa￿.On$
outside the normal course of business and reviewing accountsng estimates for indicators of pot8nlial bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect 811 ir￿gUIantie5, induding thosg
leading lo a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases
the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial
statements, as we will be less likely to bewme awara of instsn¢es of non-compliance. The risk is also greal8r
regarding irregularities occurring due lo fraud rather than error. as fraud involves int&ntional conc8alm9nt. forgery,
collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
Use of our roport
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 01 Part 16
of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we mwht stste to the charitable companys
members those mattets we are required lo stale to them in an auditors. report and for no other purpose. To the ftjllèsl
extent pemiitted by law. we do not accept or assume responsibility lo anyone oth8r than the charitable company and
the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report. or for the opinions we have formed.
QA4 rts
Jon Nobl• ISenl¢r Statutory Audltor)
For and on behalf of Az¢t$ Audlt Servl¢e$
Chartered A¢c¢untants
Statutory Audito¥r
Third Floor. Gateway House
Tollgats
Chandlèrs Ford
Hampshire
United Kingdom
S053 3TG
13-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(includlng Summary of Income and Expenditure)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Unr•stricted
Funds
R*$trl¢ted
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
{restatedl
2024
Notes
2025
Incom•
Donations and lega¢ies
Income from charitable 8Ctivilies
Income from othgr tradin9 activities
Investment income
Other income
235.597
36,185
2,955.253
20.984
39.810
371.124
606,721
36,185
2.955,253
20.984
39,810
1,115,862
37,514
2.639.397
18,411
35,454
Total Income
3,287,829
371.124
3.658,953
3,846,638
Expendtturo
Costs of raising funds
Expenditure on charitsblo activities
Impairnienl of assets
3.519,819
266.581
2,417,232
3,519,819
292,135
2.417,232
3.141,152
277.392
25,554
14115
Total 8xpendlture ￿1*Ye interest and
taxatlon
6.203,632
25.554
6,229 186
3.418.544
Interest payable
Taxation
146.9811
73.041
{46,9811
73.041
154,7601
88.947
13
Net IncomellDofl¢lt)
12,889,743>
345.570
12.544,1731
462,281
Transfers be￿gen funds
2412S
511.156
1511.1561
Net mov•ment In funds
(2,378.5871
1165.5861
{2.544,173}
462,281
Fund balances at 01 April
7.901,919
1,107,638
9,009,557
8.547.276
Fund balances at 31 March
5.523.332
942.052
6.465.384
9,009,557
14-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(Including Summary of Income and Exp•nditure
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Prlor flnancial year
Unrestricted
Funds
Irestatsdl
Restrlct
Funds
Irestatedl
Total
Funds
Irestatedl
2024
Notes
Income
Donatlons and legacies
Income from charitable activities
Income from other trading activities
Investment income
Olhgr income
798.862
37.514
2,639,397
18,411
35,454
317.000
1,115,862
37,514
2.639,397
18,411
35,454
Total In¢omo
3,529,638
317.000
3,846.638
Expendlture
Costs of raising lunds
Expenditure on charitable aclivrties
3.141,152
261.336
3,141,152
277,392
16,056
Total expendllure b•for• Interfrst and taxatlon
3.402,488
16,056
3.418.544
Interest payable
Taxalion
154,7601
88,947
154.7601
88,947
13
Net IncomellDeficit)
161,337
300,944
462,281
Transfers between funds
24125
164,273
1164,2731
Net movgmgnt In funds
325.610
138,671
462,281
Total fvnds brought forward
7,576,309
970,967
8,547,276
Total funds carrled fonyard
7,901,919
1,107,638
9.009,557
The prior year Statement of Financial Activities has b$en reslaled to ensure classification of income and
expenditure is consistent with the current financial yeai. Total income, totsl expenditure. and lolal funds are
unchanged.
15-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Group
2025
2024
Not8S
Flxed a$s•ts'.
Tangiblg assets
Investments
14
6.745,902
8,822.190
66,411
15
6.745,902
8,888.601
Current assots:
stock
16
17
217,840
241,531
1.137,919
1,597.290
267,588
714,967
1,123,859
2,106.414
Oeblors
Cash al bank and in h8ntl
Cr•ditors- amounts falllng due
wlthin one year
18
{963.375)
1934.4811
Not ¢urront ass•ts
633915
1.171.933
Totsl assets lèss ¢urr9nt
Ilabllltlg$
7,379,817
10,060,534
Credltors: amounts falllng due
afttrr more than ont yoar
19
{706,661)
(770,1641
Provlslons for Ilabilities
22
1207.772)
1280,8131
Net a$$•ts
6,465.384
9,009,557
Income funds
Restricted income funds
25
942.052
1.107,638
Unreslricled income funds..
General funds
(Xher reserve
Minority interests
24
4,530.513
514.765
478.054
6,902,272
514,765
484,882
5.523,332
7,901,919
Totsl funds
6,465 384
9,009,557
16-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Company
2025
2024
Notes
Flxed assets:
Tangible assets
Investments
14
1.854.947
847,920
2.702,867
2,688,157
907.503
3.595,660
15
Curr•nt as$•ts:
Debtors
17
119.813
1,131,310
1,251,123
632.634
1.092.547
1.725,181
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts fa115ng du•
wlthln one year
18
191,7311
124.6421
Net current assets
1,159,392
1,700.539
Total assets l•ss curront
3.862.259
5.296.199
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year
ProvlsSons for lilbllltles
Nèt a$$•t$
3,862,259
5,296,199
Fund$
Restricted income funds
25
942,052
2,920.207
1,107,638
4.188.561
Unreslricled income fvnds..
