The Leeds Tramway Historical Society (as it was initially known) was formed in 1956 with the aim of preserving something of the Leeds Tramway system before it was closed down. The group of tramway enthusiasts who formed it had tried without success to preserve a Middleton Bogie tramcar from the scrap yard.
As a result, three Leeds tramcars were acquired in the 1959-61 period and all are now to be found at the National Tramway Museum, Crich, Derbyshire, with which our Society has always closely worked.
The three Cars are:-
No. 345, a four wheel “Convert” tram, originally built as an open balcony car at Kirkstall Road Works in 1921. It was rebuilt with fully enclosed ends and platform doors in 1937, becoming known as a “Convert” car. After withdrawal in 1950, it was used as a joiner's shop in Swinegate Depot, where it survived until 1959.
No 399 is another four wheeled double deck tram; it was built in 1925 at Kirkstall Road Works as a totally enclosed car with and early form of air track brake system, being known as a “Beeston Air Brake” car. These cars were used mainly on the hilly routes to Beeston, Morley, Rothwell and Pudsey. No 399 was withdrawn in 1951 and used as a shunter at the Kirkstall Road Works and later in the Swinegate Depot, surviving until 1959 when the City of Leeds donated it to the Society.
No. 2, a unique works tram, having a central tower for use in the maintenance of the overhead wires. This car was built from existing parts in 1932, its truck being a rare example of a working American cantilever truck in Britain.
Members have worked on the cars over the years with the result that all are now fully restored and used at the Tramway Museum, Crich, Derbyshire. They entered service at the Museum as follows:- No. 2 - 1969; No. 399 - 1990; and No. 345 - 2006. This was only achieved by a vast amount of work and dedication by several organisations, backed up by both volunteers and permanent staff at the Museum, restoring them to their original condition.
Eventually, interests having broadened, the name was changed in 1967 to The Leeds Transport Historical Society and in 1972 it became a Registered Charity.
Since then it has published the five volumes Leeds Transport by Jim Soper. These cover the history of Public Transport in Leeds up to 1972.
The Society published its latest book, LEEDS TRANSPORT ON POSTCARDS in October 2012.
All the volumes of LEEDS TRANSPORT as well as LEEDS TRANSPORT ON POSTCARDS can be obtained direct from the Society using the contact form on this website.
The Society also owns Leeds Horse Car No.107 which has been restored to running order and is currently also at Crich.
The Society holds regular meetings on the second Monday of each month at the Richmond Hill Community Club (formerly Yorkshire Rider Social Club) on Railway Street, Leeds, LS9 8HS. These start at 7.30pm (for 8.00) and meetings run from September to June with speakers on transport related topics most months. New members are always made welcome. The 2013/4 meetings are as follows:-
Monday 11 November :- European Tramway Videos from the camera of Mike Waring.
Monday 9 December:- "Lost Little Lines of Leeds" presented by Malcolm Hindes.
Monday 13 January :- Members' slides and videos.
Monday 10 February :- Programme to be arranged, presented by Jamie Guest.
Monday 10 March:- "German Tramway Travels" by Mike Crabtree
Monday 14 April:- Annual General Meeting (members only).
Monday 12 May :- "Dearne District Light Railways", presented by Paul Abell
Monday 9 June:- More Continental slides from the camera of Roy Brooke, presented by Jim Soper
The Society publishes a News Sheet four times a year which are available to download in pdf format if you follow this link.
The Society is also interested to hear of surviving old photographs of transport interest, or indeed of the existence of surviving relics, especially if they are still in reasonably good condition. With access to only limited funds and dependency on people's own spare time and enthusiasm, we know that there is a limit to what can be preserved for the future generations to enjoy.
The society now has its own website at www.lths.org.uk This is now live and more information about the society can be foubnd there.If you want to join the Society please use the contact form to send me an email and I will send an application form back. membership costs £10 per year.
Jamie Guest
Secretary LTHS Reg Charity 501642