In the early 1960s, enthusiasm for traction engines was in its infancy in West Yorkshire. To promote this interest, a few engine owners and others decided in 1963, to form the Leeds and District Traction Engine Club. This title and location was most appropriate for the area is rich in Industrial Archaeology and contained a large number of steam vehicle manufacturers. The new Club incorporated the British Fairground Society, a dwindling body whose main interest in fairs and mechanical Organs combined well with the aims and objectives of the new Club.

The first rally was held in the autumn of 1963 at Harewood House between Leeds and Harrogate and home of the Queen's cousin, and was attended over the two days by an astounding 25,000 visitors! The fledgling society held similar events in the following years, although 1966 was a blank year and in 1967 an alternative site was found at Pudsey.

The Club returned to Harewood in 1968 and several successful three day events took place. The attendance peaked in 1970 at 48,000 when some visiting showman's engines were invited from the Home Counties, thus cementing relationships with similar clubs in the South.

Some less than successful two day shows and a change in policy at Harewood resulted in a new venue being found at Bramham Park in 1977. A road run in conjunction with the unveiling of the Fowler Works Memorial took place to this location in 1979, commemorating the largest and best known of the Leeds-based traction engine makers.

In 1984 the rally moved back to Harewood where it flourished again for some years. The thirtieth anniversary event in 1993 included another road run, similar to the Silver Jubilee event in 1988.

In 1998 the August Bank Holiday event moved, for financial considerations, to the Great Yorkshire Showground at Harrogate but a combination of the population's changing leisure activities - and other reasons - made a change of date necessary and in 2000 the event was held in June. This proved not to be a financial success and the Club decided not to promote a traditional traction engine rally in 2001.

However, a combined event entitled the Leeds Steam Festival and Vintage Transport Day was organised in June of that year on three sites in conjunction with the Middleton Railway; and in 2002 a Steam Gala took place at Thwaite Mills Watermills, Stourton; courtesy of Leeds City Museums.