Total funds
3.862.259
5,296,199
Tr* f•wKial $l•lwr￿ts P•90• 14 * 39 •N¥o¥•d by ts e¢wd d Ow•¢tty• ky 08 December 2025
Dlrg¢tor- S Evans
Director- G H Watson
Company r•glstsr•d ntsmb•r." 01126590
17-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMrrED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
{r••t•t•d)
N•t u*h provld•d ty op•r•llng •¢lMII••:
31
808.399
86.365
Ca•h tkn from Inv￿11￿9 •cil¥lll••:
Int•r8$1 rK•lvod
Pmco8d8 881• fix•d as¥•ts
purch￿ of tanglbl• fix¢d w8ets
18.411
225.th)0
1943.2881
14
1829.238)
N•t G••h In Inv••dng ackn•
1697.304)
{810.8271
C••h 116w• trom Iln•nclng •ctlvMIM:
IncrusWlr•duclionl of borrowir4J$
20
(90,0991
1263,362)
Ch•ng• In c••h •nd •qulv•l•nl• In th• y••r
C••h And cuh •qulv•l•nts •tth• •tth of th• y••r
1987,824)
821,047
1.808,871
Cuh and e••h •qul¥•l•rA• at th• •nd of th• y••r
•42.043
821.047

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Accounting policies
Charity Inforniatlon
Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust Limited is a private charitable company limited by guarante8
incorporalgd in England and Wales. The registered office 1$ Alresford Slalion, Alresford, S024 9JG.
1.1 A¢countlng Convtntlon
Thè financial ststem8nts have beèn prepared in 8¢¢0rdan¢e wth the Companie5 Act 2006, and "Accounting
and Rgporting by Charities.. Slatgment of Recommended Pracllce 8pplic8ble lo charlties preparing their
ac¢ounls in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 8pplicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
{FRS 1021'1gffective 1 January 20191. The Charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS
102.
The financial statements are prepared in stertlng, which Is the lunclional currency of the charitable company.
Monetsry amounts In these financial statements are rounde(I to the nearest £1.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cLJst convention, modified to include the
revaluation of certain freehold land and building5 and other assets al fairvalue. The principal accounting policies
adopted are sel out below.
Prnparatlon of consolldatsd flnan¢lal statem•nts
Th8 fin8n¢ial sts18ments consolidatB th8 results of th8 ¢haril8ble ¢omp8ny an¢J its subsidiaries. Mid-Hants
Railway Limited and Wadebridge1340071 Lo¢omolive Limited are consolidated using the purchase method.
The n8t incom8 from the subsidiary companies is shown in note 5 of the accounts. Transactions wilhln the
group are eliminated on ￿n$011dat10n.
1.2 Golng ¢On￿rn
At tho time ofapproving th8 financial statements Ihg TrLtslees hav8 a reasonable expectstion that the charftsble
company and group havo adequate rasourcos lo continue in 0￿ratIonal existence for the foreseeable future.
Thus the Trustees continue lo adopt the going concem basis of accounting in preparing th8 ffinancial
statements.
The Trustees recognise that there is uncertainty in a consumer induslry and that dlscrelionary spend and
donations have to be fought for. Improved transparency and acb've managemgnl has given confidenc8 that
costs in the Group are being controlled. The review of major costs such as en6rgy contracts, and the reprofiling
of the CBILS loan to a 1&year bank loan has eased the pressure on the Group while new products and
improved productivity lake effect. Proactive assessment Is ongoing lo seek new operats'ng income opportunities
and other funding options, and these continue lo be pursued with vigour.
Whilst the Trustees recogn5se Ihe Challenges and uncertainties th81 the railway faces. they believe that with
ntinued support from the bank. the a¢tions already implèmented detai18d above, and continuèd scrutiny by
the Trustees and MHR Board, the Group will continu9 as a going ¢on¢ern. The Trustees have Considered the
level of funds held and the expected level of ineomg and expgnditure for 12 months from authorising these
financial statements and are content that the budgeted income and expenditurts is suffiugnt to be able to
continue as a going concern.
1.3 Charltable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use al the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives
of the Company. and which have not bgèn designatèd for other purposes.
Restricted lunds are lunds which are lo be used in accordance with specrfic Testricttons imposed by donors (*
which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The aim and use of each fund is sel out in the
notes lo the financial slalements.
19-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1.4 Income
Donations and income from subscriptions, staled n81 of value add80 tax, are Credited on the stslement of
rinancial activilies in the year lo which they relat8 with any relating to future years being shown in creditors.
Income relating to reslri¢led funds is separal8ly disclosed. Income from exlended membership subscriplioris is
recognis8d in the year of receipt in the statement of financial 8¢tivilies.
In accordance with Charities SORP {FRS 1021 no amounts are included in the financial statements for servlces
donated by volunteers. The Trustees. annual report acknovledges their essenU81 contribution lo the charty's
SUCCgSS.
Income from legacles is recognised al the earlier ofthe date on which either the Company 15 aware that probat8
has been granted, the eslale finalised an(J nolificalion received by the Company that a distribution wlll be made
or has been received. Receipt of a l$gacy, in whole OT in part, is only considered probable when Ihg amount
Can be measured reliably and the Company notified of the gxe¢utor's intention to make a dislributlon. If the
Company is aware ol the granting of probate, but the cfil9ri8 for income recognition have not been met, the
legacy Is Irealed as a contingent asset and disclosed if malerfal.
