Not-For-Profit UK Based Light Rail Transit Association
The LRTA is a not–for–profit UK based organisation and has members throughout the world. Free of any trade or political affiliation; it is the world’s leading organisation concerned with the achievement of better public transport through light rail, tramway and metro systems in towns and cities world–wide.
Tramways & Urban Transit — T&UT
T&UT is published on the third Friday of each month. It has news and features from around the world about urban transit developments and the latest information about tramways and light rail.
Tramway Review
Our historical quarterly is available with membership or as a stand alone subscription.
Why you should join the LRTA
Want to see integrated environmentally sustainable public transport in our towns and cities then you should join the LRTA — the more members the more effective we can be in campaigning for the introduction of trams and light rail.
Every month, members receive T&UT free as part of their membership. There is now a choice of a printed version delivered by post or online versions of the magazine. Postal members can also access the online version.
Membership includes access to the LRTA e–Group; a YAHOO group. You can join online at the LRTA shop by clicking the Discussion Group item on the join/renewals page. Alternatively to join please e–mail groups@lrta.org; include your full name, membership number and post/zip code to ease the task of checking membership.
Members also have access to a Members Area which enables members to read the magazine on-line plus a selection of internal documents not available to the general public including a special guide to campaigning. When logged in a members discount is available on books and DVDs. To access go to the LRTA shop and create/log in to your account. Email OLM@lrta.org if Members Area not visible.
See How to join the LRTA page for more details.US and Canadian Visitors; feeling starved of up–to–date North American transit news? T&UT carries the breaking news stories each month in the most comprehensive and timely coverage now available.
Special Membership Offer
We are offering 3 months free digital trial membership to potential new members see Special Offer for further information.
Geoffrey Claydon CB LLB M.Inst TA CMILT
It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of the Association’s Patron Geoffrey Claydon CB in Hospital on Monday 30th June 2025 aged 94
Geoffrey relates the History of the Association on the History Page
A tribute to Geoffrey was included in the September edition of Tramways and Urban Transit and this can also be found on the History Page.
Rising Stars
The Rising Stars’ Programme
Launched at this years Light Rail Conference in Leeds by UK Tram, the Light Rail Transit Association and Mainspring, it aims to encourage entry into and give support to Rising Stars in the Light Rail industry.
The programme will provide Rising Star members:
a) Membership of the LRTA
b) An online copy of TAUT – the leading magazine on Light Rail
c) Access to the monthly online talks organised by the LRTA by leading members and supporters of Light Rail and in person meetings organised locally
d) Free entrance to the National Tramway Museum at Crich
e) A confidential online chat for Rising Star members to discuss
f) Further training programmes organised in conjunction with the heavy rail industry
The programme is open to anyone aged 18-35 working in the industry across all departments and disciplines from apprentices to graduates. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the programme please go to www.lrta.org/risingstars where you will find more information and an application form.
Annual General Meeting – 2025
The 2025 AGM will be held on Saturday 4th October 2025 at the Mercure Hotel in Sheffield and on Zoom.
The post of Secretary and three ordinary Council Members are up for election. Further details are now available on the AGM page with online and manual booking links.
On the Friday 3rd October there will be an evening reception at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum.
On Saturday evening 4th October there will be a Gala Dinner at the Mercure Hotel.
On Sunday 5th October there will be an excursion to The National Tramway Museum at Crich.
We are exploring the possibility of a Depot visit on Monday 6th October.
Next Members Day
We regret that the proposed Members Weekend on the Isle of Man has been cancelled. This is due to in-adequate response and so the weekend would not be viable for the Association to promote.
We will show details of the next Members Day here when arrangements permit.
Update on Blackpool Heritage Trams
Next Steps for Heritage Tram Operations and Preservation Outlined by Jane Cole
A Statement has been released by LRTA Past President and MD of Blackpool Transport, Jane Cole, concerning the future of the Blackpool Heritage Tram operations.
See Statement on News page
The Tramcar will Return
Well known member and author Tony Young has just published his autobiography, entitled ‘The Tramcar will Return’. Tony has dedicated the book to “’to all those members of the LRTA and TLRS who have kept alive the spirit of tramways and light rail systems in British towns and cities and to those professionals and politicians who have made it happen.’ A full review of the book will appear in our historical magazine ‘Tramway Review’.
See News item for more information.
Trams – The Green Machine – General Election Campaign 2024
For nearly 80 years the LRTA has promoted the development of modern trams and light rail. Climate change is real and all political parties are in theory committed to net zero. The LRTA wants to see the next government invest in transport solutions which are 100% Clean and Green.
We believe a MINIMUM of 5 Light Rail Schemes should be developed in the next Parliament and are asking Parliamentary Candidates to pledge to support up to 5 tram schemes in the next Parliament and join a reconstituted All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group.
For full details see our General Election 2024 pages.
LRTA Members’ Online Meetings continue
The series of online discussions and presentations using the Zoom platform started in response to the pandemic have proved so popular with members around the world that we will be continuing with them. These are open to all LRTA Members and and are held monthly, usually on the third Wednesday of each month at 16.00 (UK Time). This is quite a commitment for the Association and any member worldwide who would like to present a talk should contact Paul Rowen at chair@lrta.org with details.
Go to the Members’ Online Meetings Page for further details.
A recording of the latest talk is available for Members to view. See the ‘Past Meetings’ section of the ‘Members’ Online Meetings‘ page.
LRTA Area meetings – Many Areas are holding physical meeting
Physical meetings are now being held by many Local Areas again. See the meetings page for both physical and online meetings.
Upcoming Meetings
Brentford 1430, Martin Jenkins: Tram, trolleybus and other films from Online transport Archive (TLRS)
London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford TW8 0EN – Contact: thamesvalley@tlrs.info - £5 including refreshments
Southampton 19:30. Martyn Davies: Railway miscellany. (LRTA/SEG)
Junction Church (Former Railway Institute) Romsey Road, Eastleigh, £3.
Sussex 19.40. Tim Kendell; Tram-Train Innovations. (TLRS)
Southwick Community Centre, Southwick, BN42 4TE. Contact: sussex@tlrs.info £2 visitors.
Join Us Campaigning
The UK Government introduced its long- awaited Environment Bill in February, replacing existing EU legislation and claimed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as an opportunity to demonstrate the UK has adopted tougher policies than the EU. TramForward is disappointed that the Bill contains no legally-binding targets to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution standards by 2030.
Latest News
17/09/2025
Tramways and Urban Transit October 2025
INSIDE THE OCTOBER ISSUE: LINKING UP RUHRBAHN Neil Pulling looks at the transport offerings that link the neighbouring German...
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14/08/2025
Tramway Review September 2025
INSIDE THE SEPTEMBER 2025 EDITION: The Streamliners This design feature of the British tram of the 1930s is explored...
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04/08/2025
LRTA at The Greatest Gathering
The LRTA were honoured to have a stand within the Railway Family section of the Greatest Gathering From 1st...
Read Article1937 - History of theLight Rail Transit Association
Back in 1937 the Light Rail Transit Association came into being. It was not a very grand launch. A few persons, aroused by what they judged to be the folly of scrapping certain tram routes in North London, established contact with each other through the correspondence columns of local newspapers. After one or two tentative gatherings, an organising committee of three (George Jackman, Jay Fowler and Geoffrey Southerden) signalled...
Read Our History