STEAM train tours on the Longannet line are an "important step" towards reinstating a regular Dunfermline-Glasgow rail service.

Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, believes Scotrail's decision to run special excursions along the route will boost calls for a future commuter service.

Mr Chapman told the Press in February that a direct link to Glasgow "must become a reality" and the SNP confirmed it would look into that possibility as a manifesto pledge.

A transport study is expected next month and the MP said: “This news is a very important step towards the reinstatement of a passenger rail link to serve West Fife, Dunfermline and Rosyth with Alloa, Stirling and Glasgow.

“I hope to continue discussions with our government at Holyrood to see how quickly this initial idea can be transformed to a fully worked up proposal.

“I believe a lot of the background work has already been completed in a previously commissioned assessment.

“That report highlighted a number of positive reasons to reinstate this passenger line given that much of the infrastructure already exists.”

Last year, Cairneyhill's Martin Keatings petitioned the Scottish Government to bring passenger rail services back to the West Fife villages.

The Kincardine-Dunfermline line closed to passengers in 1930 but is occasionally used by steam charter trains.

It was regularly used by freight trains delivering coal to Longannet power station before its closure in March.

The Scotrail steam trips take place on Saturday August 13 and 20.