Income from the subsidiary companies rgpTesenls sales, oxcluding value added tax. in respect of tickets for
steam train experiences and rides. retsil and catering goods supplied during the year. external engin88ring
work p8rformed and locomotive hire charges. Payments re¢eived on account arg not included within lumover
until such time as the service is rendered OT obligallon fulfilled.
Income from government and other grants. whether'capitsl, or'revenue., is reco9nised when the Company has
entitlement lo the funds, any performance conditions have been mel, It Is probable the income will be rgGeived
and the amount ¢an be measurgd reliably and Ss not (leferred.
Interest from funds on deposit is included upon nO￿rICation of interest payable by the bank. Dividends from
shareholdlngs are recLxJnlsed wh9n tha dividend is received.
1.5 EXpend￿ure
Exp&ndittJre is accounted for on an accru81s basis and reco9ni$ed once there is a legal or constructive
obligation to make a paym8nt to a third party, il is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of
the obligation can be Tneasyred reliably.
Cost of raising funds are those incurred by the subsidiary companies in commercial trading.
Charitable aclivilies indude expendllure associated with th8 mainten3rh¢8 and preseTvallon of railway
transportation syStgm$. equipment and any support costs associated w¢lh those activities.
Support costs indude fijnctions that support the work of the Company, bul do not directly undertake charilabla
activrties.
Governance costs include Ihosg incurred in the governance of the Company and its assets ant1 afe primarily
associated wlth ¢onstitulion81 and statutory requirements.
Grants payabla are paym8nts to third parties for furtherance of the Company's objectives. The grants are
accounted for where 8ilhgr the trustees havg agreed to pay the grant wthout condition and the recipient has a
reasonable expeclafjon that Ihey will receive the grant. or any condition attaching to the grant is outside the
control of the Company.
1.6 Oporating le•$•$
Costs in Tespect of certain hiring arrangements are accrugd on an annual basis and charged diredy to the
SOFA. Some of the hlr8 arrangements are open ended and have no fixed d8tg of expiry

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Accountlnu pollcles
1.7 Tanglble flxed assets
Tangible fixed assets are inikn'ally measured al cost,, or d8am8d cost. bèing purchase price or valuallon, and
subsequently measured al cost, net of depreciabon and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised lo write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values ov8r thoir useful
lives on the following bases..
Freehold land and buildings
Plant and machinery
Rolling slock
Assets in the course of construction
O-2.￿ slraighl line basis
0-25°h straight line basis
10-12.50/0 slralghl Ilne basis
Not depreciated until brought into us8
The gain or loss arising on th8 disposal of an ass8t is datsmined as the drfference botwagn the sale proceeds
and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net incomellexpenditurel for the y8ar.
Restoration costs for locomotives are capitslised as fix9d assets. and depreclaled from the point al which the
locomotive reenters services over the length of their boiler certificats {usually 10 years), d8emgd to be the
expected useful economic life. Locomotives are d6preciat8d down to thèir residual non-running value. Where
locornolive, owned by an independent group, is overhauled by the company and a long.term hir& agreement
is in place, the costs incurred are capitalised. Costs are depreciated on a straighl-line basis over thg expected
useful lrfe lusually 10 years).
Other than the Ropley engineering workshops, depreciated at 2% per annum, the freehold land and buildlngs
are not depreciated below their residual value. In the opinion of the Directors, il is the Company's purpose lo
resloie, preserve and keep these assets in good repair for the future. Freehold property consists mainly of
historlc buildings which have long useful economic lives and high residual valu8s. The trustees are of the
opinion that no circumstances causing an impairment of value ol land and buildings havtr Occurred. The GTOUP
has taken advantage of the Iransilional provisions of FRS102 to relain previously rg-valued assets at their bwk
value.
1.8 Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments are slated al c051, or valuation, les5 provision for any impairmgnl In value.
1.9 Impalmitnt of fix•d assets
At each reporting end dale, the charity ￿ViewS the carrying amounts of ils tangible assels to determine whether
there is any indicathon that those assets have suffered an impaimienl loss. If any such indi¢alion exists, the
recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to delgrmlne Ihe exlenl of the impairment loss lif any). Any
impairment is recorded via Iha profit and loss account.
1.10 stocks
Stocks are stated ot the lower of cost and nel re8li5able value, after making du8 allowancg for obsolete and
slow moving itèms.
1.11 C¥sh and ¢a$h ¥qulval?nts
Cash and cash oquivalents in¢lude Cash in hand. d8POSits held al call wilh banks, olher short lemi Investments
with original maturities of three months or less, and bank ov8rdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within
borrowings in currenl liabilities.
21

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Accounting poll¢l•$
1.12 Flnan¢lal Instrumonts
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Secllon 11 'Basic Fin8ncial Instfuments, and Section 12
'other Financlal Instrum8nts Issues, of FRS 102 to all ils financial instruments.
Financi81 Instruments are recognisod in the charfVs balance sheet when the charity bocomes party to the
conlraclu81 provisions of the instrument.
Financial as$8ts and liabllitles are offset. with the net amounts presen19(l in the financial stat8m8nts, when
there is a legally enforceable righl to sel off the re¢ognised amovnts and Ihere is an intsntion lo settle on a net
basis or lo realise the asset and settle the liabiltty simultaneously.
