EFE Logo EFE Exclusive First Editions

Diecast Model Trams

EFE: diecast model trams

EFE manufacture a wide range of diecast models in OO scale 1:76. These models include buses, trucks and trams. They have produced a model of the Leeds Horsfield tram since 1991 and have issued it in a variety of prototype liveries. Most of the models are now out of stock.

EFE are currently producing a range of London Underground tube train carriages.

Leeds Horsfield trams

The Leeds Horsfield trams were named after the new manager, Mr. R. L. Horsfield, who arrived in 1928 and died in 1931. They were also called 'Showboats'. Four prototype cars were built by Leeds C.T. in 1930 (151-154) and 100 similar cars (155-254) were ordered from Brush for delivery in 1931.

The Horsfield cars were popular and worked successfully until the end of trams in Leeds in 1959. Horsfield car number 180 is preserved at the National Tramway Museum, Crich.

Model Number Picture Livery/Adverts Description
13402EFE 13402Maroon livery

CWS Co-op and Tizer adverts

The maroon livery was used after 1950. The car has a bow collector. Car 194 is on route 9 to Dewsbury Road.
13403EFE 13403Maroon livery

Jacob's Cream Crackers and Andrews Liver Salt adverts

The maroon livery was used after 1950. The car has a bow collector. Car 196 is on route 3 to Roundhay.
13404EFE 13404Khaki livery

Melbourne Ales adverts

The khaki green livery was used during the World War II, with white safety markings on the fenders, steps and trucksides. Antiblast shatter protection netting is depicted on the windows and the headlamps are masked for the blackout. The car has a bow collector. Car 223 is on route 14 to Town End via Armley Road.
13405EFE 13405White and silver livery

All over Road Safety adverts for Leeds Accident Prevention Council.

The white Road Safety livery was applied in 1945. The car has a bow collector. Car 230 is on route 3 to Oakwood via City Square.
13406
EFE 13406Maroon experimental livery

Mackeson's, Tetley Beer and Melbourne Ales adverts

This experimental maroon livery had no gold lining to the lower deck, pale blue-green bands around the body and silver truck sides. The car has a bow collector. Car 242 is on route 4 to Kirkstall Abbey.
14301 EFE 14301 Light blue livery

The Yorkshire Post and Stylo Shoes adverts

The later 'electric blue' livery was introduced in 1933. The car has a trolley pole. Car 161 is on route 12 to Middleton.
14302 EFE 14302 Light blue livery

Whitbread's Ale & Stout and Stylo Shoes adverts

The later 'electric blue' livery was introduced in 1933. The car has a trolley pole. Car 161 is on route 12 to Middleton.
14303 EFE 14303 Dark blue livery

Yorkshire Evening Post and Pagodoa Tea Tips adverts

The earlier dark blue livery lasted until well after 1945. The car has a trolley pole. Car 157 is on route 14 to Pudsey via Bramley.

Motorising the models

The Horsfield cars had an 8' 6" wheelbase truck, which is 34mm in OO scale. The trams can be motorised with a 34mm wheelbase ready to run truck from BEC-KITS BEC-KITS or the specially adapted EFE motorising kit from ABS Models. Alternatively, a motorising service is provided by Alan Kirkman.

An article on how to disassemble the diecast model and to fit a motorised truck was provided by Dave Voice in the January 1992 issue of the TLRS journal Tramfare. Similar details are included with the ABS Models EFE motorising kit.

Bibliography

Author Date Title Publisher ISBN Brief Contents
Jones, A. E. 1985 Trams and buses of West Yorkshire Ian Allan 0 7110 1470 1 Page 28 shows Horsfield 155 in dark blue livery, page 69 shows Horsfield 230 in Road Safety Livery and page 70 shows preserved Horsfield 189, now 180.
Voice, Dave G. 1992 TramFare Issue 145 TLRS 0 7110 1470 1 The January 1992 issue of TramFare on Page 14 Sub-7 News contains a diagram and article on how to motorise the EFE Horsfield car.
Waller, Peter 1992 The heyday of the tram - 1 Ian Allan 0 7110 2120 1 Page 42 has a colour picture of Horsfield 191 in maroon livery and many of the Leeds liveries are illustrated in colour.
Waller, Peter 1993 The classic trams: 30 years of tramcar design 1920-1950 Ian Allan 0 7110 2160 0 Chapter 3 covers the Leeds Horsfields in detail. The dustcover has a colour picture of Horsfield 179 in unlined maroon livery.
Waller, Peter 1996 The heyday of the tram - 2 Ian Allan 0 7110 2396 4 Page 38 has a colour picture of Horsfield 249 in unlined maroon livery.
Wiseman, R. J. S. 1986 Classic tramcars Ian Allan 0 7110 1560 0 Excellent book which contains Eric Thornton drawing of Horsfield 185.
Young, Andrew D. ~1980 Leeds Trams 1932 - 1959 LRTL Light Rail Transport League 0 900433 56 6 General Leeds Trams history, including Horsfield developments, now out of print.


Go to ---> Top of page Contents TLRS Back


Reload Home if you linked directly to this page

© Copyright Tramway & Light Railway Society 2001