MEMBERS of the East Lancashire Railway team are steaming ahead with improvements to the popular tourist track.

Stations at Ramsbottom and Bolton Street in Bury are set to benefit from a £172,000 windfall from the North West Development Agency aimed at stoking up extra enthusiasm for the attraction.

Fences around the Bury station and the Castlecroft Transport Museum nearby will be replaced or improved ahead of a new route to Heywood opening next year.

Gardens will be introduced in both spots, along with heritage lighting to give an enhanced period feel.

In Ramsbottom, the station car park in Railway Street will be revamped, with a uniform Victorian look to barriers, bollards and street lamps envisaged.

New stone paving slabs, to replace conventional concrete ones, will be used to add steam-age authenticity.

Updated user signs, detailing attractions along the route, are also being introduced at stations.

The bid was submitted by the volunteer-run ELR in partnership with Bury Council.

Council planning development manager Howard Aitkin, said: "We are trying to revisit the original plans for the railway and keep the confidence spiral going.

"Volunteers will be able to add to the improvements with their own skills."

Railway marketing director Graham Vevers said: "Once again, working in partnership with the local authority we have been able to enhance visitor attractions to bring more tourists to the area."