Bask flnancial assets
Basic financi81 assgts, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, 8re initially measured 8t transa¢tion
price including transaction costs and are subsequenyy Carried al am(¥tised Cost using the effective intarest
method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing Iransaclion, where th8 transaction is measured at tho
present value of the future receipts discounted at a markgt rate of inteiesl. Financial assets ¢lassifi8d as
receivable within one year are not amortised.
Baslc fln•n¢l•l Ilabllltles
Basic financlal IlabS1ities including crgditors are initially rgcognised al transaction price unless th8 8rr8ng8m8nt
conslilules a financing transaction, where the debt inslwment is measured at the preserit value ol the futuro
payments dlscounted at a market rale of interest. Flnancial liabilities c18ssified as payable within one y8ar aTe
not amortised.
Debt instruments ore subsequenuy carried at amortlsgd cost. using the effoctive interest rate m8lhod.
Trad8 creditors aro obligations to pay for goods or se￿￿eS that have bgen acqLTrired In the ortlin8ry course of
operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are d8ssified as current Ilabilities If payment Is due within one year
or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Derecognltion of flnanclal li•bilttle$
Flnancial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity's contractual ￿lgationS expire Of are discharged or
cancelled.
1.13 T#xatlon
Th& Company is an exempt charity within th8 meaning of scheilule 3 ofthe Charities Act 2011 and is considered
lo pass ihe tests sel out in ParagTaph 1 Schedule 6 Finance A¢1 2010 and Iherefow it meets the definitbon of a
charitable company for UK corporaliori lax purposes.
Within the subsidiary Companies. deferred lax is recognised in respect of all tsming difference5 between the
r8cognition of Income and expenses in the financi81 statements and their inclusion in lax assessments.
Unrelieved lax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that It is probable that
they will be recovered agatnsl the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or othw future taxable profrts. Dofar¥ed tax
6 measured using the tax r3l8s and laws that have been en8¢led or SLbbslanlively enacted by the reporting
date and that are expe¢led to apply lo the reversal of the Ilming difference, ex¢epl for revalued land ar
investment property where the tax rats that appligs lo the sale of the asset Is used. Current and deferred tsx
a8Sgls and liabilities are not discounted.
1.14 Employee ben
Temiinalion benèfits are recognised immediately 88 an expense when th8 charity is demonstrably committed
to terminate the employment of 8n gmployee or lo provide termination ben$fits.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1.15 R¢llr¢menl ￿n¢fIts
The Group operates a d8fined contribution pènsion scheme. Contributions are charged to the profil and loss
account as they become payable in accordance with the rule5 of the scheme.
1.16 Provlslons
Provisions a￿ recognised when the company has a legal or conslmclive present obligation as a result of a past
event, il is probable that the company will be required lo setue that obligation and a reliable estimate can be
made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as 8 provision is thè best esllmale of Ihg ¢onsideralion required to seltle the present
obllgalion at the reporting 8nd date, taking Into account the rlsks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.
Where the effect of the Ilme value of money is material, Ihg amount expected lo be requirgd lo settle the
obligation is ie¢ognised al p￿sent value. When a provision is measurgd at present value. the unwinding of the
discount is recognlsed as 8 finance Cost In the st8temenl of financial a¢livities In the period in which it arises.
1.17 Regional groups
A number of regional groups of volunteers and supporters hold funds to support their day to day activities. Total
income and expenditure is shown in these accounts whilst specific don81ions lo the Company are included in
donations on a received basis.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertaSnty
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required lo make judgements, estimates
and assumptions about the carying amount of as5els and liabilities that ale not readily apparent from other
sources. The esthmales and as50aaled assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that
are relevant. Actual resu115 may differ from these estimates.
The estlm81es 8ntl underfying 8ssumplions are ffjviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounling
eslim8les are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revlsed where the revision affects only that
period. or In the peiiod of the revlsion 8TKI future periods where the revision affects both current 8nd future
periods.
The following judgem&nts lapart from those involving estimatosl have had the most significant effgd on
amounts r8COgnisèd in the financial stat8m8nts'.
Depreciation, and eshmation of the useful lives of fixed assets
Residual values of tangible fixed assets
L8gacy income recognition
-23-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Income from donatlon$ and legacles
Vnrostrlcted
funds
R•$trfctsd
funds
Total
fund$
Totsl funds
2025
2025
2025
2024
Donaknons
84.196
130.554
301,240
2,000
67,884
385,436
132,554
67.884
20,847
606,721
362,719
735.120
Legacies
Grants
Glft ald
20,847
235.597
18,023
Total donations and legacies
371.124
1,115.862
Unro$trlotsd
funds
Re$trl¢t•d
funds
Total
funds
Total funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
Donations
45.719
735,120
317,000
362,719
735.120
640.141
24,462
Le9a¢iès
Grants
Grft aid
18,023
798.862
18,023
1.115,862
15,275
679.878
Totsl donations and legacies
317,000
Income from ¢haritable actlvltles
Unrestrlctsd
fund$
Total Unr¢strl¢tsd
funds
funds
Tolal funds
2025
2025
2024
2024
Subscriptions
Regional groups
36.185
36,185
34,970
34.970
36.185
36,185
37,514
37.514
-24-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
5 Tradlng activities
Total
Totsl
Unr•$trl¢t•d
funds
Unrostriet•d
funds
Note
2025
2024
Charlty tradlng Incomè
Trading income
2,955,253
2,639.397
Fundraising and trading •xp•n$•$
Cost of goods sold
Staff related costs
1.174.473
1,155,359
152.276
205,578
374,609
136,225
130,688
190,611
3,519.819
1,063,419
1,033.841
141.874
206,711
286.640
99,031
109,107
200,529
3,141,152
Marketing
Utilities
Depreciation
All other Costs
Support costs
Govemance costs
Nel expenditure from trading activities
1564,566}
1501,7551
Included in the above trading activities are the results of the group's subsldiarSes. Mid-Hanls Railw8y Limited
(Company No. 01673483}, which operates commercial activities on The Watgrcress Line, and Wadebrid9e1340071
Locomotive Limited. The results have been adjusted to r8move transactions beiween group companies. A summary
of the results for the Subsidiaries is as follows..
