Trainspotters across the world are being given the opportunity to carry out their favourite hobby from the safety of their own armchair.

The Llangollen Railway has installed two internet cameras and a satellite link to beam images straight into computers.

Ben McCarthy: It is an exciting time

The pay-per-view scheme - believed to be the first in Britain - has been implemented to raise funds for the service.

One camera will record the output from the locomotive shed while the other offers a view over Llangollen railway track.

Ben McCarthy, commercial director of Llangollen Railway, said there will be plenty for visitors to see at all times of the day.

"The idea is that in the morning, people can watch when the trains are being cleaned and prepared.

Extra money

"Then during the day, they'll be able to see the trains in the station.

"Quite often people don't realise that, when you're starting up an engine, it takes a while so things will be happening from 0430 BST.

"In the 'yard-cam' you'll be able to see the coaling up of the engines, the shutting down at night and also any special events that we have will be visible."

It has cost �15,000 to install the state-of-the-art equipment but Mr McCarthy said it was money well spent.

Trainspotters will see the station yard

"We're charging �8.99 a month for access to the cameras, but the hope is that other railways come onboard as well," he said.

The money raised will be used to pay for repairs made to the Berwyn viaduct earlier this year.

Mr McCarthy, who has been involved with the organisation for a number of years, said he expects the new website to be a hit throughout the world.

"We've got a lot of friends of the railway from all over, including the States, Australia and New Zealand who wanted ways of keeping in touch with the railway to see what's going on.

The technology was difficult to install

The idea was first considered in March this year but not all train enthusiasts have welcomed the project.

"There's been a bit of resistance to it from a small fraternity of the railway, but most of them realise it is for the benefit of the railway," said Mr McCarthy.

He also admitted the technology proved difficult to install.

"The main problems have been not being able to get decent internet access in this valley.

"Doing it via satellite is expensive but it is the cheapest way," he said.

The railway committee hope that the scheme will take off and involve other voluntary stations throughout the UK to help trainspotters view more locomotives.