BLUEBELL RAILWAY OPERATING LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
00649797 · ltd · incorporated 1960-02-17
Investment thesis
Established operating company — standard diligence applies, no dominant angle.
Why interesting: Live, filing, normal profile.
Why risky: No standout signals in either direction.
Opportunity decay
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
- · Oldest live charge 62.2y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2024
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
80/100
Exceptional
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 49100
Sector: Transportation & storage
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 74-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 80/100 (exceptional), bankability 75/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 74). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Discharge stale live charges. 2 live charge(s) created 15+ years ago — likely paid but undischarged. Clean register. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
2 live charges · 2 lenders · oldest 62.2y
50/100
clean up first
Refinance viable after a tidy-up — address the highlighted items first.
- · Oldest live charge is 62.2 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Two lenders — manageable, but coordination required.
- · Legal-friction score 30/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: high (83/100)Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
2 charges (2/2 with lender, 2/2 with type)
90
Directors & officers
35 officers (3 active, 35 linked, 33 with DOB)
89
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
11 connected companies via shared directors
78
Filing history
141 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
80/100Exceptional
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Strong composite across quality, acquirability, and risk. High-priority target — progress to serious diligence.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
75
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
85
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102| Metric | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
3
filings
- • 2 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
3
filings
- • 2 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (73 events)Click to expand
- 2026-06-18➕GLASKIN, Neil Henry appointeddirector
- 2026-06-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-05-13➖GLASKIN, Neil Henry resigneddirector
- 2026-05-13📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-10-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2024-12-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-26📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-09-25📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-07-27➕WATTS, Royston John appointeddirector
- 2024-07-27➕GLASKIN, Neil Henry appointeddirector
- 2024-03-04➖CHURCHMAN, Paul Raymond resigneddirector
- 2024-03-04📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-09-28📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2023-01-31➕FLIGHT, Graham Leslie appointeddirector
- 2023-01-31➕CHURCHMAN, Paul Raymond appointeddirector
- 2023-01-31➖LELEW, Paul Anthony resigneddirector
- 2023-01-31📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-01-31📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-01-31📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-06-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2022-04-26➖BURCH, David Eric resigneddirector
- 2022-04-26📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-10-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2021-07-06➕LELEW, Paul Anthony appointeddirector
- 2021-07-06📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-05-27📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-05-26➖HUNFORD, Christopher Lawrence resigneddirector
- 2021-02-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2020-05-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2020-05-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2020-05-12➕BURCH, David Eric appointeddirector
- 2020-05-12➕HUNFORD, Christopher Lawrence appointeddirector
- 2020-05-12➖WHITE, Christopher Ronald Graham resigneddirector
- 2019-11-28➕WHITE, Christopher Ronald Graham appointeddirector
- 2019-11-28➖WIDDOWSON, Martin Neil resigneddirector
- 2019-03-28➖PEARCE, Russell resigneddirector
- 2016-08-05➖BAKER, Timothy resigneddirector
- 2014-04-25➖FLIGHT, Graham Leslie resignedsecretary
- 2014-04-25➖FLIGHT, Graham Leslie resigneddirector
- 2014-04-25➕WIDDOWSON, Martin Neil appointeddirector
- 2009-11-23🔒Charge registered #2Lender: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund
- 2002-03-25➕FLIGHT, Graham Leslie appointedsecretary
- 2002-03-25➖POTTER, John Edward resignedsecretary
- 2002-03-25➕BAKER, Timothy appointeddirector
- 2002-03-25➖BROPHY, William Janes resigneddirector
- 2002-03-25➕FLIGHT, Graham Leslie appointeddirector
- 2002-03-25➖HOLDEN, Bernard John resigneddirector
- 2002-03-25➕PEARCE, Russell appointeddirector
- 2002-03-25➖POTTER, John Edward resigneddirector
- 1995-12-08➖BAKER, Timothy resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 73 events
Owner dependency
65/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 74 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
60/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 74 years old. Natural succession window is now.
Red flags
cleanNo red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)
Group structure
Bluebell Railway Plc is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Bluebell Railway Plc
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
BLUEBELL RAILWAY OPERATING LIMITED
This company · 00649797
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluebell Railway Plc Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 06/04/2016 |
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
🔒Co-director network graph
Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Similar companies
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATLAS VEHICLE TRANSPORT LTD→ 13272679 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AUTOMATED-DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY LIMITED→ 12531543 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
| AVIASILL LTD→ 15282899 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| B&N TRANS LIMITED→ 11939684 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BIGGIN HILL HERITAGE HANGAR LTD→ 07556871 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 15y | — | — |
| BKG PRIVATE HIRE LTD→ 15601138 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| BLACK PANTHER TRANSPORT LTD→ 14987949 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| BLR TRANSPORT LTD→ 16731406 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BLUEDEN HEALTHCARE LTD→ 12530093 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
| BM AMBULANCE GROUP LIMITED→ 09736131 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| BMB LOGISTICS LTD→ 13856957 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| BOLT BIKES LIMITED→ 08979521 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
7 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1960-02-17
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC49100 — SIC 49100
Registered office
Sheffield Park Station
Uckfield
Sussex
TN22 3QL
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-04-21
Last: 2026-04-07
Officers (3 active · 32 resigned)
FLIGHT, Graham Leslie→
Activedirector · ~74y · appointed 2023-01-31
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GLASKIN, Neil Henry→
Activedirector · ~49y · appointed 2026-06-18
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WATTS, Royston John→
Activedirector · ~73y · appointed 2024-07-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
FLIGHT, Graham Leslie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2002-03-25 · resigned 2014-04-25
POTTER, John Edward→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 2002-03-25
BAKER, Timothy→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2002-03-25 · resigned 2016-08-05
BAKER, Timothy→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · resigned 1995-12-08
BROPHY, William Janes→
Resigneddirector · ~85y · resigned 2002-03-25
BURCH, David Eric→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2020-05-12 · resigned 2022-04-26
CAMERON, Neil→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · resigned 1994-05-07
CHARMAN, Alan Richard→
Resigneddirector · ~77y · appointed 1995-05-19 · resigned 1995-12-08
CHURCHMAN, Paul Raymond→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2023-01-31 · resigned 2024-03-04
CHURCHMAN, Vanessa Claire→
Resigneddirector · ~85y · appointed 1995-05-19 · resigned 1995-12-08
COX, Peter Gerald→
Resigneddirector · ~90y · resigned 1995-05-13
CRUSE, Peter Charles→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · resigned 1993-03-20
EATWELL, Edward Charles→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · resigned 1994-05-07
FLIGHT, Graham Leslie→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2002-03-25 · resigned 2014-04-25
FOALE, David Antony→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · resigned 1995-12-08
GLASKIN, Neil Henry→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2024-07-27 · resigned 2026-05-13
HOBDEN, Harold→
Resigneddirector · ~113y · appointed 1994-05-13 · resigned 1995-12-08
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
2
Total charges
2
Outstanding
2
Active lenders
Status:Lender:2 of 2 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund | Legal charge | 1 property | 23/11/2009 | — | |
| outstanding | National Provincial Bank . National Provincial Bank LTD. | Mortgage | 1 property | 24/04/1964 | — |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (141 total)
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-06-18
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-05-13
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-05-13
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2025-10-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-05-17
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2024-12-24
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-09-26
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-09-25
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-05-10
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-03-04
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2023-09-28
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-04-26
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-01-31
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-01-31
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-01-31