Mid41ants Railway
Llmlted
2025
Wadgbrldge1340071
Loeomotlve Lirnitod
2025
2024
2024
Turnover
3,386,882
240,934
{4.129,9251
1.979
1183,0221
1683,1521
2.803,390
418.037
{3,739,4981
107.043
223
1,285
102,386
18.429}
11B.og61
Other income
430,698
113,4831
71.062
Expenditure
Movements r8lating to taxation
Impaim)gnt of assets
Profiullossl for the year
1908,753
(420.2531
1411.0281
77.148
Net Assets / Capital & Reserves
3,149.575
3.832.727
390.160
810,413
-25-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
6 Inv•stmènt Income
Unrostrict•d
fvDd$
2025
Total
funds
Unr•strlctsd
funds
2024
Totsl fund$
2025
2024
Bank interest re¢givable
20,984
20,984
18.411
18.411
7 oth•r Incomlng r•sources
Unr•$tricted
funds
Totsl
funds
2025
Unrestrl¢ted
funds
2024
Total funds
2025
2024
Rentsl incorne
0th8r Income
31,482
8,328
39,810
31,482
8.328
39,810
28,650
6,804
35,454
28.650
6,804
35.454
The presentation ol the comparative flgur8s has bèen restated to be Gonsistenl with the presentation of other
incom8 in the ¢urrent ye8r.
8 Expendlture on ch•rltable actlvltlos
Unrestrlcted
tunds
2025
R9$trlcted
fund$
2025
Totsl
nd$
2025
Unrestrlded
funds
2024
R•strl¢tod
funds
2024
Total
funds
2024
Note
Locomotive malnlenance
Watercress Line News
Regional 9roup
expenditure
Hampshire Unil costs
SLtbscriplions
Depreciation of
tanglble fixed assets
Loco storage costs
Support costs
Govemance ￿518
16.157
7.922
25.554
41,711
7.922
7,500
9,804
16,056
23,556
9,804
4,023
4.023
4,125
4,125
67.449
4,360
67,449
11,895
4.282
11,895
4.282
42.018
40,120
40.120
42.018
910
910
4,260
137,911
41.439
261,336
91.536
91.536
32,206
32.206
266,581
25.554
292,135
Following a review of Ihg allocation of costs in the eurrent finanual year, the Comparative figures have been
restated to show costs previously included as costs of trading activities a5 apportioned against cost of charitable
activities. consistent with presentation In the curienl year. ITher$ has been no change in totsl expenditure
recognised in the prior year}.
137,911
41.439
277,392
16.056

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
9 Support and governance costs
Support Governance
Costs
costs
2025
Support Govemanct
cests
c¢st$
2024
Staff costs
217,311
217,311
244,708
244,708
Prlnting, postage. IT
and slationery
Bank charges
Auditors remun8rab.on
Professional fees
3,965
3,965
1,648
948
948
662
662
44,625
82,305
1.237
113,801
488,986
40,824
66,483
100
115.410
222.817
40,824
66,483
100
44,625
82,305
1.237
113,801
241.968
Meeting costs
Insurance
115.410
222,224
445,041
247,018
Support costs in the prior year have been restsled lo be comparablo with costs identified as support and
govemance costs in thè ¢urrenl year. Total expenditure for the prior year is un¢hanged.
10 Net movement in funds
Nel movement in funds is stst8d after..
2025
2024
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
IProfity loss on disposal of tsngible fixed assets
Impairment of tangible fixed ass•ts
Impairment of investments
Operating lease costs
416.629
27,126
2,350,821
66,411
14.127
326,760
13,0001
13,790
11 Audltors, r¢mun8ratlon
Fees payable lo the company's auditor and associales
2025
2024
Audit of the financial statements of th8 group and wmpanies
Non audit services
16,500
12,400
28,900
22,000
33,750
-27-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12 staff ¢osts
Staff costs for the group during the year were as follows=
2025
2024
Wages and salaries
Social secur¢ty costs
Pension costs
1.143.687
106.579
22.965
988.076
91.191
19.947
1.273,231
1.099,214
The average monthly number of employees was as
follows..
2025
No.
2024
No.
Trading operations
Enging8ring
CEO, senior team, and admln
14
12
23
22
42
Th8 average monthly number of full-time oquivalent employees during the year was 36 {2024.. 30.51.
The number of higher paid employees was..
2025
No.
2024
No.
