RAILWAY buffs from around the world can now ride an East Lancashire steam train without leaving home thanks to a new computer simulation.

And money made from the game will help pay for the restoration of a historic diesel locomotive.

Steam train enthusiast Chris Baily, 29, has put two years of work into creating the simulation of a trip between Bury and Rossendale.

The £15 programme - an add-on for Microsoft's Train Simulator package - has drawn interest across the globe, from train enthusiasts and ex-pats, and has so far raised £7,000.

The locomotive to be restored was built as a pilot model for British Rail in the 1950s and is thought to be the last of its kind still in existence.

The East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1968 with the aim of opening up the Bury to Rawtenstall line. It opened from Bury to Ramsbottom in 1987 and to Rawtenstall two years later.

The final section to Heywood of the 12-mile run opened in 2003. It runs on weekends and bank holidays and has proved a big tourist attraction.

Chris, a volunteer driver for eight years who grew up in Bury but now lives in Llangollen, said: "The gradients and hills are spot on, I know that for a fact, and some buildings are bob on as I have been out and researched them and took photos, which I used for the 3D modelling.

"It's a very good representation of the hills and there's a lot of accurate models in there. With the stations it's hard to tell the difference.

"It's a game at the end of the day. There's a lot of skill involved in it. You are driving from the cab on the line and there are different activities."

The antiques dealer took on the task two years ago when he was temporarily out of work "I was bored, basically, and taught myself how to do 3D modelling," he said.

Chris, who was helped by wife Joanne, produced the game in his bedroom, taking care over it from production to distribution.

"The train to be renovated is known as a diesel dinosaur," explained Chris. "No one in diesel preservation knows what it sounds like It has a mystery and aura around it and everyone wants to get it to run. When we get it going it will be a great asset for the East Lancashire Railway line."

To order a copy of the game, visit brdw.co.uk