RADIO hams will be manning a unique station in East Lancashire to offer train buffs all over the world the chance to share in the glory of the newly-renovated Flying Scotsman's return to the tracks.

In just under a fortnight the famed engine will be making the first of a series of runs along the East Lancashire Railway corridor from Bury Bolton Street to Rawtenstall, through Summerseat, Irwell Vale and Ramsbottom.

And to commemorate the landmark, members of Bury Amateur Radio Society will be setting up shop at Rawtenstall station - and hopefully taking in messages from across the globe.

Radio enthusiasts will be invited to hook up with the call handle 'GB0ELR' on the weekends of January 9 and 10, and again on January 16 and 17 as part of the heritage line's 'Scotsman in Steam' extravaganza.

Dave Robinson, society spokesman, said: "The radio station will be used to pass greetings messages on the occasion of the loco's running, to other radio amateurs, potentially worldwide, subject to atmospheric conditions, using the phonetics 'East Lancashire Railway' for 'ELR'.

"It will be freely accessible to visitors to try their hand should they wish, and will be operated jointly by members of the Bury Radio Society and licensed amateurs amongst the ELR working members."

Kate Walker, the line's marketing manager, said: "This will be the first opportunity for the general public to preview the engine in its wartime black livery following its £4.2million restoration and ahead of its inaugural run and official launch."

When 'Scotsman' tickets first went on sale in October it temporarily crashed ELR's website, due to the unprecedented demand.

Under the auspices of the National Railway Museum, the engine was the subject of its major overhaul just down the line at the workshops of Riley and Son Ltd in Bury.

An official run is planned for February from London's King's Cross station to York. The Doncaster-built loco was the first to top 100mph, between the capital and Leeds, in November 1934.

The loco, now 92-years-old, will then become a standing working exhibit at the York-based railway museum.