In the band £60,001 - £70.000
In thè band £80,001 - £90,000
K&y managem8nt personnel received rernuneTalion and benefits totslling £144,45512024.. £144,735) and
pension contributions of £2.42812024: £2,6421. During the year, the charity recognised expenditure for
temiination payments totalling £4,90012024= £01.
-28-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
13 Taxatlon
The Company is a règistered Charity anrl is exempl from tsxallon under S505 Taxes Act 1988. The
Company is registered for Value Added Tax. No provision for corporation lax has been made for Mi(kHanls
Railway Limited or Wadgbrldge1340071 Locomotive Limlted followng their results foT the year.
a) Analy$l$ of ¢harge In the year
2025
2024
Deferred tax movement
73,041
88,947
{bl Factors affecting current tax charge
2025
2024
Loss on ordinary activities before
taxation
11.176,446}
1422,8291
Loss on ordinary aclivitses by rate of lax 250k12024- 190k}
1294,1121
180,3381
Effects of..
Items not d8ductible
2,630
171,969
14,586
175.9841
54,161
Impacl of rat¢ Changes
Fixed ass8t adjuslmenl
Pemanenl differences In respect of depr8¢ialion
Sal8 proc86ds
Chargeablg gain
Deferred lax as8el not recognised in relatlon to losses
17,145
{46,3181
44,946
29,327
Total current tax
173.0411
188,9471
-29-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
14 Tanglble flxèd assets
Group
Fr••hold
land and
bulldlngs
Plant and
machlnory
Rolllng
Stock
Assots In
course of
construction
Total
Cost
Al 01 April 2024
Additions
3,345,840
2.502.228
39.213
{41,544)
3.979,340
6,612
1764,$041
1.472,510
2.232,527
897.463
12,059.935
943,288
{806,048)
Disposals
Transfer belween classes
11.472.510)
Al 31 March 2025
3,345.840
2,499,897
4.693,958
1.657,480
12,197,175
Dopr•ciation
At 01 April 2024
Charge for the year
Depreciation on dlsposals
Impaimient
568,285
77,183
886,213
119.156
13.1681
1,783,247
220,290
1550.7541
1.061.231
3,237,745
416,629
1553.9221
2.350,821
1,289,590
At 31 March 2025
645.468
1,002.201
2,514,014
1,289.590
5,451.273
N•1 book value
Al 31 March 2025
2,700,372
1.497,696
2.179,944
367.890
6,745,902
At 31 March 2024
2.777.555
1.616,015
2,196,093
2,232,527
8,822,190
Rolling stock, previously included as part of plant and aquipmenl, has begn presented as 8 separate class of
asset in the current year, to giv$ a cl8ar PTesentalion of movements relabng to these assets. The brought
forward figures have been re$lat8d to show this classification.
An open Ma￿et vacant possession valuation undertaken by Grfmley, international propgty advisers. in August
1999 81 the request of MHR Ltd, placed a value of £860,000 on thg freehold land and buildings. The Directors
conslder that this valuation support5 the exis1Sng us6 value placed on these asse15 In the financial slalemenls.
Freehold land and buildings are included above at this open market valuation together with the cost of
subsequent additions an¢J improvements.
30-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
14 Tanglblg Flxed Assots l¢ontlnued}
2025
2024
Cost or valuation of freehold land and buildings is represented by..
Valuation in 1999
860,000
2,485.840
3.345,840
860.000
2.485,840
3.345.840
Costs sinco 1999
If land and buildings had not been revalugd, th9y would have been included at the following amounts-
Hislori¢al Cost
2,831,075
2,831,075
Cumulative Depreciatlon
(614,6291
1568.2851
Net Book Value
2,216,446
2,262,790
Company
Freehold
land and
bulldSngs
Plant and
machlnery
Rolling
slo¢k
As$èts In
cours• of
constw¢tlon
Total
Cost
Al 01 April 2024
Addib'ons
494.785
78,822
844,229
5,017
1,803.827
462,839
3,221,663
467,856
Disposals
Transfer be￿een classes
1.453,209
11,453,209)
Al 31 March 2025
494,785
78.822
2,302.455
813,457
3,689,519
Dèpreclatlon
At 01 April 2024
Charge for the year
Depreciation on disposals
Impairment
81,239
8,6t14
44,194
5,476
408,073
27,939
533,506
42,019
878,209
380,838
1.259,047
At 31 March 2025
89.843
49,670
1,314.221
380,838
1,834,572
Net book value
Al 31 March 2025
404,942
29,152
988,234
432,619
1.854,947
Al 31 March 2024
413,546
34.628
436,156
1.803,827
2.688.157
The Director5 regard all the Company's fixed assets as being used for direct charitable purposes. Land and
buildings owned by thè Company are th8 Alresford Goods Shed.
Included in the Company's assets in course of construction are locomotives 75079, 34005 and 80150. Included
in the Group disclosures are locomotives 41312 and 3781. and coaches SC1105, E4549, E4910. S35329.
S21236. 3769 and van 765.
31

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
15 Flxgd assot investments
Group
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
Market value at 1 April 2024
Increase from donation of shares
66.411
66,411
907.503
6,828
902,973
4,280
Additional investment
250
Impaimienl of investments
166,4111
{66,4111
Markel valLbe at 31 March 2025
66.411
847,920
907.503
Investments at market value compris8.'
