Steam Road Train through Ampney Crucis
Summers of 1898 & 1899 

The Midland and South Western Junction Railway experimented with a "Road Train" over the eight miles between Fairford and Cirencester (along what is now the A417 London Road through Ampney Crucis).  It was an attempt to gauge support for a possible rail link between the two towns.

The "Road Train" consisted of an oil-burning, steam driven motor van capable of carrying up to 3 tons and drawing a trailer for twenty passengers. Known as a ‘LIFU’ (contraction of Liquid Fuel), it was built by the Liquid Fuel Engineering Co. of Cowes, Isle of Wight.

It ran during the summer months only in 1898 and l899, when it was extended to Lechlade.

The following year a horse bus took over the route. This was the first instance of a Railway bus service. 

(Click pic for full size photo)

(Click pic for full size photo)

By the mid-1920’s, the route was operated by Steam Buses run by Cirencester & District Motor Omnibus Company