Book Description

Brian Render loves trams and in particular he loves Leeds Trams! In "A Penny Ride to Town", Brian introduces us to himself as a small boy, full of wonderment as he boarded the tram to town with his Mum. Later, as a youth with the grand and eventually realised desire to work with trams and many years on, to celebrate his lifelong passion for these magnificent machines by driving a restored tramcar on his 65th birthday. This book is not an engineering study of tramcars, nor is it a "nuts and bolts manual", for the technically inclined. It is a tale of a lifelong delight in and love of these unique vehicles. Packed with over one hundred illustrations, the majority of which were taken by Brian during his long career, beginning as a trainee with Leeds Tramways in 1943, this book tells us not just the story of the tramway system and the tramcars which ran upon it, but introduces us to the men and women who made the system "tick". This is the story of a man who, unlike so many of us, was able to do a job which he delighted in and this book is a distillation of his memories of some twenty years of tramway life. If you love tramcars, this book is a must. If you love Leeds and its history, this book is a must. If you just enjoy reading the words of someone who loved his work, this book is also a must. Key Selling Points: * No similar publication available * Numerous previously unpublished illustrations * Written in an easy and readable style Promotion: * Interviews on Local Radio * Reviews and competitions in local press * Author readily available for signings etc. * Readily available pre and post publication sales aids About the author: Brian Render was born in Leeds and worked for Leeds Tramways for some twenty years in various capacities. He saw military service in the Brigade of Guards. Brian is now retired and lives in Cumbria.