Group
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
Shar8s in Mid-Hanls Railway Lld
Dividend shares of £1 each
Ordinary $har8s of 25p each
100
100
427.389
433,217
Shares in Wadgbridge1340071 Locomotive Ltd
414,603
413.603
847.920
841,092
34105 Light Pacffic Group
{unlisted investments)
66.411
66,411
66.411
847,920
907,503
The Company owns all of the issued Equity Dwidend shar&s in Mid-Hants Railway Limited Icompany regislor8d
nurnber 1117090} in addition lo 55.05%12024: 54.31Tr/0l of the issued Ordinary non equity 25p shares. MHR Ltd is
an unlisted company registered and operating in England and Wales, and ils 8ccounling yeaTvend is ¢o-tem)inus
with the Company. 11 is not possible to quantify the lik8ly market value of the inve51ment. At 31 March 2025 the
net assets of MHR Ltd were £3,149,575.
Th8 Cotnpany also owns a controlling interest of 76.96%12024'. 76.80/01 of the issued share capllal of Wadebfidge
1340071 LocornotivÈ Limited (company registered number 016734831. The objectivgs of this company are lo
maintain and hire ex-southern RaI￿aY Locomotive 34007 Wadebridge. At 31 March 2025 the nel assets of
Wadebridge Ltd were £390.160.
Th9 34105 Light Pa¢Kic Group is an unincorporated organi$8tion which owns ex-Bril'sh Railways Southem Reglon
Locomotive 34105 Swanage. The company owns 26.60A of the issued shares in the locomolive. The value of this
share has been Impaired during the year. lo reflect the expected T9alisable value of the inv8stment to the charity, in
accordance with FRS 102. However, the share of ownership of the locomotive is still hèld.

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
16 Stoeks
Group
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
Raw matgrials
37.018
180,822
40,381
Finished goods
227,207
217,840
267,588
17 Debtors
Gtoup
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
Trade debtors
Other tsxalion and Social securty costs
Other debtors
83,221
27,822
39,811
15,442
75.235
22,699
37,582
48,008
15,442
591,236
15,454
13,682
15,442
75,235
8.011
11,284
15,442
591,236
6.661
632,634
Re9ional group balances
Accrued legacy income
Amounts due from subsidiaries
241,531
714,967
119.813
18 Credltor$: amounts falllng due wlthln one year
Group
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
Bank loans and overdraft
359,315
232,097
392,847
276.434
Trade creditors
Amounts due lo subsidiaries
Other creditors
other taxation and social security
Accruals
Deferred income
9,707
71,320
17,642
44,636
23.671
58,775
244,881
963.375
44,051
6,269
27,319
187,561
10,704
7,000
934,481
91,731
24,642
The pre5enlalion of accruals, othef creditors, and deferred incomg has b9en reclassrfied in the current
and comparative figure5, to give a clearer view of the nature of diff6rent balances contained within
current creditors.
The bank loan5 and overdraft are secured by a fixed and floating chargè over the subsidiary company'$
freehold railway propety and other assets.
-33-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
19 Credltors: amounts falling duo after more than on• y•ar
Group
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
Bank loans
413,661
293,000
477,164
293,000
770,164
Oiher Creditors
706,661
20 Loan$
Group
2025
2024
Bank108n
477,100
567.199
Payable within one year
Payable betsveen ￿0 to five years by irnstalments
Payable in more than 5 years by inslalments
63,439
169,936
243,725
90.035
218.678
258.488
21 Def•rred In￿me
Group
2025
2024
Oeferred income at start of yeaT
Resources deferred during tho year
Amounts released from previous years
213.931
112,700
1213,9311 1112,7001
244.881
213.931
Deferred Income al end of year
213.931
Deferred income relates to bookings mad8 in advance for events and ioumey tickets.
22 Dgferred taxatlon
The following are the major d&feTred tsx liabilities and assets recognised by the group=
Group
2025
2024
Deferred tax balances
207 772
280.813
23 R•tlrement benefit schemes
Since August 2015. Mid-Hanls Railway Limited has operated a dèfined contribution pension scheme for its
employees under the govemment's auto enrolmenl scheme. The assets of the scheme are held sgparal8ly from
those of the charity in an ind8pendenUy administered fund. The charge to profil of loss in re$￿cl of d8finèd
contribution schemes was £22.96512024: £19,947).

0> ¢0 ¢0
o sr o
c￿0
oc
O ¢
) C3 ￿ O
¢D ro ¢5> rt ID
¢0
1¢ o
• c
o o o
CÉ to tt CL CC ra r£ cr ¢Y o 2 1

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
25 R•$trl¢ted funds (contlnued)
Restoration af Lo¢omotlv¢ 34058 'Slr Fr¢derl¢k Plle.
Locomotive was previously own8d by the Tnjst and during the prior year, ownership was transferred lo Southern
Locomotive Ltd I'SLL'I. who will undertake the resloralion of the locomotive. This fund represents donations
received s￿lfi¢311Y lo assist the restoration and is bging used lo part fund the restoration being undertaken by
SSL.
R•$toratlon of Locomotlve 80150
Locomotive is owned by the Trust. This fund represents donations received specifically lo assist the restorats'on.
Funds not spent in the year have been carried foNard.
R•storatlon of L¢xomotlve 73096
Locomotive is owned by MHR Ltd. This fund represents donations received spgdfically to assist th8 resloralion.
Funds not spent In the year have been carried forward.
Restoratlon of LocomotSv• 34007 'Wadebrldgg'
Locomotive is owned by Wadebridge1340071 Locomotive Limited, which is undertaking thè rèstoration. Some
funds have been transferred where spend on restoration works. and the balance carried fotward.
Restoratlon of wauons
This fund reprèsents donations received specffjcally to assist with the restoration of wagons. Funds nol spont in
the year have boen carr￿d foNard.
Bulleld coa¢hè$
This fund is to restore and replace the racks in two Bulleid coaches. S1456S and S4367S. Funds not spgnl In the
year have been carrled forward.
Restoratlon of Hayling coaches
This fund represents donations received towards the re51oralion of four 19th century coaches built by the London
Brighton and South Coast Railway. Funds rsol spent in the year have been carried forward.
Restoration of Black 5
Locomotive is owned by the Tfust. This fund r8pr8s8nts donations r8ceiv8d specifically to asslsl the resloralion.
Funds not spent in the year have been carried forward.
R•$toratlon of Canadlan Pa¢lflc
This fund represents grants and donallons recelve(I spgcifically to assist with the restorallon of the Canadian
Pacific locomotive. Grants and donations rÈceiv8d in th8 year havg been S￿nt on resloratjon. with no balanco
carried forward.
Rest¢ratlon of ¢arrlagÈ F03063
This fund r8presents donations received specffically lo assist with the resloralion of First Class carriage F03063.
Funds not spent in the year have been earrlgd forward.
Restoratlon of Lo¢¢motlve 75079
This fund represents donations received specifically to as51$1 with the resloralion of l¢)comotlV8 75079. Funds not
spent in the year have been ¢arried forward.
Provl$lon of Toollng
This fund r8pr8sènts a donation speeifi¢ally rècèived to assisl with the purchase of tooling for the railway. Funds
not spent in the year have been carried forward.
Maintenance of Footbridge
This fund represents a donation specrficalty ￿ceiVed lo assist with the maintenance of the Modsteatl & Four Marks
Footbridge. Funds not spent in Ihe year have been carried lorward.
Hampshlr• Unlt 1125
This fund represents donations received spgclfically to assist with the restoration of Hampshire Unit 1125. Funds
not spènt in thé year have been Garried forward.
37-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
26 Analysls of not assets b•twegn funds
At 31 March 2025, fulld balances are repr&sented by:
Group
Unrestrl¢ted Restrictod
funds
funds
Company
Unre$trl¢tod Restrl¢ted
funds
tunds
Total
Total
Fixed assets
8,745,902
655,238
6,745,902
942,052 1,597,290
1963,375)
{706,6611
(207.7721
2,702.867
309.071
{91.7311
2,702.867
Current assets
942,052 1.251.123
191.7311
Current liabilllles
1963.3751
1706,6611
1207,7721
Long term Ilabillties
Provisions for liabilibes
Total N81 Assets
5.523,332
942,052 6.465.384
2.920.207
942,052 3,862,259
27 Conllngent a5SOt$
There is inherent uncertainty in the Probate valuation of eslales as a result of the nature of underfying
assets and liabilities. and the time that elapses b9tween probate and closure of other conting8n¢ies that
attend the estatg. Legacies ale rgcognised al th8 point of notification of grant of probate. when It can be
mgasured or estimatad with sufficienl reliability.
At the year end, charity was enliued to multiplè legacies whose value could not b8 estimated with
SLrfficienl reliability to recognise in the year. in accordance with FRS 102 and the Chanties, SORP.
28 Related party transactions
During the year, a locomotive was sold for £225.000 to a company controlled by an individual
¢onsidered to bè a related party of Mid-Hanls Railway Ltd, and therefore of the group. The Irans8¢tion
look place al ami's length basis.
29
Trustees Llablllty Insuran¢•
Watercress Lin8 Heritage Railway Tnjst Limited have established indemnity insurance on behalf of th&
Trustees and Directors costing £4.642 {2024 - £4.6421.
30 Operatlng loase commltmgnts
The group had fvture minimum rgntsls payable under r￿n•cancelIable operating leas8s as follow:
Group
2025
2024
Within 1 years
Bets￿n 2 and 5 years
In over 5 years
18.950
56,079
254.612
19,715
62,106
267,536
329.641
349,357
-38-

WATERCRESS LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY TRUST LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
31 Reconciliation of net movement In fund$ to n•t ea$h flow from 0￿ratIng a¢tlvltl*$
Group
Notos
2025
2024
Net 5ncomelldefieitl before taxation for the year
Adlu$tmènts for:
Depreciation chargès
Inleresl received
De¢reasellin¢reasel in debtors
Incrèas8lldècreasel in other creditors
De¢reasellinrreasèl in stock
Impairment of tangible fixed assgts and investment
Loss on disposal
Not cash provided by operating activities
12.617,2141
373,334
14
416,629
120,984}
473.436
62.426
49.748
2,417,232
326,760
118,4111
1623,4041
18,495
9,591
27,126
808,399
86,365
32 Analys1$ of cash and ¢ash equlvalonts
Group
2025
2024
Cash at bank and in hand
1,137,919
1,123,859
Overdrafts
295,876
842,043
302.812
821,047
33 Analy$l$ of ¢hang•s In nèt ¢a$h
Group
Cash flows
01 April
2024
31 March
2025
Cash in hand
1,123,859
1567,1991
302,812
253,848
14,060
90,099
6,936
111,095
1,137.919
1477,1001
295,876
364,943
Bank loans
Ovgrdraft
-39-